Do you think religion has anything to do with Christmas anymore?

Question

It is not the true day of Christ's birth (it actually coincides with the pagan winter solstice) and its all about "stuff".

If you disagree...what DOES make it a religious holiday?

Answer 1

"The tilt of the Earth's axis is the reason for the season."


Same as it's always been -- it's a time to have a cheering up festival in the darkest part of winter. Everybody needs a good excuse for partying since it's been getting cold, and it's about to get a lot colder. Since the days are going to start getting a little longer now, it's as good a time as any to enjoy a good old festival of food, friends, family and fun.

Christmas was never about anything religious. The Christians tried to hijack the good times for their own morose, self-righteous purposes and even tried to act like they owned it in the first place -- but screw them. It's a mid-winter festival of endurance and resiliance, and always has been.

Answer 2

After Thanksgiving, Christmas mode is full steam ahead! Long lines at the check out, gas prices soar through the roof, stressing about what gifts to get, what grand dinner to serve, and ppl are grumpier than ever! Doesn't sound very religious, does it? My family have gradually moved away from this chaos surrounding Christmas. Although it is by far not the actual day of Christ birth, we sing Jesus is the reason for the season, not just December 25, but everyday. We also don't engage in heavy gift giving, we do polly anna, (drawing a name), with (5) items listed of what we want, setting a $25 limit. We then have a feast of a dinner, deciding where, and bring a dish so one person isn't overwhelmed cooking. I love X-mas, but agree, it has become full blown secular. What makes it a religious holiday is how you celebrate it. Volunteer at the Salvation Army, visit a nursing home, see to the widows and neglected children withing your family or not, that was Christ wants us to do. Take care of our fellow man, not just on X-mas, but everyday! Good question, friend!

Answer 3

it is and always has been a Pagan holiday- it is not just that it lines up with the winter solstice but it IS the observance and celebration of the winter solstice. Christians have tried to make it hteirs ignoring the scriptures about worshipping Him in "their way" most knowingly using pagan symbolism (trees, mistletoe, yule logs, etc) and laboring to justify themselves.
Christmas is pagan, period!

Jesus was likely born about the time of the Feast of Tabernacles- a feast most christians have been deceived into believing is a "Jewish feast" though the Jews observe it, it is fitting as it is a picture of how the Messiah, Jesus came and tebernacled amongst us and how it is us who are the temple, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. THe symbolism and observance of the Feast of Tabernacles is much more powerful, much moe meaningful and much more pure and holy than trying to twist pagan ritual to somehow make it seem to glorify Jesus.
Everything about the celebration of Christmas is rooted in paganism.

Answer 4

Depends on faith.
You are somewhat correct that it is also a pagan holiday. The fact is that the Christians could not get the pagans to see their side. so they slowly turned the winter solstice into Christ BD. If a Christ where born then he probably would have been born in the summer months. So to honestly answer your question did it ever have anything to do with Christ?

Answer 5

Christmas never did have much to do with religion. The Christians merely appropriated a pagan holiday, figuring if they couldn't beat them, they would join them. But many Christians have always been uncomfortable with the way the holiday is celebrated. Easter is more of a true Christian holiday, as the meaning of Easter is closer to Christian teachings. But even Easter just happens to coincide with spring pagan celebrations, and a lot of those celebrations (eggs and Easter bunnies) have more to do with spring and fertility than with the Resurrection.

Answer 6

Whether Jesus was born on December the 25th or not, is not the most important...

But unfortunately if it weren't for the non-religious traditions (such as Santa Claus, Christmas tree, Christmas dinner, etc) and its comercial part, Christmas wouldn't be so popular among people...

The same happens with some other dates, such as Mother's and Father's Day... Valentine's Day... and one's wedding day...

(It's sad, but entrepreneurs don't care about what people believe or feel... They just take advantage of these dates to make money...)

Answer 7

Its a religious holiday because many people celebrate the birth of Jesus on that day. Whether or not its his actual B-day dosnt matter.
It is all about stuff now. But, many people still recognize and celebrate the religious part of it too.

Answer 8

No religion has nothing to do with Christmas. Actually Jesus(PBUH*) was born in September. He was concieved in December according to the Qur'an. Christmas has nothing to do with Christianity. It is a pagan holiday. Same with Easter.

Answer 9

For Christians, of course it's a religious holiday. However, it's become a secular holiday, too. For non-Christian people, I think it's about getting together with family, and yeah, the gift thing, too.

I used to know a girl who attended Church of Christ. She said her family celebrated Christmas only as U.S. tradition, because their church does not believe in treating Christmas as a religious holiday.

So it has varied meanings for varied people.

Answer 10

I disagree to an extent. For many people it is completely secular. While I do give presents and such I try my best to remember the real reason behind Christmas. I know it is not the actual date of His birth but that is the most important part of Christmas.