Do you think Christmas in America is a secular or religious holiday?

Question

If it is seen and celebrated as secular (santa, reindeer, frosty, presents, etc) Why are schools and businesses nixing the whole idea all together and calling it winterfest, etc?

My question was also, why are even stores nixing the idea of calling it Christmas now? Wouldnt that lead us to believe we are becoming a more secular nation?

Answer 1

Secular, just like Easter. Of course, both started out as PAGAN holidays, so it isn't surprising that none of the added Christian veneer has stuck. Schools are simply educating people about that, and using general terms, so to avoid promoting fake Christian holidays.

The funniest thing was when Christians were demanding that stores use the word "Christmas" instead of "Holiday". Apparently, SHOPPING is the REAL reason for the season!

Also: Christians whining that stores were referring to evergreen trees as "holiday trees" instead of "Christmas trees" when the BIBLE FORBIDS their use, since it is a HEATHEN tradition (Jeremiah 10:2-4). Priceless.

Answer 2

It's mostly become secular.... but people still argue over what kind of greeting will be featured in the Wal-Mart front window. Why? Because if it's increasingly secular, some people think it ought to be more inclusive than exclusive. Winterfest sounds find to me, or "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". The former is much more inclusive than the latter.

Also, many reactions to the increasingly popular use of the generic "Happy Holidays" sentiment are more tribal than religious. Some are turning the phrase Merry Christmas into a fetish, something done for its own sake instead of using it as a sincere greeting. It’s an aggressive statement about one’s own identity that is thrown in the face of others as a challenge or even an insult. It’s not about defending religious meaning in Christmas, but defending a religious identity and a set of traditional privileges.

Answer 3

"Why are schools and businesses nixing the whole idea all together and calling it winterfest, etc?" - that's obvious - no LAW SUITS. People have sued and litigated the whole two months of Nov and Dec to death. Only the kids suffer. It's sad, really.
"Do you think Christmas in America is a secular or religious holiday?" - In America I think of it as both. If I am not in a federal/state or business building it's religious. If I am in a federal/state or business building I am careful not to get workers in trouble and it is secular only.
Americans kind of stepped in it with holidays, so are trying hard to feel there way as we mature.
When powerful people are unhappy they take everyone to court. Regardless of real community feelings, because they are disconnected from their community by power, and money. The worse is out of state people telling a community what they can or can't do - never once stepping into the state they are taking to court.

Answer 4

For hundreds of years, Christmas has been celebrated all over the world as a time to honor the birth of Christ. I don't understand why it is so surprising that some "pagan traditions" have been a part of the celebration. So what? It is STILL a time that has been celebrated by the Christian world for untold centuries as the time when we thank God for His great gift.
One major Christmas tradition that the world ought to be mourning was the cease fire that was honored the world over. How amazing that nations at war were willing to put down their weapons this one day of the year! Too bad that it won't happen in Iraq this year...but no Christian is really too surprised at this. It is sad, but it is also inevitable, since it is now politically correct to consider Christmas a "secular holiday".
Of course, it is Christianity's own hypocrisy that has caused almost all of the hostility against Christianity and all it stands for. As Peter warned us so long ago, judgment begins in the House of the Lord. As Revelation tells us, we are destined to be overcome by the Beast...for a time, at least...but it is our own fault.
So, now it has become, for many Americans, Christians (sadly) included, a "secular holiday". Still, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. To us, it will always be "Merry Christmas"...

(What people don't realize is that, as in the story of the Grinch, you cannot stop Christmas from coming.)

Answer 5

I think it's becoming more secular, and rightly so. As to your second question: it's because of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Godshrew: Not all business are closed. I've quit a job because they wanted me to work on Christmas, and almost had to do the same thing at another one. And I could care less about jesus, I just like spending the time with my family. It's a great tradition and nothing more to me.

Answer 6

I think people are becoming more aware of it's much earlier Pagan roots to do with Mithras and the pre-Christian Saturnalia celebrations held at that time, Yule celebrating the Winter solstice the death and rebirth of the sun etc and it's having nothing to do directly with Christianity, though Christianity has borrowed heavily from the older religions it set out to replace and incorporated much of the older religions stories into the newer stories of it's own.

Answer 7

Not so much secular. Happy holidays is said to encourage ALL religions, not just one. Many other religions have celebrations at the same time. Why should we pretend that there is only one?

Answer 8

it's a pagan holiday. Christmas is about the celebration of Christ. yes, he was not born in the winter...but it's a day of celebration, love and kindness towards each other (everyday should be that way). i also believe that Easter has nothing to do with Jesus. that particular weekend is the Resurrection. we celebrate Jesus' Resurrection. not some Easter bunny and egg hunts.

Answer 9

It's both, dear one. It's a Federal holiday and can be celebrated by all Americans. To Christians, it's a holy time of the year because our Savior's birth is celebrated. For us, Jesus is the reason for the season!

God bless!

Answer 10

It is secular in the eyes of the Christians, and Christian in the eyes of the Secular Humanists.