Is it the Christmas advertising and trips to the mall that teach one the core principles of Christianity?

Answer 1

Some of them do uphold the core precepts of the holiday. Mostly, though, it is to use those core principles to get you to buy more.

Of course, many pander to the Christians by selling lots of Jesus junk. However, that's really a small part of Christmas. Christmas was really taken from a celebration of winter at the winter solstice. During this time, we celebrate our survival through the toughest months. That's why symbols of life through winter, such as pine trees and mistletoe are used. Of course, those are also sold in stores.

The big one, though, is gift giving. During Christmas / solstice celebrations we remember those who are having a harder time at this time of year. We also remember family and friends. This has translated into gift giving. And the gift giving tradition has grown over the years, partly thanks to commercialism. So, though gift giving is still a core principle of the holiday, it has been over-hyped because it is profitable to do so.

Answer 2

If you wanted to know the core principles of Christianity, u only need to read the new Testament of the Bible!
In brief, Christ's entire teaching can be summed up in a single commandment: to love one another. By this , He meant to have charity for one another, and not the "physical/sexual" love that many people wrongly interpret it as.
Christmas advertising, on the other hand, is lopsided as it focuses on attracting buyers to spend on various products that a company offers! There can be absolutely no parallel drawn! Christ never promoted the concept of giving material goods alone per se as His core teaching. To have charity means to give from the heart and to give what is possible for each one.
If u have two coats, to share it with one who has none... that kind of thing.

Answer 3

No, but you don't become a Christian by learning and practicing the "core principles of Christianity." Christianity is about the person of Jesus Christ and what he has done for us; it's about having a relationship with him.
Christmas is really two holidays that happen to be celebrated on the same day: there's the secular holiday which involves partying and exchanging of gifts,and then there's the celebration of the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
So, you don't need to be a Christian to celebrate Christmas, or "the holiday" as it is now called in the US.

Answer 4

It teaches them the core principals of capitalism and consumerism.

Christmas should have the alternative name 'capitalistmas', we could still use the same 'xmas' abbrv. that way. It also stops it from being a religious holiday and makes it just a holiday.

Come christmas day, I'm eating mass produced food, watching mass produced television, drinking mass produced beer, wine and spirits, surrounded by mass produced gifts. If there is a greater celebration of a free market society, I'd like to see it.

Answer 5

Nooo. Trips to the mall and Christmas advertising is all about materialism.

Answer 6

The manipulation of the common man has a long history.
Enduring faith can be a great release from oppression, but the commercialization of faith is for the benefit of corporations, not the individuals consuming all that advertising, (psychology for profit).

Answer 7

Probably not. I go just for the entertainment. I love watching the liquored up Santa's trying to sit there and entertain the children while Mom rack up thousands of dollars in debt that her husband will never pay off. Such a joyous time of the year.

Answer 8

I skip that part too.

Not just an atheist, also anti-consumer in my lifestyle. A friend calls me "The Goodwill Fashion Plate".

Answer 9

One has nothing to do with the other. That is secularism is full swing. To celebrate Christmas, I'm in church, on my knees, thanking God for the gift of our redeemer.

Answer 10

Doubt it, but buying and giving presents does have value for one's soul, I think.