I refer to this question:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Av1M9b5ebXfvXt8.QDv1Ar3d7BR.;_ylv=3?qid=20070926115531AAGmkaQ
To begin with, Christmas isn't even Christian in origin. If you were to research it, read respected biblical scholars and theologians on this you would know that Jesus was NOT born on December 25th.
Since the festivity of the winter solstice is more cultural than anything it includes ALL peoples.
Besides if stores are offering 50% sales etc, why SHOULDN'T an atheist seize the opportuntiy to shop and give presents?
If its the one time the family is gathering ANYWAY, why can't a non-Christian or atheist participate?
I do not understand the logic that if ALL people get to participate in something, then it makes it lose meaning. Especially if it is something that is more symbolic, completely subjective and requires no special skills to do.
How is YOUR celebration diminished by someone else also celebrating?
2007-09-26 08:08:00 · 22 answers · asked by pixie_pagan 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christmas is not just a Christian holiday anymore. Many people do celebrate it as a time of giving - charities and to each other as well. Also, other peoples have traditionally celebrated at that time - my heritage is Scandinavian, and pagan Scandinavians celebrated Yule for hundreds of years. Christians even adopted the term in reference to Christmas .... "Yuletide carols being sung by a fire....." etc.
Yule is a winter festival celebrated in Northern Europe since ancient times. In pre-Christian times, Germanic pagans celebrated Yule in late December or early January on a date determined by a lunar calendar.[1] During the process of Christianization and the adoption of the Julian calendar, Yule was placed on December 25, in order to correspond with the Christian celebrations later known in English as Christmas.[2] Thus, the terms "Yule" and "Christmas" are often used interchangeably[citation needed], especially in Christmas carols.
In Denmark, Norway and Sweden the term jul is the most common way to refer to the celebration, including among Christians. In Finland, it is called joulu, in Estonia jõulud, and in Iceland and the Faroe Islands jól.
2007-09-26 08:15:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I will answer your question by answering a different one. Why did U.S.Grant make Christmas a National Holiday? He made it a Holiday to help bind the wounds left from our Civil War. Then Christmas was a day celebrated by both the North and South and even though it was a religious one even those who were not took part in this celebration. This day as a Holiday caused all people here to stop and be thankful for all our blessings. It helped both the North and the South to see that there where still things that all had in common and sharing mutual things bind people together. Yes, Christmas is about the baby Jesus. But the true Spirit of Christmas is more. It is about brotherly love and the caring for all who are our real brothers and sisters. Peace
2016-05-19 01:46:40 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was born at the time of taxation which was in the latter part of the year, but as there is no way to determine the exact date of his birth, Dec. 25 was chosen. The winter solstice just happened to be in the same part of the year. What diminishes the celebration is others stating that parts of the holiday, because it carries a religious meaning cannot be displayed because it may offend someone. Tell me why it is not OK for a city to display a Nativity scene, or a Christmas tree, or any other form of display they chose for the holiday. It is a time not only to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but also a time for family, but family can gather at anytime of the year. does it lessen the meaning for Christmas for the Christian, no. All that would be asked, is if you want other to respect your beliefs or lack of, then show that same respect to others.
2007-09-26 08:24:02 · answer #3 · answered by julvrug 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I sort of enjoy the fact that most of the world celebrates Christmas, I have absolutely no problem at all with it.
Well, it does sort of make me sad that we won't be having a cease-fire for Christmas, as in ages past...
Nobody knows for sure just when Jesus was born. It's just as possible that He was born in December as that He was born in April, or September, or any other month of the year.
Thanks to the many atheists and pagans I've spoken with over the years, I am aware that the legend of the dying yet ever living God appears in a great many cultures, and He is generally born at the winter solstice. I don't see why Jesus could not have been born then...some nonsense about sheep in the fields, but then, why would anyone expect that shepherds 2000 years ago may not have been in the fields around Bethlehem? Perhaps they were there for the census...
Most of the Christian world has chosen that time of the year to celebrate the birth of our Lord. I don't see why that should be a problem to anyone else...
The only problem I see is people tussling over the holiday. Let Christians have their Christian celebrations, and please, don't try to change customs that have been in place for a thousand years or more. Please, stop trying to take Christ out of Christmas.
Let everyone else celebrate their own holiday in their own way, and for goodness sake, let everyone have their own symbols of their own holiday, and let them display them in public, even.
It seems such a very small thing to argue about, especially in the face of all the serious problems facing our world these days.
I'm a Christian...for me, it is a sacred holiday, and it honors the gift God gave to the world, even if we don't have the exact day. I can't see how it would dishonor Jesus Christ, who loves children, to have Santa Claus give gifts to Christian kids...and all children, for that matter...on that day. I can't understand how it would make the day less sacred if other people celebrate as well.
I can't see why a nativity scene cannot stand next to a Christmas tree, or why the Christmas tree cannot stand next to the Menorah, or why the Menorah can't sit next to the Yule log, etc, etc, etc.
"Let there be peace on earth, and goodwill to men"...
(I do believe the angels meant ALL men, ALL over the entire world...)
So...be it, "Blessed Yule", or "Happy Hanukkah", or "Happy Kwanzaa", or "Merry Christmas", please, let each one celebrate in his or her own way. Let's save the stupid arguments for some other time.
Heck, for all I care, "Happy Giftmas" to you!
2007-09-26 08:46:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heh, holidays are just the commercial industry's way of raking in money nowadays.
Jesus may not have been born on December 25th, but I'll still celebrate the day in remembrance of His birth, simply because I'm unaware of any other day that could be the possibility.
As for anyone else celebrating it, that's fine. Doesn't make a difference to me or the way I celebrate, or why I celebrate.
2007-09-26 08:20:47 · answer #5 · answered by Thomas The Servant 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I celebrate christmas and I am an atheist. To me, its a time of family and presents. Although I have to say, the lines and chaos of christmas shopping drives me nuts. If my whole family was atheist, I'd have a 'family and presents celebration' at a different time of year :)
2007-09-26 16:05:13 · answer #6 · answered by doo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll answer the other Q here, as it has been removed:
"christmas is a pagan holiday. in the UK and America in the 1600's christmas was banned... as being non-biblical! get over yourself, please"
it beats me... I guess they think they totally took it over, that it now belongs to them, and anyone else is wrong... but wait, isn't that the normal fundie attitude?
2007-09-26 08:20:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you're demonstrating a good understanding of 'who' typically complains about celebrations around Christmas time.
By and large, the majority of protests around the Christmas season are aimed at Christians. "Why are these Christians forcing us to hear about their holiday?!"
"Happy Hoidays", "Merry Christmas", "Saucy Speghetti Monster Day"... makes no difference to me. Someone wishing me well is always appreciated, and accepted in the spirit offered.
2007-09-26 08:18:37 · answer #8 · answered by delsinelu 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would think that Christians would be a little more offended by the fact that they were worshiping nature by cutting down a pine tree, decorating it and providing it with presents, rather than worrying why non Christians are doing the same.
2007-09-26 08:12:22 · answer #9 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Why do you THINK I'm offended? Actually, the more "commercial" Christmas becomes, the more we Christians love it!
Why? Because it brings attention to the Reason for the Season!
God bless!!
2007-09-26 08:24:03 · answer #10 · answered by Devoted1 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