at this important time of the year, millions of people in the US and around the world are celebrating xmas with our loved ones and friends. the thing is xmas is a christian tradition, which was originally invented by the pagans hundreds of years ago and it was, you could say hijacked by christians.

i understand that christmas is a holiday celebrated by christians, just as diwali is celebrated by muslims, and hanukkah is a jewish holiday celebrated by jewish people. but why do certain people assume that only christians and catholics can celebrate xmas, and not other people, such as the gay community and atheists and people who aren't religious.

i am sure there are many people who see xmas as a period where in which the religious aspect doesn't apply to them, as well as those that do. but for those of us who aren't religious, we should still be allowed to celebrate xmas and see it as a time for us to be with our families

at this important time of the year, millions of people in the US and around the world are celebrating xmas with our loved ones and friends. the thing is xmas is a christian tradition, which was originally invented by the pagans hundreds of years ago and it was, you could say hijacked by christians.


Yes, it was hijacked by the Christians. In turn, the holiday has been hijacked by business and corporations. It is no longer a Christian holiday.

All my life, as far as I could tell, the traditions have never been exclusive to any one denomination. Everybody shops.

I think if people are looking to celebrate their own traditions, they should do so. It all takes place around the same time of year. Money makers have what they want. If they can celebrate in their way, why can't everybody else?

Christmas is not just Christmas.

"and like all of our episodes, this episode has an important moral lesson. the moral of this episode is that EVERYONE, regardless of your religion, should celebrate christmas! because it's the best holiday!" - south park creator

i know a lot of Jewish people who love the Christmas season but dont celebrate it. i think anyone can really get in the "spirit" of Christmas.

i also don't think the only true meaning of Christmas is the religious meaning. of course it's a major part of it but i think another big meaning of Christmas is getting away from the everyday world and getting together with your family and spending time together.

While the basis of the holiday is Christian (or as others have said, was hijacked by Christians), I've never felt it was exclusively "our" holiday. Because so many backgrounds hold holidays at this time of year, I've always felt it's just a time for everyone to come together, and enjoy peace and love for all humanity (I know, I'm sounding sappy now).

Also, I have close friends who are Muslim, but they love the holiday and put up a tree each year.

I also worked for a company who's owner and officers were Jewish. We'd put a tree up in the lobby each year, and combine all sorts of ornaments on it, and even topped it off with a Star of David. It looked great! And one of the most memorable and enjoyable Christmas dinners I ever had was with a Jewish family.

It's hard to be part of any faith and not partake in some aspect of the Christmas Holiday. I'm not Christian, but I am very moved by the holiday nonetheless. The spirit that's in the air, the reflection to step back and respond kindly, to wish all whose work makes the holiday more enjoyable for us all, the religious masses to which I have been a guest.

It's a beautiful beautiful holiday.

The only thing I don't like is how businesses try to milk it for all they can. It's getting appalling to see the ploys businesses now do--my God they start hawking everyone to SPEND SPEND SPEND for XMAS even right after Labor Day. That part disgusts me. There is such a thing as respect and decorum. Yes businesses have to make $--but let us celebrate Thanksgiving first--and then on 12:01 a.m. Black Friday you can pull out all the stops. The idea of 24 hr shop days from Black Friday onward is not a bad one esp. if it ends up being a replacement for the crass commercialism that commences at inappropriate times.

but for those of us who aren't religious, we should still be allowed to celebrate xmas and see it as a time for us to be with our families
Go for it. Nobody's stopping anyone from doing anything.

"and like all of our episodes, this episode has an important moral lesson. the moral of this episode is that EVERYONE, regardless of your religion, should celebrate christmas! because it's the best holiday!" - south park creator

"and if you would like to know more about reading and literature, please call--"


JUST KIDDING! :lol:

Christmas was actually instituted by the Roman emperor Constantine on around A.D. 313 or 325 when he became the first Christian ruler of Rome. He basically did it to unify the pagans and Christians in the Christianized empire by designating the Feast of Saturnalia, or the day dedicated to the Roman god of light, Mithra, as the "birthday of Christ". Historians do not believe that Christ was actually born on December 25, but was most likely born in mid-October or even spring.


