Goddamn Atheists Are Pissing Me OFF!

[Mongo]

Happy Yule.

In Norway we celebrate 'jul' (pronounced approx. yule) :smile: I guess that's why there's not any discussion about what to call it here, since there's no 'christ' in the name.. Jul was celebrated here before christianity came, as a 'feast of light', and the church just took it over when Norway was christened by torturing and killing anyone who wouldn't convert. Praise Jesus!

Almost everyone celebrates 'jul' (in the modern sense) here, although we probably have one of the lowest percentages of christians in the western world (I'm guessing no more than 10%, and I'm being generous) It's a cosy tradition with lots of good food, presents etc, something to look forward to in the dark, cold winter. That's what it's about for most people, not the birth of Jesus. Still, church attendance is better on Christmas Eve than the rest of the year. But that's just tradition, some people have to do that to get the right 'christmas spirit'. On the radio/in the malls songs about Jesus will be played along 'secular' songs about Santa, and nobody seems to care that much. Might be because norwegian atheists have less to be angry about than american atheists.. Although some of the most hardcore anti-religious might get annoyed by all the references to Jesus and angels, there's definately no 'war on christmas' here, as I have seen reported from the US. (Or is that just a right wing media exaggeration?)

Anyways,

Merry Christmas! / Happy Holidays!

(choose the one you prefer :wink

 

[Axcess]

And isn't Christianity the religion of the slaver?

That is true! Slavery is accepted as a good thing in the old and the NEW TESTAMENT!!!!! Paul in his letters support the slavery system !!! This one of the main reasons of why I think that christianity isnt what Jesus intented to be. I dont imagine Jesus accepting slavery.

 

[ben11]

NJ,

If you like seeing lit menorahs, then why do you want store clerks to say Merry Christmas verusus Happy Holidays?

I am agnostic, but I also celebrate Christmas. I doubt Christ is the son of God, but the teachings of Christ are essential elements to how I live my life. I always wondered if Christ ever wandered through a mall during the holiday season or watched Pat Robertson on TV or read a talking point memo exchanged between Karl Rove and James Dobson he would think that the moneychangers won?

"The War Against Christmas" controversy is partially fueled by those who promote wedge issues such as abortion, gun rights, gay marriage and, stem cell research. It helps polarize the country and create an "us versus them" mentality. If it wasn't for these wedge issues, Huckabee would be toast.

I truly do hope you have a great Christmas.

 

[2hung4some]

There are lots of inconsistancies and quirks in religion!
Its on 25th Dec as that was when christianity was competing with Paganism for a mid winter celebration so it takes place when Samain was celebrated marking shortest day!
Giving gifts developed from helping the poor and needy
Santa only started wearing red after a Coka Cola advert
Trees were more Victorian
SOme christian religions have the main day as Christmas eve, some christmas day and some 12th day (when the Magi were supposed to have arrived!)
Who cares - its a good time to have a family get together in countries where we don't have Thanksgiving - the American family get together holiday

 

[Mem]

NJ,

If you like seeing lit menorahs, then why do you want store clerks to say Merry Christmas verusus Happy Holidays?

.

Anyway, saying Merry Christmas all December long is like wishing someone a Happy Birthday 2 weeks before your birthday.

 

[DC_DEEP]

I heard a radio show yesterday where a caller said that he thought someone was Jewish by saying "I think he was a child of Abraham".

I think that would apply equally to jews, christians, and muslims.

 

[Osiris]

First off, read this and this will tell you how I feel about the whole thing.

Commentary by Roland Martin of CNN: You can't take Christ out of Christmas

That said, Having many Jewish friends, it has become habit for me to say Merry Christmas and Happy Channukah. It wasn't until I dated a Wiccan and have a very good friend who is Wiccan that I started wishing a Merry Yule. Introduce a cousin who is a firm celebrant of Kwanzaa, etc.

By the time I got to recognizing everyone, I started to just say Happy Holidays or I would take Old Navy's tack and say Merry Christmakwanzachannumas.

