NationStates Jolt Archive

Do you celebrate Christmas? And if so, why?

It upsets me when there are people who are non-christians that celebrate Christmas. Nothing's stopping you from doing so, but why? Obviously, you know the true meaning of Christmas (Not just the giving part), so why celebrate the holiday if you don't believe in what you are saying? Or, are you (do I dare say it?) closet Christians?

So, tell me.

I'm not Christian, and I refuse to celebrate Christmas.... I also hate it when people who aren't Christian celebrate Christmas.

I don't celebrate the religious holidays of any other religions... why should I celebrate Christmas?

i celebrate it as a family holiday.

a reason to get together with loved ones and to share what i can (gifts).

i celebrate it for a number of reasons, for one it's fun, for another, my parents are christians and i primarily celebrate it with them, for another, christmas is a bastardized pagan holiday to begin with. gift giving, the tree, the date, everything is stolen from pagan rituals.

I only "celebrate" christmas because my family is christian, so I kinda have too,

and why does it upset you that non-christians celebrate christmas??

I don't celebrate christmas myself, but that's only because I've worked retail so I know what the true true meaning of christmas is and not that fable you all tell yourselves about unity and love.

Some of the athiests I know do it because their christian family do it, or because thier friends do it-or maybe the reason we started doing it in the states to begin with-we didn't have a holiday, a break. We all need a break and christmas is just an excuse. How many people who celebrate St. Patrick's Day give a rat's ass about snakes in Ireland?

Christian?

There are christmas trees and stalkings on fireplaces in the Bible?

Does that mean Santa Claus has given presents to Jesus!

:)

Maybe I should point out how governments endorse it? How it's a "NATIONAL" Holiday. How Santa Clause ain't a saint, and is now a commerical icon.

Or I could ask why Christians celebrate it? I don't think Jesus was born any time around here, (Try Easter if I recall correctly) Not to mention it's practically Pagan to begin with... :rolleyes:

Anyways, as an Atheist I celebrate it yearly. I plan to always. It has No religious significance to me. At all. And Christians who claim it as theirs should remember, if that logic is held up, then all Christians are owned by Catholics. Who technically descended from Romans. Who worshipped many gods. Which they took from the Greeks. Whom (Presumably) were influenced by the Egyptions. (And from there I just stopped caring..)

All Hail Christmas, The Truely Egyption Holiday! May Ra Bless one and All. ;)

Christian?

There are christmas trees and stalkings on fireplaces in the Bible?

Does that mean Santa Claus has given presents to Jesus!

:)
He was the fourth wise man, but reserved the rights to his story for a higher bidder like Coca-Cola...besides, "wooden train" while a better present for children than fankensense(wow, not even close...) and muir didn't sound as poetic...

because modern christmas is an almost entirely secular holiday anyway. and everybody likes a party, as well as getting and giving gifts.

besides, you christians just took over an old pagan holiday - from what i've read, jesus was probably born in late september or october.

How many people who celebrate St. Patrick's Day give a rat's ass about snakes in Ireland?
hell, how many people who aren't even irish in the least celebrate st. patrick's day?

Christian?

There are christmas trees and stalkings on fireplaces in the Bible?

Does that mean Santa Claus has given presents to Jesus!

:)
To be fair, St. Nick came a while after the time of Jesus. St. Nick was born in 1417, died in 1487. Jesus was born in 0 bc and died in 0 ad (~33 years).

All Hail Christmas, The Truely Egyption Holiday! May Ra Bless one and All. ;)
i think it was supposed to be horus' birth...

but not far off.

Because its become a tradition and because, I feel, its a way to honour the religious beliefs of others even if I don't share them.

What I don't understand if fundamental Christians who still get a tree, give gifts and tell their children Santa is getting them presents.

hell, how many people who aren't even irish in the least celebrate st. patrick's day?
I made the mistake of visiting the National Archives in Washington D.C. on St. Patrick's day once... don't do that.

i celebrate it as a family holiday.

a reason to get together with loved ones and to share what i can (gifts).

i celebrate it for a number of reasons, for one it's fun, for another, my parents are christians and i primarily celebrate it with them, for another, christmas is a bastardized pagan holiday to begin with. gift giving, the tree, the date, everything is stolen from pagan rituals.

Still, you fail to miss the entire point of the holiday. It's not about receiving presents, sure it's supposed to be fun. But it's about celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. While getting together is a principal idea, the whole holiday ties back to God. But, whatever, you're entitled to celebrate it the way you want.

because modern christmas is an almost entirely secular holiday anyway. and everybody likes a party, as well as getting and giving gifts.

besides, you christians just took over an old pagan holiday - from what i've read, jesus was probably born in late september or october.

I think it was march april-ish. (Near Easter-omg)

Christmas is actually derived from the Roman holiday Saturnalia, whorshipping the harvest and basically everyone has a blast. So celebrating Jesus's birth near the dead of winter when he was born going into spring seems kind of silly.

Do you celebrate Christmas? And if so, why?

It upsets me when there are people who are non-christians that celebrate Christmas. Nothing's stopping you from doing so, but why? Obviously, you know the true meaning of Christmas (Not just the giving part), so why celebrate the holiday if you don't believe in what you are saying? Or, are you (do I dare say it?) closet Christians?

So, tell me.
because its completely commercialised

I celebrate Christmas because I get the 25th and the 26th off work. I like eating and drinking with my family who I don't see very often and I like presents (giving and receiving).
I'm sorry if that annoys christians, I certainly don't celebrate with that intention, much the same as I don't work on Sundays, not for religious reasons but because my job gives me Sundays off (Sorry if this offends anyone too.)

Still, you fail to miss the entire point of the holiday. It's not about receiving presents, sure it's supposed to be fun. But it's about celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. While getting together is a principal idea, the whole holiday ties back to God. But, whatever, you're entitled to celebrate it the way you want.


*pokes* Read my earlier post. I don't want to repeat myself over and over and over.

You spelt "question" wrong

Maybe I should point out how governments endorse it? How it's a "NATIONAL" Holiday. How Santa Clause ain't a saint, and is now a commerical icon.

Or I could ask why Christians celebrate it? I don't think Jesus was born any time around here, (Try Easter if I recall correctly) Not to mention it's practically Pagan to begin with... :rolleyes:
the only thing NOT pagan about christmas is it being declared jesus's birthday. every other single thing about it was stolen from the "pagan religions"

You spelt "question" wrong

I realize that now, but thanks.

You spelt "question" wrong

You spelled "spelled" wrong.

Do I get a cookie?

You spelled "spelled" wrong.

Do I get a cookie?

NO SUCH WORD AS "SPELLED" THE WORD IS "SPELT"

*pokes* Read my earlier post. I don't want to repeat myself over and over and over.

Your point....? We don't have to celebrate it on the exact date of his birth.

