kholt, I cannot understand how some one saying "merry Christmas" can be considered bullying. Saying that, or anything else, is exercising free speech, and is a lot less threatening than "hang the bastard", or "vote for Kerry, or we will scratch your car", which are two things that were said quite often during the last year.
If someone saying "merry Christmas" is considered to be bullying by anyone, that person had better develop a thicker skin, or go they will go through life being bullied by any, and all, kinds of people, more so than Christians saying merry Christmas.
Perhaps, you should consider using a word other than bully in such discussions. "Bully": one who is habitually cruel, especially to smaller, or weaker, people. A ruffian. To intimidate with superior size or strength. That definition does not fit any Christian that I have ever seen, or heard. Oh yes, some of them can be a nuisance, but that is far from bullying, and I have yet to encounter one that would not back off when ask to do so, with civility. Even Mormons, and Jehovah Witnesses. To rid oneself of them, is not an easy task. I will admit though, that a scientologist was so aggressive on a street in Hollywood one time, that I had to deck him, and explain to him, while he was on the sidewalk, that L. Ron Hubbard was nothing but a broken down Sci/Fi author that concocted a scheme to start his own religion, and fleece his flock.
IMO, you give to much leeway to bullying. In all my years, which are more than I should have been allowed to live, I have never seen a true bully that couldn't be backed off with a few chosen words, and has never been a problem to be concerned about. |