All the Seattlites on this board will remember the controversy from last year. A Rabbi catching a flight at Sea-Tac airport threatened a lawsuit because he saw no menorah displayed. The airport added a menorah that the Rabbi donated. Both parties acted out of embarrassment that the whole incident was getting national media attention and handled it more like adults. That said, the State Capital in Olympia went decorationless because a Christian man seeing a Menorah being placed (partially in response to the airport incident) threatened to sue the state because no nativity was displayed. He cited the same reasoning the Rabbi did, equal time. The state responded by pulling down all the decorations at the capital. Can you say Washington State is full of Grinches?

In our house, we do celebrate with the typical commercialism, but we have an added factor that recognizes what the season is about. My little guy has a bag all ready to take with us to the homeless shelter Christmas morning when we help feed food to the homeless. In this bag are toys that he thinks are still in great condition that he wants homeless kids to have. We instill in our children that it is better to give than receive and we are blessed with a lot. Since we have so much, we need to give to those who do not have as much.

I hear a lot of people bitching about the Christmas Season and remembering Christ in Christmas. I ask what have you really done to honor Christ in Christmas if that is what you feel that strongly about?

I'll even go one further, rather than writing a check, get out and do something that truly would relfect Christ's touch upon you. We volunteer at homeless shelters and have an adopted family in our parish we take dinner and gifts to.

You want people to recognize Christ in Christmas? Put down your damn credit card and go out and help someone who truly needs it rather than offer lip service. That is my challenge to the aggitated.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY YULE, HAPPY KWANZAA, AND HAPPY CHANNUKAH.

I apologize if I forgot anyone, but I am running out of holidays I can remember to recognize.

 

[Axcess]

First off, read this and this will tell you how I feel about the whole thing.

Commentary by Roland Martin of CNN: You can't take Christ out of Christmas

That said, Having many Jewish friends, it has become habit for me to say Merry Christmas and Happy Channukah. It wasn't until I dated a Wiccan and have a very good friend who is Wiccan that I started wishing a Merry Yule. Introduce a cousin who is a firm celebrant of Kwanzaa, etc.

By the time I got to recognizing everyone, I started to just say Happy Holidays or I would take Old Navy's tack and say Merry Christmakwanzachannumas.

All the Seattlites on this board will remember the controversy from last year. A Rabbi catching a flight at Sea-Tac airport threatened a lawsuit because he saw no menorah displayed. The airport added a menorah that the Rabbi donated. Both parties acted out of embarrassment that the whole incident was getting national media attention and handled it more like adults. That said, the State Capital in Olympia went decorationless because a Christian man seeing a Menorah being placed (partially in response to the airport incident) threatened to sue the state because no nativity was displayed. He cited the same reasoning the Rabbi did, equal time. The state responded by pulling down all the decorations at the capital. Can you say Washington State is full of Grinches?

In our house, we do celebrate with the typical commercialism, but we have an added factor that recognizes what the season is about. My little guy has a bag all ready to take with us to the homeless shelter Christmas morning when we help feed food to the homeless. In this bag are toys that he thinks are still in great condition that he wants homeless kids to have. We instill in our children that it is better to give than receive and we are blessed with a lot. Since we have so much, we need to give to those who do not have as much.

I hear a lot of people bitching about the Christmas Season and remembering Christ in Christmas. I ask what have you really done to honor Christ in Christmas if that is what you feel that strongly about?

I'll even go one further, rather than writing a check, get out and do something that truly would relfect Christ's touch upon you. We volunteer at homeless shelters and have an adopted family in our parish we take dinner and gifts to.

You want people to recognize Christ in Christmas? Put down your damn credit card and go out and help someone who truly needs it rather than offer lip service. That is my challenge to the aggitated.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY YULE, HAPPY KWANZAA, AND HAPPY CHANNUKAH.

I apologize if I forgot anyone, but I am running out of holidays I can remember to recognize.

Man great post!!! I agree that people of others religions and nonbelievers would take christianity more seriously if more christians act as a true followers of christ , helping the less fortunate etc . You look to me like a legit christian guy , I respect you for that.