Still, you fail to miss the entire point of the holiday. It's not about receiving presents, sure it's supposed to be fun. But it's about celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. While getting together is a principal idea, the whole holiday ties back to God. But, whatever, you're entitled to celebrate it the way you want.
and it was stolen from a holiday celebrating the birth of horus in some cultures. the beginning of longer days in others (winter solstince) and these celebrations had to do with getting together and exchanging gifts.

i'm celebrating it the original way... well, minus the sun worship.

I realize that now, but thanks.
THATS GOOD TO KNOW I HOPE YOU FIX IT SOON :)

Jesus was born in 0 bc and died in 0 ad (~33 years).

That would mean that he lived for less than a year. Check how your calendar works.


Anyhow, I'm an atheist who celebrates Xmas. I got not good reason. My family is atheist. However, the vast majority of Christmas is secular: gift-giving, trees, stockings, Santa, reindeer, egg nog, &c. I get the impression that Christians set aside about 2 minutes on Christmas day to reflect on the good fortune that their Saviour was born*. I just spend those 2 minutes playing with my new toys - otherwise I celebrate it just like a Christian. I don't think 2 minutes different is enough to justify making a new holiday.

*I'm not sure, but some probably go to a special Christmas Mass. Probably fewer than you think, and I bet the young ones hate every minute of it.

The "real" meaning of Christmas has been stolen by major corporations. Deal with it.

Yes, I celebrate Christmas, and I am athiest, because it is a family holiday. We don't celebrate any of the Christian aspects of it, really- we do the tree, and we put luminarias out on Christmas Eve (that's a southwestern tradition), and we eat Christmas dinner.

When else are we supposed to do that?

The "real" meaning of Christmas has been stolen by major corporations. Deal with it.

Yes, I celebrate Christmas, and I am athiest, because it is a family holiday. We don't celebrate any of the Christian aspects of it, really- we do the tree, and we put luminarias out on Christmas Eve (that's a southwestern tradition), and we eat Christmas dinner.

When else are we supposed to do that?

You've got thanksgiving.

You all are right, though. Christmas has been stolen and raped by the major coporations. I wish it hadn't. Still, though. Why celebrate what you don't believe in?

I think it was march april-ish. (Near Easter-omg)

Christmas is actually derived from the Roman holiday Saturnalia, whorshipping the harvest and basically everyone has a blast. So celebrating Jesus's birth near the dead of winter when he was born going into spring seems kind of silly.
I thought it was suppose to compete with the winter soulstice(sp) celebrations in Britain, and that that was where they got things like fir trees, missel toe, and yeul logs.

Oh, I forgot to mention. I also celebrate Easter. I think it's a pretty wacky idea (a whole holiday dedicated to colored eggs, rabbits, and chocolate), but it's fun. There's absolutely nothing religious about it for me.

NO SUCH WORD AS "SPELLED" THE WORD IS "SPELT"

Lies and propaganda, Spelt sounds silly.

Do you talk to your mother in that font size and color?

You've got thanksgiving.

You all are right, though. Christmas has been stolen and raped by the major coporations. I wish it hadn't. Still, though. Why celebrate what you don't believe in?

ALTHOUGH YOU MAY NOT BELIEVE IN CELEBRATING FOR THE CHRISTIAN REASONS, SOME PEOPLE MAY JUST WANT TO CELEBRATE THE END OF THEY YEAR.

If you think that Christmas is a Christian holiday, not so in the U.S. It is become so secularized these days that it doesn't really matter. I went to the mall the other day to have some lunch and to observe people. It was definitely a lot of fun watching people, seeing the jolly red pervert taking pictures with snot-nosed kids, parents feeling like if their picture with Santa isn't perfect the whole season is ruined. In other words, watching people think of themselves as being the center of the universe. Christmas has just become another time of the year which America has perverted into it's own spendaholic binge. I hate this time of year, and I hate most everything associated with it, but I love my family, and they are my center, and if it makes them happy, it makes me happy. I don't get all caught up in the frenzy of holiday shopping, though.

While I am not a Christian, 3 of the other 4 members of my immediate family are, and as such, I'm not going to go against family tradition. So yes, I guess I celebrate Christmas if not for the "birth of Christ" at least for the reminder that there are other reasons to living than just for ourselves. And since I don't see Christmas as being a religious holiday, I find nothing against my celebrating it. Granted, you don't see me do anything for Easter other than buy those Cadbury creme eggs that they only sell around that time, and Peeps, goddamn I love that junk food.

I thought it was suppose to compete with the winter soulstice(sp) celebrations in Britain, and that that was where they got things like fir trees, missel toe, and yeul logs.

Well yeah that makes sense; but the Romans celebrated a holiday called Saturnalia way back when- that occured December.

You sound logical though; take an old holiday and add modern society to it and voila...

You've got thanksgiving.

You all are right, though. Christmas has been stolen and raped by the major coporations. I wish it hadn't. Still, though. Why celebrate what you don't believe in?

So we're not Christian and are now minus a family holiday? That's just so not cool.

We aren't celebrating what we don't believe in- we're celebrating family. (Of course, it could be argued that we don't believe in family either and are doing it because it is socially unacceptable not to celebrate some winter holiday and give presents and are celebrating Christmas because we are compensating for that. The same thing could be argued about Christians celebrating it, though.)

That would mean that he lived for less than a year. Check how your calendar works.
The callender was edited to allot time for the life of Christ as in neither BC or AD.
Check your Roman history.

Do you celebrate Christmas? And if so, why?

It upsets me when there are people who are non-christians that celebrate Christmas. Nothing's stopping you from doing so, but why? Obviously, you know the true meaning of Christmas (Not just the giving part), so why celebrate the holiday if you don't believe in what you are saying? Or, are you (do I dare say it?) closet Christians?

So, tell me.

I celebrate, with my family, the secular aspects of the holiday, without even considering the religious.

I don't give a shit about Jesus. Sure he said some nice things, but some other charming folks twisted and perverted it into the modern Christian church, something Jesus would probably have hated.

I celebrate Christmas because it's a damn good idea to have one day a year when everybody shares gifts and gets together. It's also a shitload of fun.

That would mean that he lived for less than a year. Check how your calendar works.

It'd mean that he didn't live at all. 0 B.C. and 0 A.D. do not exist.

There is disagreement as to the birth and death dates of Yeshua ben Pantera, but the two most likely dates are either him being born in 6 B.C.E. and dying in 27 C.E., or him being born in 4 B.C.E. and dying in 29 C.E.

You've got thanksgiving.

You all are right, though. Christmas has been stolen and raped by the major coporations. I wish it hadn't. Still, though. Why celebrate what you don't believe in?
i believe in family time and giving gifts.

and that's precicely what i celebrate.

Why celebrate what you don't believe in?

The bottom line is, I don't. I celebrate a special day (some would call it a "holiday," but that means "holy day," which has connotation I don't like) which I call "christmas" (that's a bad name because it has the name of a person who got way more credit than he deserves and a it has a ritual which I never partake in) that is a celebration merely because celebrating once per year is good fun. It is not a celebration of the birth of Christ - I think that was a horrible event, and the day should be rued.

