NationStates Jolt Archive

Well it's that time of year again. Electricity consumption is on the rise, retail outlets brace for that mass compulsive consumerism that hits about this time every year and millions of innocent pine and fir trees have had their lives ingloriously ended.

How the hell did a celebration of the birth of the 'Prince of Peace' turn into the mess it is now?

Specifically how did the murder of evergreens become part of the ritual?

I don't need a history lesson, so don't post one. I'm looking for logic.

Well it's that time of year again. Electricity consumption is on the rise, retail outlets brace for that mass compulsive consumerism that hits about this time every year and millions of innocent pine and fir trees have had their lives ingloriously ended.

How the hell did a celebration of the birth of the 'Prince of Peace' turn into the mess it is now?

Specifically how did the murder of evergreens become part of the ritual?

I don't need a history lesson, so don't post one. I'm looking for logic.

Do you think Christianity actually matters anymore in this country? It is now used as an excuse for most things in this country.

Note: I know that not everyone is like that, but it is the general level of Christianity in this country. More of a public thing than a private thing.

Edit: And no evergreens were harmed in the making of my sig.

Christmas trees are something to do with us here in the UK I'm afraid... well... we made it popular... but Prince Albert (Queen Victoria's husband) made it a tradition here...

The Bible actually prohibits real Christians to have a tree in the house

I wouldn't mind the whole tree thing so much if it didn't involve killing a tree (even if they were raised for the purpose). I've embraced the live tree option once or twice, but usually just shun the whole thing.

I've noticed that pointing out the hypocrisy of the 'Kill a Tree for Christ' thing can really piss off some christians

And the operators of christmas tree lots if you hold up a 3 foot sign with those words just down the street from them :D .

The Christmas tree traces its origin back to an ancient Danish custom called 'The Tree of Sin'. Every year the Danes would cut down a large evergreen and take it into their homes. Six branches would be cut from this tree, each branch representing a different sin: Greed, lust, piracy, indifference, contentmint, and prejudice. These branches would then be used to flog each member of the familly in order to remove the sins from their being. After the flogging presents would be put under the tree as a reward for their virtue.
I'm guessing Christians just nicked the idea.

I wouldn't mind the whole tree thing so much if it didn't involve killing a tree (even if they were raised for the purpose). I've embraced the live tree option once or twice, but usually just shun the whole thing.

I've noticed that pointing out the hypocrisy of the 'Kill a Tree for Christ' thing can really piss off some christians

And the operators of christmas tree lots if you hold up a 3 foot sign with those words just down the street from them :D .

You were seriously adamant about the killing of trees?

I thought you were just referencing the commercialism of Christmas.

Geez, I was way off.

I don't need a history lesson, so don't post one. I'm looking for logic.

The Christmas tree traces its origin back to an ancient Danish custom called 'The Tree of Sin'. Every year the Danes would cut down a large evergreen and take it into their homes. Six branches would be cut from this tree, each branch representing a different sin: Greed, lust, piracy, indifference, contentmint, and prejudice. These branches would then be used to flog each member of the familly in order to remove the sins from their being. After the flogging presents would be put under the tree as a reward for their virtue.
I'm guessing Christians just nicked the idea.

And the "Stopped Reading the Original Post Too Early" Award goes to:

ProMonkians!!!

Has no-one heard of artificial Christmas trees? :headbang:

if you want logic use some before you start your threads

lol, its nice to see that Danes were always nuts ^_^

The annoying, tacky flashing lights and illuminated plastic snowmen are another reason I hate Christmas.

if you want logic use some before you start your threadsSomebody piss in your cheerios this morning Eli?

A little caustic remark with no explanation sound good for lunch anyone?

Well it's that time of year again. Electricity consumption is on the rise, retail outlets brace for that mass compulsive consumerism that hits about this time every year and millions of innocent pine and fir trees have had their lives ingloriously ended.

How the hell did a celebration of the birth of the 'Prince of Peace' turn into the mess it is now?

Specifically how did the murder of evergreens become part of the ritual?

I don't need a history lesson, so don't post one. I'm looking for logic.
First off, the whole christmas tree is specifically Christmas, which, unfortunately, has lost it's Christian meaning in todays society.

Secondly, you ever think of what that barn was made of? Ok, technically it was a cave, but then there was the manger he was in, made of wood, stables made of wood, straw, probably a fire to keep warm...It's a tree, get over it.

