Non-Christians and Christmas - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AD FAN · 12-03-2005, 12:54 AM

I was wondering if people that don't celebrate Christmas get annoyed when someone wishes them a "Merry Christmas" or when they see Christmas lights on a house, decorations in stores and schools, etc.

MsOrange · 12-03-2005, 01:21 AM

people get offended over everything

Mr. Television · 12-03-2005, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsOrange

people get offended over everything

yea they can't stand seeing other people having fun.

Bootsy Whoosh · 12-03-2005, 02:19 AM

Well you have to keep in mind that, despite how much it may irritate Christians, Christmas is a very secular holiday now. That's why "Jesus is the reason for the season" must be spouted off.

I am not a Christian but I do celebrate Christmas, and I know many other people like me.

MsOrange · 12-03-2005, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bootsy Whoosh

I am not a Christian but I do celebrate Christmas, and I know many other people like me.

I know TONS of people who aren't Christians but celebrate Christmas. It's become hte norm.. it's no longer JUST a Christian holiday.

ABlairican Pie · 12-03-2005, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barwars

Celebrating Jesus' birth on December 25th was decided because the holiday of "Christmas" was on that day.

St. Nicholas was bringing gifts to poor children long before "Jesus is the reason for the season."

It just happened to be that he became a saint, and then eventually Jesus' birth and the holiday became one in the same when St. Nicholas was no longer around, leaving the tradition to be once a year, whereas St. Nick brought gifts to children all year long.

Christmas was started by the first Christian emperor Constantine in A.D. 300's, around the time that St. Nicholas lived in Asia Minor. In order to maintain support with the pagans in the newly Christianized Roman Empire, he decided to take the Feast of Saturnalia, held on December 25th, and arbitrarily name it Christmas, for the birthday of Christ. So then people could have it both ways. Historians say that in all likelihood, Jesus was not born on December 25, but was either born in October or even in spring.

Steve M. · 12-03-2005, 07:58 PM

No one knows what day Christ was born on because early Christians considered the Resurrection more important and more central to their faith. For a long time, Christmas wasn't paid much attention by the church, and the early Puritans in America didn't celebrate it because they considered celebrating the Nativity blasphemous and sinful.

Tuesday Weld · 12-03-2005, 08:02 PM

I don't get annoyed by it.

EmoJoe · 12-03-2005, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsOrange

I know TONS of people who aren't Christians but celebrate Christmas. It's become hte norm.. it's no longer JUST a Christian holiday.

Yeah my friend isnt Christian and he celebrates Christmas...

rusyd · 12-03-2005, 08:48 PM

The non-Christians that I know don't mind Christmas and even like to get Christmas cards and gifts. A girl I work with is Muslim and I give her a Christmas card and gift and she gets me a EID(spelling?) card and gift.

ABlairican Pie · 12-03-2005, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusyd

The non-Christians that I know don't mind Christmas and even like to get Christmas cards and gifts. A girl I work with is Muslim and I give her a Christmas card and gift and she gets me a EID(spelling?) card and gift.

I see stamps at the Post office for Eid. I can't believe that after 9/11 there was an attempt to ban the stamp because backwards Eid spelled "DIE"!!

rusyd · 12-03-2005, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain ABlairica

I see stamps at the Post office for Eid. I can't believe that after 9/11 there was an attempt to ban the stamp because backwards Eid spelled "DIE"!!

It is unfortunate that a group of people be it religon or race have to be labled bc a few people in that religion or race are extremists.

Bootsy Whoosh · 12-04-2005, 12:35 AM

I'm going to take a page from Captain ABlairica's book and post some song lyrics:

The Christians and the Pagans by the incomparable Dar Williams:

Amber called her uncle, said "We're up here for the holiday
Jane and I were having Solstice, now we need a place to stay"
And her Christ-loving uncle watched his wife hang Mary on a tree
He watched his son hang candy canes all made with red dye number three
He told his niece, "It's Christmas eve, I know our life is not your style"
She said, "Christmas is like Solstice, and we miss you and it's been awhile"

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able
And just before the meal was served, hands were held and prayers were said
Sending hope for peace on earth to all their gods and goddesses

The food was great, the tree plugged in, the meal had gone without a hitch
Till Timmy turned to Amber and said, "Is it true that you're a witch?"
His mom jumped up and said, "The pies are burning," and she hit the kitchen
And it was Jane who spoke, she said, "It's true, your cousin's not a Christian"
"But we love trees, we love the snow, the friends we have, the world we share
And you find magic from your God, and we find magic everywhere"

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able
And where does magic come from, I think magic's in the learning
Cause now when Christians sit with Pagans only pumpkin pies are burning

When Amber tried to do the dishes, her aunt said, "Really, no, don't bother"
Amber's uncle saw how Amber looked like Tim and like her father
He thought about his brother, how they hadn't spoken in a year
He thought he'd call him up and say, "It's Christmas and your daughter's here"
He thought of fathers, sons and brothers, saw his own son tug his sleeve saying
"Can I be a Pagan?" Dad said, "We'll discuss it when they leave"

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able
Lighting trees in darkness, learning new ways from the old, and
Making sense of history and drawing warmth out of the cold

Superstar · 12-04-2005, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsOrange

people get offended over everything

thats so true

Dean Winchester · 12-04-2005, 04:10 PM

I don't understand the Jews stand on Christmas:

on "Sex And The City", when Charlotte made the conversion to Judaism so she could marry Harry, she was told that she had to say goodbye to Christmas as part of her religious switch, even told that she couldn't have a tree, etc...