The callender was edited to allot time for the life of Christ as in neither BC or AD.
Check your Roman history.



This is entirely untrue. 1 AD was supposedly the first year after christs birth. (although estimates for the actual year in which Jesus was born vary) 1 BC was the year before this.

This is entirely untrue. 1 AD was supposedly the first year after christs birth. (although estimates for the actual year in which Jesus was born vary) 1 BC was the year before this.
I'm just relaying what I've heard, none the less, Jesus' life didn't span from 0 or 1 AD ~ 33 AD.

Well yeah that makes sense; but the Romans celebrated a holiday called Saturnalia way back when- that occured December.

You sound logical though; take an old holiday and add modern society to it and voila...
All right its just the way I always hearded it was that they, well I guess 'we' since I'm Catholic, started it to try to get converts and keep recent convert from being tempted by the old ways. Santa Clause seems to be a comercialization of St. Nickholas, who was mentioned earlier in this thread, whose feast day is during advent. Saint Nick was supposed to have given poor children gifts. Their is also a tradition in some places for children to leave a shoeout in front of the door on the night before his feast day and that in the morning there would be a little present in it, it seems posible that the stocking thing came from that.

As I can see no one is listening to me, I'll stop trying to convince you that you're obviously blind...but whatever, celebrate how you want :cool:

As I can see no one is listening to me, I'll stop trying to convince you that you're obviously blind...but whatever, celebrate how you want :cool:
You are being blind to everyone else too! Don't place the blame soley on all but you.

As I can see no one is listening to me, I'll stop trying to convince you that you're obviously blind...but whatever, celebrate how you want :cool:

We're not blind, christmas isn't the church's idea. I could say Jesus wasn't born in december, but since we have no facts going either way...

Do you celebrate Christmas? And if so, why?

It upsets me when there are people who are non-christians that celebrate Christmas. Nothing's stopping you from doing so, but why? Obviously, you know the true meaning of Christmas (Not just the giving part), so why celebrate the holiday if you don't believe in what you are saying? Or, are you (do I dare say it?) closet Christians?

So, tell me.
We like presents and family as much as the next person … being with family has nothing to do with the supposed death of Christ (hell most Christian children are more familiar with Santa and the bunny then they are with the teachings of Jesus)


I was/am Christian (thinks of me as an agnostic I guess) not quite Christian but my family is and they wish me there with them also.

You are being blind to everyone else too! Don't place the blame soley on all but you.

How am I blind when I'm the only one who celebrates the true meaning of Christmas? Yes, all the material things are nice, but nothing even comes close to God's glory.

As I can see no one is listening to me, I'll stop trying to convince you that you're obviously blind...but whatever, celebrate how you want :cool:

You didn't say you were going to try to convince us, you asked us a question and we answered.

As I can see no one is listening to me, I'll stop trying to convince you that you're obviously blind...but whatever, celebrate how you want :cool:
how are we so obviously being blind?

you're not celebrating the original intent of the holiday either. which would be the rebirth of horus and the elongation of the day.

How am I blind when I'm the only one who celebrates the true meaning of Christmas? Yes, all the material things are nice, but nothing even comes close to God's glory.

People seek God out in different ways. Deal.

I'm just relaying what I've heard, none the less, Jesus' life didn't span from 0 or 1 AD ~ 33 AD.
Well if you look at the calender as being correct it actualy does mean that AD dosent mean After Death like some think but is either Spanish or Latin, can't remeber which, for The Year of Our Lord. In reality though it is commonly accepted that he was born around 4 or 6 years befor the year 1AD

People seek God out in different ways. Deal.

I know, but no one here is trying to seek out God.

Well if you look at the calender as being correct it actualy does mean that AD dosent mean After Death like some think but is either Spanish or Latin, can't remeber which, for The Year of Our Lord. In reality though it is commonly accepted that he was born around 4 or 6 years befor the year 1AD


AD stands for 'Anno Domini' which is latin for 'The year of our Lord' and does not refer to the years after his death, but the years after his birth.

(Like you said)

Well if you look at the calender as being correct it actualy does mean that AD dosent mean After Death like some think but is either Spanish or Latin, can't remeber which, for The Year of Our Lord. In reality though it is commonly accepted that he was born around 4 or 6 years befor the year 1AD
I know that AD doesn't mean after death.
AD=Anno Domini=In The Year of Our Lord

AD stands for 'Anno Domini' which is latin for 'The year of our Lord' and does not refer to the years after his death, but the years after his birth.
Dang, beat me to it. ;)

I know, but no one here is trying to seek out God.

Talk about blanket generalizations. Just because you're the only person here out to convert (right now) doesn't mean that others don't have their own relationships with the Lord.

We're not blind, christmas isn't the church's idea. I could say Jesus wasn't born in december, but since we have no facts going either way...
Actualy as I said befor the Catholic Church DID come up with the idea of Christmas, which if I remember corectly stands for Christ's Mass, by adopting a variety of celtic and pagan rituals as a way of keeping converts from being tempted by the old ways and to make atracting new converts easier by alowing them to keep some of their old traditions only in a new christianized version. Of course Christmas as it is now has been heavily basterdized by corparet greed, though I think the preasent giving, emphasis on giving, has been around for awhile as well, I think it is conected to the legened of St. Nick whose feast day comes during advent.

the only thing NOT pagan about christmas is it being declared jesus's birthday. every other single thing about it was stolen from the "pagan religions"

This is why i never post anything on here... guys like this say it for me :)

btw if anyone says otherwise they need to do some research

Do you celebrate Christmas? And if so, why?

It upsets me when there are people who are non-christians that celebrate Christmas. Nothing's stopping you from doing so, but why? Obviously, you know the true meaning of Christmas (Not just the giving part), so why celebrate the holiday if you don't believe in what you are saying? Or, are you (do I dare say it?) closet Christians?

So, tell me.

Okay, let's have a reality check, shall we?

Christmas, as it is celebrated in the United States, is far less of a religeous holiday as it is a business holiday. It is a commercial orgy of buying swag for your family, your friends and a lot of people you barely know, the dollar amount value of the gifts you give defining the place in your personal heirarchy of importance that that particular person occupies. It is empty, hollow and really freaking annoying.

It has NOTHING to do with the Christian religious festival OR the pagan festivals that the Christians used it to replace so that their new "converts" wouldn't rebel too much against the new religion that was forced on them. Personally, I find this question to be pretty ignorant, all things considered.

Those of you who observe this holiday by going to church to attend mass and who feel spiritually enriched by this activity are cool in my book. THAT is something I can respect. But I suspect that this particular set of people don't sit around being elitist religious pigs that talk out of their butts like the poster of this question.

