As an atheist, christmas is a time to be festive and stave off winter doldrums. It's also a time to load up on sugar and alcohol and make lots of fires. I consider that to be my way of "taking back" the holiday that the christians took from us pagans.

Anonymous wrote:Lewis says there is not logically any kind of middle ground on Jesus.

Maybe so. But religion is about faith, not logic. I have faith in following a middle path regarding Jesus. It works for me and makes me a much better person. I would love to believe that Jesus was the Son of God and he only is such as I see that people that believe this are very satisfied and happy with this belief, but I just cannot. I've tried to force myself into this belief but it just isn't happening. Maybe it is illogically not to believe it, but my mind, heart and soul are unable to accept the "logic" Lewis proposes. YMMV.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see what is wrong with wishing Jews and Muslims "Happy Christmas". After all, don't we all worship the same Jesus?

No.

SMH

LMAO!!! PP wins dumbest poster of the year and most ignorant Christian!
Muslims, Jews and Christians worship the same God. Jews do not believe Jesus was the Messiah. Muslims do not believe he was the Messiah either, but a prophet.

I consider myself Christian and I also consider Jesus a prophet. Not necessarily the Messiah. Maybe I'm really Jewish?

Congrats! You are Unitarian- Universalist! Welcome to the club!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see what is wrong with wishing Jews and Muslims "Happy Christmas". After all, don't we all worship the same Jesus?

No.

SMH

LMAO!!! PP wins dumbest poster of the year and most ignorant Christian!
Muslims, Jews and Christians worship the same God. Jews do not believe Jesus was the Messiah. Muslims do not believe he was the Messiah either, but a prophet.

I consider myself Christian and I also consider Jesus a prophet. Not necessarily the Messiah. Maybe I'm really Jewish?

The one thing all Christians believe in is that Jesus is the Messiah. Of you don't believe that, you're not Christian. I can only answer that part, not what you are.

What does the Messiah mean? I agree he is a prophet and the son of god (in as much as we are all the sons of god) and I think his message is to live life as he would live it. I don't think its about an afterlife per se. Struggling with this. I guess I should post this in "religion".

Just a thought on the "Jesus is a prophet and not the divine son of God". Something C S Lewis wrote on this was profound (at least to me). He wrote that one cannot think of Jesus as merely a good man, a wise religious philosopher, a mere prophet. Lewis points out that Jesus clear in claiming his divinity (He told the woman at the well and also plainly stated this during his trial before his crucifixion). Since he claimed to be the Son of God (capitals intentional), if this was not true then he would be guilty of falsely leading people astray if it was not actually true. So it would be an extraordinarily evil thing for him to lead people to follow him as the Son of God, if he were not actually the Son of God. In other words, Jesus was either the Divine Son of God, the Savior, OR...he is responsible for leading millions and millions of Christians on a false path throughout the ages.

Lewis says there is not logically any kind of middle ground on Jesus.

Anonymous wrote:Complain to the CEOs of big businesses who do their market research.

Every holiday is a money-maker - from Black Friday to all-night Christmas Eve shopping. But the fact remains that the majority of the people in this country identify with a Christian faith.

This may change one day, but for now, it is what it is.

So please stop blaming all the brainwashed Christians for not recognizing that there are other religious beliefs floating around in the US.

To be honest, I'm tired of the martyrs on this forum. Anyone secure in his/her religion or with his/her lifestyle choices doesn't give a rat's ass about how others choose to live their lives.

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Anonymous wrote:How would you feel at every turn someone said "Happy Hanukkah" not caring or realizing you do not celebrate it? How would you feel about having to listen to non-stop Hanukkah music when you shop? How would you feel if people pretending to be friendly asked if your child enjoyed lighting the menorah and acting like your child is being rude for looking at them funny as they do not know what it is (my child has no clue who Santa is)?

Why not just say Happy Holidays and be respectful to all?

I do hear hannukka stuff a lot, and I do not mind at all.
The music in the stores is awful, maybe they think people buy more that way
No need to say happy hannukkah when it is already over. Hannukkah is not a consolation celebration for those who do not do Christmas, so no need to make a big deal of a minor jewish holiday

Not pp, but you don't get it. Not every child knows about Santa and Jesus, so it's a bit rude to go up to achild and ask him what he wants from Santa.

