2007-12-18 03:26:37 · 22 answers · asked by Marvelissa VT 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A. Mercer - No, I'm asking because I feel totally opposite. I see so many questions about how "they" and "everyone" is removing Christ from Christmas. I don't think it's possible for "they" and "everyone" to remove Christ from my Christmas celebration. I do not think that society has a responsibility to keep Christ in Christmas - and as an American, I don't think that anyone should be able to force thier way of celebrating or practicing their faith onto everyone else. (At the same time, I obviously don't think I should be kept from practicing how I want to - but I have yet to encounter restrictions on how to practice my faith.)
2007-12-18 03:37:33 · update #1
No A. Mercer - I did not ask if Society should keep Christ in Christmas - re-read my Question. What I asked is Who is Responsible for Keeping Christ in Christmas - Me OR Society. I am asking because I am curious to see what others think. WHAT I THINK is the I AM RESPONSIBLE , NOT Society. Read more carefully, you and I actually agree - but for some reason you're not seeing it. If I felt that society was responsible, my question would have read more like "Don't you think Society has a responsibility to keep Christ in Christmas?" (and if I ever saw that question here, my answer would be a resounding NO.
2007-12-18 04:48:38 · update #2
1. The responsibility is ours. Although to be honest Christmas isn't generally the spiritual highlight of my year. The important thing is to keep Christ involved in my life in general.
2. I think "society" should feel perfectly free to put up decorations for any festivities being held in the community. That's not mixing religion and government. They should neither be forced to do it by churches, nor prevented from doing it by those who are against it.
- I have absolutely no complaint if the municipality where I lived chose not to decorate the town for Christmas - but I do get upset about people trying to prevent the town from celebrating.
However as you say, nobody can prevent me from having a Christ-centered Christmas, and especially a Christ-centered life.
EDIT:
Creatrix I like your sarcasm.
2007-12-18 05:14:28 · answer #1 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Define what you mean by keeping Christ in christmas. There are many people who do not celebrate christmas as a religious holiday. That is becoming more and more common. You can celebrate it as a religous holiday but there is no way you can force people to celebrate it as a religious holiday. Your asking if it is societies responsiblity heavily implies that you want a religous christmas forced on people.
And yet you ask if society should keep christ in christmas. That does seem like you are suggesting laws and such to keep christmas a religious holiday. Or suggesting that people try to not allow others to have christmas as a religious holiday. Really, give an example of using society to keep christ in christmas that does not result in infringement of freedom of religion.
2007-12-18 11:30:56 · answer #2 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't like tis question because being a Christian is having been baptised into the Body of Christ. It is the Body of Christ who keep Christ in Christmas and part of that is celebrating by partaking in the Eucharist.
To comment on Alioop32's reply above, I like Santa because St Nicholas was a Bishop who, according to legend, saved three girls from prostitution by giving them gold to buy dowries. For me that is a great example of Christian Love.
2007-12-18 11:32:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You.
I read something interesting that said essentially if everyone who complained about the removal of religious symbols from public office would take down their Santas and reindeer and put a creche (or a menorah or a kinara or a Yule display) in their front yard, then there would be no question as to who can display what.
2007-12-18 11:32:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You make excellent points, my dear; the observance of Christmas is determined by the individual, and no act of man can change the heart.
Many individuals who have lived in societies and situations where public observance of religion was strictly regulated will attest to the accuracy of your statements. At no time has a person had the beliefs of their heart changed because of legislation.
(((((((Mel)))))))
2007-12-18 14:31:27 · answer #5 · answered by Jack B, goodbye, Yahoo! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only thing Society is truly keeping in Christmas Celebrating is the movement of cash.
I think this one's up to you.
2007-12-18 11:30:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm pretty sure the responsiblity is with the marketing executives who put up the decorations in malls. They have to make sure they use CHRIST to manipulate you into purchasing their wares. If they use Santa, Reindeer, snow, gingerbread men and other such secular things, they are not properly exploiting your religion for their gain and you should rise up and shop elsewhere.
2007-12-18 11:33:26 · answer #7 · answered by ZombieTrix 2012 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Each individual is responsible for how they want to celebrate their Holiday Season.
Keep religion in your home, your hearts and your church. Society and governments should not be dictating this to it's citizens.
2007-12-18 11:32:52 · answer #8 · answered by Sapere Aude 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Society gives us a lot of 'food' metaphorically speaking: I do not think that you agree or like or eat every kind of food that society gives or suggest you
So, you can ignore Christ and put him out of your Christmas: he will not be offended because of this.
2007-12-18 11:42:35 · answer #9 · answered by Ivory33 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are. Why should society be responsible for how you celebrate the holidays?
2007-12-18 11:38:56 · answer #10 · answered by Bookworm 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