I just saw a discussion among corporate event planners where one person was upset that event organizers don’t give proper consideration to scheduling over top of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
I can appreciate the annoyance, when I was still a practicing Christian I would never think to schedule a work thing over Easter or Christmas. We should treat others with consideration, and should be mindful of what others view as important days. But I also don’t know what each religion considers to be major, non negotiable holidays. Do you?
Another question, does it matter where the event is? (for example, in the US should less consideration be given to holidays of religions that have fewer adherents?)
I understand that the roots of these holidays are religious. Even Christmas. However, I argue that the meaning and traditions of these holidays have been heavily high jacked by American culture and mean more to American culture than they do religion at this point. St. Patrick’s Day? The most people can tell you about St. Patrick’s day is that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. And by snakes, they meant Pagans. Who knows what the fuck Halloween means to religious people these days? Hell, without looking it up, what are its roots? I even argue that for a higher percentage of Americans, Christmas is more about presents and Santa than it is Jesus birthday.
I agree with you. St Patrick’s day is basically loved because it was a Holy Day during Lent - meaning people were able to break their fast. For me - a Protestant living in Northern Ireland - it always means a somewhat special Church service. I remember I was in Poland once on Halloween and a bunch of Churches were holding special masses. Halloween is the Eve of All Saint’s Day in Western Christianity. Ever since I chose to follow Christianity more, I have always viewed Christmas with the religious aspect, going to carol services, lighting candles at midnight, etc. But same cannot be said about society. St Valentine’s day is also Christian in origin, although I’ve never seen it that way. I guess it’s just the effect of a Christian society secularising. I believe a similar thing is actually happening on Eid in countries like Turkiye as well. Also with similar stuff in Japan.