.. did you just celebrate Christmas?
Why?
Why?
If you don't believe in "God"...
| Billy Hill wrote: |
| .. did you just celebrate Christmas? |
| Quote: |
|
Why? |
Because I like a nice feast, and giving and receiving presents from/to my family is a pleasant thing to do, hurts nobody, and makes the kids happy.
| Bikerman wrote: | ||||
Because I like a nice feast, and giving and receiving presents from/to my family is a pleasant thing to do, hurts nobody, and makes the kids happy. |
So you do celebrate Christmas, you just don't want to admit it....
/waits for rebuttal explaining that you don't celebrate Christmas, yet participate in the activities that Christmas exudes. ROTFLMAO!!
No, it's quite simple.
I don't celebrate 'Christmas' - as in the Mass of Christ, or the celebration of the Birthday of Christ. The reason is fairly straightforward - I'm not a Christian.
Feasting and present-giving are nothing to do with the Birthday of Christ (even if we assumed that it actually WAS Jesus' birthday, which it clearly isn't). The things which Christians do to celebrate Christmas are different, I believe. They include going to mass and remembering Christ and all the things that implies.
I don't do any of that, so I don't really celebrate Christmas. What I do, is what I said I do - I have a nice feast and give/receive presents.
I don't celebrate 'Christmas' - as in the Mass of Christ, or the celebration of the Birthday of Christ. The reason is fairly straightforward - I'm not a Christian.
Feasting and present-giving are nothing to do with the Birthday of Christ (even if we assumed that it actually WAS Jesus' birthday, which it clearly isn't). The things which Christians do to celebrate Christmas are different, I believe. They include going to mass and remembering Christ and all the things that implies.
I don't do any of that, so I don't really celebrate Christmas. What I do, is what I said I do - I have a nice feast and give/receive presents.
| Bikerman wrote: |
| No, it's quite simple.
I don't celebrate 'Christmas' - as in the Mass of Christ, or the celebration of the Birthday of Christ. The reason is fairly straightforward - I'm not a Christian. Feasting and present-giving are nothing to do with the Birthday of Christ (even if we assumed that it actually WAS Jesus' birthday, which it clearly isn't). The things which Christians do to celebrate Christmas are different, I believe. They include going to mass and remembering Christ and all the things that implies. I don't do any of that, so I don't really celebrate Christmas. What I do, is what I said I do - I have a nice feast and give/receive presents. |
Oh, yeah. Riiiiggghhhhttt.... (wink wink, nudge nudge)
So what do you call it? Feast and Present Exchange Not in Honor of the Religious Holiday Known as Christmas???
| Billy Hill wrote: | ||
Oh, yeah. Riiiiggghhhhttt.... (wink wink, nudge nudge) |
| Quote: |
|
So what do you call it? Feast and Present Exchange Not in Honor of the Religious Holiday Known as Christmas??? |
If I wanted to be pedantic I would probably use a term like 'Winterval' or 'Mid-Winter Festival'.
| Bikerman wrote: | ||
|
| Bikerman wrote: |
| I call it Christmas |
Oh. I see.
| Billy Hill wrote: |
| .. did you just celebrate Christmas?
Why? |
Yes.
For most people christmas is about a big fat man in a red suit handing out presents,family get togethers,watching the same movies you watch every year and lots of alcohol,although for a few it still has its religious meaning,for most it has long since lost that connection.
| Billy Hill wrote: | ||||||
Oh. I see. |
| Bikerman wrote: |
|
but why ask a question if you don't want an answer? |
I'm surprised you even ask.
Christmas is a federal paid holiday (at least in the US), celebrated by many hypocrites who claim they don't believe in "God" or religion yet celebrate the religious holiday by exchanging gifts and "feasting" and calling it "Christmas".
