Non- Christians celebrating Christmas

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure what posts you are talking about. But my family is Muslim and we had a fantastic Christmas. My kids were thrilled. As were my Hindu friends' kids. We all met up later in the day for a play date. Great day.

So you were celebrating the birth of your savior Jesus Christ? I didn't realize Muslims and Hindus did that. Interesting.

Not sure about Hindu but do you know that Muslims believe Jesus is a messenger of God? The study his word in the Quran. Why wouldn't they celebrate him?

They thought he was a prophet. I just wasn't aware they celebrated the births of all the prophets with such fanfare.

And the messiah. Not sure about the "fanfare."

[Anonymous]

Do you just go to mass Sunday or do you do The Lord's work other days too. Like kindness and living without judgement?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did. I'm just a normal Methodist, not even evangelical or anything. But I find it very odd and confusing. And a little bewildered when people insist it's a "cultural" holiday (but then turn around and insist this is not a Christian nation).

But whatever. If you ask them what they're celebrating, they'll say "the joys of family" or whatever. Why they can't just have themselves a family reunion in the summer or take Thanksgiving as an opportunity to do these things, I don't know.

The partaking of all the rituals and symbolism of Christmas while insisting you're not "Christian" is really strange to me.

I find this to be so dog-in-manger and selfish and not Christian that I just want to start laughing. Do you seriously resent the presence of non-Christians at a Christian holiday? Do you think Jesus would resent them or turn them away? Didn't he welcome everyone, including tax collectors and prostitutes?

On the contrary, everyone is welcome at the Lord's table. So, you'll be in church next week, right?

I assume you're a Christian. A non-Christian wouldn't presume to speak for Jesus.

Nope. I am the atheist who posted earlier. I was raised Christian, though, and have had plenty of religious education. I'm not speaking for Jesus. I am holding Christians to what they profess to believe, though.

One of the reasons I left the Church was because Christians don't practice what they preach.

I practice what I preach. You are very welcome at our church on Sunday. Everyone is welcome at the Lord's table for communion.

The question was asked whether anyone finds it odd that non-Christians would celebrate Christmas. I answered in the affirmative. It does seem inconsistent to me to declare one's self to be an atheist but then to partake in celebrating the second-most holy of days in the Christian faith.

You also seem to be very preoccupied with religion. In that spirit, again, you are welcome at my church next Sunday. I attend the United Church of Christ in Arlington on Little Falls Road. Please come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Just like I don't find it odd the Christians spend all their advent "preparing" for a gluttonous Christmas instead of fasting and repenting.

Repenf from what? You are a jerk.

It's kind of a dumb comment.

Easter is the season for repentance.

Christmas is the season for hope.

You got baited, pp. There is something called a Nativity Fast, but it's not something that's really observed in the West.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW, OP... Christmas is over. Did you really need to pick ONE more fight over what other people are doing for the holidays, rather than live and let live?

I didn't mean to pick a fight. And technically it's not really over. I was just genuinely baffled and curious. Seems so odd to me.

Did you confess that you judge others before you received communion yesterday?

Now you have just exposed your ignorance. Nobody goes to church on Christmas Day. I don't think any churches even have services, unless it happens to fall on Sunday.

[Anonymous]

(but then turn around and insist this is not a Christian nation).

Please read the Constitution sometime, thanks.

[Anonymous]

It funny, finally a Pope that speaks to me, not surprised he does not speak to you. he is kind and caring and generous. I will actually beat church before Sunday, I guess you only find 1 hour out of the week, God gave you 168 , I think you can find 1 more hour to be with him. Maybe you should try a weekly confession, introspection does wonders. Leaves less time to judge others.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an atheist who was raised Catholic. My entire family is Catholic. My DH was raised Catholic. My DH's family is Catholic.

Our families celebrate Christmas. We celebrate it, too. It's within our cultural heritage. We are secular Catholics, the way some people are secular Jews.

I don't see what's weird about it.

It contradicts your commitment to atheism? That's what's weird. Atheists shouldn't celebrate the birth of a deity.

I find it weird that Pope Francise calls Atheists and Catholics us to work together for peace but you insult their family traditions.

I'm the PP. I'm not Catholic. While I have heard a lot from Pope Francis that I admire, he doesn't speak for me.

I'm impressed, however, that you're paying attention to what he has to say as well. I trust this means we'll see you in church soon, since you'll be reentering the fold.

Or, are you going to cherry pick what you like from his words the way you cherry pick what you like from our faith?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW, OP... Christmas is over. Did you really need to pick ONE more fight over what other people are doing for the holidays, rather than live and let live?

I didn't mean to pick a fight. And technically it's not really over. I was just genuinely baffled and curious. Seems so odd to me.

Did you confess that you judge others before you received communion yesterday?

I'm not judging. I found it odd that kids complained about gifts they got for no reason. And I find it curious to put up a tree and do Santa and sing carols or whatever. I'm not judging though, really. We used to do sedars in our house when I was growing up but to me that wasn't about a huge meal and requesting $200 headphones. It was about celebrating and being inclusive of other faiths. (Though to be honest this was my parents' thing so I don't know the reason but it was just about the meal and prayer)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW, OP... Christmas is over. Did you really need to pick ONE more fight over what other people are doing for the holidays, rather than live and let live?

I didn't mean to pick a fight. And technically it's not really over. I was just genuinely baffled and curious. Seems so odd to me.

Did you confess that you judge others before you received communion yesterday?

