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I absolutely love Christmas, and Easter.. I used to really love St. Patrick’s Day…
Even before I became an adult and came to my own beliefs, in a non-Christian household, we had Christmas Trees, Christmas carols, and more.
We were never offended – nor were the atheists, agnostics, or even eastern religion friends my parents had by.
Are you offended by Christmas? Why or Why Not? I am particularly interested in Non-Christian viewpoints here, and genuinely curious.
I love the beauty of it. I love the Spirit of it. I love the glistening lights, happy faces, family time.. good food.. and I love what it celebrates.
So, please share with me.. a polite and kind discussion.. to further understanding and a sense of peace.. and love. :)
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I absolutely love Christmas….always have since I can remember. I am a non Christian….we go the whole hog…..decs….pressies…..food….neighbours cards/small presents….work does….crackers…..
I don’t go to church but the temple holds a special thing there…when I say a special thing its called a paath….don’t know how to translate it into English
I’ve known no different….my dad came here as a 14 yr old kid…..and I don’t know before we came along…but he celebrated once married and had kids…I still remember the smell of a fresh tree and my mum moaning about the needles making a mess lol…so I guess we also had the obligatory arguments
I don’t feel offended by Christmas…why would I? I am offended however by non Christians in this country who say they are offended by Christmas…all it stands for and refuse to celebrate it in schools….you don’t have to celebrate it within your four walls….but its part of schools round t his time of year…the annual nativity play….my son always got chosen to be one of the 3 wise men…we actually used to ask a relative to come over and put a little turban on him….for authenticity
…in our house that was much of a tradition a all the other stuff…..If you don’t celebrate it fair enough…but let your little children have the memories in school we had when growing up…so they can look back with fond memories in years to come…..when they are older they can make a decision to branch off whichever way they want to.
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My neighbor stopped me this evening and made a comment. I said, in reply, that I don’t think non-Christians should be offended at non-Christian peaceful holidays, and I don’t think that non-Christians should be offended at Christian peaceful holiday – Christmas and Easter.
When someone wishes me well, I am just thankful for the kind sentiment behind the words. I try to be, anyway (no one is perfect, assuredly).
I think the different holidays are exciting and I think it’s sweet – whatever peaceful things bring families together.
I love the lights, the smell, the joy, the hearth of it all — I just do. I think you said it more wonderfully and eloquently than I could, Kent. :)
Well said Kenty And Happy Christmas to you and yours
Thank you
And a very merry Christmas to you and yours
x
Following on from my post I also believe learning about others ways/religions/cultures is a great education…..a non Christian doing Christmassy things in school is exactly that….just doing Christmassy things at school
If you are from a strong religious background…..your children will learn and experience about others but their strong values at home will not compromise their beliefs or religion
I think I mentioned on another post….one of my mums neighbours in her street….a muslim family with young children at junior school made her a happy Diwali card…my mum still has it up mingled in with her Christmas cards lol….its so sweet….an innocent thought from innocent children
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I don’t celebrate christmas, any discussion of it, or decorations are not allowed in my house.
You could maybe say it is offensive to me, but I don’t really think that is the right word.
If you don’t celebrate it fair enough…but let your little children have the memories in school we had when growing up…so they can look back with fond memories in years to come…..when they are older they can make a decision to branch off whichever way they want to.
My children, at least the one who is old enough to have enough understanding of what a religion is, is a christian.
She goes to her grandparent’s house with my girfriend every weekend for church services, and that’s where they celebrate christmas.
Not allowed in your household…..yet one of your children celebrates Christmas outside the household….that seems very strange to me…care to explain as I find that very confusing
As adults we can allow or not allow anything should we wish so…we live in a world of choice
I’m Wiccan, and today is Yule. (Winter Solstice)
History of Yule
Many cultures have winter festivals that are in fact celebrations of light. In addition to Christmas, there’s Hanukkah with its brightly lit menorahs, Kwanzaa candles, and any number of other holidays. The Pagan holiday called Yule takes place on the day of the winter solstice, around December 21. On that day (or close to it), an amazing thing happens in the sky. The earth’s axis tilts away from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere, and the sun reaches at its greatest distance from the equatorial plane. As a festival of the Sun, the most important part of any Yule celebration is light — candles, bonfires, and more.
Four thousand years ago, the Ancient Egyptians took the time to celebrate the daily rebirth of Horus – the god of the Sun. As their culture flourished and spread throughout Mesopotamia, other civilizations decided to get in on the sun-welcoming action. They found that things went really well… until the weather got cooler, and crops began to die. Each year, this cycle of birth, death and rebirth took place, and they began to realize that every year after a period of cold and darkness, the Sun did indeed return.
Winter festivals were also common in Greece and Rome, as well as in the British Isles. When a new religion called Christianity popped up, the new hierarchy had trouble converting the Pagans, and as such, folks didn’t want to give up their old holidays. Christian churches were built on old Pagan worship sites, and Pagan symbols were incorporated into the symbolism of Christianity. Within a few centuries, the Christians had everyone worshipping a new holiday celebrated on December 25.
In some traditions of Wicca and Paganism, the Yule celebration comes from the Celtic legend of the battle between the young Oak King and the Holly King. The Oak King, representing the light of the new year, tries each year to usurp the old Holly King, who is the symbol of darkness. Re-enactment of the battle is popular in some Wiccan rituals.on 25th we all get together and have a fun couple of days. but Yule is special. almost a sacred day.
Not allowed in your household…..yet one of your children celebrates Christmas outside the household….that seems very strange to me…care to explain as I find that very confusing As adults we can allow or not allow anything should we wish so…we live in a world of choice
I have very strong personal reasons for not wanting to celebrate it. It’s best for me not to have constant reminders about christmas everywhere in my home. Maybe allowed was the wrong word to describe it, I don’t know.
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