Christians Today?

Question

Hey, not trying to start a huge argument or bashing session here, though I think it will happen anyway. I'm just posting to get your thoughts on the way Christians are looked upon today. As it is the Christmas season I have been hearing loads of stuff on the news about people wanting to stop schools from mentioning God or having anything to do with Jesus in their decorations and songs. As well as for workers to keep any religious decorations off their desks (One man had to remove his Bible from his drawer) I also rarely ever get wished a Merry Christmas anymore (since its politically incorrect) and am watching nativity scence's be vandalized (baby Jesus being replaced with a pigs head) Its funny to me since I'm only 20 to see how much things have changed from when I was a child. Its become so wrong to have anything to do with Christ since it seems to be disrespecting so many people. It really bothers me to see that everyone else has the right to do away with religious (Christian) theme

while Christians do nothing to stand up for themselves. I mean does it not offend a Christian to have their rights to celebrate Christmas the way it was meant to be celebrated. I mean if people really are offended start their own holiday, don't try and change Christmas because its the most materialized (sadly) I know not everyone has to be a Christian, but why do Chirsitina's have to stop doing what they do, while Homosexuals, or Atheists can carry out in the world and make demands that are usually met. Those are ways of life, and if they are allowed to be who they are without being penalized why cant Christian's. So what if you think Christians are wrong, so what if you don't like their beliefs, they do what they do because they believe its right. No one is being hurt in the process, with Christmas Santa is such a huge part do you think that your kids could possibly be brainwashed by seeing a nativity (nothing immoral there) or being wished a Merry CHRISTmas. Why ?

Answer 1

Well said Josh..
As Christians we need to stand up and be faithful to our Savior and Lord - regardless of some people who would attempt to stop us worshiping Him at this time of year or any other time..

A Very Happy Christmas To You and Love Ones
Shalom x

EDIT: Christians don't stop the celebrations of other groups - and we don't force anyone to celebrate ours - this is when we celebrate the birth of Christ - whether it's the right or wrong date doesn't matter..
*Today in the City of David is born a Saviour who is Christ the Lord*
Yeshua Hameshiac

Answer 2

No disrespect to anyone here, but I'm hearing "taxpayers dollars", "Pagan holiday" and "getting it shoved down your throat". First of all Christmas is not being shoved down anyones throat. Last time I checked the only reason Christmas is such a big deal is because the majority of North Americans and Europeans have been celebrating it for the longest time. Not because Christians have overthrown the Government and made it a mandatory holiday. Its just like Thanksgiving, another national holiday thats been around for the ages, only difference is it has nothing to do with religion. The funny thing is is that if everyone went back 60 years ago this problem would almost be non existant. I mean now a days everyone is so concerned about Christ in Christmas being forced upon them that they forget that its a tradition that has been happening in the majority of N American homes for years. I understand that no one wants people for other countries coming over and forcing us to believe what they believe. But thats the funny thing, like it or not our country chose to embrace this holiday, which makes it apart of our lives. You cant even compare it to a Muslim coming here and forcing Islam on us because Islam has never been apart of N America (maybe not until now). I mean like the guy said if you don't like it, don't celebrate it, celebrate your own day. And your kids I mean, the stuff kids learn about these days in school I'm sure they can make up their minds on what to believe and what not to believe. (Understandably little children may have trouble with this, but they wont just believe anything, so when they come home asking questions you can set them strait in your own way.) The thing is is dont change Christmas to what you want. Just like you dont change Kwanza (spelling?) to what you want. Christmas is the largest of the holidays, but it doesnt mean that its forcing its belief down your throat. Im sorry if I come across rude but I'm so sick of everyone changing things to better suit the post modern. Im going to stick up for what I beleive, and say no matter what you find wrong with Christmas let its true meaning be shown until it becomes the least popular, than it wont bother anyone anymore. Dont change it so you can make it what you want, while the true celebraters have to suffer the consequnces.

Answer 3

About those who say they don't want to be forced to celebrate Christmas....I don't hear any families, or groups of people going to their schools and business complaining that they get days off...so first of all, the Christmas holiday does not need to be celebrated as a religious holiday, it most often for so many is a break from everything, and time with family. So no complaints there. But Christians should be able to put whatever they want on their desks if it does not direct an offense to anyone. First of all Christmas is a Christian holiday....and saying happy holidays is great if you don't believe in Christ. That is totally ok, but where do people get off telling Christians that they can not have a nativity scence or Bible in the work place or displayed anywhere that is considered there personal area. People need to stop feeling so offended by Christians.....why, if you don't believe what we believe then that's ok. I have friends who are Jewish that celebrate Hanuka, it's great!!! Christmas is on a pagan holiday, and for the one who commented on us decorating it so that pagans would want to celebrate it with us. That was not our doing (the decorating part). Celebrating the birth of Christ was yes deliberately put on a pagan holiday. But it was for spiritual purposes. They celebrate something that we believe is evil, and on that day we celebrate Christs birth to counteract that. To bring glory to God on that day, when there was so much evil performed on that day by the pagans. So that is that in a nut shell. But really everyone should be able to express what they believe. If one wants to look at it in a political way no one belief is better then the others. So we should all in school and the work place be able to freely display our believes...if they are not putting down, or harming a group or individual. Let us be!!!!! Why is it that people feel if you tell somone that they can't do this or that who is Islam for example then that is religious discrimination, but once it is directed to Christians, it no longer is. Instead it is the opposite, we (as Christians) are all of a sudden then being offensive. Give us a break, let us do what we do, and you what you do. No Christian be celebrating Christmas is shoving anything down your through. It is a Christian holiday, originally, and it is a holiday in our calender. So don't blame us that it is there. At one time the majority of people supported it. Now that it's the minority that doesn't make it any less right or any less wrong, however you want to look at it. Just hey, if you don't believe in it, recognize that it gives you time off from daily life. HAve some family time. And if you are worried that your child is going to be affected by somone telling the story of Christmas at school because they believe in it, and your child doesn't. Really your child has the right to determine what he/she believes for themselves. That goes the same for any other religion. You just explain to them simply what you believe....the child isn't going to have an identity crisis if he/she hears the story of Christmas. Nor is a Christian child going to have one if he/she hears about Mohammad and Gabriel the angel who gave Mohammad the Qu'ran (which is a Muslim believe). What ever happened to our rights....let us Christians be!!!!

