I have an indirect question that is sorta in the same ballpark.
Those of us who have friendly acquaintances who are not Jewish are often in a spot to respond to their holiday wishes to us, with an, “Enjoy your holiday”, or “Have a happy holiday”.
Are we allowed to say something like that? Is it affirming some validity to what they believe, or can it be seen as just being sociable?
Any ideas how a Jewish person responds to a friendly gentile acquaintance who wishes us to enjoy Chanuka? Can we respond with an enjoy your holiday without stumbling into avoda zora, heaven forbid???
While I have hostile feelings to that religion, I dont necessarily have those feelings to all its’ members. In fact, many of them dont even buy into it and see the holiday as a time to be all warm and fuzzy and friendly, and to buy gifts, with no religious connection for them.