If you celebrate Christmas, are you a Christian?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Jewish and I think it's ridiculous to act like the "secular" aspects of Christmas have no religious implications. I love the season and celebrating with friends who partake in their homes, but I would never get a tree, put up lights, stockings, etc. It would feel like a betrayal to the traditions of my own faith.

?? Does your faith tell you not to put up pretty lights? Is that anti-Jewish? How is that a betrayal?

I could see if you keep Kosher, not wanting to eat non-Kosher candy canes or something.

It's fine if you don't want to put up lights, but to label it a "betrayal to the traditions of your faith"? How is that even possible? Sounds a little extreme.

- a non-Christian who LOVES Christmas lights

I understand exactly how she feels. Perhaps "betrayal of faith" is a bit strongly worded, and you are correct, there is no "prohibition" in Judaism for enjoying a Christmas tree, but it would make me uncomfortable to have one in my home too. I can certainly connect with what OP is trying to express.

Ooops, not OP -- that poster.

[Anonymous]

I guess I am technically Christian - I was raised that way but DH and I don't belong to a church. I totally get into the vacation time, time with family, lights and decorations, food, presents, etc. more than the religious aspect.

That said, I do think it is a great time of year that sort of reminds everyone to be thankful for what they have, help those less fortunate, enjoy time and traditions with your loved ones, slow down and take time off work, again to enjoy each other and share with your loved ones. So it that way I feel like I enjoy "the bigger picture" which certainly is what some of the religious aspects are about.

I was raised to be a good person - and treat others with love, respect, and kindness, above being raised a Christian. So for me it all ties together.

[Anonymous]

Technically, Christmas is the Mass for Christ. Not many people celebrate Mass if they are not Christian.

On the flip side, Christ was not born in December. I don't recall when it was, but it was not even close to the winter solstice. I think it was the early Christian church that decided that it would be advantageous to celebrate Christ's birth close to the winter solstice, as the pagans were accustomed to a celebration at that time of year.

Christmas trees are actually based on pagan rituals (Druids, I think, but don't quote me).

So.... I think it is fine to put up a tree, lights, enjoy family time together, even do the Santa thing, even if you don't believe Christ is the Son of God/Messiah. Don't decorate with crosses or profess any believes you don't hold.

--wayward heathen

[Anonymous]

I'm Buddhist and have always had a tree, lights, presents, etc. It's great for the kids. You should see the Christmas stuff up in Asian countries that are also predominantly Buddhist...Singapore's a trip.

And sure, I totally respect the birth of Jesus...I just don't think he's the one and only messiah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Jewish and I think it's ridiculous to act like the "secular" aspects of Christmas have no religious implications. I love the season and celebrating with friends who partake in their homes, but I would never get a tree, put up lights, stockings, etc. It would feel like a betrayal to the traditions of my own faith.

Finally someone that makes sense. (Yes, I was the one on the Preschool thread arguing with the Muslim lady when she equated Rudolph and Santa with Jesus). It boils down to December 25th is celebrated at Jesus' birthday. Anyone that doesn't want to celebrate it, no problem. But if you do celebrate Christmas at least know what and why you are celebrating.

Sorry, that doesn't work for me!

I like to celebrate Christmas by doing all the secular things -- the tree, the outdoor lights, the Santa and Rudolph traditions, the stockings, the gingerbread houses and Christmas cookies, setting up luminarias, stringing cranberries and popcorn, making taffy -- etc. -- To me those are non-religious, secular activities that have nothing to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus, and so I do them

I was raised Catholic, and the Catholic religious observances (nativity set, taking communion at Midnight Mass, lighting of Advent candles and saying Catholic prayers each Sunday) are not part of what I observe any more, as I am no longer religious.

I don't care what you, the PP, believe is religious or non-religious, or what a non-religious person can celebrate, and why. It's up to me to determine that, for myself.

[Anonymous]

I am a non-practicing muslim and my family (including extended family) has always celebrated Christmas. Obviously, if you are a practicing Christian then Christmas is a religious holiday. But many other people in this country celebrate the secular aspects of Christmas. Christmas for me is a time for family to get together, share good food, and exchange gifts.

[Anonymous]

There have been festivals of light celebrated around the winter solstice forever. PP who mentioned the pagans and Druids was right on. Christmas is a giant mishmash of traditions, and I think it's pretty ridiculous to try to exclude specific elements or specific celebrants just because the name that happened to stick to the whole affair is related to Christianity.

Imagine the funny looks I'd get if I talked about decorating my Druid tree, or putting up my Solstice lights!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There have been festivals of light celebrated around the winter solstice forever. PP who mentioned the pagans and Druids was right on. Christmas is a giant mishmash of traditions, and I think it's pretty ridiculous to try to exclude specific elements or specific celebrants just because the name that happened to stick to the whole affair is related to Christianity.

Imagine the funny looks I'd get if I talked about decorating my Druid tree, or putting up my Solstice lights!

There are people on this board who will ADAMANTLY tell you you don't get to use the word "Christmas".

I'm right there with you BTW.

[Anonymous]

But they won't let me put up my Druid Tree at the White House! So I HAVE to call it a Christmas tree!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm Jewish and I think it's ridiculous to act like the "secular" aspects of Christmas have no religious implications. I love the season and celebrating with friends who partake in their homes, but I would never get a tree, put up lights, stockings, etc. It would feel like a betrayal to the traditions of my own faith.

I agree completely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
There are people on this board who will ADAMANTLY tell you you don't get to use the word "Christmas".

I don't call it Christmas, I call it "Chrissmas" so it's all OK!

[Anonymous]

I don't even believe in God, but I do celebrate the date (or aspects of it). It is not important to me that it is called "Christ(mas)" here like some PP quoted, because it just happens to be the name it was given in the English idiom. I am from Brazil and there the holiday is called "Natal", what has nothing to do whatsoever with "Jesus Cristo" (name wise - but I do know the date is to celebrate his birthday).

I like the trees, lights, Santa, songs, cookies, etc. Never had a nativity scene in my home (growing up or now), never went to the church or watched the mass.

[Anonymous]

Where were all you wonderful reasonable pagans when I was arguing with the "Christ in Christmas!" lady the other day?

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/45/81178.page

[Anonymous]

15:14 here. I have absolutely no judgment for what anyone else chooses to do to celebrate the season, and as I mentioned I really do enjoy going to friends' homes to enjoy their decorations, drink eggnog, listen to festive music, etc. But by definition, these things are NOT secular. They are connected with Christmas, which is connected (however tangentially these days) with Christianity. I bet most people who use the word "secular" to apply to things like Rudolph, stockings, and red and green lights are people who have some type of Christian (even if non-religious) background. People who actively affiliate with a specific non-Christian religion are much less likely to be comfortable doing these things. It's actually kind of insulting to consider these to be general "American" traditions, because lots of us red-blooded Americans don't feel part of them. It's NOT the same as Thanskgiving or 4th of July, it's just not.

As far as blue lights, a "Hannukah bush," etc., to me that just feels like trying to keep up with the Christian Jones'. I want my children to understand that our own wonderful, unique traditions are enough. That said, I have Jewish friends who do stuff like that and it doesn't bother me. I just wouldn't do it in my own home.

[Anonymous]

The Supreme Court says a Christmas tree is secular, and that's good enough for me.