I'm with you on the one hand, in that someone who is secure in his or her faith should not be offended by someone else wishing them a "Happy Kwanza" or something that differs from that faith. However, you are missing one of the main tenets of Christianity in that Christians most certainly should "give a rats ass" how other people live and what those people believe in. Especially those in their circle of family and friends, because they have close contact with them and can influence them with the way they live their lives. Because Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our risen Savior, the logical reaction to that type of love is to want others to see what a wonderful love it is.

So to say that I don't care one iota about the souls of other human beings and their lives here on earth would be false, as would be the fact that I am thus insecure in my faith, by your logic. But I also try not to shove my "religion" down their throats either, nor do I try to judge/belittle/offend others who don't love Jesus like I do. My two best friends are not Christians, but they could testify to the fact that I have never tried to outwardly "witness" or "save" them with my words--only through my actions, and the power of Jesus working through me, could that be possible.

"Christ" means messiah, so it is actually apropos to wish Muslims a merry Christmas. But Muslims believe that Jesus is a prophet, not divine - but still the messiah.

Additionally, as others have mentioned, there is no way Jesus was born in December, let alone December 25th, and a lot of traditions were co-opted from Pagan traditions. The whole modern concept of Christmas really has nothing to do with Jesus' birth.

FYI Muslims also believe Jesus is the messiah. But they don't believe Jesus is divine/godly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you feel at every turn someone said "Happy Hanukkah" not caring or realizing you do not celebrate it? How would you feel about having to listen to non-stop Hanukkah music when you shop? How would you feel if people pretending to be friendly asked if your child enjoyed lighting the menorah and acting like your child is being rude for looking at them funny as they do not know what it is (my child has no clue who Santa is)?

Why not just say Happy Holidays and be respectful to all?

I wouldn't take umbrage at being wished a Happy Hannukah. I'd smile and say thank you and "Happy Hannukah to you too."

-- Methodist.

Classy.

Can't we all just get along!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH's "Christian" family is ALL about money, money, money, no matter the time of year.

And judgement. Judgement of everything and everyone not as Christian as they are...

Yeah, baby!

Anonymous wrote:DH's "Christian" family is ALL about money, money, money, no matter the time of year.

And judgement. Judgement of everything and everyone not as Christian as they are...

DH's "Christian" family is ALL about money, money, money, no matter the time of year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I don't see what is wrong with wishing Jews and Muslims "Happy Christmas". After all, don't we all worship the same Jesus?

No.

SMH

LMAO!!! PP wins dumbest poster of the year and most ignorant Christian!
Muslims, Jews and Christians worship the same God. Jews do not believe Jesus was the Messiah. Muslims do not believe he was the Messiah either, but a prophet.

I consider myself Christian and I also consider Jesus a prophet. Not necessarily the Messiah. Maybe I'm really Jewish?

The one thing all Christians believe in is that Jesus is the Messiah. Of you don't believe that, you're not Christian. I can only answer that part, not what you are.

What does the Messiah mean? I agree he is a prophet and the son of god (in as much as we are all the sons of god) and I think his message is to live life as he would live it. I don't think its about an afterlife per se. Struggling with this. I guess I should post this in "religion".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see what is wrong with wishing Jews and Muslims "Happy Christmas". After all, don't we all worship the same Jesus?

No.

SMH

LMAO!!! PP wins dumbest poster of the year and most ignorant Christian!
Muslims, Jews and Christians worship the same God. Jews do not believe Jesus was the Messiah. Muslims do not believe he was the Messiah either, but a prophet.

I consider myself Christian and I also consider Jesus a prophet. Not necessarily the Messiah. Maybe I'm really Jewish?

The one thing all Christians believe in is that Jesus is the Messiah. Of you don't believe that, you're not Christian. I can only answer that part, not what you are.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see what is wrong with wishing Jews and Muslims "Happy Christmas". After all, don't we all worship the same Jesus?

No.

SMH

LMAO!!! PP wins dumbest poster of the year and most ignorant Christian!
Muslims, Jews and Christians worship the same God. Jews do not believe Jesus was the Messiah. Muslims do not believe he was the Messiah either, but a prophet.

I consider myself Christian and I also consider Jesus a prophet. Not necessarily the Messiah. Maybe I'm really Jewish?

Contrary to popular belief, Judaism is about a LOT more than "not believing in Jesus" or "not celebrating Christmas."

Didn't say it wasn't. I just agree with the part where Jesus is a prophet and not the messiah. I am not actually converting. No worries.