Yes - I know, I'm a hippocrite. I also like eating chocolate during April. However, most people in this country celebrate them in one form or another, regardless of whether they're Christians or not (muslims and other faiths excepted of course) I believe Christmas stopped being religous years ago and became a commercial event more than anything else. We have a tree, decorations, give presents, have turkey for dinner and watch all the Christmas specials on TV. I like to think of it as a family gathering time to enjoy time with the ones who are special to you, regardless of the origins of the festival. Besides, wasn't this Jesus bloke actually born in September or something...?
Yes because any sort of festival or celebration around that time of year was completely unheard of before christianity appeared and till this day each and every part of it is still 100% linked to christianity. Oh wait, I think I may have got something wrong there....
December 25th was declared by the pope to be the birthday of Jesus in 350AD http://www.essortment.com/all/christmaspagan_rece.htm
Yes, because he knows everything. The truth is that we don't know what YEAR this bloke was supposedly born, let alone what day.
A pagan holly day with load of pagan symbols that were absorbed by the the Christians so that they would be more appealing to the pagans? It is a day that is also celebrated by several other cultures and religions for its cosmological meaning. Next think i will see in this forum is people saying that the Christian calendar and the names of the days should not be used by people of other religions... edit: Or if he was ever real...
I know, hence the link. I was demonstrating that Christmas was essentially fabricated by the Catholic Church to replace another, more widespread, festival.
In America our government officially celebrates George Washington's birthday on the third Monday in February. In any given year it may or may not fall on his actual birthday. I guess the inconsistency in his recognized birthday means we can just toss out any of the historical significance with his life. Of course, when it comes to Jesus' birthday we're talking about an event that is believed to have occurred over 2000 years ago, involving a humble family of no previous importance, so there is likely to be little supporting documentation. The actual date, however, is only really important to people who want to use it as a straw-man argument to take down Christianity altogether. It doesn't matter if he was born on December 25, sometime in April, or at any point within fifty years of Year 1. Whether or not Jesus was the Son of God, and whether or not he ever did anything supernatural, is rightly up for debate (but is ultimately of little consequence, and is another distraction of the real point). However, most scholars agree that the human Jesus existed. Aside from the Bible, accounts of his life can be found in Jewish and Muslim texts, as well as contemporary Greco-Roman writings of the time. In my opinion, I consider the supernatural bits to be as important as his birthday. I don't really care if he turned water to wine, but I think he had a good point when he challenged people to respect one another.
Christmas is paganism. And supposedly Jesus was not born in December. I hate christmas, I sound like a right old fool but but my house do not celebrate christmas and the worst time of the year for me at work is christmas time. What do I believe in or how did the human race start I do not know but one thing for sure whilst I am on this planet I will live life to it's limit and embrace it as its so damn short.
It was perhaps not that he was a genius, perhaps the world in which he lived was so stupid and lost that it made a man with common sense look like a genius. We always seem to end up killing those who speak the truth, ever noticed that.
So you will live life to it's limit and embrace it but you hate christmas, don't celebrate it and hate being at work during that time? How exactly are you living life to the limit and embracing it then? Apart from anything else Christmas is a time for people to celebrate being with each other, show gratitude and affection to those nearest and dearest to you and generally have a good time with friends and family. For me it's got nothing to do with religion and is all about celebrating the good times.
Got to agree with that. I'm an athiest, but I love Christmas, and always have. I love all the family get-togethers, and seeing my kids getting excited about it. The build up is always a buzz for me and the missus. It's a pity that it is so commercialised nowadays though, as it takes the edge off the fun sometimes. I don't have a problem with anyone who has faith in a religion, but it bugs me when people say they feel sorry for those who have no religion. I find that patronising to be honest. It's as if they are saying that those who do not believe are somehow unable to "comprehend" as they do.
Imagine how moderate religious people must feel when they are constantly being called ignorant or stupid, and have their entire belief system mocked to no end. I'm not a fan of religious proselytizing, but from my experience some atheists aren't any better.
Very easy try working in retail you will learn to hate it my friend believe me, before I was in retail I was in the cops still working Christmas and still the busiest time of the year.
So the king of the church is coming to try and get a few more members into his flock. I personally don't care, and thing he should travel economy.
there is only one king and it sure aint the pope or elvis for that matter long live kermit the frog (sorry just couldnt resist this thread is getting too argumentative just thought i would add a bit of humour to it to lighten things up a bit lol) oh yes before i forget he cant travel economy the economy tickets are in limited quantity and i just bought all the economy aircraft fuel to stop him coming lol
Like so? Just a little something that caught my eye. I tend to agree. But what gets me, and maybe this is what stuartpb was also getting at, is when athiesm is automatically grouped together with immorality and evil. Go ahead and call me stupid for not believing what you think is right, but please, don't make slanderous claims about my character based solely on my beliefs.
Worked in retail for several years at the Trafford Centre so know exactly what it's like to work in a massively busy retail environment at that time of year. Never put me off enjoying christmas tho, in fact I think it only enhanced my enjoyment of the bits when I wasn't working.
