Jedi Council Forums - Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas)

Locked Topic | Read Only Topic | Previous Active Topic | Next Active Topic

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 - Previous | Next | Reload

Author	Topic: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas)
DeathStar1977 Registered: Jan '03	Date Posted: 12/23/04 11:11am Subject: RE: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas)
	Check this out: http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/23/xmas.festivus.ap/index.html
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
AnakinsGirl Registered: Nov '01	Date Posted: 12/23/04 12:09pm Subject: RE: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas)
	i think christmas is one huge celebration of christian hypocrisy and a disgusting display of american consumerism and capitalism. i think a christian holiday should be about giving to others, not giving more crap to your kids they don't need, and more useless trinkets to the people who already have what they need and know they love you. why not reach out to others that DONT have all they need and give to them? well, no one wants to waste their christian money on the millions of people that wish they could have food every day. instead, lets incourage yuppie parents to spoil their kids and teach them that it's okay to be selfish and to ignore others needs! so christian-like.
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Mr44 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 12/23/04 12:20pm Subject: RE: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas) - Date Edited: 12/23/04 12:23pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Mr44
	Such anger and hatred... Don't you think there is enough of that in the world today? Maybe the importance of Christmas is contained in the reactions of those experiencing it. Instead of kicking Rudolph to a bloody pulp, why not embrace the positive aspects? There are plenty of people who volunteer because of the spirit of celebration, or who spend the time with their families, or share it with their friends and neighbors. Just because one aspect of the season is based on commerialism, doesn't mean that every individual has to give up on it.. Don't let what other people do ruin your own feelings. Take what you see as the negatives, and turn them into something that makes you positive. -----signature----- When you enter a room full of armed men, shoot the first person who makes a move- hostile or otherwise He has started to think and is therefore dangerous... -- Colonel "Paddy" Mayne, co-founder of the SAS
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Undomiel Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 12/23/04 12:33pm Subject: RE: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas)
	AnakinsGirl, I have a friend who is ..well.. interesting to say the least. He has very long hair and wears a beard and mustache. He looks like a cross between Captain Jack Sparrow and Jesus. In fact, if I didn't know better, I'd swear they modelled Sparrow off of him when he's finished off a couple six packs of beer. Anyway, he told me once that he had gained a whole new perspective on the christian faith, when he was down and out and a catholic church ministry to the poor and needy, took him in, fed him, gave him a bed, a bath, and so on. He said none of his partying buddies would've done that for him. He has a point. It isn't a matter of religious belief, but a matter of society. Our society is a "me" society. Do it if it feels good. Get it while you can. Do unto others before they do unto you. Help only if it helps you. If it hurts at all, even slightly, kick 'em where it counts, but by all means, don't realize you might be part of the problem. Been there, done that. And I know exactly what I'm talking about. One of the steps in the 12-step recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous and the ilk, is to realize your shortcomings are real, and that you must face them square on, or they will never cease being your problems. They eventually grow branches of related and marginally-related emotional and mental disturbances, one of which is the "me" syndrome our society (and the world) has taken to so readily. A symptom of the "me" syndrome is the designing of an alternate reality, created so you may make excuses for your own behaviors, that nothing else matters, regardless of the extent of harm you may have to engage in, as long as that alternate reality remains for you to hide within. The 12-step resolution is to admit your alternate reality is simply a contrived guise in which to hide the real issues that plague your life and your mind. So what you're seeing is a symptom of being human in this timeframe of history, not of being any particular religious denomination. In the absence of God (your higher power), resides the god called "me."
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
AnakinsGirl Registered: Nov '01	Date Posted: 12/23/04 12:35pm Subject: RE: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas)
	maybe i shoud correct myself. i am disgusted at the vast majority of christians who feel it is acceptable to perpetuate this "me" society.
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
BenduHopkins Registered: Apr '04	Date Posted: 12/23/04 12:36pm Subject: RE: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas)
	Did anybody see this?: http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/christmas/index.html Its pretty funny to think that the God Odin partially inspired Santa Claus, and that people feared him as he flew the night sky. Also, my dad always said Dec 25 wasn't Jesus' birthday, and there were Solstice holidays before that. Turns out he was correct. Also, the Dickens classic seems to be part of the whole tradition of that previous holiday, where the rich share with the poor. So all this "gift giving" over Jesus BDay, seems not too shallow. People should celebrate the Holidays how they see fit. No more whining. :-) -----signature----- Hope your special day is filled with fun and adventure!
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Cheveyo Registered: Oct '01	Date Posted: 12/23/04 12:39pm Subject: RE: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas)
	ophelia: Cheveyo: FWIW, there is a tradition in many Native American cultures about "two spirit people," sometimes called berdaches (although that's not a Native American word) who are both male and female. Oh, absolutely. I'm well aware of many of these beliefs. I'm not familiar, though, with an holiness attached to this that would be considered different than the practice of heterosexuality, as Pat Buchanan alleges. Even the Two Spirit group in Denver (Thank you for the link, by the way... it eluded me for some time! ) mentions nothing of treating homosexuality as "holy". This was my argument, not whether or not homosexuality is recognized in native american culture. Vezner:: Any particular reason why you felt it necessary to bring me into your little conversation? Chev, I know you don't like me because of my beliefs but there's no reason be rude about it. Or were you trying to be complimentary with that statement? Yes, there was a clear reason for pointing to you, Vez... your posting history. I seem to recall that a "Repression" of Christianity in America is a recurring theme in your posts. Even in this thread. You believe Christianity is being targetting and repressed, right? So when I say, "Tell that to Vez," when it's noted that the article was satire, I'm suggesting that either you're statements are also satirical as the match those in the article, or you write as though you believe this to be absolutely true. CitizenKane: The tone of your post definitely seemd you were calling Buchanan a liar or that he was intentionally misrepresenting things. BTW, I don't think you would ever do that to, say, a Frank Rich article. Would you? Actually, I'm not familiar with Frank Rich. But I can tell you that Buchanan's editorial is wreaks of yellow journalism. That's not saying he is lying. I do not believe he's a liar. He is giving his opinion, and too many (you?) are taking it as fact, without knowing the full content. Regarding DeathStar1977's link to CNN's Festivus story, I say Cheers! If local officials are going to let one religion display their beliefs on public land, it should be granted to all. I think this was a happy compromise without stepping on the Constitution. AnakinsGirl: i think christmas is one huge celebration of christian hypocrisy and a disgusting display of american consumerism and capitalism. I agree. -----signature----- I am a Founding Father. Want to know more? Just ask.
