Christmas - or 'holiday season'!!!

[Tw1nkle]

I know I might be being unreasonable......but the whole 'religious element' of christmas is starting to grate!

I believe that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus, and that is what we celebrate, but with todays' news that 25% of the UK are athiests - and they all have their own reason for celebrating christmas - which is fair enough.......I'm now of the opinion that it should be 'holiday season', not 'christmas'..........something that I would never have dreamt of saying in the past.

But the world is moving on, and so are beliefs, so maybe 'christmas' should too - or the 'season of christmas' at least.

Then people can celebrate whatever they want without having to feel like they have to explain themselves, or knock others beliefs.

The number of poeple today who have told me it's a pagan belief.....I'm shocked that a vast majority of the 25% of Atheists, didn't declare themselves to be pagan!

Sorry for the rant!

facebook debate you say.... ah, well that is a paradox of it's own..

Surely pagans believe in something and atheists believe in nothing? Pretty big difference? Please correct me if I'm wrong though.

I think YABU anyway.

Considering the muslim owned and run newsagents near my house sells all manner of christmas tat, has it's shop windows covered in snow, tinsel and "merry christmas" signs, and they send all their customers a christmas card, I really dont think that the vast majority of muslims have any problem with the celebrating of christmas at all...

"squeakytoy Wed 12-Dec-12 19:23:41
and while 25% of the UK may be atheists, the rest of the world isnt, and Christmas is a pretty universal celebration.. not just limited to this country."

Only about a third of the world's population is Christian, though (not that that makes anyone particularly likely to be offended by a "Merry Christmas" card).

Nooooo holiday season makes me think of summer holidays. It's confusing. What's wrong with Christmas - to celebrate the birth of Christ?

YABU

I celebrate Christmas as a Christian primarily, with the addition of all the usual Christmas tat, food, tree, presents, fun-filled moments.

You can celebrate Christmas however you want.

You can totally ignore Christmas should you so choose.

I frankly don't give a damn how YOU want to celebrate as long as I'm left in peace to celebrate mine.

I will always wish people a merry Christmas and buy Christmas cards. If yotou don't want to that's fine too.

Simples.

well said apostrophethesnowman

I am in Canada and I can't bear the whole 'happy holidays' or 'winter holidays' thing. I had to ask for help in the library to find a book on the nativity, yet there are no end of Santa stories etc on display. There are no Christmas plays on at the schools, just 'Winter Concerts'. It's almost like everyone is afraid to say the 'C' word. I am happy to celebrate Christmas as a Christian and even love all of the 'extras' such as Santa, presents, trees etc but don't agree that Jesus should be taken out of the equation.....

"None of the Christians I know are sneery. I come across far more sneery non believers than believers."

To be fair, as you are Christian (I assume based on your other posts on this thread) you aren't likely to come across Christian's sneering at why you celebrate at this time of year.

Take MN as an example, you will not have to search hard to find quotes from those who will try and use December celebrations (specifically those that involve a tree and presents) as a stick to beat non-Christians with. There've been far too many instances of people saying, "well why do you celebrate Christmas if you aren't a Christian?!"

I agree with you totally though, live and let live. I think it would be better if everyone just embraced the whole goodwill and joy ethos of all the December festivals, rather than trying to force their own festivities on others.

Personally this year I am celebrating Yule and Christmas. I've sent out some cards that say, "Happy Christmas", some that say "Happy Yule", and some that say "Happy non-religious seasonal celebration" (Not actually kidding). I've tried to tailor the cards based on what I think people would prefer. However if someone sent me a Happy Christmas card I wouldn't be offended. A Happy Yule card would be nicer, as it would show that slightly more thought had gone into it, but it's not necessary. Anyone that gets offended by a card wishing them a happy whatever is a miserable ungrateful fucker.

OP If you want to send Season's Greetings then do, if you don't, then don't. The fact you've thought of someone to send them a card is gesture enough.

Must say though, what on earth are you on about wrt atheists identifying as Pagan?! I guess some paths of Paganism could possibly be atheists as atheism is technically just not believing in a deity, and not all Pagans do. But most branches of Paganism are polytheistic.

running It's funny, I've been looking for a book to give my son for his first Yule, and all the wintery books I've found mention Christ or other Christian traditions. Maybe we should swap areas?!

that way I know I wouldn't be offending anyone by sending them a 'Merry Christmas' card.

Really? Who is offended by receiving a Christmas card.

I am an atheist because I don't believe in God, but I am happy to celebrate Christmas as a cultural and seasonal festival, and also happy for my children to take part in a nativity, winter concert, pagan shindig or whatever festive celebration is going on. I happily receive and hand out cards with Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings or Happy Holidays on them.

They are only sneery at the atheists, and as I said, its only a few of them. You see it on here more than anywhere else.

YABU.

It is Christmas and has been for aeons, I see no need to 'rebrand' in some bland attempt to say nothing much at all.

I am not a practising Christian.

7% of the non Christians in the UK are Jedi.

I feel I have this section covered with my DS's Lego Starwars Advent calendar.

7% of the non Christians in the UK are Jedi.

I am part of that 7%

I'd also question why you had to be a Christian to celebrate the birth of Christ?

Jesus is revered in many religions and across many cultures. I'm not Christian but I certainly believe that Christ existed and very much respect his ethos and beliefs on kindness and charity towards others.