I know it's been asked before but I want fresh answers =D
I personally think that it's wrong for non-Christains shouldn't celebrate Christmas if they don't even believe in Christ. Christ is the whole point of Christmas, hence the CHRIST-mas. I think non-Christains just celebrate it to get presents, put up Christmas trees and Santa Clause decorations, and sing carols like Silent Night when it doesn't mean anything to them. I've been called selfish because of my opinions but does anyone agree with me? I'm Christain and I don't celebrate Hanukah, Ramadan, Kwanzah or any other holidays.
2006-10-21 07:47:41 · 27 answers · asked by S. 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Santa Clause doesn't make up the true meaning of Christmas.
2006-10-21 07:50:47 · update #1
I like Santa Claus. You know what, I couldn't care less about what you think.
2006-10-21 07:49:57 · answer #1 · answered by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
No I don't agree with you at all and I believe you are very close-minded.
I'm Pagan and I celebrate Christmas. I also celebrate Yule. To non-Christians, Christmas has nothing to do with religion. It is about spending time with family and friends during the holidays, sharing goodwill towards those less fortunate, etc. And that is something they have been doing for decades, if not centuries.
If you read history, you will find out that there is nothing original about Christmas that wasn't borrowed from other Pagan religions that were around long before then. The decorated tree actually comes from Pagans and was specifically mentioned in Jeremiah that the Jews (and Christians who came around later) must not have anything to do with it or any rituals that were practiced at Yule. But yet Christians claim it as their own creation.
I'm curious though, what holiday name do you suggest for non-Christians to use for Christmas? Just because you feel the way you do, billions of people are not going to just up and change out of the blue to make you happy.
2006-10-21 16:36:09 · answer #2 · answered by Cinnamon 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The same could be said about Christians...how many people honestly celebrate Christmas as a celebration of the birth of Christ...Tell me, when you are opening your presents, do you rejoice that you gave to another and dwell on how thankful you are that Christ was born, or are you thinking WOW I am so glad I have these wonderful presents...I think most of us, if answering honest, don't celebrate Christmas for what it is. The holiday has been comercialized and who are you, or anyone else for that matter, to tell someone why they can or cannot celebrate something in a way the feel is right. Last time I checked, this was a free country dear.
2006-10-21 07:52:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Actually - Christ was born in the spring, his birth day was moved to match the Sungod.
Other religions have holidays around the same time because of several reasons, primarily the Winter Solstice.
I don't celebrate Christmas, I celebrate the Solstice around the same time with many of the same symbols, because Christianity 'incorporated' them into their own holiday.
One of the other reasons that holidays like Christmas, Yule and other big happy celibrations take place in the mid winter is because of the depression and fear that take place when the harvest was growing thin, hunting wasn't very good and it was cold and dark. People needed a moment of light.
No you aren't selfish, just uninformed about why christmas is where it is, what else exists at the same time and where your symbols come from ...
The christmas tree is a direct relation to the old Druid practice of bringing everygreens into the home to recognize the rebirth of the SUN of the Goddess. And also of the Norse Yule log, a represenative of Odin's Life tree.
The three wise men were also at the birth of the God Mithras - predessor to Jesus, who as born of a virgin around the Winter Solstice
Santa Clause, as we know him, dressed in red and white fur, is actually an image created by Coca Cola. Prior to that, he was Saint Nicholas, a 'saint' born of the legend of Father Winter, a shamanic tradition who gave gifts to families as symbols of the rebirth of the sun.
Mistletoe again comes from both the Celts and the Norse, for different reason. Mistletoe to the Norse is a bad thing, it killed their Savior God (born of a virgin, impregnated by an all knowing father god). Mistletoe to the Celts was sacred for it's hallucianatory properties.
Holly was sacred to the Celts for it's blood red berries and it's evergreen properties.