 

[B_Italian1]

Merry Christmas: Who Will Say It and Who Won't

Stores Who Will Say "Merry Christmas" This Year:

I hadn't heard that and it is really strange. Employees should be able to say whatever they want to their customers. This might explain why I was at a store the other day and the cashier wished me a "Merry Christmas". I was kind of shocked and was thinking if her boss heard her she would be reprimanded.

I've always said "Merry Christmas" even when someone says "Happy Holidays". I find "Happy Holidays" quite annoying. It is Christmas. I've always sent out Christmas cards not holiday cards, and a few Hanukka cards. I don't buy into all the pc crap that the left wing keeps throwing at us. It is what it is, and nobody gets hurt when you call a party a Christmas party instead of the now required "Holiday party".

How do people feel about using the word goddamn in the title of this thread?

I found that offensive.

I knew it. Only Republicans use Internet Explorer. :tongue:

I'm Republican and use Firefox! :biggrin1:

And I never refer to Christmas as Xmas!

 

[B_blackkid]

What's the squabbling about?

Fact and Fiction never did hold a candle to Imagined Sanctity.

We switched Calendars, "Christmas" was political propoganda that lasted too long, Christ's birthday is just as significant as anyone elses, and apparently having a tree in your house makes sense to both pagans and christians, but in reality it makes no fucking sense at all.

:/

As an irreligious nonatheist some of you people and your conflicts are so dumb. Stop making things up to spice up your holidays; if you want to observe the day someone who we have no proof of being the "Christ" was born then do so, and matter-of-factly you can do it any damned day after September 1st since no one knows when our fellow was born any-old-damn way.

Speaking of which, in the OP I think she said "The Bible has Inconsistencies"; they don't apply here dearest because Jesus' birthday is not listed ( for obvious reasons ) and neither is his direct deathdate. The Pagan mesh you see was an effort to get Roman Pagans to accept Christianity by making the conversion simple; political propoganda that simply lasted too long.

 

[DC_DEEP]

Wow. Osiris, what is up with you and JustAsking?

I find it so thought-provoking that the two of you roll your eyes and sigh when this whole subject is brought up; you are the two who actually go out and do something in the spirit of the season. You smile gently when the cashier's only words to you are "That'll be $32.09. Out of $50. Here's your change."

Then there are the ones who start cursing at me and throwing hissy fits, because the cashier at Wal-Marts forgets to say "merry christmas."

How telling, how telling.

(By the way, the first one to get the "$32.09" reference gets a holiday kiss!)

 

[Osiris]

Man great post!!! I agree that people of others religions and nonbelievers would take christianity more seriously if more christians act as a true followers of christ , helping the less fortunate etc . You look to me like a legit christian guy , I respect you for that.

I have been called a good Christian, but I just think it's mainly being a good human more than anything. Thanks for the kind words.

What's the squabbling about?

Fact and Fiction never did hold a candle to Imagined Sanctity.

We switched Calendars, "Christmas" was political propoganda that lasted too long, Christ's birthday is just as significant as anyone elses, and apparently having a tree in your house makes sense to both pagans and christians, but in reality it makes no fucking sense at all.

:/

As an irreligious nonatheist some of you people and your conflicts are so dumb. Stop making things up to spice up your holidays; if you want to observe the day someone who we have no proof of being the "Christ" was born then do so, and matter-of-factly you can do it any damned day after September 1st since no one knows when our fellow was born any-old-damn way.

Speaking of which, in the OP I think she said "The Bible has Inconsistencies"; they don't apply here dearest because Jesus' birthday is not listed ( for obvious reasons ) and neither is his direct deathdate. The Pagan mesh you see was an effort to get Roman Pagans to accept Christianity by making the conversion simple; political propoganda that simply lasted too long.

Props to you Blackkid. Thank you for pointing out the Yule references were adopted by the Catholic church to try and convert the Pagans. If many people really did their homework on "traditions" observed in the church, they would find they came from other religious sectors that they call heretical.

Since you are a nonebeliever, I wish you a happy season of giving. That is strictly out of respect for a solid posting that I think is the best one yet I have heard from someone who doesn't believe.

