[-V-]

Today, this December 24th I say unto you, happy HOLIDAY.

Tomorrow, December 25th, the officially recognized, though incorrect, birthday of Jesus, I say unto you Happy Jesus Christ Day. The same as I would say Happy Martin Luther King Day or Happy President's Day. And I certainly will not say Happy Martin Luther King Eve or President's Day eve the day before.

Are you following me so far Christian soldiers? I pledge to march right along side of you on 12/25 in celebration of the birthday of JC, but not before. If the stories written down about him over 40 years after his death and edited over the years by the Church are correct, there is no person I would be happier to honor more than the ultimate liberal spokesperson for peace, love and understanding.

Let me say it in another way so simple that even the ghost of Jerry Fallwell can follow along:

Jesus Christ's birth DAY -- Good.
Extended Christmas (shopping) SEASON (Oct-Dec) -- Bad!



Jesus - the Man/the Legend -- Good.
Santa Claus - the Logo -- Bad! A marketing tool for commercial products similar to what Ronald McDonald is for fatty foods made from abused animals.



A gift of charity any time of year or the purchase of occasional, reasonably priced toys not made from slave labor in China -- Good.
Frivolous consumer spending masquerading as a celebration of Jesus and, generally, any electronic device that begins with the letter "i" (i-pod, i-phone, etc.) - Bad! Jesus was never about personal, portable music/video for some kids while other's are wanting for a bowl of rice.



Lighting a candle for Jesus or Chanukah -- Good.
Wasting billions on Xmas lights while kid's in other countries shiver in the dark -- Bad! If Jesus walked down your street he would tear down the decadent displays of materialism/commercialism just as he allegedly once did in a temple market.



Socializing with co-workers -- Good.
The company you work for throwing a party that endorses any one religion, instead of having an end of year party -- Bad!



Gathering with family and friends -- Good.
Pressuring non-Christian friends or family to attend Xmas Eve and other pre-Xmas parties even though you may see them anyway on Thanksgiving, Jesus Christ Day, New Year's Eve, and/or New Year's Day -- Bad!



A Target cashier saying Happy Holiday to a customer -- Good.
A Target cashier saying Merry Xmas to a customer when they don't know what, if any, holiday or religious custom they celebrate -- Bad!



Target selling Xmas lights or displays, even in October, because that is what customers want to buy -- Good.
The public library built with everyone's tax dollars building a "nativity" scene without representing other religious celebrations -- Bad!


Sure, there are some very good aspects of Chrismas in our society, BUT:


does an expensive toy bringing happiness to an American child outweigh the cheap slave labor forced on the Chinese children who built it?

does your need to publicly express your personal religious traditions/customs in the presence of strangers outweigh my desire to NOT share them or make my child feel like an outcast or be exposed to materialism, or cult like religious marketing and propaganda?


I can't help feeling that Xmas is one long political ad for the church. The same church that discriminates against women and Gays, covers for pediphile priests, suppresses critical scientific learning such as evolution, advocates religious wars and elected George W. Bush and other Republican pigs.

So when someone tells me to just relax and enjoy the good parts of Xmas I say that's like me telling other liberals to relax and enjoy their tax break, despite the fact that they're getting far more screwed by health insurance premiums, oil prices, the war, etc..

Happy Xmas season might as well be, Happy Religious Right/Conservative Politics Subliminal Programming time of year.

I'm sorry if my expression of these beliefs makes you uncomfortable. But in that case, yours makes me uncomfortable too. And that's the point. Let's respect each other and celebrate our religious diversity next season.

For now, I'm off to do Festivus (for the rest of us).
Merry Jesus Christ Day (in a few hours).
:toast:

[FDRfollower]

Hi ~V~.

Good job. Very comprehensive listing and in the right spirit. :thumbup:

Only one critique to point at is your swipe at the Church at the bottom of your post. Whatever backward legacy that the Catholic Church has, at least the current Pope and John Paul 2nd both are/were advocates of a dialogue of civilizations however inadequate it is with the drive for conflict coming from remnents of the old British empire with the stupid US in tow. Otherwise, it was a good read.

[JamesP]

So when someone tells me to just relax and enjoy the good parts of Xmas

Vebeneezer,
Just relax.... and try to love and appreciate people, particularly those who love and appreciate you.... & honor you with inclusion.... it's a gift that should not be taken for granted.

