Why are non-christians, non-jewish or agnostic so offended by the celebration of Christmas or Hannakuh? We don't force this on you. This has been a tradition of this country for a very long time. A tree with ornaments? Peacful symbols? Offensive? Please explain to me so I can tell my kids why celebrating my religion in my country is sooooooo bad!
2006-12-11 10:01:57 · 12 answers · asked by tim g 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
Paul P, It does not bother me if somebody wants to celebrate whatever. This country is 90% christian. I have lots of friends from diffrent religions. I respect their wishes. As far as Govt. buildings, why now? It is a tradition of this country. I know many non-christians will sell christmas items to customers and benefit. Then they protest to the celebration. Kind of conflicting, don't you think
2006-12-11 10:18:27 · update #1
Scientia, I am referring to the holiday that we have celebrated these last 4-5 generations, not the origin. The celebration of Christ. We are not celebrating the origin that you speak of
2006-12-11 10:52:54 · update #2
People don't believe in religion anymore.
Look at everything around you, and tell me if you see God?
Magazines, movies, TV, Internet, Cell phones, evrything are full of sin and we do nothing to put laws in place to get this away from our children.
We allow this to happen ,ask questions, but do not pray and make ourselves heard.
Christians are dead. They complain and go to church, but don't make themselves heard.
Democracy in most western countries killed christianity.Everybody has a right, except christians.
Yes, Christians must show their values and start praying, singing and talking where the world can see and hear them.
2006-12-13 17:13:24 · answer #1 · answered by TP asking 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pretty much nobody is offended by holiday celebrations. You're confusing what people are trying to do here. The issue is whether or not holiday symbols from certain religions should be displayed on government property, while other religious symbols are ignored. People can put all the holiday stuff they want on their own property, it's when the government seems to show a preference for some religions that bothers some people. And as for saying merry Christmas, why is it that Christmas is the only holiday where you're supposed to say merry Christmas for almost a month. People would look at me funny if I told them happy independence day on July 3rd, so why is it okay to tell people merry Christmas on any day other than Christmas?
2006-12-11 18:06:18 · answer #2 · answered by Paul P 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I'm not sure what you mean by offended. It is the US Constitution that is offended when our government promotes religion by using our money and property for Christmas and Easter decorations. I take it from the tone of your question that you claim the Bible as God's divine word. Well, the Bible says nothing about the celebration of Easter and Christmas. As for tradition -- Mark 7:13 states "Because of your traditions you have destroyed the authority of God's word. And you do many other things like that." GWT. Do your kids a favor and tell them how much horror and misery has been inflicted on unbelievers by the practitioners of your brand of Christianity. Tell them that America was founded on the principle of freedom of and from religion.
2006-12-11 21:01:08 · answer #3 · answered by redhotsillypepper 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
good question. when i was 17 i lived in north Carolina with my aunt and uncle. my 12 year old cousin had a little girl friend, they did not believe in celebrating Halloween. my cousin found this out and started making fun of her. she got mad because her friend couldn't go out on the witches and devils night as the little girl put it. i told my cousin not to be so mean. people have their beliefs, she would not like to be picked on. if they do not like it then they don't have to celebrate it. stay in their home until the holidays are over, or move to a deserted island.
2006-12-11 18:13:52 · answer #4 · answered by loretta 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You seem to be confused about holidays. Christmas is not a christian holiday. Originally it was held at the Winter Solstice to mark the point when the days would get longer again and hence the birth of the new year. The deity associated with this holiday had nothing whatsoever to do with christianity. The deity was Mithras and it is from this deity that we get the tradition of the christmas tree and associations with holly and mistletoe.
The catholic church tried to stop people from celebrating this holiday but failed. So, they simply co-opted the holiday and started saying that it represented the birth of christ who was actually born in a different time of the year.
We have a similar story with Easter which was originally associated with the deity Estra, goddess of fertility. It is from this deity where we get associations like rabbits and eggs which are fertility symbols. Again, this holiday was co-opted by the catholic church.
The single holiday that the catholic church failed to co-opt was Halloween (although they tried).
I guess the question for you would be why are you offended by the original intent of these holidays which have nothing to do with christianity?
2006-12-11 18:21:05 · answer #5 · answered by scientia 3 · 3⤊ 4⤋
99.9% are not offended by anyone celebrating their own holidays or displaying any religious symbols in public. The other .1% used to keep their opinions to themselves until some of us started listening to them and trying not to offend them. I vote you quit listening and grant them the right to be offended.
2006-12-11 20:42:34 · answer #6 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Excellent question. I am just astonished that we've come to this. Saying "Merry Christmas" isn't an attempt at conversion, people! Should I be offended that I've never been told Happy Hanukkah or Merry Kwanzaa? I'm not....
2006-12-11 18:04:30 · answer #7 · answered by Jadis 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i'm not offended. it's Ceremonial deism. However, there are christians who believe the 60s Peace Sign is a satanic symbol because it mirrors a crow's foot. utterly ridculous.
2006-12-11 18:23:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hate to have to break this to you, bud - "Scientia" is absolutely right.
So Christians really have no right to piss about celebrating the holiday...
Unless the Druids have the right to piss about ignorant Christian hijackers.
2006-12-12 20:58:21 · answer #9 · answered by St. Hell 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is the non christians that complains about all our celebrations. they also think if we say jewish, in reference of speaking of the Jewish belief that we are critizing.We are not. I'm not ashame that i'm a Christian, I feel they shouldn't be ashame of the jewish belief.
2006-12-11 18:18:51 · answer #10 · answered by bettys 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