How to deal with arrogant self-righteous Christians who think Christmas belongs to them alone?

Question

I've recently moved into a very 'religious' area. That religion of course being the only one in America where they're allowed to force it down your throat , deny you rights, etc if you don't believe in it: Christianity.
Well I swear to crap if I see one more moronic "Keep Christ in Christmas" or "Jesus is the reason for the season" sign or bumper sticker I'm going to smack someone.
Seriously, everytime I see this I vomit a little.

Are Christians really that ignorant and arrogant or are they just liars? Don't they know that Christmas is actually the result of Christians hijacking the pagan holiday in an effort to convert them? lol
I'm actually afraid of someone sending me a stupid card or saying something like this to my face, because I know I'll go off.

Does anyone have anything simple, concise, and polite that I can have prepared to say so that I don't say what I really want to say? (Which is way too long and vulgar for this website let alone to say to someone in person. )

Sarah, please , do some research on the history of Christmas. It's very simple to do. There is a ton of information out there, it's not even close to being a secret that Christmas has NEVER been solely Christian. Not in any time or any place. Christians took a pagan holiday and changed the name in an attempt to 'trick' pagans into celebrating a christian holiday. Jesus wasn't even born in December! come on , this is not rocket science. Google, Yule Log, Santa, Christmas Tree, Wreath, etc, these are all pagan things or at the very least not Christian in origin. Christmas is NOT Christian. They just continue to try to hijack it. Google the history of Christmas. There's even a very simple to follow documentary put out by the history channel I think, about the history of Christmas in America. Refuse to be ignorant, refuse to be bigoted, choose to allow others their own beliefs adn choose to stop trying to shove your religion down everyone else's throat.

Answer 1

Normally I'd advise you just to ignore them. You'll just get yourself in unnecessary trouble, but since you're obviously not afraid I suggest you say something along the lines how Christians are breaking one of God's commandments about stealing.

Don't forget a broad smile while saying that.

Answer 2

First you're lumping all Christians as beeing ignorant and arrogant, there are many that believe in not being arrogant or judgmental, in fact being arrogant and judgmental are wrong in the Christian faith. Just as Christians have a right to celebrate the holidays as they believe, you have the same right to celebrate the holidays as you choose.
If you believe in free speech as I do, ignore what others say, you are allowed to change the channel and ignore. You may point out that this started as a pagan holiday and give the history behind it, and others have the same right to change the channel and ignore you. The thing is, you will never change anybody's belief system especially by putting them on the defensive.
The best way to say something simple, concise and polite is to say when confronted by this is "sorry I have my own opinions and believes and do not care to argue with you over yours."
I am a Christian but believe you have rights to enjoy it as you wish, I understand the pagan backgrounds and that the Catholic Church at the time wanted to have the holiday reflect their God and not the pagan's. I don't think you should have a problem discussing that with anyone, but there are those who would only want to argue in a very unchristian way.
I can understand your angst about moving to such an area, I lived in Texas for three years and the only right you had was a right to agree, unless you wanted to be called at best a yankee ... I'll leave the adjectives out as you can imagine what they might have been.
If you feel real uncomfortable with the area you live in as I did, there are always other places to move to as have I and I am much more at home and feel I have the right to exercies free speech as long as I let other's exercise theirs.

Answer 3

As a pagan, I just smile and say that I am glad that their beliefs make them feel so good. I then go home and shake my head. When people start trying to talk about Xmas, I just state firmly that X is a tradition and orthodox abbreviation for Christ based on the Greek language. Etc. When they state it is about the birth of Christ and a Christian religion I (agan firmly) state that Jesus would have been born in the spring (the shepards weren't in the fields with the sheep at night except during calving season). Finally, I let them know that the star of Beth. was an amazing sight since it was an alignment of the planets that occurred in March. I part with a wink and say that this is the season of brotherly love and happiness and I am glad we can both enjoy it.

I don't say all of it at any one time, just pick and choose.

Relax. They are not the only belief system that tries to force it's thought and religion. Sorry, but most of them do.

Peace

Answer 4

Please don't lump ALL Christians together by assuming we all celebrate a clearly Pagan holiday/tradition. I consider myself Christian, but do NOT see the logic or reasoning behind making such a mockery out of Jesus` birth and/or life. From time to time I find myself in situations where I have to defend my own personal beliefs, because of these self-proclaimed "Christians" who, I think just ASSume EVERYONE and their brother does or should celebrate Jesus` birth, and only to the very pushy ones do I feel the need to challenge them, only because THEY push first. As most have said already about pointing out about the Pagan origins, you maybe could turn it around on them by saying, "So, you think Jesus` is the reason for the season, right?" If they say yes, then you could reply, "Well, then I imagine that you wouldn't want to confuse others, by ACCEPTING ANY GIFTS FOR YOUSELF, right? I mean, JESUS is the REASON for the SEASON, right?" Another question I ask some is, "How does it honor Jesus when you knowingly lump his birthday with a Pagan sun-god, (Mithra)? Bible scholars and historians don't even know the exact DAY Jesus was born, but they do KNOW that Dec.25 was the specific date of a Pagan god" One final point that I use is, "People who celebrate Jesus` birth continuously perpetuate the idea and image of Christ Jesus as a helpless little babe in a manger, but HELLO! Not only did he grow up to become a MAN, but He now resides in HEAVEN as a KING! Some of these people wouldn't know the truth if it walked right up to them and smacked them upside the head! Those are my thoughts. Bottom line is, rise above it, and use the truth to prove their hypocrisy. Take Care.

