The True Meaning of Christmas

[Tim]

I do have to point out one thing...

Back in those days, the church and government/politics was absolutely one in the same. It's hard to fully understand the mindset in those days when decisions like this were being made while we grew up with religion and government being fully separate. I mean we may complain about things like when a politician invokes god, but it was nothing compared to the old days, long before the US was even dreamed of.

Just something to think about.

 

[doombug]

Exactly. The last thing the church wanted was for all the pagans to have a merry party and the christians to have to go to work. The pagans were celebrating so the church gave the christians something to celebrate too.



I agree. No conspiracy. If you don't know when someone was born then one day is as good as another. December 25th was picked because it coincided with a popular pagan holiday at that time. The recently converted christians brought many of their pagan traditions into the new christmas celebration. This is why we see pagan roots in christmas.

Some christians see this as a reason not to celebrate christmas. I disagree. Christmas is a great holiday. It has something for everyone. Christmas can be a very sacred celebration for christians. It's silly not to take advantage of it. If someone doesn't like the commercialization or Santa or whatever then they can skip that aspect. Just my opinion.

I don't see the big deal here BornReady. If someone wants to celebrate Kwanzaa or the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25 then so what? It is their decision. I think they have every right to do so or even not to do so.

 

[Accountable]

I don't see the big deal here BornReady. If someone wants to celebrate Kwanzaa or the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25 then so what? It is their decision. I think they have every right to do so or even not to do so.

I agree, and that's why I point out the ample rich mix of traditions from outside of Christianity to anyone that wants to blame or claim Christmas to be purely Christian. It is as secular a holiday as the USA itself, in the finest American melting-pot tradition.

 

[BornReady]

I don't see the big deal here BornReady. If someone wants to celebrate Kwanzaa or the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25 then so what? It is their decision. I think they have every right to do so or even not to do so.

I agree, and that's why I point out the ample rich mix of traditions from outside of Christianity to anyone that wants to blame or claim Christmas to be purely Christian. It is as secular a holiday as the USA itself, in the finest American melting-pot tradition.

I agree.

 

[doombug]

I agree, and that's why I point out the ample rich mix of traditions from outside of Christianity to anyone that wants to blame or claim Christmas to be purely Christian. It is as secular a holiday as the USA itself, in the finest American melting-pot tradition.

But in reality no one group has hijacked the holiday more than US businesses. With "black friday" they have turned Christmas into a month long plus holiday.

 

[doombug]

I don't consider it a victory, just a discussion. I mean we would all hope that an organization like the Church would display the best of humanity, truth, honesty, compassion, responsibility, integrity, etc, etc. Unfortunately truth in most ways seems to be incompatible with religion. And on many occasions, protecting the organization has become more important than the other attributes I mentioned. Cheers!

I don't put much faith in humans. That is why it is important to look for truth with an open mind. Humans tend to cling to their worldview and protect it as well. Myths and distortions are created to do this and Atheists and Agnostics are no exception.

 

[Accountable]

But in reality no one group has hijacked the holiday more than US businesses. With "black friday" they have turned Christmas into a month long plus holiday.

werd

 

[BornReady]

I don't put much faith in humans. That is why it is important to look for truth with an open mind. Humans tend to cling to their worldview and protect it as well.

Humans are subjective and sometimes believe some pretty wild things. But that isn't a good reason not to have faith in them. I don't think we should judge people by what they believe or don't believe. We should judge them by how they treat others. And in that respect, the Christian and atheist friends I have rate very high.

 

[doombug]

Humans are subjective and sometimes believe some pretty wild things. But that isn't a good reason not to have faith in them. I don't think we should judge people by what they believe or don't believe. We should judge them by how they treat others. And in that respect, the Christian and atheist friends I have rate very high.

Sure you can find individual humans that are great just as you can find some individuals who aren't. I'm speaking of humans in a collective sense as in mankind.

 

[All Else Failed]

Oh thanks John. You've certainly opened all of our eyes to this hidden, arcane knowledge.

 

[Accountable]

170 posts and that's what you got?

 

[All Else Failed]

Browsed through the thread and didn't see anything worth commenting on, personally. This subject is a dead horse.

 

[Dana]

The true meaning of Christmas. Is what YOU make it. Christmas has different meanings to different people. Christmas to me is a time to be thankful another year has almost come to a close and I'm alive to bring in the upcoming year. A time where family and friends come together to celebrate and reminisce on the past and toast to those that have fallen before their time. It's a joyous time that can make the strongest man feel like a little child. That's what Christmas is and should be for everyone.

 

[Accountable]

I thought that was Thanksgiving. :jk

 

[CityGirl]

I thought that was Thanksgiving. :jk

It is one loooong holiday!

 

[doombug]

The true meaning of Christmas. Is what YOU make it. Christmas has different meanings to different people. Christmas to me is a time to be thankful another year has almost come to a close and I'm alive to bring in the upcoming year. A time where family and friends come together to celebrate and reminisce on the past and toast to those that have fallen before their time. It's a joyous time that can make the strongest man feel like a little child. That's what Christmas is and should be for everyone.

Agreed....

 

[Niamh]

The true meaning of Christmas. Is what YOU make it. Christmas has different meanings to different people. Christmas to me is a time to be thankful another year has almost come to a close and I'm alive to bring in the upcoming year. A time where family and friends come together to celebrate and reminisce on the past and toast to those that have fallen before their time. It's a joyous time that can make the strongest man feel like a little child. That's what Christmas is and should be for everyone.

I agree Dana

 

[doombug]

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