I just wanted to see how many hypocrites there were here. So far you're the only one (to respond)
| Billy Hill wrote: | ||
I'm surprised you even ask. Christmas is a federal paid holiday (at least in the US), celebrated by many hypocrites who claim they don't believe in "God" or religion yet celebrate the religious holiday by exchanging gifts and "feasting" and calling it "Christmas". I just wanted to see how many hypocrites there were here. So far you're the only one (to respond) |
I see no hypocrisy on my part.
a) I'm British. Christmas is also a paid holiday here in the UK, but there is no requirement or assumption that the holiday will be spent celebrating the birth of Christ.
b) The festival of Christmas was celebrated under different names well before Jesus' time. The fact that the festival was hijacked and renamed by the Christians does not invalidate the celebration itself.
c) I am, and have been, quite clear that I don't celebrate the birth of Christ - since I'm not a Christian. There is nothing hypocritical, however, about having a good knees-up.
| Bikerman wrote: |
| I see no hypocrisy on my part. |
Oh, how strange.
I see hypocrisy in your post...
| Bikerman wrote: | ||
|
| Bikerman wrote: |
| I call it Christmas |
Merry Christmas.
| Bikerman wrote: |
| I see no hypocrisy on my part. |
Oh, how strange. Lets look back, shall we??
| Bikerman wrote: | ||
|
| Billy Hill wrote: |
| So what do you call it? |
| Bikerman wrote: |
| I call it Christmas |
Nope, no hypocrisy there...
Merry Christmas.
| Billy Hill wrote: | ||||||||
Oh, how strange. I see hypocrisy in your post...
Merry Christmas. |
Hypocrisy - saying one thing and doing another.
Did I just celebrate Chrismas (the birth of Christ) - No. That is done by Christians and involved going to Church and reflecting on the life of Jesus. I did neither.
Do I call the general celebration at this time Chrismas - Yes. It is simpler to do so than insist on a more accurate description of the celebrations I personally make - Mid-Winter festival.
Do I celebrate Eid ? No. Do I call it Eid? Yes. Do I celebrate Yom Kippur? No. Do I call it Yom Kippur? Yes.
Where is the hypocrisy?
So let me get this straight... you don't celebrate Christmas, yet you participate in the rituals that go along with it, and you call it, wait for it...
Christmas??
That's not hypocrisy?
Oh, wait, I guess you're right... it would be more along the lines of lying, wouldn't it...
Christmas??
That's not hypocrisy?
Oh, wait, I guess you're right... it would be more along the lines of lying, wouldn't it...
| Billy Hill wrote: |
| So let me get this straight... you don't celebrate Christmas, yet you participate in the rituals that go along with it, and you call it, wait for it... |
Christmas is a Christian celebration, which used to be a different celebration called Wid-Winter festival but was hijacked by Christians and renamed.
I celebrate Wid-Winter festival since it would be silly for me to celebrate Christmas, me not being a Christian.
Mid-winter festival consists of having a large nosh-up and exchanging presents.
Christmas celebration consists of going to Church and reflecting on the life of Christ.
I don't participate in the rituals that go along with Christmas because, (for the nth time) I'm not a Christian.
Yes, I *do* call it Christmas because it has become a universal word for the festival and it is tiresome to keep correcting people and tell them that it should be Mid-Winter festival.
In a similar manner, I normally call my vacuum cleaner a 'Hoover' and not, as it should be more accurately called, a 'Dyson' - it does not mean that I have bought a device from the Hoover corporation.
Now technically, I suppose, you could say that calling my Dyson a 'Hoover' is lying and that calling the Mid-Winter festival 'Christmas' is also lying. I'm prepared to accept that and I think I can live with it...
| Bikerman wrote: |
|
I celebrate Wid-Winter festival |
Oh. I thought you celebrated Christmas. After all, you yourself called it Christmas.
Anyway... I'm off to the desert for the week, Happy New Year!
I did some 'hoovering' today - but I used a 'Dyson'.