As for electricity...meh, people still have to pay the bills for it. And hey, why not celebrate Christ's birth with lights and such? We should be making everything nice and bright and spiffy for Jesus...

What's the big deal? If you don't want to spend the money and/or buy a tree, don't...But it's just a tree and it's our money to spend.

The Christmas tree traces its origin back to an ancient Danish custom called 'The Tree of Sin'. Every year the Danes would cut down a large evergreen and take it into their homes. Six branches would be cut from this tree, each branch representing a different sin: Greed, lust, piracy, indifference, contentmint, and prejudice. These branches would then be used to flog each member of the familly in order to remove the sins from their being. After the flogging presents would be put under the tree as a reward for their virtue.
I'm guessing Christians just nicked the idea.
I've never heard that before that before, but I'll take your word for it. Is it related to the fact that pines have a supposedly pleasant aroma, and that since people had to spend more time indoors during winter, so they did it to make the house smell better (Europeans used to be so smelly...)? Or is that a fallacious assumption?

Christmas trees are an agricultural product grown specifically for the holiday. They are not wild, but rather are grown mostly on family owned farms. Were it not for Christmas the 23 million trees purchased specifically for the holidays would not exist to be cut down. Also, for every tree cut down, three seedlings are planted, so actually there are more Christmas trees every year, not less.

It could be argued that growing and harvesting Christmas trees is more environmentally friendly than the process needed to produce the more than 50 million artifical trees sold last year.

Christmas trees are an agricultural product grown specifically for the holiday. They are not wild, but rather are grown mostly on family owned farms. Were it not for Christmas the 23 million trees purchased specifically for the holidays would not exist to be cut down. Also, for every tree cut down, three seedlings are planted, so actually there are more Christmas trees every year, not less.

It could be argued that growing and harvesting Christmas trees is more environmentally friendly than the process needed to produce the more than 50 million artifical trees sold last year.Even those natural trees are decorated with plastic lights so they don't get off the environmental hook. Three seedlings are planted only to ensure that one will survive to be harvested. Christmas tree farms are nowhere near a forest. They are pretty much devoid of all fauna and most other flora. It's just another pointless crop that consumes land for no sound environmental reason.

But that's not the point, we're not talking about environmental issues. We're talking about killing a living thing in honor of the person who supposedly represents all that's good in mankind. Kind of twisted.

The Bible actually prohibits real Christians to have a tree in the house

What? Where? ....why? :confused:

Even those natural trees are decorated with plastic lights so they don't get off the environmental hook. Three seedlings are planted only to ensure that one will survive to be harvested. Christmas tree farms are nowhere near a forest. They are pretty much devoid of all fauna and most other flora. It's just another pointless crop that consumes land for no sound environmental reason.

But that's not the point, we're not talking about environmental issues. We're talking about killing a living thing in honor of the person who supposedly represents all that's good in mankind. Kind of twisted. Could be worse. It could be a goat sacrifice. It's a tree. Do trees have souls? Oh dear, I bet I just started a massed debate. Oh shite (runs and hides).

The Bible actually prohibits real Christians to have a tree in the house

excuse me, but... the bible is full of shit. I don't have any other words for something that promotes slavery. Take the general message of love. Forget all the rest.

i am buying a living tree and will be raising it as my own to participate in Christmahannakwanzika with me every year hence forth.

freaking curmudgeons

my husbands brother & sister-in-law were christian fundamentalists who never had a christmas tree in their house. their kids never were allowed to believe in santa. they never got any of the fun stuff. just presents.

id have to say that the fun stuff is better. lights, trees, festive clothing, parties, santa, reindeer, the whole kit-and-kaboodle.

quit bitching about it and get your decorations up!

Aww...poor tree...lets feel sorry for it...

Get over yourselves. It's tradition.

Also, the bible does not prohibit christmas trees. My parent's catholic church has christmas trees inside of it during the season.

Christmas is a great time of year. Snow when it actually looks good (not when its all black like in february), presents, time with family, and a generally festive attitude lots of places. Good music too.

...and just due the completely ridiculous idea of murdering trees, I'll supply you with some murder scenes. 'Tis the season.