So, pray like a Christian. Party like a pagan. :rock: :cheers: party:

That is what I heard as well in regards to the birthday part of your message Tad. The same thing.

the "birthday of Christ". Historians do not believe that Christ was actually born on December 25, but was most likely born in mid-October or even spring.


So, pray like a Christian. Party like a pagan. :rock: :cheers: party:


Interesting! I always thought it was within the first two weeks of January (like Eastern Ortho - January 6th)

Historians do not believe that Christ was actually born on December 25, but was most likely born in mid-October or even spring.
I believe, as do many others, that He was born in April of 6 B.C.

http://news.smh.com.au/theories-stir-on-star-of-bethlehem/20071225-1ixv.html

Interesting! I always thought it was within the first two weeks of January (like Eastern Ortho - January 6th)Yes, as the Roman Empire experienced a schism in the early centuries prior to the millenium, Christianity was divided into two wings, the Roman Catholic Church, based in Rome, and the Eastern Orthodox Church, based in Constantinople, which is modern-day Istanbul, before it fell to the Turks in 1453. Both factions had differences in matters of belief and practice. Eastern Orthodox is actually considered the earliest version of Christianity by some.

I think if you wish to celebrate the holiday without being religious, go for it. What I dislike is all the people who will buy Christmas presents for people, but then bitch at the idea of a "Christmas" tree saying that it's discriminating against their beliefs. Well, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus, if you have a problem with that, don't even participate in the consumer side because you can't take Christ out of Christmas. Nobody would ever bitch about the Jewish faith and Passover

Yes, as the Roman Empire experienced a schism in the early centuries prior to the millenium, Christianity was divided into two wings, the Roman Catholic Church, based in Rome, and the Eastern Orthodox Church, based in Constantinople, which is modern-day Istanbul, before it fell to the Turks in 1453. Both factions had differences in matters of belief and practice. Eastern Orthodox is actually considered the earliest version of Christianity by some.



Boy do I feel stupid!! lol

thx

"and like all of our episodes, this episode has an important moral lesson. the moral of this episode is that EVERYONE, regardless of your religion, should celebrate christmas! because it's the best holiday!" - south park creator
lmao <3

I'm seriously sick of Christmas being about presents. If that tradition got destroyed I really wouldn't care.

lmao <3

I'm seriously sick of Christmas being about presents. If that tradition got destroyed I really wouldn't care.
I think the idea of gift giving is a good thing, but people are way too obsessed with putting tons of cash into the presents. I believe someone can seriously give good gifts on a budget, not everything has to be a Nintendo Wii or HD-DVD Player

I think the idea of gift giving is a good thing, but people are way too obsessed with putting tons of cash into the presents. I believe someone can seriously give good gifts on a budget, not everything has to be a Nintendo Wii or HD-DVD Player
I dunno, it's just when that's all people associate Christmas with it gets kind of pointless to me.

I know alot of people that are not catholic or christian and they celebrate it.

Boy do I feel stupid!! lol

thxDon't worry, that's what I'm here for! Everyone at work calls me 'The Professor'!! :D Which make me wonder why am I working where I am?? :confused: :lol:

I dunno, it's just when that's all people associate Christmas with it gets kind of pointless to me.
yeah. i love presents, but they're just a small part of what i love about Christmas.

yeah. i love presents, but they're just a small part of what i love about Christmas.Yeah, there's also food. :liplick: :eat:

Christmas is the day set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. It has become a HUGE commercial mess these days. There's nothing wrong with giving presents and spending time with your family, but don't forget the true meaning. I especially hate the way people have taken Merry Christmas and started saying Merry Xmas.

I'm a Christian and don't care who celebrates it. Who am I to tell people what to celebrate? As long as they don't get pissed if I put a Manger scene on my front lawn, we'll get along fine.

All my life, as far as I could tell, the traditions have never been exclusive to any one denomination. Everybody shops.

That pretty much sums it up. As far as the non-religious aspect of it (the gift giving/santa/christmas tree kind of stuff), everyone can do that. We have a few Muslim children at the school I work for, but I still think some of them celebrate some form of Christmas. It's kind of like Thanksgiving with presents. Family time.