The point is that 'Christmas' is a name that's given to Dec 25 by current convention. It doesn't matter what your beliefs are, or even if you have none, it's still Christmas. Precisely the same as Oct 31 being Halloween or Samhain. Would you accuse someone of being a pagan if they wore a white sheet and tried to scare the crap out of the neighbourhood kids on Oct 31? Or would you just think that they were joining in the fun without giving a damn about the religious significance. In fact, scaring the crap out of the kids on Oct 31 has about as much to do with being a pagan as giving someone a card or gift on Dec 25 has to do with being a Christian.
Giving and receiving gifts has become a tradition on that day. My partner and I received numerous cards from Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Muslims, Atheists and Agnostics. I wouldn't accuse any of them of being Christian simply because they followed a tradition that may not have been part of their own religion. They just joined in the fun and shared some goodwill towards friends, relatives and colleagues.
The point is that 'Christmas' is a name that's given to Dec 25 by current convention. It doesn't matter what your beliefs are, or even if you have none, it's still Christmas. Precisely the same as Oct 31 being Halloween or Samhain. Would you accuse someone of being a pagan if they wore a white sheet and tried to scare the crap out of the neighbourhood kids on Oct 31? Or would you just think that they were joining in the fun without giving a damn about the religious significance. In fact, scaring the crap out of the kids on Oct 31 has about as much to do with being a pagan as giving someone a card or gift on Dec 25 has to do with being a Christian.
Giving and receiving gifts has become a tradition on that day. My partner and I received numerous cards from Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Muslims, Atheists and Agnostics. I wouldn't accuse any of them of being Christian simply because they followed a tradition that may not have been part of their own religion. They just joined in the fun and shared some goodwill towards friends, relatives and colleagues.
Yes, that about sums it up I think...
Nope, didn't celebrate Christmas. I think I'm with Bikerman on this one in that I get together with family to eat, talk, and exchange presents. We are not Christian, so therefore, we are not celebrating "the birthday" of Christ. I don't know. I thought Bikerman and GSIS made it rather clear, but apparently you just like to read what you want to see. Oh well. I guess reading comprehension isn't something the Bible teaches.
What a hilarious thread.. Anyways, I do as Bikerman does: I celebrate a holiday I call Christmas although I don't celebrate the purely religious stuff in the holiday that gives it its name.
Heh..no. I'm not Christian (but I am Muslim and of course I do believe in God), and I don't celebrate Christmas (even though I do believe in Jesus), Easter, etc...but I have absolutely no problem with the people around me celebrating whatever, whether it be Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc..
I just celebrate Eid.
I just celebrate Eid.
Heh, I will openly admit to being a hypocrite. I don't believe in God and I *shock horror* not only celebrate Christmas but went to Church on Christmas day. The people I went with know this.
Why? Because Christmas is a social event and I'd rather be a hypocrite than detract from the enjoyment of others.
I know, I'm a terrible person
Why? Because Christmas is a social event and I'd rather be a hypocrite than detract from the enjoyment of others.
I know, I'm a terrible person
I am an agnostic, which means I believe in the possibility. Some call this being an athiest without balls, but that's just not true. I simply don't know. I won't say I don't believe because that would shut off all posibilities. But I really don't want to believe in god. Here's my reasoning: God is an oppressor. I was told in Sunday School that I'm supposed to pray if I get into a mess. BUt shouldn't I be spending that energy on a solution, and not frivolous muttering? Plus, if something bad happens, I'm supposed to pray to the guy that let it happen?
But you ased why I celebrate christmas. It's very simple. The big red guy, trees, and the whole holiday has been commercialized. People give gifts because it's a holiday and a tradition. Christmas is no longer a christian holiday. PLus, the rest of my family is christian. We celebrate it because it's great to get gifts, and the spirit of giving infests every spare part of my brain. I give to cahrities, etc. Christmas is a time for celebration, not religion.
