NationStates Jolt Archive

There is no war on Christmas! What the hell is wrong with being inclusive and saying "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas?" Why does an attempt end government support for religious practice have anything to do with any higher agenda? Its ludicrous to think that an end to government sponsorship of religion will lead us down the slippery slope to anything, let alone something bad.

There’s nothing wrong with saying “Happy Holidays”, but there also isn’t anything wrong with saying “Merry Christmas”.
Now, I’m as atheist as they come, but I love Christmas and I am certainly excited that Thanksgiving has come and gone and I can begin greeting people with the phrase of the season.

Christmas isn’t religious at all to me. It’s good for business and it’s good for people’s attitude.

EDIT: And for the record, there is no war on Christmas.

There’s nothing wrong with saying “Happy Holidays”, but there also isn’t anything wrong with saying “Merry Christmas”.
Now, I’m as atheist as they come, but I love Christmas and I am certainly excited that Thanksgiving has come and gone and I can begin greeting people with the phrase of the season.

Christmas isn’t religious at all to me. It’s good for business and it’s good for people’s attitude.

EDIT: And for the record, there is no war on Christmas.

I am an atheist too, and I like Christmas too. It has no religious signficance to me, but the underlying value of promoting acceptance and solidarity through general merriment and gift-giving has appeal to me. What bothers me is an attempt by reactionaries to make any attempt at inclusivity tantamount to be anti-American.

What bothers me is an attempt by reactionaries to make any attempt at inclusivity tantamount to be anti-American.
Aye. I understand. I for one can't stand the pricks making money selling the idea that Christmas is somehow under attack, and that people like you and me want to burn their Christmas trees.

Aye. I understand. I for one can't stand the pricks making money selling the idea that Christmas is somehow under attack, and that people like you and me want to burn their Christmas trees.

I'd much rather burn their radio stations and TV news studios ;).

I'd much rather burn their radio stations and TV news studios ;).

They can always make more of those. I’d prefer to publicly discredit them, but to each his own.

They can always make more of those. I’d prefer to publicly discredit them, but to each his own.

Or you could burn THEM.

Or you could burn THEM.
Now there's an idea.

i am one of those happy dooda Christian fascists, who loves God and Jesus, u guys seem like nice people, wanna be friends? I am republican too by the way, and I love history, what do you like to do, I bet we'll make great friends, by the way please don't burn me, if thats wat u guys were talking about, becuz I like life, and really would miss my Mom's great cooking, although u'd be burning her too since she's a Christian republican

i am one of those happy dooda Christian fascists, who loves God and Jesus, u guys seem like nice people, wanna be friends? I am republican too by the way, and I love history, what do you like to do, I bet we'll make great friends, by the way please don't burn me, if thats wat u guys were talking about, becuz I like life, and really would miss my Mom's great cooking, although u'd be burning her too since she's a Christian republican

Er....what?
We weren't being serious when we were talking about burning people...calm down.
Now.Sort out your grammar and spelling please.

Oh fuck. Not this shit already.. :headbang:

Now there's an idea.

Oh I'm full o' them things I am.

Oh fuck. Not this shit already.. :headbang:

Where's that "Aw Jeez,not this shit again" picture when you need it?

Where's that "Aw Jeez,not this shit again" picture when you need it?
http://www.johnberman.com/pics/funny/not_this_shit_again.jpg

http://www.johnberman.com/pics/funny/not_this_shit_again.jpg

And Arinola said "Let there be pictures!"
And there was pictures.

i am one of those happy dooda Christian fascists who loves God and Jesus, u guys seem like nice people, wanna be friends? I am republican too by the way, and I love history, what do you like to do, I bet we'll make great friends, by the way please don't burn me, if thats wat u guys were talking about, becuz I like life, and really would miss my Mom's great cooking, although u'd be burning her too since she's a Christian republican

A fascist republican? is that even possible?