If you are one of the celebrators of this holiday that spends the full month of December and part of November being revoltingly nasty to your fellow man in shopping malls and parking lots, salving your guilty conscience by throwing a few quarters into the Salvation Army's kettle while shoving someone aside to go buy a cheap gift for some co-worker you don't even like and sneering at the less fortunate who are lucky to have so much as a modest dinner on Christmas night... well goody for you. Religious or not, Christian or not, that makes you a pretty sad excuse for a person. Are you a closet Consumer masquerading as a Christian?

The tone and wording of your question leads me to believe that you are indeed one of these despicable wretches. And it dead accurately pegs you as an ignorant jerk with very little Christian charity in you. Twice the shame on you, heading into this holiday that you want to rope off for Christians only that by CHRISTIAN definition is a time to celebrate "Peace on earth and goodwill towards all men".

Poseur.

Talk about blanket generalizations. Just because you're the only person here out to convert (right now) doesn't mean that others don't have their own relationships with the Lord.

I'm not trying to convert, I asked a question. (Or, a qyestion, whatever the hell that is.)

I said that no one wants to seek out God, because, no one in this thread has come out and said that they want to seek out God. I wasn't generalizing, I was making an oservation.

I know that AD doesn't mean after death.
AD=Anno Domini=In The Year of Our Lord
Alright sorry then, but I realy have know Idea what you were trying to say in that post I quoted if thats the case.

Back to the original question asked....

I have never celebrated Christmas, because my family is strictly Calvinistic and believes Christmas is nothing more than a Papal holiday taken from Pagan sun worship. Two knocks against one of the more popular (for whatever reason) holidays in the year.

I disagree with my family - they focus on all of the wrong things. Plus, I'm convinced my father has a personal vendetta against Christmas for whatever reason. *shrugs*

I'm celebrating Christmas for the first time ever this year, though. I'm in the Navy, so I can do whatever I please. Me, my fiance, and my best friends in my base are going to get together and celebrate it quietly...because we can.

I see Christmas as a time to swap gifts, spend time with friends, eat well, and walk down nostalgia road. I never really had much of a childhood because of circumstances in my past...so I see this Christmas as a chance to be a child again. *shrugs* It's all about simplicity and friendship - in my opinion, Christmas is what you make of it. I have always loved the season and I always will.

Though, to be fair...I call it "Yule" more often than not. Yule is the Pagan celebration Christmas came out of - as a Pagan, I have no problem celebrating Christmas and Yule side-by-side. In my opinion, Christmas is an extention of Yule...just makes the holiday season last that much longer. ^_^ Yule is a celebration of the Goddess' birth to the Sun God, if one wants to get down to technicalities and it falls on the Winter Equinox (December 21st). Yule is a "celebration of light and warmth"...and has carried over to Christmas. Which is one of the reasons I celebrate Christmas, regardless of my own religious beliefs.

And btw - who's to say that no one here is "seeking god?" Who's to say that one "god" is better than another? I argue that I worship the same god as the Christians... Diety is not a definite, in my opinion, but is different for each person. There is a Higher Power - what we call Him or Her is irrevelant.

I'm not trying to convert, I asked a question. (Or, a qyestion, whatever the hell that is.)

I said that no one wants to seek out God, because, no one in this thread has come out and said that they want to seek out God. I wasn't generalizing, I was making an oservation.

You said you were trying to convince us.

I'm seeking God out. It's just hard to get past the piles of bullshit people pile on top of Him to find Who's really underneath.

ok non-christians can't celebrate christmas? the holidays are what you make them, whether it's a time to be with family, pay respects to a carpenter who lived 2000 years ago (nothing wrong with it) or look forward to a new year.

sure, the bible says a lot of things. while the bible makes no mention of santa claus, pine trees, or presents, the bible says i can have slaves and should make sacrifices to god. the bible is not a platform from which to preach to the rest of the world. so please, all you religious elitists, go sit in your tower. everyone should not need to justify themselves to you. the whole question of non-christians celebrating christmas is so hypocritical as to be beyond reason.

a good jewish friend of mine leaves his sh-thole family every year to come celebrate christmas in my town. if nothing else, it gives him a chance to escape the downward spiral of his life and enjoy the friendship and warmth of others.

so please, don't demand justification from me or anyone else. don't you have more important things to complain about? excuse me while I go slaughter a lamb. :headbang:

Okay, let's have a reality check, shall we?

Christmas, as it is celebrated in the United States, is far less of a religeous holiday as it is a business holiday. It is a commercial orgy of buying swag for your family, your friends and a lot of people you barely know, the dollar amount value of the gifts you give defining the place in your personal heirarchy of importance that that particular person occupies. It is empty, hollow and really freaking annoying.

It has NOTHING to do with the Christian religious festival OR the pagan festivals that the Christians used it to replace so that their new "converts" wouldn't rebel too much against the new religion that was forced on them. Personally, I find this question to be pretty ignorant, all things considered.

Those of you who observe this holiday by going to church to attend mass and who feel spiritually enriched by this activity are cool in my book. THAT is something I can respect. But I suspect that this particular set of people don't sit around being elitist religious pigs that talk out of their butts like the poster of this question.

If you are one of the celebrators of this holiday that spends the full month of December and part of November being revoltingly nasty to your fellow man in shopping malls and parking lots, salving your guilty conscience by throwing a few quarters into the Salvation Army's kettle while shoving someone aside to go buy a cheap gift for some co-worker you don't even like and sneering at the less fortunate who are lucky to have so much as a modest dinner on Christmas night... well goody for you. Religious or not, Christian or not, that makes you a pretty sad excuse for a person. Are you a closet Consumer masquerading as a Christian?

The tone and wording of your question leads me to believe that you are indeed one of these despicable wretches. And it dead accurately pegs you as an ignorant jerk with very little Christian charity in you. Twice the shame on you, heading into this holiday that you want to rope off for Christians only that by CHRISTIAN definition is a time to celebrate "Peace on earth and goodwill towards all men".

Poseur.

Thank you for making a blind assumption about me. As a matter of fact, I've spent no time at a mall, or any other store for that matter, buying any gift of any sort. As a matter of fact, my family gave away nearly 500 dollars to the salvation army. We're buying 100 coats for the homeless in St Louis. The Lord says give, and I give. We're celebrating Christmas with some family at my house, with litltle amount of gifts. I'm not trying to rope of Christmas. I think you should be free to celebrate it the way you desire. I merely asked a question as to why they'd celebrate something they don't believe in. Refer to my first post. I specifically said that I wasn't stopping them from celebrating it. Don't attack me. Thank you, and Merry Christmas.