Now you have just exposed your ignorance. Nobody goes to church on Christmas Day. I don't think any churches even have services, unless it happens to fall on Sunday.

Are you crazy...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Just like I don't find it odd the Christians spend all their advent "preparing" for a gluttonous Christmas instead of fasting and repenting.

Repenf from what? You are a jerk.

It's kind of a dumb comment.

Easter is the season for repentance.

Christmas is the season for hope.

Maybe you need a little more Religious affectation. While it has been relaxed, it is a time to fast and prepare forthe coming of The Lord.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent

I really do love it when we get these little Freudian slips, courtesy of autocorrect. Affectation is spot on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW, OP... Christmas is over. Did you really need to pick ONE more fight over what other people are doing for the holidays, rather than live and let live?

I didn't mean to pick a fight. And technically it's not really over. I was just genuinely baffled and curious. Seems so odd to me.

Did you confess that you judge others before you received communion yesterday?

I'm not judging. I found it odd that kids complained about gifts they got for no reason. And I find it curious to put up a tree and do Santa and sing carols or whatever. I'm not judging though, really. We used to do sedars in our house when I was growing up but to me that wasn't about a huge meal and requesting $200 headphones. It was about celebrating and being inclusive of other faiths. (Though to be honest this was my parents' thing so I don't know the reason but it was just about the meal and prayer)

Yes, nothing says Christian like Santa!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW, OP... Christmas is over. Did you really need to pick ONE more fight over what other people are doing for the holidays, rather than live and let live?

I didn't mean to pick a fight. And technically it's not really over. I was just genuinely baffled and curious. Seems so odd to me.

Did you confess that you judge others before you received communion yesterday?

I'm not judging. I found it odd that kids complained about gifts they got for no reason. And I find it curious to put up a tree and do Santa and sing carols or whatever. I'm not judging though, really. We used to do sedars in our house when I was growing up but to me that wasn't about a huge meal and requesting $200 headphones. It was about celebrating and being inclusive of other faiths. (Though to be honest this was my parents' thing so I don't know the reason but it was just about the meal and prayer)

You don't have kids do you.

All kids act ungrateful at some point in their life. The media hype of Christmas is too much or some kids ( and adults) to handle. Ian sure the mom I that post will speak to the kid to explain how his reaction affected the spirit oft heady.

Gifts for no reason.. Actually there is no reason for gifts even if you are Christian. Our kids are not Christ, they need to give gifts not receive hem.

[Anonymous]

NP here. I'm Christian and I don't care if others do the tree and the gifts. What I don't understand (n.b., not understanding is different from resenting) is when they bitch and moan about it.

Why do the gifts and tree if you hate it so much? Even if you have kids/other pressures, strap some on and tell everyone you're going to start doing something else instead. Like a nice family dinner. And yet when someone suggests this, like someone (not me) did on the Festivus thread, you get some jacka$$ accusing that person of proselytizing. Stop being resentful whiners, folks. And stop looking for ways to blame everybody else for suggesting the obvious. Man up, and just say no.

[Anonymous]

I don't get why this is so baffling. For many families, there are a lot of aspects of the Christmas celebration that have little to nothing to do with the birth of Christ. Advent wreaths -- sure, that's about Jesus. But the tree & the lights & the menus, none of that has to do with Jesus. (I don't really think the gift exchanges do either, for most people, but I suppose you could make a case that it's symbolic of the magi.)

I grew up in a church-going home, but our Christmas celebration had more to do with family obligations/traditions than with faith. I still have beliefs, but if I had lost my faith, I doubt I'd abandon my family's rituals. I don't think a child needs to know anything about Jesus to enjoy Santa & the excitement of Christmas morning.

I can see how a devout Christian might be upset at seeing a holy celebration watered down to a secular event. But I think that ship sailed a LONG time ago, and I don't see the virtue in getting mad at non-Christians enjoying the season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an atheist who was raised Catholic. My entire family is Catholic. My DH was raised Catholic. My DH's family is Catholic.

Our families celebrate Christmas. We celebrate it, too. It's within our cultural heritage. We are secular Catholics, the way some people are secular Jews.

I don't see what's weird about it.

It contradicts your commitment to atheism? That's what's weird. Atheists shouldn't celebrate the birth of a deity.

I find it weird that Pope Francise calls Atheists and Catholics us to work together for peace but you insult their family traditions.

I'm the PP. I'm not Catholic. While I have heard a lot from Pope Francis that I admire, he doesn't speak for me.

I'm impressed, however, that you're paying attention to what he has to say as well. I trust this means we'll see you in church soon, since you'll be reentering the fold.

Or, are you going to cherry pick what you like from his words the way you cherry pick what you like from our faith?

A Christian, complaining about cherry-picking from other faiths? Hypocrisy knows no bounds. I practice Mithraism, and we'd like December 25 back, please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did. I'm just a normal Methodist, not even evangelical or anything. But I find it very odd and confusing. And a little bewildered when people insist it's a "cultural" holiday (but then turn around and insist this is not a Christian nation).

But whatever. If you ask them what they're celebrating, they'll say "the joys of family" or whatever. Why they can't just have themselves a family reunion in the summer or take Thanksgiving as an opportunity to do these things, I don't know.

The partaking of all the rituals and symbolism of Christmas while insisting you're not "Christian" is really strange to me.

I find it easier to adopt a "dual view" of Christmas. A secular Christmas has more religious rituals (my kind of Christmas). A non-secular Christmas does not celebrate the religious traditions and beliefs and is more cultural/commercial.