And NJ? Shame on you for using the Lord's name in vain to try to make a point. How do you honor Christ by dishonoring his father? Gotcha there.

 

[B_VinylBoy]

The whole thing is ridiculous.
So many religions, and yet it's not like one can look at a person and decide which one they follow. If someone tells you "Merry Christmas", "Happy Holidays" or whatever greeting they choose, it's all meant to be a simple gesture of kindness during the last few weeks of the year. And if you're so blinded by your own religious beliefs to accept such a greeting regardless of how it's worded, then maybe you should just lock yourself up in your home and not even show your face until this supposed horrible time of the year is over.

Just like some homophobes when they hear that their next door neighbor is gay, not everyone is trying to convert you or force their beliefs and faith upon you. Take a chill pill and for once TRY to be happy. In the meantime, here's my holiday greeting to all for this year:

 

[DC_DEEP]

I've always said "Merry Christmas" even when someone says "Happy Holidays". I find "Happy Holidays" quite annoying. It is Christmas. I've always sent out Christmas cards not holiday cards, and a few Hanukka cards. I don't buy into all the pc crap that the left wing keeps throwing at us.

You are right, it is christmas - even if those jews are so stupid that they keep calling it "hanukkah." [/sarc] We won't even begin with all those other silly religions that have fake "holidays." And the nerve of those awful muslims - getting all upset if you wish them a happy ramadan. Hmph!

 

[Mem]

let me stir the pot


MERRY X-MAS TO ALL.



in honor of the exalted one.

 

[B_blackkid]

Well thank you Osiris, as an ex-christian I find it was imperative, both then and now, to make sure that I get at least this religion correct. No need to be politically correct though; like credit cards which are accepted most anywhere I accept most of the holiday sayings so "Happy Hannakuh, Merry Christmas, Happy/Merry/Good Yuletide" etc. are fine with me; I refuse to get offended by someone else's attempts for well-wishing and goodwill.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

 

[Osiris]

Wow. Osiris, what is up with you and JustAsking?

I find it so thought-provoking that the two of you roll your eyes and sigh when this whole subject is brought up; you are the two who actually go out and do something in the spirit of the season. You smile gently when the cashier's only words to you are "That'll be $32.09. Out of $50. Here's your change."

Then there are the ones who start cursing at me and throwing hissy fits, because the cashier at Wal-Marts forgets to say "merry christmas."

How telling, how telling.

(By the way, the first one to get the "$32.09" reference gets a holiday kiss!)

DAMN!!! I am missing the $32.09 reference, but I know I know this from somewhere. ACK!!

Anyway, I guess what it boils down to is everybody has had their hand in the disaster known as (insert preference) season. The same people I hear complaining about people who have lost sight of Christ in Christmas are the same people who will spend a blody fortune on gifts, open the gifts. parade around the house happy about them yet have thought nothing about those who don't even have a warm home to sit in let alone gifts or a tree.

Don't get mad at the dope dealer, get mad at the clientele that keep him in business.

Think about it.

 

[Axcess]

I'm a nonreligious guy but I think holidays are cool , free day to spend with family and friends.

 

[uncuthungboy]

That supernatural commercial thing seems to be problem only in USA - or is it really? Haven't notice here in Europe that we should buy-buy-buy-buy and use lots of decoration and so on...

But hey, you know what!? Dealers, stores and so on will sell you everything if you BUY! You don't need to buy anything, you don't need decorate your house looking like nuclear power plant is needed to cover energy requirements.

Just keep it low!

And yes, im atheist and x-mas is only holiday for me and having time with my friends and/or family.

 

[Osiris]

Well thank you Osiris, as an ex-christian I find it was imperative, both then and now, to make sure that I get at least this religion correct. No need to be politically correct though; like credit cards which are accepted most anywhere I accept most of the holiday sayings so "Happy Hannakuh, Merry Christmas, Happy/Merry/Good Yuletide" etc. are fine with me; I refuse to get offended by someone else's attempts for well-wishing and goodwill.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

And the one who doesn't believe yet again teaches the true believers. Where is the irony?

Thanks Blackkid. A very merry Season of Humanity to you and yours as well.