Thank you for making a blind assumption about me. As a matter of fact, I've spent no time at a mall, or any other store for that matter, buying any gift of any sort. As a matter of fact, my family gave away nearly 500 dollars to the salvation army. We're buying 100 coats for the homeless in St Louis. The Lord says give, and I give. We're celebrating Christmas with some family at my house, with litltle amount of gifts. I'm not trying to rope of Christmas. I think you should be free to celebrate it the way you desire. I merely asked a question as to why they'd celebrate something they don't believe in. Refer to my first post. I specifically said that I wasn't stopping them from celebrating it. Don't attack me. Thank you, and Merry Christmas.
Ok the simple reason we care about family not Jesus it is a convinent time that cristians cleared for us to get to see them

*rubs eyes after reading the big red font over and over*

I try to celebrate Christmas in the spirit of giving but not just material gifts. I was raised to celebrate it as the birth of Christ, but as many of you have pointed out- it has become so commercialized and iconic that it hard to associate it with that. I know people who seem to be in a contest to spend the most money, or who try to out-do others as far as the "quality" of their gifts. But I dont like that at all. I have a 5 year old daughter, and in an effort to keep the meaning that we believe, we have made it a tradition to bake a birthday cake for Jesus at Christmas. She thinks its really special and we sing happy birthday Jesus-lol. Of course, we are the only ones eating Jesus' cake-but I'm sure he doesnt mind.
I respect others reasons and rights to celebrate it. Even if you dont believe its the birthday of Christ or a religious holiday at all, its great for people to get together with friends and family and show your love and appreciation for each other. I dont see how thats a bad thing. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

I'm not trying to rope of Christmas. I think you should be free to celebrate it the way you desire. I merely asked a question as to why they'd celebrate something they don't believe in. Refer to my first post. I specifically said that I wasn't stopping them from celebrating it. Don't attack me. Thank you, and Merry Christmas.
in your first post you were saying that non-christians shouldn't celebrate it.

you spent a good portion of the thread trying to convince us that it isn't a secular holiday. you said that it upseted you that non-christians celebrated us.

and perhaps you should stop attacking other people and no one will attack you?

Albion Cymru Eira,
You said it...

Haloman,
I think Albion here said it better than I could.
And since I'm a 'Pagan' and although I hold no ill will towards whatever you worship. The Question in my mind is not why christians stole Yule from 'pagans' but what makes them think that everyone has to celebrate their version of it?

P.S. If what you say is true about you and yours donating then my hats off to you, its a noble thing

This is why i never post anything on here... guys like this say it for me :)

btw if anyone says otherwise they need to do some research
i like to step in and spew trivial information on occasion

Booslandia: Amen.

i don't think christ would have wanted people who didn't believe in your god to be excluded from the supposed spirit of christmas

I have a 5 year old daughter, and in an effort to keep the meaning that we believe, we have made it a tradition to bake a birthday cake for Jesus at Christmas. She thinks its really special and we sing happy birthday Jesus-lol. Of course, we are the only ones eating Jesus' cake-but I'm sure he doesnt mind.

that has to be the cutest thing i have ever heard. :)

The only reason I "Celebrate" Christmas is because my parents do. Besides, why not exploit the bullshit we call "Religion" for some material items?

I'm sort of a christian. And my family celebrates christmas, even though several members of my family are not christians. We do it because getting the whole family together to have a big party and good food and socializing and enjoying each other's company has been a tradition in our family. We have two parties, one on christmas eve and one on christmas morning. It's really quite fun, partly because my extended family is huge.

And by the way, AD stands for Anno Domini, which means "In the years of our lord." These began when Jesus was born, not when he died.

BC stands for Before Christ. Contrary to popular myth, AD does NOT stand for After Death, it stands for Anno Domini, which means "years of our lord"
This has already been established, but a little reinforcment never hurt an argument ;)

Do you celebrate Christmas? And if so, why?

It upsets me when there are people who are non-christians that celebrate Christmas. Nothing's stopping you from doing so, but why? Obviously, you know the true meaning of Christmas (Not just the giving part), so why celebrate the holiday if you don't believe in what you are saying? Or, are you (do I dare say it?) closet Christians?

So, tell me.

Tradition. It is almost like a routine now.

Why do Christians celebrate Christ mass? it is not in fact the birth of Christ, which was actually January 6. December 25 was a pagan ceremony to worship the sun god by the (if i remember correctly) Celts. It was a case of Christianity adopting popular culture rather than vice versa.

Why do Christians celebrate Christ mass? it is not in fact the birth of Christ, which was actually January 6. December 25 was a pagan ceremony to worship the sun god by the (if i remember correctly) Celts. It was a case of Christianity adopting popular culture rather than vice versa.
actually, january 6th was mithras' birthday.

another saviour god with a very similar story...

and the celts celebrated winter solstice as the day the days would start to get longer (i think the birth of a god too). similarly, the vernal equinox was celebrated the day overcoming the night.

the egyptians celebrated the rebirth of horus on december 25th as well.

actually, january 6th was mithras' birthday.

another saviour god with a very similar story...

and the celts celebrated winter solstice as the day the days would start to get longer (i think the birth of a god too). similarly, the vernal equinox was celebrated the day overcoming the night.

the egyptians celebrated the rebirth of horus on december 25th as well.

i get confused with these things, all these religions stealing from each other. It has been a while since i've actually remembered these things to try and challenge Christians, because i get "the bible is right because it says so on page 23" all too often. Comparing the Epic of Gilgamesh to the bible is quite interesting, many parallels.

A technicality -- sorry if this is a total repeat.

There was no year 0, BC or AD. The present calendar system was invented before Europe got the idea of zero from the Arabs, so the system goes 2 BC, 1 BC, 1 AD, 2 AD, etc.

I've heard an estimate that Jesus was born around 15 BC to 4 BC, and that we don't really know the birthdate.

(Not that I much care; I prefer the BC/CE notation.)

Didn't South Park once feature a fight between Jesus and Santa Claus?

Originally Posted by Peechland
I have a 5 year old daughter, and in an effort to keep the meaning that we believe, we have made it a tradition to bake a birthday cake for Jesus at Christmas. She thinks its really special and we sing happy birthday Jesus-lol. Of course, we are the only ones eating Jesus' cake-but I'm sure he doesnt mind.

May I venture to say, thats a shitload of birthday candles. lol

Why do Christians celebrate Christ mass? it is not in fact the birth of Christ, which was actually January 6. December 25 was a pagan ceremony to worship the sun god by the (if i remember correctly) Celts. It was a case of Christianity adopting popular culture rather than vice versa.
It was away to try and keep and atract celtic converts in Britain if I remember correctly.

Why do Christians celebrate Christ mass? it is not in fact the birth of Christ, which was actually January 6. December 25 was a pagan ceremony to worship the sun god by the (if i remember correctly) Celts. It was a case of Christianity adopting popular culture rather than vice versa.


Actually...as I've already stated, Christmas has it's roots in Yule, which is a Celtic/Neo-Pagan/Norse holiday...from what I can figure out. ("Yule" seems to be a Norse/Celtic name, though...almost every European culture has a winter holiday celebration, though, in their "old" religion that falls near/centers around the Winter Soltice).

There are two thoughts on where Christmas comes from:

Some would say it comes from the Roman celebration of the Sun God and the soltice.

Some would say it comes from Yule.

