Its isnīt Jesus Birthday.
Jews didnīt celebrate Birthdays anyway.
Its an adapted pagan Sun god ceremony, like many parts of it.
Its the time of year when the most suicides happen.
Its just one money making scam, commercialized beyond belief.
Father Xmas, Santa Claus, Christkind etc are all fantasy made up characters.
But its a magical time of year for a lot of people, and you get time of work because of it.
Maybe this is wrong, but I don't think that a person who is taking part in the commercialized madness is necessarily desecrating the religious meaning. If the intent is genuine and altruistic, then the adherence to consumerism doesn't negate that. "True" religious people, who try to recognize the holiday's Christian meaning, buy and receive gifts too. It's too intrinsic to our society to avoid.
Most Christians do, in fact, realize it isn't Jesus' real birthday, though the majority are equally as unaware of the holiday's true origins. Unlike some aspects of their savior, they're willing to admit that the day is symbolic, not literal.
For the rest of us (the non-religious) it's once again such a societal convention that it can't be avoided. Try telling your kid he's the only one of his friends not getting gifts because you refuse to be a slave to the system. Or try "giving up" buying and receiving gifts some X-Mas. People will still get them for you, because it's such a tradition.
The closest I could ever think to being able to rid oneself of commercialization of the holiday is vowing to return any gifts, and donating the money to a pre-set charity.
To address this thread, I provided a hyperlink that may provide insight to the question (not to mention statements by DigiMark007--which were not entirely false). The site is called, "Got Questions," and I have found it to be useful in referencing Christian theology, the origins of the faith, and a host of other topics. The site is straight forward, and the host does not pretend to know every answer on the issues. In any case, I hope--those of you who are interested--find the site just as informative as I have. Take care, and enjoy the holidays.
As a more spiritual person - whilst embracing history, science and illiteral-interpretation of Scripture - I am willing and able to celebrate Christmas (and eschew the so-called "pagan" aspect of it) due to its calls for good-will and love for all humankind. These things, no matter from where they are derived, should be celebrated and venerated as truth, at least in my opinion.
BTW I: Properly speaking, "Christmas" derives from the "pagan" Saturnalia, a Roman festival which venerated the god Saturn and celebrated the winter-equinox. Characteristics of the festival included the reversal of societal-rôles, with masters and slaves becoming equal brethren for at least a time.
BTW II: "Father Christmas/Santa Claus" isn't entirely fictional, he IS based on the historical "Saint Nicholas"....
Thats because originally Jesus' birthday was not celebrated in December, that is, until Pope decided so. And it was not in line with Pagan celebration of December.
Christmas was originally celebrated in January.
But that doesn't matter, because its all about buying and more buying. I doubt anyone feels religious during Christmas.
Marketing Directors made sure of that.
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في هذا العالم ثلاثة أشخاص أفسدوا البشرية : راعي غنم , طبيب و راكب الجمال , و راكب الجمال هو أسوأ نشال و أسوأ مشعوذ بين الثلاثة
Last edited by lil bitchiness on Dec 19th, 2007 at 10:26 PM
Questioning the validity and celebration of Christmas should be the least of things to worry about if you're a Christian - I'd be far more interested in discovering the various inconsistencies with regards the various versions of the Scripture, etc., etc.
KMC Community Forums
Dec 19th, 2007 06:54 PM
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I lover Charlie Brown.
