This just makes you want to go out and have a Big Mac

[garrettwc]

Caught this on last nights news:

http://www.wral.com/news/5532271/detail.html

Religious McDonald's Sign Draws Attention In Raleigh
Woman Asks Restaurant To Remove Sign, 'Jesus Is The Reason For The Season'

POSTED: 7:16 am EST December 14, 2005
UPDATED: 10:25 am EST December 14, 2005

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Everyone celebrates religion and holidays in their own individual ways, but currently there are questions about whether the two should be more connected. One of the latest places involved in the controversy is a McDonald's restaurant in Raleigh.

The sign at McDonald's on the corner of Falls of Neuse and Spring Forest Road reads: "Merry Christmas, Jesus is the Reason for the Season." It is a holiday message that Amanda Alpert thinks comes on a little too strongly.

"It offends me because it specifically talks about Jesus, Merry Christmas. It doesn't give credit to anyone else," Alpert said.

Alpert called the McDonald's corporate office in Atlanta and requested that the sign be changed to the politically correct Happy Holidays. The response was the owner has the right to do what she wants with the sign.

"I care because I'm Jewish, and the reason for the season is upsetting to me," Alpert said.

None of the drivers WRAL spoke to were offended by the sign.

"I've always known it to be Merry Christmas, and it is Jesus' birthday," said Tom David of Smithfield.

It's a debate that's struck a chord nationally and locally. The White House Christmas card surprised some with its "Happy Holiday Season" message. A proposed nativity scene in Raleigh recently drew a crowd at council chambers.

McDonald's managers say the sign has been good for business. They say church groups have stopped by to eat, and some people who usually don't eat food from McDonald's have stopped by because of the sign. The store's owner did not return WRAL's calls.

Reporter: Paul LaGrone
Photographer: Bobbie Eng

Corporate office told this ninny to go spit

[mtnbkr]

Kinda sorta offtopic, but I went to school near Raleigh and new some folks who ended up working at WRAL for a while.  I think I know that McD's, but I'm not certain.  I haven't been in that area for a few years.

Chris

[jefnvk]

Ummm...

I don't see how you can argue, even if you aren't religious or Christian, how Christmas doesn't involve Jesus.

[pauli]

personally, i view christmas as primarily a commercial holiday, with any religious origins a rather minor concern, especially when one takes history into account.

[matis]

"I care because I'm Jewish, and the reason for the season is upsetting to me,"
____________________________________________________________

I'm Jewish and I care, too.  I care about this short-sighted attitude on her part.


She doesn't like the fact that this country is 90% (at least nominally) Christian?  Then how will she like it when the Muslims are in control?

See if they treat her stupidity with the same forebearance that her Christian fellow Americans show her.


And if we Jews and Christians don't start pulling together against the Islamo-fascist threat, then she (and we) may yet have to deal with the tender and sensitive mercy of Muslim control.


How'se about the other Jews of like mind on this forum -- how'se about we find a way to "missionize" to our fellow Jewish ostriches.    



matis

[garyk/nm]

Mcd's > < Ninny

[...has left the building.]

I don't get it...does anyone care whether the franchisee of the McD's believes in Jesus, Budda, G-d, Allah, etc.? It baffles me that people even care what other people believe in to the point of being offended while eating a #1.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

Freedom of religion doesn't mean freedom from religion.

She has no more right to gripe about a Christian sign than I have right to gripe about her Judaism.


Does she also get honked off whenever she sees a steeple on top of a church?

[Justin]

"It offends me because it specifically talks about Jesus, Merry Christmas. It doesn't give credit to anyone else," Alpert said.

Then

go

to

Taco Bell

you

insipid

excuse

for

a

suburban

bovine.

[Winston Smith]

+1 Justin

Uhhh... either don't eat there or shut up.

Or both. That's what I'd do... though I've been known to enjoy a fine meal at McD's about twice a year.

[Ben]

while eating a #1.

Well, I guess that beats eating #2.......

[Stand_watie]

"I care because I'm Jewish, and the reason for the season is upsetting to me,"____________________________________________________________

I'm Jewish and I care, too.  I care about this short-sighted attitude on her part.


She doesn't like the fact that this country is 90% (at least nominally) Christian?  Then how will she like it when the Muslims are in control?

See if they treat her stupidity with the same forebearance that her Christian fellow Americans show her.


And if we Jews and Christians don't start pulling together against the Islamo-fascist threat, then she (and we) may yet have to deal with the tender and sensitive mercy of Muslim control.


How'se about the other Jews of like mind on this forum -- how'se about we find a way to "missionize" to our fellow Jewish ostriches.    



matis

In all fairness to Jews, I'll bet you a Big Mac that she's Jewish only culturally or ethnically, and doesn't actually observe Jewish religious doctrine. My personal observation has been that the loudest, most annoying "Jews" are by far the farthest away from practicing what I know of as genuine Judaism, just as the loudest and most annoying "Christians" are the farthest away from practicing Christianity as Christ taught.