But here's the bottom line:

When the Holy Roman Empire formed, the Roman Catholic Church when on a rampage of sorts. In order to take complete control of the nations it conquered/took over, it had to "force" its religious beliefs on the populous. Well...in the Celtic nations of Great Britain, this "forcing" didn't go over well. (Gotta' love the Celts...they're so deliciously stubborn!! ^_^). So...in stead of murdering the entire Celtic populace, the Catholic church decided to "embrace" Pagan beliefs. This is where the Christmas tree came from, and the idea of candy canes, etc. (There are several good sites and books that cover the history of Christmas).

Christmas is a "Christanized" attempt to overshadow the "Old Ways." So, anyway you look at it, Christmas IS a Pagan celebration. ^_^ Though, the Christians are more than welcome to their holiday in the manner that they deem appropriate. :)

Actually...as I've already stated, Christmas has it's roots in Yule, which is a Celtic/Neo-Pagan/Norse holiday...from what I can figure out. ("Yule" seems to be a Norse/Celtic name, though...almost every European culture has a winter holiday celebration, though, in their "old" religion that falls near/centers around the Winter Soltice).

There are two thoughts on where Christmas comes from:

Some would say it comes from the Roman celebration of the Sun God and the soltice.

Some would say it comes from Yule.

But here's the bottom line:

When the Holy Roman Empire formed, the Roman Catholic Church when on a rampage of sorts. In order to take complete control of the nations it conquered/took over, it had to "force" its religious beliefs on the populous. Well...in the Celtic nations of Great Britain, this "forcing" didn't go over well. (Gotta' love the Celts...they're so deliciously stubborn!! ^_^). So...in stead of murdering the entire Celtic populace, the Catholic church decided to "embrace" Pagan beliefs. This is where the Christmas tree came from, and the idea of candy canes, etc. (There are several good sites and books that cover the history of Christmas).

Christmas is a "Christanized" attempt to overshadow the "Old Ways." So, anyway you look at it, Christmas IS a Pagan celebration. ^_^ Though, the Christians are more than welcome to their holiday in the manner that they deem appropriate. :)
That sounds about right but I thought that the Holy Roman Empire wasn't founded untill Charlegmane?

i think Emperor Constantine made the changes to Christianity to make it match pop culture.

though he wasnt Christian himself until he lay on his deathbed.

Coral Zone: Yes, you are correct. The very first South Park animation was actually a christmas card movie about Jesus and Santa duking it out. It got out on the net and was so amazingly popular that Commedy Central picked up the authors and the rest is history.

Haloman: Sounds like your family has its priorities straight. I'm still not all that convinced about you. You are not what your family does, but what your own words and actions proclaim you to be. So as your family does the humane and Christian thing in helping those less fortunate, you make an inflammatory post with the clear attitude of despising anyone who is not Christian who also celebrates on that particular day which is now genericly stamped as Christmas, forgetting, or perhaps never knowing in the first place that most Old Religions have held their own celebrations for time immemorial. Which I must reiterate is not a very charitable or Christian act. For your sake and for your belief's sake, I sincerely hope you come to repent that action and learn to be a better Christian.

Your protest that you are not "roping off the holiday" for Christians is in direct contradiction to your own words. And I directly quote: "It upsets me when there are people who are non-christians that celebrate Christmas." I have a question for you. Why do you find it so upsetting that people might adopt the tenets of peace and goodwill towards others that your faith elevates if only for one stinking day of the year? Are you of the mind that people of other faiths or no faith at all might accidentally enjoy themselves and be kind to others on your special day and this might somehow ruin your own enjoyment? Really. I'd like to hear this.

You see, I'm of the mind that all faiths have their merit and truth and that there is no one faith that corners the goodness market. It irks the living crap out of me when ignorant, petty little morons of tiny brain and huge mouth use something that is supposed to be as benevolent and enriching as religion as a weapon of bigotry and superiority, most especially when they do it in such a hypocritical way.

/twitch

I don't celebrate Christmas, I celebrate a holiday I made up (secular one too) called "Present Day". Whereas you spend time with the family, give and recieve gifts, and have fun.
It's just a random coincidence that "Present Day" happens to fall on December 25th every year.

Appart from that, religiously, I don't "Have" to use Christmas as an excuse, I have 2 days in the year with the same importance, gift-giving, family stuff involved.
And that's not including the celebration at the beginnin of every month.

Have you ever celebrated Halloween? Why?

I celebrate Xmas because the lessons of generosity and giving are important. Much more important than any of the other aspects of Xmas.

I'm sure its been said, but I'll say it again.

PRESENTS! :D

Presents, If you dont like it.. who cares?

I'm sure its been said, but I'll say it again.

PRESENTS! :D

Nononono!

HAM!

:p

Okay, let's have a reality check, shall we?
[SNIP!]
Poseur.

Your post sounds to me like "You scumbag, get in the fucking holiday spirit and show your goddamn goodwill towards all people or I'll smash your face!" For a while I thought you were being intentionally ironic, but sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case. Please don't be hypocritical.

I always believed Christians celebrate the birth of Christ, the being of Christ, everyday, the power of Christ and that stuff? Isn't that part of being an everyday devout Christian? That was always my impression.

Have you ever celebrated Halloween? Why?

No I don't. I "did" when back years ago I was Christian/Agnostic/Atheist (In that order).
Now, I have no holiday for that date, no religious or personal reasons why it is any better.
However, following said date, I do enjoy purchasing uber-cheap candy. But that's hardly religious is it?

You are probably right about Yuhle (Jul in my language). And I do remember all those "where do are holidays come from"-themes in school, they stated that Sweden actually didn't have any public christian holiday (no, easter is pagan too, actually the whole idea of other holy days than Sunday is pagan).:)

So why do I celebrate? Well, I have two weeks free from school and everyone else is doing it, it doesn't conflict with my (twisted) agnostic/sikh/bahai religious views as ALL christmas traditions are older than Christianity (except church then...)

And why am not seeking out God? I do that in my own way, and frankly I don't care if you deny our pagan heritage and belive in some hilarious story starting with a cheating woman who didn't want to tell her hospent...

Your post sounds to me like "You scumbag, get in the fucking holiday spirit and show your goddamn goodwill towards all people or I'll smash your face!" For a while I thought you were being intentionally ironic, but sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case. Please don't be hypocritical.

/chuckle

No, the post is: Don't make Christians look any worse than they already do, thanks to ignorant jackasses just like you, you selfish twit.

But you can read it however you like.

I don't. Still, since I have friends and family who do I go to their celebrations to be social.

Christmas? Never heard of it. Maybe they should hype it more.

I guess you would be upset with a lot of people in Japan then.

Who cares? You celebrate your way, and everyone else can celebrate their way.

Be glad I don't have you over for Festivus, and the Contest of Strength.

Be glad I don't have you over for Festivus, and the Contest of Strength.

Mister S. fans, you'll find them everywhere... d_ :D _b

I celebrate Christmas as a consumerist holiday, completely unrelated to any religion.

I celebrate because it's a good time to be with family, eat some great meals, listen to some nice music, have a good laugh with old friends, and drink ridiculous quantities of egg nog. As for the "true" meaning of Christmas, well, I still think the nativity story is very nice, and I actually enjoy a lot of religious holiday songs. I'm agnostic, leaning towards atheist, but I still kinda like going in to midnight mass, just for the atmosphere. Am I a hypocrite, or just someone who enjoys a warm feeling?

I don't believe in cupid, but I still celebrate Valentine's Day.

Im Christian and I celebrate Christmas. But I can still understand why a non-believer would celebrate. I don't have any problem with that.

Christmas is still a family holiday. It promotes love, giving, care, and all that other fuzzy stuff. So thats why im ok with it. Those ppl do it out of love.

Am I a hypocrite, or just someone who enjoys a warm feeling?

No your not a hypocrite. Im perfectly fine with that.. why not spend time with the family, go to the church, and drink lots of egg nog? :)
I don't think that the church would have a problem with that.

No your not a hypocrite. Im perfectly fine with that.. why not spend time with the family, go to the church, and drink lots of egg nog? :)
I don't think that the church would have a problem with that.




Jesus didn't drink egg nog, Katic!

Christmas isn't exclusively, or even mostly, Christian. There are Christian denominations out there who regard it sniffily as a pagan ritual. It's just the winter solstice. It's cold, it's dark, it's about as far away from summer as you can get: may as well cheer ourselves up with eating, drinking and giving each other things we don't really want.

And anyway, the whole nativity story is a straight lift from Mithras-worship: the star, the shepherds, the 3 Magi, the stable, the virgin birth... (the bread and wine, the 12 disciples, calling priests "Father", the funny hat called a "mitre"... always a good bet when starting a new religion in a militaristic Empire: copy the significant features of most popular cults among the legions.)

i celebrate it as a family holiday.

a reason to get together with loved ones and to share what i can (gifts).

i celebrate it for a number of reasons, for one it's fun...
what he said.
plus its an excuse to put your feet up, eat till you feel sick, and generally do nothing all day. great :D

my thanks to Christians and the original Pagans for inventing such a great thing.

Nononono!

HAM!

:p
Bah, they did that to keep the jews out. Unfriendly bastards.

Do you celebrate Christmas? And if so, why?

It upsets me when there are people who are non-christians that celebrate Christmas. Nothing's stopping you from doing so, but why? Obviously, you know the true meaning of Christmas (Not just the giving part), so why celebrate the holiday if you don't believe in what you are saying? Or, are you (do I dare say it?) closet Christians?

So, tell me.

Note: I'm posting without having had read this topic, so if this point has been made already, I apologise. (I'm a bit short on time is all.)

Christmas wasn't original a Christian holiday. Both Christmas and Easter were adopted by Christianity and endowed with Christian meaning. Originally, Christmas was the pagan midwinter festival.

Now, I'm not saying that it's fair to still call it that, because few people recognise it as such, but the 25th of December has been recognised by a lot of people as a day of celebration long before it was the day Jesus was born.

I don't believe in cupid, but I still celebrate Valentine's Day.

The more relevant belief would be in St. Valentine, I think. Or if you want to go back to probable origins, Lupercus.

Don'tcha just love it when a loud mouthed Christian is put in his place?

GEROFF MY HOLIDAY! I WANT MY PRESENTS!

Do you celebrate Christmas? And if so, why?

It upsets me when there are people who are non-christians that celebrate Christmas. Nothing's stopping you from doing so, but why? Obviously, you know the true meaning of Christmas (Not just the giving part), so why celebrate the holiday if you don't believe in what you are saying? Or, are you (do I dare say it?) closet Christians?

So, tell me.
do you live in America? because, in America, it is pretty much impossible to not observe Christmas. hell, Christmas isn't just a holiday, it's an entire season...you can't escape it. you HAVE to observe the holiday itself, because everything in the damn country is closed. even if you don't put up Christmas lights, your neighbor is bound to have enough glowing Santas up to light your yard for you. you'll get Christmas cards from friends and coworkers, regardless of whether you are a Christian. your kids will be in Christmas pagents (or "holiday" pagents, which just so happen to correspond with the major holiday of only one particular religion). the entire month of December will be painted red and green and strongly flavored with peppermint.

i'm not a Christian, nor have i ever been, but i have "observed" Christmas for my entire life. why? same reason i have always observed Thanksgiving: my schools would be closed and my parents would have a holiday from work. you take your vacations how you get them, in the middle classes. we've never gone to church, talked about Jesus, or done anything approaching a Christian ritual on Christmas, but we do exchange gifts and get together with family and friends (and eat a whole hell of a lot). believe it or not, doing those things has nothing to do with Christmas, but is, rather, a continuance of the ancient celebration of the winter solstace...Christianity meshed itself into that pagan holiday way back when, and significant evidence suggests Jesus wasn't born in December at all. the "true" meaning of the holiday we honor on December 25th goes well beyond the Christian fable of God's bastard love-child, and dates to centuries before the Christ Mass was first celebrated, so keep that in mind.

Do you celebrate Christmas? And if so, why?

It upsets me when there are people who are non-christians that celebrate Christmas. Nothing's stopping you from doing so, but why? Obviously, you know the true meaning of Christmas (Not just the giving part), so why celebrate the holiday if you don't believe in what you are saying? Or, are you (do I dare say it?) closet Christians?

So, tell me.

Ummm...not to be smug, but do YOU know the true meaning, and origins, of Chrismas (and not just the Nativity Scene part)? Are you a pagan? Why follow pagan rituals on a pagan holiday if you don't believe in what you are saying? Or, are you, (do I dare say it?) a closet Pagan?

So, tell me.

(For the record, I sit somewhere between Atheist and Agnostic, but prefer to think of myself as a non-practicing Deist or Tao/Buddhist. Yes, I celebrate Christmas. No, I don't care about your perceived religous overtones for the holiday. No, I don't consider this hypocritical, I only really follow it because of the heresy and witchhunt that would ensue around me if I tried not to. And I only care because it's individuals in my own family that would be carrying the torches and stakes, certainly not because of the rest of you yahoos.)

Now, I'm not saying that it's fair to still call it that, because few people recognise it as such, but the 25th of December has been recognised by a lot of people as a day of celebration long before it was the day Jesus was born.

And, I would like to point out, in case it hasn't already been, that Jesus was recorded as being born some time between March and July, and nowhere near the December 25th date. It ain't his birthday.

Do you celebrate Christmas? And if so, why?

It upsets me when there are people who are non-christians that celebrate Christmas. Nothing's stopping you from doing so, but why? Obviously, you know the true meaning of Christmas (Not just the giving part), so why celebrate the holiday if you don't believe in what you are saying? Or, are you (do I dare say it?) closet Christians?

So, tell me.

What should upset you are Christians who celebrate Christmas. Christmas is not a Christian holiday, but rather a predominantly American cultural holiday that has ancient, pagan roots.