The murderer strikes!
http://basineducation.uwex.edu/woodland/images/chainsaw.jpg

Oh no! He's getting away!
http://www.lanl.gov/orgs/pa/newsbulletin/images/Tree_Car.jpg

Secondly, you ever think of what that barn was made of? Ok, technically it was a cave, but then there was the manger he was in, made of wood, stables made of wood, straw, probably a fire to keep warm...It's a tree, get over it.

I think you missed part of the point herethose fires were being used for something, christmas trees are chopped down, put up in the house for 15-30 days then uncerimoniously tossed to the curb.

The problem is all these trees could be going for something useful like the barn or the manger you were talking about, instead of being grown for a few years then completely wasted.

Although I have been to a few drunken bonfires where we burned old Christmas trees, so I guess some good comes from them. =)

What's "Christmas?" The closest holiday is National Consumerist Day. You're all bloody crazy.

kill a tree
kill a tree
kill a tree for christ
jolly old st. nicholas accept this sacrifice!

Well, A Five Car Pile-up, it is actually a combination of Christian religious beliefs and the Pagan worship of naure - a prime example of appeasement.

Also, December 25 was not the birthday of Christ - it was very likely the conception day; many people overlook, ignore, or are ignorant of that fact.

Well, A Five Car Pile-up, it is actually a combination of Christian religious beliefs and the Pagan worship of naure - a prime example of appeasement.

Also, December 25 was not the birthday of Christ - it was very likely the conception day; many people overlook, ignore, or are ignorant of that fact.
hey, you jsut essentially said what I deleted in my own message...

im not much of an xmas person i say give me stuff all year long :D

Well it's that time of year again. Electricity consumption is on the rise, retail outlets brace for that mass compulsive consumerism that hits about this time every year and millions of innocent pine and fir trees have had their lives ingloriously ended.

How the hell did a celebration of the birth of the 'Prince of Peace' turn into the mess it is now?

Specifically how did the murder of evergreens become part of the ritual?

I don't need a history lesson, so don't post one. I'm looking for logic.

Traditions and commercialization.

What do eggs have to do with Christ's acension into heaven? What does a Chanuka Bush have to do with the 8 nights?Nothing at all

It is an Individual's choice to participate in such customs.

It is a tradition, and a very happy one. Lay off of it.

For buying an artificial tree it is even worse:
Kill a Muslim for Christ

Do you think Christianity actually matters anymore in this country? It is now used as an excuse for most things in this country.
It does matter for idiot Christian farmers who voted for Bush.

Has no-one heard of artificial Christmas trees? :headbang:
We put up our Plastic Christmas Tree the day after Thanksgiving :)
Its Tradition passed from my Mom who learned it from herself lol.
We also get to open one present on Christmas Eve.

Well it's that time of year again. Electricity consumption is on the rise, retail outlets brace for that mass compulsive consumerism that hits about this time every year and millions of innocent pine and fir trees have had their lives ingloriously ended.

How the hell did a celebration of the birth of the 'Prince of Peace' turn into the mess it is now?

Specifically how did the murder of evergreens become part of the ritual?

I don't need a history lesson, so don't post one. I'm looking for logic.

The "Christmas Tree" was actually an idea invented by European Pagans who never believed in Christ, However when Christianity finally spread all over Europe the ancient Germanic people who became christian took the Pagan idea of a decorated tree and "Christianized" it thereby making it a Christmas tree which all christians put up in December.

we do know most of those trees are raised on farms for the specific purpose of being used for christmas trees right? Its kinda like raising cows for beef.

It does matter for idiot Christian farmers who voted for Bush.

Please... keep politics out of this, especially if your just going to be immature and call people idiots.


We put up our Plastic Christmas Tree the day after Thanksgiving Its Tradition passed from my Mom who learned it from herself lol.
We also get to open one present on Christmas Eve.

See, most people do a very similiar thing as BastardSword here, we use plastic trees, not because everyone is a treehugger (its a term, don't get all angry about it) but because, its cheaper, they are re-usable, and they don't die.

I been fighting for the one present on the Eve for years...

I have a great use for a tree! Buy a hatchet, cut down your tree, saw it up, build a bridge and GET OVER IT.

I'm sorry... I couldn't resist.

You have to have the dead tree!! OMG. Just not Christmas without it.
Its so you can be ready for His return & nail Him back on it...

Gotta go to church now so I can burst into flames....

(If ya took me seriously? you might consider getting your meds ajusted)