Puritans, the first christians in the US as we know it, (Welsh and Irish monks may have been here before then but either left or died and didn't set up permanent shop) in fact did not celebrate Christmas as they felt it was too pagan a holiday, preferring to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
So you see, celebrating Christmas isn't a Christians only thing, it existed before Christians in many ways and would probably exist had Rome not made Christianity the Empire's Official Reason. It is a celebration of hope, joy, rebirth and of love, not the birth of one Godman.
2006-10-21 08:08:19 · answer #4 · answered by Diana D 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I appreciate your point. However:
As the son of a Christian and a Jew, I participate in ceremonies of both religions when I am home for the holidays out of respect for my parents and their beliefs.
I also have a small Christmas tree in my apartment, and often go to Jewish celebrations at my friends' homes throughout the year.
The thing about Christmas is that it is so socially ingrained. If I don't give out presents, it is inconceivably rude. Surely it is basic politeness to give a gift back to someone who gives one to you. This is what I do at Christmas. I simply have the tree there as a small decoration, and to put those presents under until I give them out.
As for the Jewish festivals - just as with Hindu festivals I sometimes attend with my Hindu friends - I love the atmosphere of reverence, and the general attitude of people at this time.
Surely, in an atmosphere like Christmas, where all over TV, and in stores, there is Christmas stuff 24/7, it's unfair to say that some people aren't allowed to celebrate this. I don't partake in any serious religious worship, but I enjoy the atmosphere and will, for example, give money to carollers, donate to Christmas charities, whistle a carol, buy presents etc.
I don't really think its wrong.
2006-10-21 07:53:00 · answer #5 · answered by Sam Y 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Well, Christmas is more (or less) than religious these days. I celebrate because it's fun to give gifts and eat good food. I don't sing carols, but I do help with the tree. It's also about being with my family for me. Just because I'm not a Christian doesn't mean I can't enjoy the more mundane aspects of this holiday.
2006-10-21 07:52:51 · answer #6 · answered by Jessy 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Since we're sharing what each other think...
At my workplace there's a delicious luncheon the week of and no one mentions Christ or minds a bit I am a non-Christian. I don't really celebrate the holiday as such, but I do enjoy the presents and the meals. A lovely holiday indeed.
Some Christians are the biggest hypocrites of all...If the shoe fits....you may wear it.
Best wishes,
pup
2006-10-21 08:04:33 · answer #7 · answered by . 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't sing silent Night...I don't think of Jesus at Christmas time, I don't believe in Jesus as much as I don't believe in Santa. I just like giving presents to my friends and family. If you want to get mad at people celebrating things just because they started off with religious ideals, then maybe you should stop using and doing some things that atheists invented or used...such as the Declaration of Independence....Do you celebrate July 4th?? well I'm afraid Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin and George Washington all did not believe in Jesus, neither did many of the founding fathers of this country.....and I don't think your selfish I just think you care too much about something that doesn't really matter all that much anyways. ....
2006-10-21 08:03:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is a time of giving and I enjoy giving gifts to people and I really dont want anything myself. My joy is in giving. If you are a Christian than you should understand that "Christ gave his life for you." Celebrating his birthday is just like a 1 year old's birthday party. It is an event not a spiritual experience. Besides, Christ was probably born in April according to ancient calendars. Since I believe that Christmas is about giving, I think you should give up your prejudice against non-Christians and experience the joy of untainted giving.
2006-10-21 07:56:05 · answer #9 · answered by juncogirl3 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Originally, Christmas was a pegan holiday, the tradition of trees and present giving are what still exist from this holiday. Romans couldn't get the people to stop practicing this holiday so they just moved Jesus' birthday which was originally celebrated in January to December so that they could Christen the holiday.
So why do you celebrate a pegan holiday?
2006-10-21 07:52:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes I do and I disagree with you. Christmas has pagan origins anyway, so at this point in time it's essentially meaningless. Oh, and did Jesus ever say to give presents on his birthday? All he said was to drink the wine and eat the bread in remembrance of him, not put up a Christmas tree and give presents. So yes I celebrate it and I feel I have every right to do so.
2006-10-21 07:54:44 · answer #11 · answered by i luv teh fishes 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