Beside the fact that Christ was not born in December, every icon associated with Christmas (tree, giving presents, Santa Claus, yule log, carolers, Christmas feast, etc.) are all culturally, rather than religiously, derived. And while the origins of the "Christmas" celebration go back 4,000 years to the ancient Mesopotamia celebration of Zagmuk, the Babylonian festival of Sacaea, the Roman Saturnalia, and the Scandinavian Yuletide, Christians didn't even observe Christ's birth until over a century after his death and didn't select Dec. 25 as the day for the "Christ Mass" until three-and-a-half centuries after his birth. Even then it remained a relatively minor feast day; one of many. Christmas, as you know it, didn't begin to take shape until two centuries ago.

When I was in Japan two years ago was surprised at how popular celebrating Christmas has become in that country with about 2% of the population who are Christians. They recognize that Christmas is not a religious holiday and have even added a tradition of their own - the Christmas cake (at least it was new to me).

What should upset you are Christians who celebrate Christmas. Christmas is not a Christian holiday, but rather a predominantly American cultural holiday that has ancient, pagan roots.

Beside the fact that Christ was not born in December, every icon associated with Christmas (tree, giving presents, Santa Claus, yule log, carolers, Christmas feast, etc.) are all culturally, rather than religiously, derived. And while the origins of the "Christmas" celebration go back 4,000 years to the ancient Mesopotamia celebration of Zagmuk, the Babylonian festival of Sacaea, the Roman Saturnalia, and the Scandinavian Yuletide, Christians didn't even observe Christ's birth until over a century after his death and didn't select Dec. 25 as the day for the Christ Mass until three-and-a-half centuries after his birth.

When I was in Japan two years ago was surprised at how popular celebrating Christmas has become in that country with about 2% of the population who are Christians. They recognize that Christmas is not a religious holiday and have even added a tradition of their own - the Christmas cake (at least it was new to me).

mmmm I want cake

christmas is no longer a reliogus holiday god said so him self he was bought out by the corpations

hehehe
http://www.cafepress.com/landoverbaptist.8412866

Do you celebrate Christmas? And if so, why?

It upsets me when there are people who are non-christians that celebrate Christmas. Nothing's stopping you from doing so, but why? Obviously, you know the true meaning of Christmas (Not just the giving part), so why celebrate the holiday if you don't believe in what you are saying? Or, are you (do I dare say it?) closet Christians?

So, tell me.

I celebrate it cause it's fun. I give and I receive presents. Great!
Anyway, it is not very religious any more. I mean, santa claus isn't exactly a religious figure.

Do you celebrate Christmas? And if so, why?

It upsets me when there are people who are non-christians that celebrate Christmas. Nothing's stopping you from doing so, but why? Obviously, you know the true meaning of Christmas (Not just the giving part), so why celebrate the holiday if you don't believe in what you are saying? Or, are you (do I dare say it?) closet Christians?

So, tell me.

I hate to break it to ya, but there is an extremely secular side to Christmas these days. When you open presents and visit with family you haven't seen possibly since last christmas, do you spend the whole time discussing Jesus?

"Why celebrate the holiday if you don't believe in what you're saying"

The answer is they aint saying nothing religeous. They're treading on the "love and family, santa and pine tree" side of Christmas.

hehehe
http://www.cafepress.com/landoverbaptist.8412866

Oh no, too little. You have to go to the Landover Baptist site itself for the full effect.

http://www.landoverbaptist.org/

I love the people who write to them thinking it is an actual Baptist website. Check out the Christmas gifts:

http://www.cafepress.com/landoverbaptist/33269

The "What Would Jesus Do?" thong is my favorite, although "The Dirty Sex Bible Verse Wall Calendar" is a close second (see below for a sample quote).

"Yet she multiplied her whoredoms, in calling to remembrance the days of her youth, wherein she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt. For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh (genitals) is as the flesh (genitals) of asses, and whose issue (cum) is like the issue (cum) of horses." (Ezekiel 23:19-20)

As a Buddhist i celebrate Christmas, because there is no way on earth that any of my friends would remember my religious ceremonies. Besides as i want to become an R.E. teacher i feel that it is important to take an interest in all religions.

Oh no, too little. You have to go to the Landover Baptist site itself for the full effect.

http://www.landoverbaptist.org/

I love the people who write to them thinking it is an actual Baptist website. Check out the Christmas gifts:

http://www.cafepress.com/landoverbaptist/33269

The "What Would Jesus Do?" thong is my favorite, although "The Dirty Sex Bible Verse Wall Calendar" is a close second (see below for a sample quote).

"Yet she multiplied her whoredoms, in calling to remembrance the days of her youth, wherein she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt. For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh (genitals) is as the flesh (genitals) of asses, and whose issue (cum) is like the issue (cum) of horses." (Ezekiel 23:19-20)


Guess where I found the card ... um reading through landover :) hehehe

my personal fav is "My priest molested your honor roal student" bumper sticker

Do you celebrate Christmas? And if so, why?

It upsets me when there are people who are non-christians that celebrate Christmas. Nothing's stopping you from doing so, but why? Obviously, you know the true meaning of Christmas (Not just the giving part), so why celebrate the holiday if you don't believe in what you are saying? Or, are you (do I dare say it?) closet Christians?

So, tell me.


What we celebrate as Christmas is actually derived from a former Pagan 'holiday' commemorating the winter solstice. Why do Christians celebrate this holiday?

What we celebrate as Christmas is actually derived from a former Pagan 'holiday' commemorating the winter solstice. Why do Christians celebrate this holiday?
As has been said earlier in this thread it was a marketing ploy the church used in celtic Britain, basicaly.

I only "celebrate" christmas because my family is christian, so I kinda have too,

This, plus the fact that it's become more of a commercial holiday in North America.

Coca-cola stole Santa Claus and changed his colour. The Church stole the date from the Pagans. Ok, you can find the trees with the little lights on in the Bible, but nothing else!

So what's left to celebrate?

Personally I celebrate the end of the old year and the beginning of the new, at solstice. Then I join in with all the other parties - who cares if they're out by a few days?

Merry Yule!

Maybe I should point out how governments endorse it? How it's a "NATIONAL" Holiday. How Santa Clause ain't a saint, and is now a commerical icon.

Or I could ask why Christians celebrate it? I don't think Jesus was born any time around here, (Try Easter if I recall correctly) Not to mention it's practically Pagan to begin with... :rolleyes:

Anyways, as an Atheist I celebrate it yearly. I plan to always. It has No religious significance to me. At all. And Christians who claim it as theirs should remember, if that logic is held up, then all Christians are owned by Catholics. Who technically descended from Romans. Who worshipped many gods. Which they took from the Greeks. Whom (Presumably) were influenced by the Egyptions. (And from there I just stopped caring..)

All Hail Christmas, The Truely Egyption Holiday! May Ra Bless one and All. ;)
Dumbass Easter is when Jesus was reserected.

Dumbass Easter is when Jesus was reserected.

Actually, it is believed he was most likely born in spring, so it is close to Easter.