[roo_ster]

What SW said.

I was thinking that McD's could be frought with problems for an observing Jew.  I doubt the kitchen is kosher, let alone any of the chow like cheeseburgers.

Ah, well.  She has the right to squeal, we have the right to worship as we like...or worship not at all.

Merry Christmas, Merry Ramahanukwanzmas, or Merry...whatever you might find to be merry about 'round 'bout this time of year.

[Phantom Warrior]

As a devout Christian and a proud former McDonalds employee I'd gladly buy a Double Cheeseburger to support that store.

[...has left the building.]

"It offends me because it specifically talks about Jesus, Merry Christmas. It doesn't give credit to anyone else," Alpert said.

Then

go

to

Taco Bell

you

insipid

excuse

for

a

suburban

bovine.

She'd find something offensive about Taco Bell too...like how they don't serve potato pancakes. Which by the way, are freeeeekin delicious!

[SalukiFan]

I understand that there are different kinds of McDonalds - the one that are nationally-owned and the locally-owned franchises.  The restaurant in Raleigh is probably a locally-owned franchise and the owner has decided to put up the sign for either for religious reasons, for commercial reasons (it's probably gotten her a lot more business) or a combination of both.  

Frankly, I don't see why the lady is getting so upset.  The restaurant is a privately-owned business and the owner is exercising her free speech.  On the other hand, Ms. Alpert was within her rights to complain to the corporate office and they were, in turn, within their rights to tell her the owner could do whatever she wanted with the sign - that's America.

Personally, I think that there are probably more effective ways at promoting a more thoughtful reflection on a religious holiday than posting a cheesy saying on a fast-food restaurant but it doesn't really offend me per se.  

Honestly, I'm glad to be in a religious minority since we've mostly avoided the gross over-commercialization of our religious holidays, with the exception of Chanukah, a minor holiday, being turned into a "Jewish Christmas".

I can't believe that I'm saying this but I agree with Matis.  
As Jews we need to spend less time being nit-picky about things that really don't matter all that much and more time building relationships with the Christians so that we have mutual understanding and tolerance.

[BryanP]

I posted it in a separate thread before I saw this one, but it bears repeating.  

[Dannyboy]

McDonald's is notoriously strict with their franchisees, so this quote is frickin awesome.  I just wish more companies would grow a set and allow these things.

The response was the owner has the right to do what she wants with the sign.

[Phantom Warrior]

I understand that there are different kinds of McDonalds - the one that are nationally-owned and the locally-owned franchises.  The restaurant in Raleigh is probably a locally-owned franchise and the owner has decided to put up the sign for either for religious reasons, for commercial reasons (it's probably gotten her a lot more business) or a combination of both.

That is indeed correct.

Personally, I think that there are probably more effective ways at promoting a more thoughtful reflection on a religious holiday than posting a cheesy saying on a fast-food restaurant but it doesn't really offend me per se.

I agree and disagree with you.  It is a little bit cheesy and it is a sign at a McDonalds.  But on the other hand, what better place for a McDonalds store owner to put a sign?  And that IS the fundamental issue, that without the birth of Jesus Christ we would have nothing to celebrate.  It works for me.

[matis]

I heard Jackie Mason interviewed on a talk show, yesterday.

He was once an Orthodox rabbi, before he changed careers and he comes from a family of Orthodox rabbis.


He's actually leading a parade in NYC with other conservative (politically) Jews for the purpose of defending the use of "Merry Christmas" (!) and to generally support Christians against the attacks on their faith that they are experiencing.

One of his lines cracked me up:  "It's getting really bad already when the Jews have to defend the Christians!"


Seriously it does my heart good to see at least some Jews going public on this.



Stand_watie, I agree with your observation that it is the not practising Jews who feel the need to take this stupid attitude.


It's almost as if the secular or otherwise non-orthodox Jews are dimly aware at some level that their life-style causes their children and childrens' children to fall away from Judaism.

And this is their gropingly misguided attempt to somehow do something about that awareness.






"I can't believe that I'm saying this but I agree with Matis.  

Salukifan, I'm in shock, myself, at this news!  



A gutten Chanukah, Salukifan and a very Merry Christmas to all (PULEEZE sort YOURSELVES out and receive the appropriate greeting with my very best wishes).



matis

[Waitone]

Me think the Lady hath far too much time on her hands.

How 'bout if I am offended at her flagrant use of oxygen?

[Antibubba]

With all respect to the subject, there is nothing that would make me want to go out and have a Big Mac.  :barf: