I *generally* agree with this argument, barring some of the more
specific concerns that are stated...but I really think the "Merry
Christmas" thing is overstated. Your friend has every right to say
"Merry Christmas" to whomever he wants - if the receiving party doesn't
like it, that is the receiving party's problem. I'd guess that,
underneath, your friend seems to be more concerned that *he* may feel
uncomfortable if he says it to the wrong person and then finds out he
said something meaningless to someone that was intended to be a nice
gesture. If so, that is your friend's problem, not the other guy's.
If he doesn't want t be PC, he doesn't have to be.

He needs to get over it. There is no requirement that we refrain from
saying Merry Christmas to Hindus, and there is no requirement that
Hindus must understand and agree with the sentiment. Say it in a
spirit of goodwill - some will return the gesture, some will be
Scrooges, some will be puzzled, and some will be offended. For the
last three, just shrug it off.

I like Buster Keaton. I will say, on his birthday, Happy Buster
Keaton's Birthday. If someone doesn't like it or care, so what? Or
worse, if someone doesn't like Buster, TS. I like Buster, and I'll
celebrate his birthday openly.

A Merry, Joyful, Deeply Religious and Spiritual Christmas to EVERYONE,
whether you like it or not ;-)
Bruce Jensen