But you ased why I celebrate christmas. It's very simple. The big red guy, trees, and the whole holiday has been commercialized. People give gifts because it's a holiday and a tradition. Christmas is no longer a christian holiday. PLus, the rest of my family is christian. We celebrate it because it's great to get gifts, and the spirit of giving infests every spare part of my brain. I give to cahrities, etc. Christmas is a time for celebration, not religion.
Just as a point of information here;
an agnostic is someone who doesn't think it is possible to prove whether God exists or not. You can, for example, be a religious agnostic. That would be someone who doesn't think it's possible to prove the existence of God but personally chooses to believe in such a God. You can also be an agnostic atheist (one who doesn't think it is possible to prove God exists and who does not personally believe in God).
an agnostic is someone who doesn't think it is possible to prove whether God exists or not. You can, for example, be a religious agnostic. That would be someone who doesn't think it's possible to prove the existence of God but personally chooses to believe in such a God. You can also be an agnostic atheist (one who doesn't think it is possible to prove God exists and who does not personally believe in God).
No I do not and yes I did, because my family with the exception of my brother and I are Christian.
And I don't really see why anyone would ask a silly question like this and expect not to get answers. It doesn't make a person a hypocrite to exchange gifts on a day when millions of people are doing so as well. You can celebrate Christmas without being Christian and with being an atheist. To say you can't is purely idiotic as has been pointed out numerous times in this thread. From a personal standpoint, being a Christian and celebrating Christmas by stuffing your face and spending hundreds of dollars on material objects while other people starve that day and get nothing is much more hypocritical than celebrating Christmas and denying a god exists...perhaps you should look in the mirror a bit longer tomorrow morning before pointing fingers.
And I don't really see why anyone would ask a silly question like this and expect not to get answers. It doesn't make a person a hypocrite to exchange gifts on a day when millions of people are doing so as well. You can celebrate Christmas without being Christian and with being an atheist. To say you can't is purely idiotic as has been pointed out numerous times in this thread. From a personal standpoint, being a Christian and celebrating Christmas by stuffing your face and spending hundreds of dollars on material objects while other people starve that day and get nothing is much more hypocritical than celebrating Christmas and denying a god exists...perhaps you should look in the mirror a bit longer tomorrow morning before pointing fingers.
I think billy hill mistook the word "hypocritical" with the word "contradictory".
I celebrate christmas, whatever that is to everyone, for me, it's about a full day of rest and nothing more. Now that's christmas for me. =P
I celebrate christmas, whatever that is to everyone, for me, it's about a full day of rest and nothing more. Now that's christmas for me. =P
| JinTenshi wrote: |
| I think billy hill mistook the word "hypocritical" with the word "contradictory". |
i think he also mistook the idea of atheism with anything-that's-not-Christian.
Honestly, this thread made me roll my eyes. Aside from the closed-mindedness behind the question itself... why single out people that don't believe in God? What, is it perfectly ok for a Hindu to celebrate Christmas, but not an atheist? Shockingly enough, there are people who believe in gods but not Jesus Christ. Blows the mind.
| JinTenshi wrote: |
| I think billy hill mistook the word "hypocritical" with the word "contradictory".
I celebrate christmas, whatever that is to everyone, for me, it's about a full day of rest and nothing more. Now that's christmas for me. =P |
I think he's just trying to stir up crap to make himself feel superior.
I guess you can say that I "celebrated" Christmas. I personally do not like holidays. Most of them no longer serve any meaning, and they're commercialized. However, I did go to church, eat a Christmas dinner, and exchanged gifts with my family. I do not enjoy these festivities, because like I said, they're commercialized, but I do them anyways with a forced smile because I do not wish to ruin the fun of my family.
| Billy Hill wrote: |
| .. did you just celebrate Christmas?
Why? |
Everyone has a right to celebrate, for whatever reason they have.