As for the topic I think of Christmas as more tradition than religion (same with Easter eggs and any other religious holiday that takes my eye:D) and so I doubt anyone can be offended by it unless they either need a thicker skin or are Christian themselves who think “oh noez it must be offensive to them”

Also what is it with Americans and these “holidays” I’ve only ever heard it on U.S T.V

There is no war on Christmas! What the hell is wrong with being inclusive and saying "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas?" Why does an attempt end government support for religious practice have anything to do with any higher agenda? Its ludicrous to think that an end to government sponsorship of religion will lead us down the slippery slope to anything, let alone something bad.
It took me a long time to come around to viewing Christmas as a secular holiday.

When I saw Christmas as a religious occasion, I opposed it. I thought it was a waste of everyone's time and money, and I was appalled that preparations for a single day overwhelmed anything else that happened in December (like my birthday - after all, history has yet to demonstrate that I am less important than Jesus).

But Christmas isn't a religious occasion. The traditional trappings of Christmas aren't even Christian, and most people don't even give Jesus a second thought on the day.

So now that I view Christmas as a secular holiday, I don't see why anyone would object to being wished Merry Christmas, so that's what I do. Plus, it's not longer just a day so much as an entire season, so interfering with my birthday is now less important (though my birthday is still the most important thing that happens in December).

A fascist republican? is that even possible?

The guy is a n00b.Let him be an idiot for a little while longer,maybe he'll grow a brain.Remember,we were all like that once.

(though my birthday is still the most important thing that happens in December).

mine is on November 7th try and explain that to an American nationalist :p

Well, Christmas fans, the war on Christmas, if it really did exist, would be as effective as those other wars, the war on drugs and the war on terrorism.

http://www.salon.com/comics/boll/2005/12/15/boll/story.gif

But Christmas isn't a religious occasion. The traditional trappings of Christmas aren't even Christian, and most people don't even give Jesus a second thought on the day.

And the people who do probably don't get worked up about "Happy Holidays".

And the people who do probably don't get worked up about "Happy Holidays".

Shouldn't it be the secularists who get mad at wishing people a Happy Holy Day?

Shouldn't it be the secularists who get mad at wishing people a Happy Holy Day?

Hah, yeah. I bet some of them would shit bricks if they realized the amount of religious language in everyday words.

I think anyone who gets pissy at any part of it is the one with the problem. Honestly, wishing someone Happy Holidays or having someone wish you a Merry Christmas isn't going to kill you. Just appreciate the goodwill behind it and don't get hung up on the words.

I've always loved Christmas. I grew up in an atheist household, and we always celebrated Christmas. My step-mother was a real stickler for doing things traditionally. Christmas goose instead of turkey, even though we had to get it special order from the local butcher. Christmas caroling. Eggnog with brandy. Big tree with all the trimmings.
There never seemed to be anything wrong with an occasion to celebrate goodwill towards your fellow man. Give gifts to your loved ones, gather together and eat good food. It was always secular to me.

goodwill towards your fellow man. Give gifts to your loved ones, gather together and eat good food. It was always secular to me.

And if you think about it, aren't goodwill towards others, generosity, family, and togetherness the main principles that religions teach in the first place? It seems like the holiday itself fulfills a lot of those teachings even if the religiosity isn't explicit.

I guess God can work in some funny ways...

I dont see christmas as being religious, I see it as being commercial. Hence I feel no qualms with saying "Merry Christmas". Nativity? Nope, wrong month. Anything else religious? Uhhh, the winter solstice, which is only religious if you want it to be? Oh noes, I'm all for people being religious if it doesn't hurt me in any way. How do changing two words harm me? I dont see any way. How does saying Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays hurt religions other than the jesus-based ones? I see no way it does so, not if the other religions recognise what christmas is.

