The Christmas Paradox

PhilTheFragger said:
Ive been turning Wine into Water for years :)
also my Birthday is on the 27th December (Hint Hint), that makes me a Capricorn, JC was a Capricorn and thats about as far as it goes for me.

Its a mid winter festival, a chance to take a few days out, catch up with family & friends, eat and drink a bit too much and watch some rubbish TV.

But to those who believe, fair play and Happy Christmas
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Says here that JC was born in October?!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._C._Snead
 
Christmas is for atheists too. It a time of year when the kids get presents, parents get off work (if they are lucky) and everyone eats and drinks a bit too much. I am entirely comfortable with that being a secular holiday where religion is optional. I opt out.

Likewise, happy to eat Easter eggs in the spring. I don't do lent, though.

As others have said these holidays sometimes predate organised religion. It is ironic that the Americans who get quite serious about their religion, are particularly keen on Hallowe'en, a pagan festival from ancient Celtic times.
 
I always thought the 25th December was long ago a Pagan date that was appropriated by the Christian bodies to subvert the Pagans, just as the Missionaries subverted the African countries.
The Spirit of Christmas is what is important for me. It's the one time of the year people generally will still be civil to strangers, wish anyone well, help anyone and generally be kind.
You don't need religion to be a nice person.
 
Alex1975 said:
Its not a paradox for me, its a massive pain in the butt. I am not religious and I think its ridiculous that I have to celebrate a religious holiday. I did not enjoy it as a child as my parents are people I would rather not be around and cannot behave(they are regular church goers and christian). Its become a huge money sink, its far more about buying crap than actually getting something that someone might want.... Bar humbug! Its a hallmark holiday and I will not actually relax until its all over and have a nice break between the 27th and the 4th.

I have been told to belt up and make it magical for my little girl and I will. She is welcome to go in the nativity in the same way that I am happy for her school to teach her about Jewish holidays and many other religions. When the time is right she will make her own mind up, I will not be forcing my own miserable view on to her.


No matter what is said, go to any major British city and it becomes very clear that we are multicultural, how can a country be a religion.
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A good honest reply that shows that you are able to dismiss even the slightest accusations of hypocrisy :thup: I'm thinking a UK version of Thanksgiving would be more your cup of tea.
 
PhilTheFragger said:
Ive been turning Wine into Water for years :)
also my Birthday is on the 27th December (Hint Hint), that makes me a Capricorn, JC was a Capricorn and thats about as far as it goes for me.

Its a mid winter festival, a chance to take a few days out, catch up with family & friends, eat and drink a bit too much and watch some rubbish TV.

But to those who believe, fair play and Happy Christmas
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Thankyou Sir. However being pedantic I believe that Merry Christmas (and Happy New Year) is the preferred greeting :)
 
Although not being religious, I do like to see it written as Christmas rather than Xmas.

My thoughts on the celebration generally is that it is a time for families and children, I do think that the whole circus surrounding starts it far too early and it is just far too commercialised.
 
Bunkermagnet said:
I always thought the 25th December was long ago a Pagan date that was appropriated by the Christian bodies to subvert the Pagans, just as the Missionaries subverted the African countries.
The Spirit of Christmas is what is important for me. It's the one time of the year people generally will still be civil to strangers, wish anyone well, help anyone and generally be kind.
You don't need religion to be a nice person.
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You most certainly don't - and quite some number of Christian folks can be rather not very nice - despite the beliefs they profess
 
@ Swingit..

Perhaps then you dont offer the friendliness yourself first. Christmas is the only time I see where you can wish someone you don't know a "Merry Christmas" (and usually getting a likewise) without them thinking you're a peado/pervert/scum/con artist/nosey buisy body etc etc.
As for Christians not being very nice, it amazes me the number if "Christians" I have known in my life who have cheated, embezelled,committed crimes, had multiple affairs and still proclaim their religion. Simple answer whould be to ban all religions the World over. You don't need a religion to be a nicer person, it's just easier to hide behind when you aren't.
 
It's an interesting thread, not least the reaction to religious types & views.

Christmas is linked to religion, the clue is in the title, doesn't really matter if it gets shortened to Xmas for 'expedient' typing.... a lot of people don't like the British but I can't see there being a huge uptake to call it the Xish Masters next year, although it is quicker to type. But really, the Christ bit is avoidable if you really don't like it - similarly, it's there for people who want to enjoy it. As for the time of year it's at, lots of reasons why it was chosen (probably) and although it's not the right date, it's not an arbitrary time of year (based on pagan festivals, solstice, etc.).

No need for people to go out of their way to offend or be offended, each 'mob' can enjoy it in their own way. Of course, only one 'mob' will be able to play golf for all eternity without getting their arses burnt & continually see their putts lip out.....
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Maybe in it's practice - but surely related to the harvest period coming to a close rather than anything religious
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Well, according to a well known online source of info, it was established as a public holiday by Abraham Lincoln to give "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens". Sounds kinda religious to me. At least they didn't say 'who dwelleth in the United Sates'.
 
Anyway Xmas means exactly the same as C hristmas because X is the Greek Letter "chi" (pronounced keye, or ki). So you are actually saying the same thing
 
For me Christmas has always broken down into a number of distinct memories

1-14 - enjoyed it as a kid and teenager as a family event, the presents, and the whole "mystery" of the occasion as a youngster
15-19 - had outgrown the excitement bit - caught in the teenage trap of wanting to spend the dinner, TV etc but not into the day, the context etc. As an only child going through issues with my mum these don't really register in the memory
20-30 - young adult Christmas was an excuse to get on it, with mates and my old man from early December. Meant more from 26 on when I met the now missus and so it became more of an event (two families to keep happy, more pressies to by)
31-40 - Christmas was just my wife and I (no kids) so the day itself was just us and as special as we wanted to make it
40-45 - having been seriously ill, lost my dad lost it spark again. Day spent on my own, mum looked after by neighbours
46-49 lost my mum so technically now orphaned. Nothing to really get excited about. In laws come over each year. Enjoy them coming as the wife is happy fussing over them.

Quite simply it's never been anything religious for me. I'm not from a religious family and while I get what it means to many, and I respect the reverence of this for them, Christmas has never really been a be all and end all day. I don't know what that really says about me and where I fall into this paradox but we'll greet the in laws again this year as has become the custom, enjoy a good meal, a nice wine or two and relax in front of some mindless TV.
 
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