Wikipdedia on Christmas:
| Quote: |
|
Although a Christian holiday, it is also observed as a cultural holiday by many non-Christians. |
Christmas is technically not even a Christian holiday. Christmas has pagan roots, and many Christians don't celebrate Christmas due to this. Jesus wasn't even born in December. Some people say June-July, some say September 29th.
Wikiepedia on Christmas:
| Quote: |
|
The date of the celebration is traditional, and is not considered to be his actual date of birth. |
December 25th is the birth of a pagan Godess. I'll find some sources and post later.
Christmas has other Pre-Christian origiins.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas#Pre-Christian_origins
I understand wikipedia is not the best of sources, but I am still looking.
| Billy Hill wrote: |
| .. did you just celebrate Christmas?
Why? |
Because it's an excuse to get free stuff and good food and see people and be social. Who said Christmas had anything to do with religion?
| JessieF wrote: |
|
Christmas is technically not even a Christian holiday. Christmas has pagan roots, and many Christians don't celebrate Christmas due to this. Jesus wasn't even born in December. Some people say June-July, some say September 29th. |
Actually, if you're going to provide a source, any way I could get one on this? Most sources I've seen point out that his birth on Jan. 6 (including Wikipedia). In fact, outside of this thread and an idiot supervisor, this is the first I've seen of any non-winter date. [Although the "cold temperatures" are used as an excuse for it to not be in Dec/Jan, the lows for Tel Aviv are just over 50F, which isn't that cold...]
Also, most Christians that don't celebrate Christmas do so because they don't celebrate other holidays as well, including birthdays; that it used to be a "pagan" holiday doesn't phase most of them.
As for the date, it's because of the Roman Saturnalia; Christianity has a lot of roots in Rome, so it shouldn't be too big of a stretch that it was used. If you're looking for the goddess, check out Isis.
HM
I wouldn't call it "Christmas", instead I would call it Annual Gift Day. As a kid I was put into religion and as I got older I started understand things then quitting religion. Now, I didn't just ignore my family's religion like it was nothing to them so I just go along with it. It's not like it's "Against My Religion" to celebrate someone's religion. I have no religion, so there are no consequences. Anyways.. all we are actually doing is celebrating the day the sun rising again. That's pretty much what most religions got the Son of God from. "The Rising of the Son(SUN)."
| Sparda wrote: |
| That's pretty much what most religions got the Son of God from. "The Rising of the Son(SUN)." |
Where'd you get that from?I dont believe in god but i did celebrate christmas last year.
I mean c'mon, christmas is big business, people tend to be kind at that time of the year so why wouldnt I take advantage of that.
I mean c'mon, christmas is big business, people tend to be kind at that time of the year so why wouldnt I take advantage of that.
| Billy Hill wrote: |
| .. did you just celebrate Christmas?
Why? |
why not?
Christmas is one big excuse to get sozzled and fat, it's certainly a pagan thing and nothing to do with so called jesus at all. And after all just how many people really think of god, jesus and religeon on that day. Thats just my theory of the whole shebang. But if other peeps think otherwise, who am I to interfere with their beliefs. Let them get on with there thing and ill get on with mine.
I celebrated Christmas because my parent's are Christian and forced me to do it. I wouldn't like to though. I don't see any purpose in giving each other stupid presents and material shit while the world is starving.
| catscratches wrote: |
| I celebrated Christmas because my parent's are Christian and forced me to do it. I wouldn't like to though. I don't see any purpose in giving each other stupid presents and material shit while the world is starving. |
Well whether or not you like it, maybe you could give a present to a child that would brighten his day up, make him smile, and make him feel loved. Yes some of the world is starving, if you are smart enough to say that then maybe you would be nice enough to send some starving children some food for Christmas, and I'm sure they would accept and be thankful for the meaning of Christmas.
And so I did. I made a PHP job and sent 50% (somewhere about $100) to Save The Children.
| catscratches wrote: |
| And so I did. I made a PHP job and sent 50% (somewhere about $100) to Save The Children. |
Good man
 |