One day I'll try that again with paragraphs, until then :P

And the people who do probably don't get worked up about "Happy Holidays".
Though I might consider it incongruous that:

A. You pluralised holiday, when I'm only celebrating one.

B. You only say that at Christmas, and not around other holidays.

"War on Christmas"? Ha! Thats a good one.
After all that will be said and done, Christmas will always be Christmas.

my mum goes over the top ever year for Christmas dives me nuts

And if you think about it, aren't goodwill towards others, generosity, family, and togetherness the main principles that religions teach in the first place? It seems like the holiday itself fulfills a lot of those teachings even if the religiosity isn't explicit.

I guess God can work in some funny ways...And as long as my neighbors and I can agree on that part of Christmas, we have no problem. The religious part, they're welcome to keep.

As an atheist in an overwhelmingly religious area of the country, sometimes it can get suffocating. But I no longer get my nose bent out of shape if someone wants to pray for me. Assuming it's someone who means it as a gesture of goodwill, rather than the "cuz you're hellbound and need it" type.

I like Christmas, and if you're Christian it appears there is a war on it. However "Happy Holidays" really isn't that offensive. Christmas may have religious origins but now it's more of a tradition. I may not like the Christian God but Jesus was awesome, and if Jesus' holiday is about harmony and gift-giving, I'm all for it :)

Though I would like to destroy the TV studios and radio stations that like to start Christmas before Halloween :headbang:

Though I would like to destroy the TV studios and radio stations that like to start Christmas before Halloween :headbang:

You know what I hate even more? Those bastards who play Christmas music on Boxing Day.

As if Christmas wasn't enough of an anticlimax already.

And as long as my neighbors and I can agree on that part of Christmas, we have no problem. The religious part, they're welcome to keep.

As an atheist in an overwhelmingly religious area of the country, sometimes it can get suffocating. But I no longer get my nose bent out of shape if someone wants to pray for me. Assuming it's someone who means it as a gesture of goodwill, rather than the "cuz you're hellbound and need it" type.

My parents don't know I'm not Christian. Ah well, at least I still like Christmas so they won't be worried.

It's not like Christmas is all about Jesus. It may have started out that way, but when you think about it, don't Christians say that Jesus came down to unite us all? I like that. I like Jesus, just not the Christian God.

My parents don't know I'm not Christian. Ah well, at least I still like Christmas so they won't be worried.

It's not like Christmas is all about Jesus. It may have started out that way, but when you think about it, don't Christians say that Jesus came down to unite us all? I like that. I like Jesus, just not the Christian God.Both of my parents are atheists, so I grew up that way.

But as far as Jesus, he was a revelutionary and man of peace. McCarthy would have no doubt had him locked up as a communist.

Though I would like to destroy the TV studios and radio stations that like to start Christmas before Halloween :headbang:


And the snow songs too, eh? :p

Both of my parents are atheists, so I grew up that way.

But as far as Jesus, he was a revelutionary and man of peace. McCarthy would have no doubt had him locked up as a communist.

that man was a dum ass who sould have lock himself up as one

And the snow songs too, eh? :p

Yep. :p

:mp5:

that man was a dum ass who sould have lock himself up as one

Jesus or McCarthy? :confused:

There’s nothing wrong with saying “Happy Holidays”, but there also isn’t anything wrong with saying “Merry Christmas”.
Now, I’m as atheist as they come, but I love Christmas and I am certainly excited that Thanksgiving has come and gone and I can begin greeting people with the phrase of the season.

Christmas isn’t religious at all to me. It’s good for business and it’s good for people’s attitude.

EDIT: And for the record, there is no war on Christmas.

Perfect! Absolutely perfect!! I'm agnostic, not athiest, but other then that...PERFECT!!!

http://www.johnberman.com/pics/funny/not_this_shit_again.jpg

I swear the guy in that picture looks more and more pained every time I see it. (is it just me or am I crazy?)

As for Christmas, I wouldn't mind burning down the trees...though I'd rather burn the people who shouldn't stop playing Christmas music. *glare*

Jesus or McCarthy? :confused:

i don think Jesus was a dum ass he can turn water into wine now he be good for partys
its McCarthy whos the dum ass

i don think Jesus was a dum ass he can turn water into wine now he be good for partys
its McCarthy whos the dum ass

I have no idea who McCarthy is.

