Christmas Needs a Remake
Who says discussion sites can't change opinions? The recent talks about Christmas have shifted my position on the use of the word 'Christmas,' that does bother a certain group of secular thinkers.
While right wingers are being a little too dramatic about the term 'Christmas' being under assault, their fears are not completely unfounded. There does exist a significant group of logical thinkers who are not so willing to accept the widespread use of the word, which characterizes the holiday as Christian. I have rejected this concern up until now, and have openly used 'Merry Christmas' my entire life, but recently, have starting to question my judgement.
If the goal is one of 'peace on earth and good will to all men,' is defining this magical time of year by one particular theology, which is not shared by huge swaths of humans, a good way to promote this? Hardly, religion is divisive, it pits groups of people against each other. If we want to spread good will to all, we must de-religionize this time of the year completely. I'm afraid that I have gone full-blown 'snowflake' over this issue and now consider the word 'Christmas' to describe this time of year, as an anathema.
There are secular themes for this time of year, such as the solstice, which can be acceptable to all. I would appreciate any suggestions as the theme to replace the offensive one we currently use.
Let's get the Christ out of Christmas! Who's with me?
You're welcome to your views, but I for one won't be joining you as to me the term Merry Christmas has nothing to do with christ.
It doesn't to me either, but you can bet a lot of Hindus and Muslims feel excluded by the term.
It matters the hell with me. Christmas was created by Christians. The Birth of Christ.
If you want to call it anything else, do so, Call it whatever you want to. While you are doing it....Dec. 25th will be Christmas whether you like it or not.
You don't want to see the Christmas decorations and lights.....fine.
You don't want the Christmas holidays....fine.
Oh, I know, it is really not his birth. Get over it!
Do your thing and we will do ours!
No Mango, I want to keep the decorations, and the lights, and the presents, and the food, and the warmth and love, everything! I just want to call it something else so we can include the whole world in this wonderful celebration. Calling it Christ's mass is divisive and selfish.
Call it by the former name of Yule or Saturnalia.
The Whole Entire World doesn't celebrate this holiday. Why does there need to be a change ?
Are you trying to force those that "DON'T" celebrate this holiday...to celebrate it ?
It is literally impossible. You are free to celebrate--or not--those days marked as Christmas in a religious or non-religious fashion however you want. Same with Palm Sunday, Passover, Good Friday, Easter, Mardi-Gras, Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Valentines Day, and any other Holiday that are recognized as Christian holidays by various Christian churches. If those aren't enough, the Jews and Muslims can provide many more--along with other religions. Un-knot your panties, and quit trying to force YOUR beliefs on everyone else. There is a name for people like you who want to join in the celebration simply to join in for the party--it's called "Party Crasher"! Man up and throw your own party and call it a "Winter Solstice Party". Get other people to throw them too. Somehow I don't see them as really catching on in a big way simply because no one really cares about it being the shortest daylight day of the year. Hardly a reason to celebrate.
Hell, you could show your contempt for Christmas with your decorations. Hang some crucifixes upside-down' Dress up in soldiers costumes and wear bloody thorn crowns while you're at it for all I care. Get a cake made depicting Christians being fed to lions. Build a bonfire that looks like a church before you set it ablaze. Hang an effigy of St. Nick in your tree in front of your house.
I'm sure there are plenty more ways you can find to express your hatred of the Christian's and their religion. Just don't be too surprised when not too many people show up...
The secretary at work sent a company wide email well wishing everyone on Jesus’s birthday. I don’t think she’s aware that she’s several months off.
You could always call it Chanukah. The latkes (potato pancakes) are delicious topped either with sour cream or apple sauce, and the holiday lasts for 8 days.
Who has suggested that a certain time of year be characterized as only Christmas time and/or that it should be characterized as such for all people? I doubt very much it was a Christian.
Celebrating the solstice is something very few people do. It's also a cold time of year, but we don't celebrate that either (unless you really like being cold). It's also basketball season, hockey season, the time of year when months end in -ember, and so on. Celebrate them all or celebrate none of them. Do it or don't in whatever style you like. No one is stopping you.
But for me, when you say - or demand that others say "Happy Holiday" but the only holiday in either of our minds is Christmas, and you're only doing it because you think Christianity is somehow oppressive, then expect me to call you out for being mindlessly PC and engaging in a war on Christmas. That means don't call it a "Holiday Tree" when you know damned well it isn't being bought to commemorate Chanukah, New Years, Kwanzaa or anything else. Don't call it "Winter Break" when you damned well know we're only getting the time off because it's Christmas. No one does this crap with any other holiday except Christmas.
No one is forcing you to celebrate Christmas, but if you're so angry or jealous at the exuberance with which people do celebrate Christmas, that - Grinch like - you want to erase it from existence, that's your problem. And too bad.
Those who want to homogenize religious holidays should not be hypocritical, and should refuse to accept Christmas bonuses and gifts.
Really Buzz? So, if we don't celebrate it as a Christian holiday, we should exclude ourselves from the celebration? Is this your final position?
I was SPECIFIC about CHRISTMAS BONUS's and GIFTS. Please don't put words in my mouth that I neither said nor meant. Celebrate all you want.
I see, so it's only gifts and bonuses we must exclude ourselves from? Sorry for the misunderstanding Buzz!
Erase it? Hardly, Taco, in fact, I want to EXPAND it. Did you even read my blog? I just want to stop calling it Christ's mass so that we can include everyone in this wonderful celebration!
I don't do the mall madness, erect a tree, or sing carols. What I do is drive up into the mountains local to me and find a nice quiet spot. I take out a wine glass, fill it, raise it and say "Happy birthday boss."
What a lot of hoopla over nothing. If someone offers you season's greetings with any phrase, take it for what it is, a expression of good will in the holiday season.
Getting all bent up about it especially around Christmas when you're supposed to be full of love and brotherhood is hardly keeping with the Christian season, now is it?
"I would appreciate any suggestions as the theme to replace the offensive one we currently use."
"Ramadan".
It's very likeable ....... and a no-no when it comes to arguments. In other words, you "Can't" discuss it in a negative way. The threat of Death has a way of "Curbing" the negatives.
Maybe Christians should start that threat again.... The "Faith" would be left alone then too.