[-V-]

Just relax.... and try to love and appreciate people, particularly those who love and appreciate you.... & honor you with inclusion.... it's a gift that should not be taken for granted.

Well said. However much depends on one's application of the term "inclusion".

If I lived elsewhere, Islamic extremists who "love and appreciate" me would love to honor me with inclusion in their rituals & customs, which could range from wearing a berka or beard, to blowing myself up.

The best way to honor anyone you love is to let them be who they are and follow their own paths even if it does not intersect with yours as often as you would like.

and

We should ask that others respect our beliefs and preferences. But never expect them to sacrifice their own to celebrate ours.

There are many people like myself, who are highly spiritual, with a very low tolerance for the practices, policies, and customs tied to the many religions in the world constructed by mortal men under the pretense of being messengers of God.

Please tolerate us, celebrate us, and, when you send out your invitations for a dinner on Thanksgiving or New Year's Day, please do "include" us.

[JamesP]

If I lived elsewhere, Islamic extremists who "love and appreciate" me would love to honor me with inclusion in their rituals & customs, which could range from wearing a berka or beard, to blowing myself up.


Reeaaaally stretching a lot here. This tends to happen when one's argument is weak (Blow yourself up?).

[-V-]

Reeaaaally stretching a lot here. This tends to happen when one's argument is weak (Blow yourself up?).

Some religious "leaders" would have their flock believe that committing a suicide bombing will be rewarded by Allah. But you are right. Using an extreme example gives you an excuse to dismiss the whole concept. So forget I said that, and simply stick with the comparison of the Islamic tradition of wearing a beard or berka as compared to the xmas tradition of putting up lights around your house.

An episode of Seinfeld depicts a group of people marching for aids chastising Kramer for NOT wearing the ribbon symbol, repeating "what do you mean you won't wear the ribbon?" Though Kramer was doing the right thing by marching for aids he was eventually beaten up for not also participating in their symbolism.

In Afgan it may be "what do you mean you won't wear the beard???"
On my street it may be "what do you mean you won't put up the lights, exchange the Xmas cookies, or attend the Xmas party"

The day I will start celebrating Xmas, including baking cookies, is when people around me stop appearing so baffled and possibly insulted by me exorcising my privilege of NOT celebrating xmas -- the day I no longer have to debate my reasons for NOT celebrating Xmas -- the day the Target cashier does not assume by default that I am a christian.

Wouldn't you be offended if:

1. every year on the days when neighbors put a flag up on their house, you had to explain yourself for not doing so or risk offending them?

2. every day at school your child had to explain why they do not participate in saying a prayer or risk alienation by not participating?

Your well meaning neighbors on the block and at school can talk all they want about loving you and wanting what's best for you and your kids, but they can show it by letting you live your lifestyle the way you want without pressure or judgement.

I have a well meaning friend who sends me a "merry Xmas" card every year despite the fact that, though I thank her, I make sure she knows that xmas is not my bag. Ironically, the message in this year's card is worth repeating here:

True friendship is one of the most valuable treasures anyone could have. It creates a feeling of unconditional acceptance beween two people who allow each other to be themselves ~ just as they are.

True friends are sensitive to each other's own perceived flaws, insecurities, vanities, peculiarities, and opinions, but neither puts demands on the other to change. They just want the best for each other... always. This kind of relationship takes no effort and needs no rules.

Unfortunately, in contrast to true "xmas spirit", part of every season for some people is "making their shitlist and checking it twice" in regards to who does and does not participate in their customs and follows their societal rules.

For those of you who do celebrate Xmas, I do wish you a merry one. As for me, if anyone is sincere when they say to me "have a Happy Holiday" they will be comforted in knowing that me not being pressured by family, friends, or society to include Xmas customs will, indeed make me HAPPY :D

[JamesP]

Happy Holidays.
You learned something about friendship from a holiday card. How nice. Now put the words to use.

[JamesP]

and... try to relax....

I cn see it's so difficult being you. The neighbors, the seinfeld episodes, the Target clerks, the invitations, the holiday cards....the lights....

The horror, the horror (channeling Conrad here)... and isn't that you up there on that crucifix with JC.

Take heart.... It'll be the New Year soon and it'll all be over.