To ask a question about Christmas, and celebrating it....

[mcrvamp]

Right! Over the last couple of months I have read many threads slating Christians and how spreading the word of God and Jesus is wrong, I hate religon..... etc, etc.

So I would like to ask a question to those of you that feel this way.

Why do you celebrate Chritmas, when it is so clearly a religous festival?

Isn't it alla bit hypocritical (sp?)

I thought that to Mrsjay

joins Grimma and never in the catholic corner
as a former nonconformist atheist, not sure you really want me there (that would be an ecumenical matter...)

Catholics aren't flamed on MN (or anywhere else) "merely" for being Catholic. That's just their take on matters when anyone dares to criticise the Catholic Church.

It's the same with Muslims and, indeed, most religious people in general, I have found.

i was just wondering why people would get flamed most of the flaming i see and hear is about football and religion I live in scotland where it seems to be all about rangers celtic

Well, maybe the (practising and identifying-as-such rather than the 'cultural') Catholics get flamed a little bit because they belong to an institution that hates women and protects paedophiles.

I celebrate in December because a) I like it and b) there has been a midwinter festival for much, much, much longer than there has been Christianity. Assuming I avoid Church services, pretty much everything else - trees, lights, presents, gathering, feasting, - has it's roots outside Christianity anyway. It's much more cultural than religious.

So op, Why do you celebrate Christmas, when it is so clearly NOT a religious festival?

I'm actually considering reporting this thread as it's so blatantly trying to stir up a fight.

The Saxons had Modraniht
The Romans had Saturnalia
The Vikings had Yule
The Christians currently have Christmas
In times to come someone else will have something else
Humans celebrate at this time of year and always have and always will because this time of the year is cold and dark and miserable.
Christians, just be happy that yours is the current dominant belief system. Don't jackboot over those of us who are going along with you just because we want to cheer ourselves up.

I'm actually considering reporting this thread as it's so blatantly trying to stir up a fight.

Oh no, don't do that, its part of the MN seasonal tradition to have a thread or two like this. (have we done Nativity plays yet this year?)

SGB - as i said on another thread over in chat... (and yes, I know cross threading is probably 'bad form')..

I lapsed for a loooong time while at Uni as I had massive problems with the church, some of its teachings and some of the attitudes. However, me and God sorted it all out and came to an understanding which is between me and my God.

So, I am a Catholic. However there are bits of my church that make me cringe in shame. However I do feel that a lot of the time I get a flaming from a lot of people merely for being a Catholic. Mostly I see thier point about my church and so I suck it up. Thing is I like to see the good points of my church. It is where I feel 'at home' when I worship. And many amazing people I know were Catholic - like my Grand father who gave up huuuuge amounts of his time to build (literally - he was a brickie) a church for his community.

And I don't care who celebrates Christmas as long as they have a damn good time and leave me to get on with my beliefs.

So OP we still dont know what you think of all this I dont think?

Doubt OP will ever be back somehow

Never - I don't like it when I see flaming of catholics just for being catholics - even if they may be doing what (perhaps unfortunately little) they can do to change it from bottom up. Would we get flaming of someone just for working for the BBC now we know that organisation may have perpetrated institutional cover up? I think not. Flaming if anyone tries to ignore or makes excuses for inexcusable behaviours, yes; guilt by mere association, no.

i come from a long line of atheists.

i luff christmas. i happily go and sing carols with the sally army on christmas eve. i will go look at the christmas trees at the local church. i buy presents, eat too much and decorate the house.

i dont really care what any one else thinks of this! I also have no opinions on other peoples beliefs because they are their beliefs.