And I hate wine. Blech. :gundge:

There is no war on Christmas! What the hell is wrong with being inclusive and saying "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas?" Why does an attempt end government support for religious practice have anything to do with any higher agenda? Its ludicrous to think that an end to government sponsorship of religion will lead us down the slippery slope to anything, let alone something bad.

Holiday means Holy Day, so really there isn't any difference. I don't really care either way, I just wish people would quit trying to convince my kids that Santa is real.

I have no idea who McCarthy is.

And I hate wine. Blech. :gundge:

iam a Australian and i know who he is
i think Jesus can turn water in to more things then just wine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy

Holiday means Holy Day, so really there isn't any difference. I don't really care either way, I just wish people would quit trying to convince my kids that Santa is real.People are entitled to pick the fairy tales they tell their own children, not yours.
Though we always did the Santa thing in my family. Parents and grandparents always went to great pains to make Santa seem real. But they knew we'd catch on eventually.
I remember my Dad and Grandpa running around in the brush in back of the house with a red light (Rudolph's nose) to convice my neice Santa was coming.

People are entitled to pick the fairy tales they tell their own children, not yours.
Though we always did the Santa thing in my family. Parents and grandparents always went to great pains to make Santa seem real. But they knew we'd catch on eventually.
I remember my Dad and Grandpa running around in the brush in back of the house with a red light (Rudolph's nose) to convice my neice Santa was coming.

I tell you this Christmas season I am really starting to figure out why atheists get so pissed off when the school does something 'religious', I mean I understood before why it was a problem, but the past few days I am like "freaks! just quit talking to my kids about things we don't believe in!"

I tell you this Christmas season I am really starting to figure out why atheists get so pissed off when the school does something 'religious', I mean I understood before why it was a problem, but the past few days I am like "freaks! just quit talking to my kids about things we don't believe in!"

Why this Christmas season and not others? It's the same every year really.

Personally, I only get angered when schools do religious things because it violates the principle of separation of church and state. I'm a man of principle, see. :)

Why this Christmas season and not others? It's the same every year really.

Personally, I only get angered when schools do religious things because it violates the principle of separation of church and state. I'm a man of principle, see. :)

it seems more rampant this year than last.... 9 people today asked my kids if Santa was going to visit them, we were only out for 2 hours as a family, 7 of the 9 pushed the issue when my kids told them they didn't believe in Santa, 2 of the 7 told my kids I was a bad person for not lying to them about it.

it seems more rampant this year than last.... 9 people today asked my kids if Santa was going to visit them, we were only out for 2 hours as a family, 7 of the 9 pushed the issue when my kids told them they didn't believe in Santa, 2 of the 7 told my kids I was a bad person for not lying to them about it.
That's mean. :(

*doesn't care*

I get nothing for Christmas because I don't fit with acceptable family norms and traditions.

Happy Chanukah and a cool Kwanzaa to you!

Though I hate christmas, I despise 'happy holidays' even more. Don't try and drag me into your little fairy tale with the promise of secular blessings.

That said, I prefer neither.

Question here:

Why do christians seem to insist on celebrating Christmas, which is supposed to be one of the holiest days, by performing pagan rituals and practices?

Big dinners(Feast), wreaths, Christmas trees, presents, christmas tree ornaments, hell even the day of the year when it is celebrated is all pagan. Very pagan. And yet they celebrate it so.

But hey, who am I to say. Damn Christian Pagans with their wierd ways and such.

A little Christmas cheer for you all.

Man, I hate this holiday. Can't wait for New Years(Booze, Parties, Friends, and *ahem* Girls*ahem*).

What? *shifty eyes*

Ahhh christmas a holiday of the birth of Jesus Chrsit.....