Yet.... on "Seinfeld", the characters (all four actors are Jewish) have exchanged Christmas cards (hell, who doesn't remember Elaine's Christmas card? lol) and Elaine even had a Christmas tree in her apartment in one episode. Being Jewish didn't in any way hinder their appreciation of the Christmas season.

Same as in real life, I personally know Jewish people who will buy Christmas presents and send Christmas cards to friends. So what exactly was it about "saying goodbye to Christmas" that Charlotte had to do when you'll see a lot of Jewish people who still celebrate the time of year even if they don't believe in Jesus.

View Poll Results: Do you get annoyed when you see Christmas decorations or hear "Merry Christmas"?
Yes, I'm extremely offended and annoyed.	0	0%
It bothers me a little.	0	0%
Doesn't bother me at all.	22	100.00%
Voters: 22. You may not vote on this poll

12-03-2005, 12:54 AM	#1
AD FAN American Dreams Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 08, 2004 Location: New York Posts: 386	Non-Christians and Christmas I was wondering if people that don't celebrate Christmas get annoyed when someone wishes them a "Merry Christmas" or when they see Christmas lights on a house, decorations in stores and schools, etc.
	__________________ . . "Celebrate we will, cause life is short but sweet for certain." -Dave Matthews (AD stands for the former NBC show "American Dreams.")

12-03-2005, 02:19 AM	#4
Bootsy Whoosh Storms abrewin'... Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2001 Location: The Alpha Quadrant, Sector 001 Posts: 2,104	Well you have to keep in mind that, despite how much it may irritate Christians, Christmas is a very secular holiday now. That's why "Jesus is the reason for the season" must be spouted off. I am not a Christian but I do celebrate Christmas, and I know many other people like me.
	__________________ Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character for it will become your destiny. - unknown

12-03-2005, 07:58 PM	#7
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,307	No one knows what day Christ was born on because early Christians considered the Resurrection more important and more central to their faith. For a long time, Christmas wasn't paid much attention by the church, and the early Puritans in America didn't celebrate it because they considered celebrating the Nativity blasphemous and sinful.
	__________________ I don't really get out a lot. When I do go out, I couldn't be happier. I love being in a nice milieu. I'm as happy as a clam. Just as long as I'm not in some club playing hip-hop. You hear that sort of thing in a lot of places. That's not my milieu. Rock and roll is good-time music. I love rock. So did my parents.

12-03-2005, 08:02 PM	#8
Tuesday Weld I missed you all. hugs Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 02, 2003 Location: Having a great time. Posts: 22,285	I don't get annoyed by it.
	__________________ Cindy Formerly musicrocksmyworld, ElvisDustyfan and vintagetvgirl. After one look at this planet any visitor from outer space would say "I want to see the manager." - William S. Burroughs

12-03-2005, 01:21 AM	#2
MsOrange Bringin' Sexy Back Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 6,133	people get offended over everything

12-03-2005, 08:48 PM	#10
rusyd Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 13,505	The non-Christians that I know don't mind Christmas and even like to get Christmas cards and gifts. A girl I work with is Muslim and I give her a Christmas card and gift and she gets me a EID(spelling?) card and gift.

12-04-2005, 12:35 AM	#13
Bootsy Whoosh Storms abrewin'... Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2001 Location: The Alpha Quadrant, Sector 001 Posts: 2,104	I'm going to take a page from Captain ABlairica's book and post some song lyrics: The Christians and the Pagans by the incomparable Dar Williams: Amber called her uncle, said "We're up here for the holiday Jane and I were having Solstice, now we need a place to stay" And her Christ-loving uncle watched his wife hang Mary on a tree He watched his son hang candy canes all made with red dye number three He told his niece, "It's Christmas eve, I know our life is not your style" She said, "Christmas is like Solstice, and we miss you and it's been awhile" So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able And just before the meal was served, hands were held and prayers were said Sending hope for peace on earth to all their gods and goddesses The food was great, the tree plugged in, the meal had gone without a hitch Till Timmy turned to Amber and said, "Is it true that you're a witch?" His mom jumped up and said, "The pies are burning," and she hit the kitchen And it was Jane who spoke, she said, "It's true, your cousin's not a Christian" "But we love trees, we love the snow, the friends we have, the world we share And you find magic from your God, and we find magic everywhere" So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able And where does magic come from, I think magic's in the learning Cause now when Christians sit with Pagans only pumpkin pies are burning When Amber tried to do the dishes, her aunt said, "Really, no, don't bother" Amber's uncle saw how Amber looked like Tim and like her father He thought about his brother, how they hadn't spoken in a year He thought he'd call him up and say, "It's Christmas and your daughter's here" He thought of fathers, sons and brothers, saw his own son tug his sleeve saying "Can I be a Pagan?" Dad said, "We'll discuss it when they leave" So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able Lighting trees in darkness, learning new ways from the old, and Making sense of history and drawing warmth out of the cold

12-04-2005, 04:10 PM	#15
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	I don't understand the Jews stand on Christmas: on "Sex And The City", when Charlotte made the conversion to Judaism so she could marry Harry, she was told that she had to say goodbye to Christmas as part of her religious switch, even told that she couldn't have a tree, etc... Yet.... on "Seinfeld", the characters (all four actors are Jewish) have exchanged Christmas cards (hell, who doesn't remember Elaine's Christmas card? lol) and Elaine even had a Christmas tree in her apartment in one episode. Being Jewish didn't in any way hinder their appreciation of the Christmas season. Same as in real life, I personally know Jewish people who will buy Christmas presents and send Christmas cards to friends. So what exactly was it about "saying goodbye to Christmas" that Charlotte had to do when you'll see a lot of Jewish people who still celebrate the time of year even if they don't believe in Jesus.