Answer 4

If all those Christian themes were kept off of public property (which is paid for out of the pockets of all taxpayers--Christian or otherwise), there'd be little trouble with concerning them.

If all those Christian ideals--which focus largely on teaching disproven superstition in place of reason and logic--were kept out of public schools to begin with, there'd be no uproar over them.

You are aware that Christmas is a stolen Pagan holiday, right? Jesus was NOT born in December. Decorated trees have nothing to do with Him, either. The entire takeover was an attempt at converting Pagans by making the Christian religion look more appealing to them.

You are also aware that a good many self-righteous Christians are very vocal about the neutral "Happy Holidays" greeting, insisting that everyone SAY "Christmas." Jesus isn't the only apple in the barrel this time of year, however--and no one has any real guarantee, when wishing someone else well, that they have that person's beliefs pegged. So to stay respectful, "Happy Holidays" came up. I guess being respectful just isn't the Christian thing to do.

We should not be forced to celebrate any holiday that doesn't fall within our own belief system. Nor should anyone be forced to follow the lead of any religion that is not their own. THAT'S where the disrespect truly lies.

Answer 5

It's normal for a society to blame it's ills on a particular group. It's just convenient. In first century Rome it was, well, Christians. In Nazi Germany it was the Jews. Christianity has always grown on the blood of its martyrs. Maybe it's time for us to start growing again. It won't be the first time Christians have suffered (see above). In the mean time,

Merry Christmas, "And may God bless everyone."

Answer 6

Teaching "god" in public schools is unconstitutional (except as mythology, and how many theists would accept that?), and has always been. Children in school can pray (silently) or discuss their religious beliefs with those who are interested, as long as they do so on their own time, and aren't disruptive.

Speaking of respect, there are lots of holidays at this time of year, so saying "happy holidays" is merely respecting the fact that not everyone celebrates christmas.

I find it hard to believe that anyone would be told they couldn't keep the christian bible in their desk at work. No one would even know it was there unless the person made a big deal of preaching to everyone with it. Maybe that's the real story here.

People may decorate their own property as they wish, as long as they violate no local ordinances. However, the Constitution mandates that the government remain neutral with respect to religion, which is why religious symbols should not be displayed on property owned and/or supported by taxpayers.
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Answer 7

I agree but there is a fine line between Christ Like and standing up for Christ. Just because I'm 13 doesn't mean I don't get it but I want to be Christ Like and I want to be Slow speak Slow to anger and the more I do that the more I say Give it to God one less thing to worry about One our Friends had there life sized Nativity scene stolen and he said I'm giving it to God because if I don't they are just going to see a whole lot of ugly and that sometimes has to be our approach to a problem.

Answer 8

Christmas should have nothing to do with christians since it is built on a lie and pagan customs. As for the intolerance that is shown, America has always been a major christian nation and christianity has both helped and harmed the individuals here. They are tired of being restrained by churches and mislead again and again. They are fed up with being told everything they do is evil and I can understand that.
Churches persecuted gays and others now they are persecuting churches someday it will come to the middle and acceptance will come. As for seperation of church and state it is not a big deal to me as long as it is not hendering me from practicing my beliefs or the rights too.

Answer 9

You are right , even mentioning your faith at your workplace seems like hesitant , because you might sound impolite or you maybe surpassing their existence inn what they believe. Imposed laws made by man for the convenience of all , sounds mostly inconvenient . We are longing for those passed years, that we could still smile naturally to strangers without being accused as perverts ...stalkers .... if situation get worst ,we might end up in court.
Now everybody is in alert , not to be patriots , but how to defend yourself , nobody knows who`s who is the enemy. What a scary world , to live in.
Still , there are a lot of people out there, who still believe that Christmas means joy , forgiving , and love.Christians or non Christians , let us join in to celebrate , and become one in spirit .

Answer 10

My answer may seem off topic, but I assure you it isn't. I believe it is yet another sign of the separating of the sheep from the goats; the wheat from the tares. As society in the U. S. continues to become more and more anti-Christian, two things will happen: The goats/tares will continue to strive to be "seeker sensitive" and tone down the true message of the Bible and the offense of the cross, while the sheep/wheat will continue to seek God. God's people know that this is not a political battle, but a spiritual one, because unregenerate mankind hates God (the true God, that is; for they love the gods they heap up for themselves) and wants to wipe out every trace of Him. Christmas is just a small piece of this, almost insignificant when the twisting of the gospel and Scripture is concerned. (But of course, this is my opinion, and yes, I do celebrate Christmas.)

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