If you celebrate Christmas, are you a Christian?

[Anonymous]

Nearly half of the people I know celebrating this year are not Christians.
It seems like such a fun holiday that can be taken as a celebration of family, a time to get together, have nice food, hear children squeal with delight. The religious side does not really have to come into it.

[Anonymous]

Stay away from the preschool thread.

We're not Christian. We celebrate the secular aspects of Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stay away from the preschool thread.

We're not Christian. We celebrate the secular aspects of Christmas.

What thread is this? Please share

[Anonymous]

We're not Christian, but we put up a tree/lights/do cards.

*going over to check out the preschool thread* (?)

[Anonymous]

Started out as a perfectly reasonable question and then descended into the sanctity-of-Christmas hell.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/81153.page

[Anonymous]

We're atheists who were raised Christian and so celebrate the secular aspects of Christmas - Santa, a tree and stockings, holiday cards that do not mention Christmas or religion, bake cookies and make a gingerbread house, put up lights, Christmas dinner with family and friends, seeing the Nutcracker and reading the Night Before Christmas, etc. Most of our friends are atheists and do the same thing.

I really don't care if you call it Christmas or winter solstice, it is a great time of year to put of lights, decorate the house with greenery, and enjoy time with family and friends.

[Anonymous]

we do what 15:10 said.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

But if you are an atheist, you have no faith. So no betrayal, right?

[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.

?? 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

[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.

On the other side of that, most of my very devout evangelical Christian friends would NEVER NEVER NEVER have a Christmas tree or Santa in their homes, either. Specifically because they are not religious and take away from the meaning of Christmas. So everyone's got a different POV. As long as you aren't forced into doing something you don't want, I don't see any harm in others doing as they please, either.

[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.

What about putting up blue lights? I've seen that done.

[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.

?? 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.

[Anonymous]

I am a Christian. We celebrate both. Christmas is all about the birth 0f Christ(mas).

[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.

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.