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
shinjo_jedi Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 12/23/04 12:40pm Subject: RE: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas) - Date Edited: 12/23/04 12:40pm (1 edits total) Edited By: shinjo_jedi
	Before I begin, I would like to wish a Happy Hannakuh to everyone here, especially J-Rod and Citizen Kane. Jedi Merkurian - Blowing a gasket because folks say "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas?" Also too far. Exactly - they're both immature and taking this topic a little too far. Companies, and people, should be entitled to say whatever greeting that they desire - be it Happy Hannakuh, Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays. I, personally, greet someone with 'Happy Holidays' unless I know them personally, as I know Jewish people who take offense when someone wishes them a 'Merry Christmas'. I'm sure a lot of the christians here, especially the 'moral values' conservatives, wouldn't be very happy if everyone walked around gretting them with 'Happy Hannakuh!'. sellars1996 - Frankly, if Jesus and sumbols of his birth have no more meaning that Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer or Frosty the Snowman, this country and its people are in trouble. Amen. This is one of the points that I hold high respect for the Jewish religion on - when they celebrate their holidays, they actually celebrate the holiday and mean it - half of the 'christians' who celebrate Christmas are in it for the presents. They don't use Santa Claus, Rudolf, or the Easter Bunny to symbolize their holiday and to get their children excited - they celebrate it for what has occured in the past. -----signature----- Obama/Biden. . One thing I can tell you is you got to be free.
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Undomiel Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 12/23/04 12:41pm Subject: RE: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas) - Date Edited: 12/23/04 12:42pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Undomiel
	AnakinsGirl, What is your resolution for it?
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
BenduHopkins Registered: Apr '04	Date Posted: 12/23/04 12:43pm Subject: RE: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas)
	But the whole thing about Christianity is that you have free will and you're still "in." As long as you accept Jesus as your savior, it doesn't matter how many times you go to church, or how much you look forward to the Gift ceremonies. Christ never said that Solstice had to become His holiday alone and that the tree and the gift giving had to be in his name. -----signature----- Hope your special day is filled with fun and adventure!
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Vezner Registered: Dec '01	Date Posted: 12/23/04 12:45pm Subject: RE: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas)
	Yes, there was a clear reason for pointing to you, Vez... your posting history. I seem to recall that a "Repression" of Christianity in America is a recurring theme in your posts. Even in this thread. You believe Christianity is being targetting and repressed, right? So when I say, "Tell that to Vez," when it's noted that the article was satire, I'm suggesting that either you're statements are also satirical as the match those in the article, or you write as though you believe this to be absolutely true. Maybe you should mind your own business and leave me out of conversations that I have nothing to do with. Just a suggestion to make you a little less rude. If you want to say rude things about me at least have the decency to do it in private and not in public. -----signature----- Say NO to socialism Say NO to more government control of your life Say NO to runaway government spending http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MQ2pk7kkm4&feature=player_profilepage Vote NO to Obama in 2012 and NO to his congressional lackies in 2010
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Undomiel Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 12/23/04 12:46pm Subject: RE: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas)
	ShinjoJedi, I'm one of those fundie christians, but I have no problem with people saying Happy Hannunkah! In fact, it's a fabricated lie that christians as a general rule, are anti-jewish. If someone says Happy Hannunkah to me, I say it right back! To me, it's no different than saying Happy Birthday to someone. IT's not my birthday, but it is theirs and I'm willing to acknowledge their enjoyment of it.
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
AnakinsGirl Registered: Nov '01	Date Posted: 12/23/04 12:49pm Subject: RE: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas)
	my solution is that people should be a little more caring and a little more giving and conscious about what they buy and who they buy it for.
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Undomiel Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 12/23/04 12:53pm Subject: RE: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas)
	Bendu, Yep, the whole pagan origins of the Christmas holiday is a hotly-debated issue. Personally, I find it to be splitting hairs. IT doesn't matter what day of the year we celebrate Jesus' birthday on or that we celebrate it at all. Rather it matters what we do throughout the year as regards Jesus. That's what I've always believed anyway. Christmas is just a traditional event, meant to remind us of something very important in our history and our future.
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Vezner Registered: Dec '01	Date Posted: 12/23/04 12:53pm Subject: RE: Merry Christmas! (A secularist view on Christmas decorations and the spirit of X-mas)
	The commercialization of Christmas is actually what made me want to focus on the true meaning of Christmas more. I have just gotten really tired over the last few years at seeing how commercialized everything has gotten and I have decided to make a greater effort to focus on Christ and His birth rather than what gift I hope to get. It has made me appreciate and enjoy Christmas all the more. -----signature----- Say NO to socialism Say NO to more government control of your life Say NO to runaway government spending http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MQ2pk7kkm4&feature=player_profilepage Vote NO to Obama in 2012 and NO to his congressional lackies in 2010
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 - Previous | Next | Reload