Actually Mud you might want to check with the Vatican and every major Church the day is pretty much "set in stone"(and its not christmas) However you definitely grasped the original part of the point "intention" is really where the "offensiveness" if any is in any greeting.

Of course you wouldnt see the slight as you would never intend it that way, but when you look at the very basis of the two faiths it is a big flip off . Christian's also make the claim they're the chosen ones (when their own bible clearly indicates the Jews) , you see this is where it gets sketchy for most.....it's believing the bible is "real" but only the parts you like type thing that causes so many problems.

Also when people make up false attacks (for instance O reilly's comments about the aclu when in fact they've done pro bono work to support christmas in the traditional sense) is when people get the inclination they are being attacked (or their faith is under attack).

BUT if you walk up to a practicing Jewish person chances are "merry christmas" the traditional "celebration of christ's birthday" (despite the mistake). Is like me walking up to any Religious person and saying "you know your god doesnt exist right and your a nut for not believing in what I do" (why would you celebrate a day that has no significance to you etc). I wouldn't go up to you and say "happy halo's grandmother's day" etc. (sorry halo your post was over quick response so I just took your name for the example ).

So if I say Merry Christmas (which I do) to people it's not a slight , im wishing them a good season (to me) but they might take it as "im a christian and we ALL celebrate my religion!" whether we want to or not(or your stupid type thing). Which is ironic because if I named it , it would be "happy generic capitalist quarter please enjoy our goods we couldnt move in the first part of the year" day......But it's the implication that counts for some. To me its just "have a nice day" to some its the aformentioned above.

I like Happy Holiday's best for the same reason you originally did(Season's greetings etc), theres so many freaking holidays in this area of the year. (once again Jon said it better than I do though and much more concisely).