I celebrate Christmas so when I go to stores or wherever I enjoy the whole Christmas spirit, but I've wondered how that makes people with other customs feel. Does it bother you or do you just not care?
2006-12-13 11:49:27 · 17 answers · asked by Never [?] YOUR <3* 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I only asked because of the problem at a Seattle airport (I think) where a Rabbi was threatening to sue if a Jewish relic was not added. Then the airport decided to take down all decorations so that they wouldn't offend anyone.
2006-12-13 11:59:55 · update #1
I am pagan, and at this time of year I celebrate a different holiday, but we do have a holiday at this time of year.
And as many of the symbols that are used for Christmas have their origins in earlier pagan meanings, not much is offensive to me. I don't mind it.
And I do enjoy it when I see diversity while shopping. While I don't think it's necessary to create a legal case because a religion was not included, I like seeing a menorah and the Kwanzaa lights included in the decoration, as well as a cute little stable scene with animals and angels and such.
Diversity; I think that is the point of the current movement. And while it's nice to see diversity, it is also hard to keep up with all the different elements needed to be all inclusive. And, to be honest, it may get very expensive to do so... to have all the elements that make up the overall "holiday season". So, rather than offend, some may choose to have no decorations.
It is a case of all - or nothing. People want to be included. And they feel rejected when they are not included. How do you deal with rejection? Some people have some very strange reactions to rejection.
It does not bother me personally, but I do see the point.
2006-12-13 12:13:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've NEVER celebrated Christmas because I'm Muslim. As a child it was hard because teachers weren't very p.c. then and I would be embarrassed/ ashamed having to say I couldn't participate in gift giving, singing Xmas songs, or contributing money towards parties. Sometimes I would do all those things anyway wanting not to be an outsider and feel incredible guilt! as an adult I LOVE the xmas season! The lights, the cartoon and holiday movies, the parties, and just everybody being happy! I tell people, I may not celebrate xmas but I do celebrate peace on earth and good will towards men!
2006-12-13 20:04:45 · answer #2 · answered by Meems 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I celebrate Yule, one of the pagan origins. But i would never go as far as to say others shouldn't celebrate whatever their version. It is a tradition, with the meanings, being Pagan or Christian, being someone overwhelmed by commercialism. Seeing displays in public places doesn't bother me - trees, lights, they really have no real meaning anymore other than they are pretty. some places still put up nativity scenes, most don't. I figure each nativity scene is equaled out by the real origins of Santa, gifts, mistletoe and trees. If you want to throw in a Menorah too then that's fine too.
2006-12-13 20:26:27 · answer #3 · answered by Sage Bluestorm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since I celebrate the solstice with my annual Rite to Belial and it's traditional during solstice to give gifts - it doesn't bother me at all. I get the whole solstice spirit thing going and really enjoy it. My favorite part is baking cookies for everyone, believe it or not. So I really get into buying cookie ingredients. I feel like a kid in a candy store. But I also visit with family on Christmas (those who practice it), so I buy gifts for them, too. They just get their gifts 3 days later than everyone else. Of course we (my husband and I) celebrate from about the 20th to the first of January anyway.
2006-12-13 19:57:57 · answer #4 · answered by swordarkeereon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I haven't really celebrated Xmas for many years. It's a great Pagan festival, though.
I do like the lights, and some songs, and whatnot, but hate the commercialism. "Angels we have heard on high, tell us to go out--AND BUY!"
It doesn't bother me that others celebrate or really get into it (a couple of very religious friends give me Xmas cards with a religious theme). But, hey, it doesn't matter because in 1000 years who will really care? Certainly not me!
2006-12-13 20:05:59 · answer #5 · answered by Peter S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When in another country, there was a certain special day that I didn't celebrate, which they made a big deal of. The stores were all about that celebration, the streets were full of it. It didn't bother me. Sometimes it amused me. Sometimes certain things turned me off. But it wasn't a big deal. So I imagine that most people who don't celebrate Christmas would feel that way about it too.
2006-12-13 19:54:04 · answer #6 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feel that the true meaning of Christmas have long since been lost. No longer is it about family, or religion. But more about merchandise, and greed. I'd rather have someone that loves me give me a gift on any other day of the year. Just because they love me, not because it's mandated by any particular date or habit of society.
2006-12-13 19:55:56 · answer #7 · answered by drivershunnyhunny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't care, I mean, when other people from other faiths are celebrating their holidays, do you tell them to stop celebrating because you feel left out or because you don't happen to celebrate the same day? no..so why do the same for Christmas?
2006-12-13 19:53:16 · answer #8 · answered by ♥amorvida 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't celebrate it but I love this time of year; the lights, the cheer, the old rudolph cartoons and cozy feel. I'm Muslim so I have my own holidays; this year it conveniently lands on Dec. 31st. Fun! :-D Happy holidays!
2006-12-13 20:26:13 · answer #9 · answered by justmyinput 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
America is a capitalistic system, and deems marketing and profit as goodness. Everybody knows the old adage, "When in Rome do as the Romans do or keep quiet in order to keep your head attached"!
2006-12-13 19:55:54 · answer #10 · answered by levelva 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