Answer 5

I usually simply respond with, "Thank you. And Happy Hollidays to you, too." Most people really don't mean to offend by saying, "Merry Christmas." They are just trying to be nice. I've worked with the public for 30 years and I've given up wishing anyone "Merry Christmas, Happy Hollidays, Happy Hannakah..." or anything because I don't want to offend anyone. It is a shame, really. Because I know that dispite the fact that the Holiday was, as you say, hijacked, it's origins come from a celebration of season, sun, goodwill, and hope for the future. There's nothing wrong with that. But yes, some people have successfuly turned this time of year into a battle of religions. People like Bill O'Reilly and Ann Coulter, and other conservative-types, who have started pushing a “War on Christmas” line, designed to amp-up the culture war, really are harming their own holiday. But they are too swelled-headed to see it. For instance, in 2005, Anne Coulter was quoted in the Washington Observer. Her response to "How was her Christmas in New York?"

"Oh, it was so much fun this year, because saying ‘Merry Christmas’ is like saying ‘Flock you!’ (but she didn't say flock) I’ve said it to everyone. You know, cab drivers, passing people on the street, whatever. And they come up with the ‘Happy holidays.’

"‘Merry Christmas.’ I mean, it really is an aggressive act in New York."

Oh, that's nice, Anne. You're turning the holiday into a war and a Christmas greeting into a profanity. Bless you, Anne.

Anyway, so many Christians LOVE to play the persecuted one, and act like non-believers are preventing them from celebrating the birth of their lord. When, in fact, the truth is they are just P.O.'d that some of us are refusing to celebrate with them.

I usually wait until after Christmas....and start wishing EVERBODY a Happy New Year!

Answer 6

Hey...some other freak asked this same question yesteday...move on...

Just remember this...Christ has never been in Christmas...it's an american commercial industry fallacy promoted by money hungry WASP industrialists "playing" at being Christian...a way to turn a long series of Roman empire pagan ritutals into a reason for people to buy more crap than they actually need...

The entire enlightened world knows Jesus Christ of Nazareth was NOT BORN in DECEMBER...

Answer 7

I generally respond with "happy winter solstice" when some ignorant twit wishes a merry holiday on me. Usually that confuses them, but if they get beyond perplexed looks I explain that the REAL holiday is winter solstice, thought to be the rebirth of the sUn long before Jesus came along, and usually celebrated with drunken debauchery - kinda like the office holiday party.

Answer 8

Christians are all around the world. We all know that anyone can celebrate Christmas. Dont feel that all are the same. There are the good and the bad too.

Answer 9

Not everyone holds their fork or chews their food the same way you do, but it would be insane to go around to everyone’s home at dinnertime to tell them they should do it as you do it. These rants a raves about how other people celebrate Christmas sound just as crazy as knocking on everyone’s door at dinnertime. Celebrate your way and let them celebrate theirs. You would not be on here ranting and raving if they had a bumper sticker that said, “Satan Rules,” now would you? You are only offended because it is associated with God.

Answer 10

Well, I am Christian, and I must say as a Christian she is acting incorrect. If you know of the teaching of Jesus, He never forced things upon people. In fact, He asked His disciples if they want to leave Him like many others did. He gave people a free will. Second, He said that people should never exalt themselves above others, He said to love your neighbors as yourself and to treat them the way you would want to be treated. He spoke to people only when they had a need in Him. He didn't come up to random people and try to attract them to His teaching. Your "Christian" cousin isn't acting so Christian that's all. She just took some concepts out of Christianity and is mis-using them. Kind of like many Christians think they are so holy and tend to judge people who are not believers. This is totally against Jesus' teachings, and those kind of people just bring the name of Christ to shame. Jesus also was accused by Pharisees for befriending sinners such as tax-collectors and prostitutes. Many so called "righteous" people would judge Him. I must say your cousin doesn't know much about the teaching of Christ and she must first figure some things out before announcing her faith so boldly and judging others. The Bible never teaches us to point fingers. It says, "love your enemies" and it says, " Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching" it doesn't say "pay close attention to OTHERS" Christians must always examine themselves--not others. They must try to help others, but not shove their hand for "help" when a person doesn't need it. I understand exactly how humiliating it must feel for you. But it's important to know that some people call themselves and claim to be something they do not completely follow. I believe God gave man free will, He did it to see who will love Him none the less. If He would program us to love Him, or show us His glory, we would sort of have no choice--and that isn't true love. He want to see if we will choose to love Him--now that is true love that is worthy of a reward.