I think the idea of gift giving is a good thing, but people are way too obsessed with putting tons of cash into the presents. I believe someone can seriously give good gifts on a budget, not everything has to be a Nintendo Wii or HD-DVD Player

I get very annoyed with people who HAVE to have the latest whatever and will go to obsessive lengths to get it for their kids, and if they can't, said kids usually end up complaining. OMG...not getting a Wii is not the end of the world, you ungrateful brat. I wouldn't want my mom standing in the cold at 6am to get something, or to get into a fight, or even buy something that expensive that is actually pretty pointless. The whole "toy of the season" is just...ugh. BRATS.

What I dislike is all the people who will buy Christmas presents for people, but then bitch at the idea of a "Christmas" tree saying that it's discriminating against their beliefs.
Ironic isnt it, when you realise the so-called Xmas tree is really a hijacked German pagan tradition of burning a log, or tree, to celebrate the winter solstice (Later the burning tree was replaced by candles and eventually by lights on a modern tree)

Btw, I'm not Christian (Although I was raised Catholic) and I enjoy Xmas in a very secular way....I love the decorations, art , songs and general spirit of the "season".

^ true, I'm not the most religious person. I believe in God but I don't necessarily know if I believe in most organized religions. Regardless.... December 25th is Christmas and I always roll my eyes when people complain about nativity scenes or trees called "Christmas" trees instead of "Holiday" trees. December 25th IS Christmas Day, accept it whether you're religion agrees with it or not. Dec 25th is Christmas much like everyone agrees Feb 14th is Valentine's Day and Oct 31st is Halloween. Granted, neither of those are religious holidays but you don't see people screaming "discrimination" when people have Halloween parties, but yet they do when people try to make Christmas "Christmas". I mean, I am not, nor have I ever been Jewish, but I can respect when they're celebrating Passover, Hanukkah and the sort. If someone wanted to have a public Hanukkah candle light ceremony, I would never think of picketing it because I don't believe in it. I think the same respect should be shown with Christmas.

Don't worry, that's what I'm here for! Everyone at work calls me 'The Professor'!! :D Which make me wonder why am I working where I am?? :confused: :lol:
:lol: Well I guess the "Professor" is better than being called "Cliff Clavin" - at least yours isn't useless information like his was!

^ true, I'm not the most religious person. I believe in God but I don't necessarily know if I believe in most organized religions. Regardless.... December 25th is Christmas and I always roll my eyes when people complain about nativity scenes or trees called "Christmas" trees instead of "Holiday" trees. December 25th IS Christmas Day, accept it whether you're religion agrees with it or not. Dec 25th is Christmas much like everyone agrees Feb 14th is Valentine's Day and Oct 31st is Halloween. Granted, neither of those are religious holidays but you don't see people screaming "discrimination" when people have Halloween parties, but yet they do when people try to make Christmas "Christmas". I mean, I am not, nor have I ever been Jewish, but I can respect when they're celebrating Passover, Hanukkah and the sort. If someone wanted to have a public Hanukkah candle light ceremony, I would never think of picketing it because I don't believe in it. I think the same respect should be shown with Christmas.


I hear ya. A few years ago in Toronto the mayor declared that all "Christmas" trees would be called "Holiday Trees". Even my Jewish friends thought it was just plain stupid. In the Jewish area of town, they have HUGE steel menorahs down the streets. These are lit during Hanukkah. No one's ever complained about them and we certainly wouldn't expect them to be renamed "Holiday Candlabras". :rolleyes:

I think if you wish to celebrate the holiday without being religious, go for it. What I dislike is all the people who will buy Christmas presents for people, but then bitch at the idea of a "Christmas" tree saying that it's discriminating against their beliefs. Well, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus, if you have a problem with that, don't even participate in the consumer side because you can't take Christ out of Christmas. Nobody would ever bitch about the Jewish faith and PassoverWell Said.

i know a lot of Jewish people who love the Christmas season but dont celebrate it. i think anyone can really get in the "spirit" of Christmas.

i also don't think the only true meaning of Christmas is the religious meaning. of course it's a major part of it but i think another big meaning of Christmas is getting away from the everyday world and getting together with your family and spending time together.

I agree. Many people in America celebrate Christmas who aren't Christians. The original day was to mean 'Christ Mass' and it was celebrated in December rather than March (In whom many people believe that Jesus was born in March) because of Lent and it was a big time during the Mediveal times.