Bullshit


Because if i was jesus i would be ashame greedy pigs are using me to sell stuff to some spoiled brat who does not deserve it while another person in africa dies from starvation because he gave his last rasin to his kid

Holiday means Holy Day, so really there isn't any difference. I don't really care either way, I just wish people would quit trying to convince my kids that Santa is real.

I just wish Religious people would stop trying to tell my kid Santa isn't real.

What's wrong with the idea of a little fat guy giving out presents for being good?

Ahhh christmas a holiday of the birth of Jesus Chrsit.....


Bullshit


Because if i was jesus i would be ashame greedy pigs are using me to sell stuff to some spoiled brat who does not deserve it while another person in africa dies from starvation because he gave his last rasin to his kid

Funny story. Jesus wasn't, most assuredly, born on the 25 of December. He was likely born sometime in Spring or Fall. The whole 25th thing is actually something the Catholic Church did to try and appease conquered pagans, as that was the time when they had their big winter celebrations and feasts.

Jesus is rolling over in his grave... if he hadn't resurrected... but that's an Easter thing, which again is largely pagan.

I just wish Religious people would stop trying to tell my kid Santa isn't real.

What's wrong with the idea of a little fat guy giving out presents for being good?

I'm going to tell my kids a different Santa story.

If you're bad, Santa comes, fills your stocking with coal, and beats you with it. Haven't gotten around to think up the rest though...

I find christians quite annoying. They fought with the muslim and when there are no muslim to fight within themselves as protestants and catholics even though they are praying to the same god!

I'm going to tell my kids a different Santa story.

If you're bad, Santa comes, fills your stocking with coal, and beats you with it. Haven't gotten around to think up the rest though...

:D

I wish I could remember the title but somebody did write a story about Santa's angry brother. I think his name was Charlie.

so this one time, i was at the basillica of the virgin mary, and they had the cradle of jesus, and i asked the tour guide, wasn't the baby jesus born in a manger, and she said yes, and i said aren't mangers made of stone, and she said yes, and then i said, but your cradle is made of wood making it not the baby jesus cradle, and she was all like 'shut up'. how rude.

:D

I wish I could remember the title but somebody did write a story about Santa's angry brother. I think his name was Charlie.

Well there was that cheesy horror movie where Santa was actually a demon who lost a bet and was forced to be "Santa"(I.E. What the stories tell). Terrible, funny, great horror movie. :D

Hmm... instead of Reindeer, how's about rabid wolverines?

I just wish Religious people would stop trying to tell my kid Santa isn't real.

What's wrong with the idea of a little fat guy giving out presents for being good?

I would never tell a child other than my own that Santa wasn't real, nor would my kids, they understand that other kids really believe and that their parents like it that way. What they don't understand is adults who try to lie to them about it.

I would never tell a child other than my own that Santa wasn't real, nor would my kids, they understand that other kids really believe and that their parents like it that way. What they don't understand is adults who try to lie to them about it.

Why do adults lie to kids about Santa Claus? It's annoying as crap. I stopped believing at 8 and my mom still asks me what I want from santa Claus. :mad:

I am an atheist too, and I like Christmas too. It has no religious signficance to me, but the underlying value of promoting acceptance and solidarity through general merriment and gift-giving has appeal to me. What bothers me is an attempt by reactionaries to make any attempt at inclusivity tantamount to be anti-American.

I second this post.

Why do adults lie to kids about Santa Claus? It's annoying as crap. I stopped believing at 8 and my mom still asks me what I want from santa Claus. :mad:

I have never gotten a good answer.....

"it's fun to lie to my kids"

"my parents lied to me and I will lie to my kids"

"everyone else does it"

and

"it makes my kids nice in December"

are pretty much what I hear from people.........none of those strike me as a good reason, but it's their kid so whatever.

I think it's because it's fun to play along. I can't speak for other kids, but I never really took Santa seriously, so for my mom and I, it was more of a joke than anything else. But I DID like to ask how the bleep he got into our apartment, when a trip down the chimney would just land him in the furnice! :eek: