I know Christmas has become a commercialized holiday mostly removed from its religious aspects, but why is it a national holiday when it's actually a religious one? There are plenty of people who practice other non-Christian religions in this country and don't celebrate this holiday, yet on Christmas day most businesses are closed. It just doesn't seem to make much sense to me. Any insights?
2007-12-04 18:54:37 · 12 answers · asked by cryjade27 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Logan, I love the idea that you brought up. If Christmas weren't a national holiday then those who choose to celebrate could use their vacation hours.
I suppose I did sort of answer my own question in a way, but I just wanted to know where others stood on the issue, especially anyone who doesn't celebrate Christmas.
I've known people who don't celebrate the holiday and I wonder what (if anything) they have to do on that day. I suppose working at Walgreen's or some other large chain is a possibility.
But I do feel that the lack of seperation of church and state is a problem, regardless of all the statistics involving religion that could be thrown at me. I say all this as a Catholic that celebrates the holiday, mind you.
2007-12-04 19:15:49 · update #1
It's definitely a violation of church/state separation, but it's sorta sticky because so many celebrate, probably even a good deal of people who may not identify as Christians.
I suppose it might work to just have no national religious holidays, but everyone has holiday time alloted for whenever they want.
2007-12-04 19:00:02 · answer #1 · answered by Logan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to give people a national holiday so that they can celebrate the religious holiday. Imagine going to work on Christmas day.
2007-12-04 18:56:56 · answer #2 · answered by Joquius 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that most people in the country celebrate the holiday, whether or not they are Christians.
I had a few friends in high school who celebrated it as a gift-giving day with absolutely no religion tied to it (which really offended me, actually... they could pick their own day for that!)
I think that it's such a tradition, and so widely celebrated, that to make it a normal workday would cause a national sick-day for everyone calling in.
2007-12-04 18:59:34 · answer #3 · answered by Kavasa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's an American tradition here to have the day off, and this atheist is taking the day off. It's a very secular holiday for most.
My friend in Calcutta says in her neighborhood, the Muslims and Hindus each help each other set up decorations for all religious festivals. Many Hindus observe Ramadan out of friendship and respect. And the Muslims love attending Durga Puja and Holi.
2007-12-04 18:57:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You answered your own question and didn't even realize it.
Q. Why is it a national holiday when it's actually a religious one?
A.I know Christmas has become a commercialized holiday mostly removed from its religious aspects
2007-12-04 19:02:06 · answer #5 · answered by Future 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I guess you answered yourself. It's all about commercialism. In a country where they separate State from Church they shouldn't be celebrating Xmas as a national holiday, right ? Right. But then there would be no money made. Big hypocracy there.
2007-12-04 19:01:00 · answer #6 · answered by Mr_realist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, as a hospital worker, I often wonder why we get paid double time to work on Christmas, but not Easter. Aren't they both religious holidays?
2007-12-04 18:57:43 · answer #7 · answered by Count Chocula 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds good to me. Now in my adulthood and in the previous my marriage injury up, i could rejoice on the twenty 5th that's familiar in England. in spite of the undeniable fact that, my grandmother became into Austrian and that's/became into Austrian custom to grant Christmas presents on Christmas Eve. If memory serves that became into the day "Kristkindle" could come and that became into the large day whilst i became into starting to be up. In a small yet unintended revert to previous family members custom, transportation subject concerns will ward off me from seeing my daughter on Christmas Day, in spite of the undeniable fact that, she is coming over on the twenty third and could be recieving her provides from my area of the family members on Christmas Eve.
2016-10-10 07:19:35 · answer #8 · answered by figurelli 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ever hear of majority rule?
btw, in 1923 Christmas was not even a legal holiday here in the US
2007-12-04 18:57:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is a time when people spend a ton of money on stuff keeping people in jobs and you needing one. not religious, capitalist.
2007-12-04 18:57:50 · answer #10 · answered by nobudE 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