Shouldn't we all let people celebrate whatever religious festival they like without being offended?

Question

I just read the headline about the 'government think tank' talking about the celebration of Christmas and how this may cause offence to people of other faiths.
Personally I would not have a problem with people of faiths different to mine celebrating their own festivals. Why would I be offended? Isn't it more offensive to somebody that they are told they can not celebrate their festival? If someone told you you couldn't celebrate your festival, what ever that might be, wouldn't you be offended? I am a teacher and the schools I have worked in have decorated to some extent or another for festivals from Hinduism, Islam, Judasim and Christianity. No one had a problem about it. Surely we should work on not being so easily offended.

As long as it does not go against 'human decency' as someone has already phrased it, we shouldn't be offended. I am certainly not supporting what some people might choose to get up to in the name of religion or a belief.

I just want to say that I am a Christian, and as a Christian I beleive what the Bible says that 'no one can come to the Father (i.e. God) except through Jesus Christ. This question is not about who is right or wrong in their beliefs but whether we should be offended by what other people choose to do.

Answer 1

Yes, absolutely. For example, in my neighborhood, every December a huge menorrah goes up in a public place. I'm delighted to see my Jewish neighbors celebrating.

Answer 2

As a Pagan I have no problem with people celebrating their faith's holy days in whatever way they wish... the thing that interests me though is that it never seems to be the people who the holiday is 'supposed' to be offending that make the complaints, but some do-gooder (often a government do-gooder) who is speaking on these people's behalf.

Here in the UK we had a primary school that was told they could no go ahead with a production of 'The Three Little Pigs' because it may offend the Muslim and Jewish community.

Where will this end??

Answer 3

It should, surely, be the other way round.

Ancient festivals marking natural phenomena, like the beginning of summer (Easter) and the deepest depth of winter (Christmas) have just been hijacked by religion and assigned spurious religious significances.

I don't have a problem with celebrating significant natural beacons for what they are. I'm fine with a bit of conceptual abstraction on the the natural themes, too. But using these events to promote religious insanities and their associated prejudices and bigotries is abhorrent.

Answer 4

I agree with you completely. If all holidays were acknowledged in schools and the kids learnt what they were about understanding and acceptance of others ideologies I think it would go a long way towards peace.
I went to Catholic schools all my life and I remember in high school we studied other religions. Unfortunately when you are 16 or 17 this was not what we were interested in. It wasn't about bashing other religions either. It was learning how and where they started, the basic tenets of their faith etc. Now with the world in turmoil I wish I'd paid more attention so I'd have a better understanding of why and what is going on. The stupidity of youth.
I was lucky in that I was surrounded by enlightened people who realized Jesus taught we were to love everyone, no matter, color, creed etc. When my sister in law who is Jewish came into our family no one blinked an eye. To my mother who is a staunch Catholic it was the fact that she believed in God the Father that was important. I wish more people thought that way.
Finding out what is behind some holidays, rituals and celebrations is not only interesting but in my case is all part of the history of my faith. Was Jesus not Jewish? Did he not follow the laws of his faith, the traditions of his time? Did he not celebrate Passover?
Sorry, I'm rambling, it's early in the morning here and I think I need a second coffee. Like your attitude!

Answer 5

No, I could care less. I mean as long as you don't care about my celebration of Yule, celebrate Christmas all you want.
Now I don't like it when Christmas is plastered all over the courthouse in nativity scenes and the like. I'm all about the wreaths and the trees and the lights and the candles and Santa and all that. But one you bring Jesus into it I get a little irked. Put it on the churches and your front yards. I can dig that. But leave it off of everything else. There is plenty of totally secular stuff to put on it.

Answer 6

Your tax dollars at work.

I think "Government think tank" is just what they call those guys on the road crew when they're standing around blocking traffic and eating sandwiches.

Gimme a break. I would be more offended if the government tried to tell me not to celebrate something for fear of offending someone.

Answer 7

My Atheist boyfriend says it isn't natural. From a scientific standpoint, it isn't. The sex part, anyway. Marriage is just a legal bond and is a joke these days. Let them marry, they are just going to get divorced like so many in the hetero world. No difference, really.

Answer 8

A festival is a festival. Drink beer, party, it's all good.

Yes, we should, because, you're (in most cases) honoring your god.

Now, if we celebrated with other religions, not only would we earn browny points with them, we would get to party.

Then the world could live as one, in peace and harmony.

But first we need to get the Christians to colonize the moon.

Then we can have peace.

Answer 9

I completely agree with you. I've no problem respecting other people's religious beliefs and practices, even if they differ from mine. I think that everyone has the human right to practice whatever they like. I think it's a control issue for some people. If they don't like or believe something, then they don't want it around them. Well, tolerance is a part of life and we're never going to like or agree with everything. People just need to get over it and carry on with their own lives. Nobody has the right to tell other people what to believe, what to practice, and how to live their lives.

Answer 10

Live and let live I say - for everyone.

Let the Pagans celebrate Yule.
Let the Christians celebrate Christmas.
Let the Muslims celebrate Ramadan.
Let the African community celebrate Kwanzaa.
Let the Jews celebrate Hanukkah.

Let celebrate !

Answer 11

I totally agree with you. I think that everyone should be able to celebrate their festivals without small minded people interfering.
If people want to make a big deal about their festivals, such as Christmas, then let them. If people are offended by it then they dont have to take part.