to hate it when people write "Xmas"?

[LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary]

It is, after all, a festival about Christ.

Putting an "x" instead of His name is lazy and disrespectful.
If you don't want a Christian Christmas, refer to the "holidays" instead.

Hi Sniv, you might not want to count my views (as I'm obviously only 'Christianity-lite' ). but I'm good with the whole Lesbian thing.

God made you. So you'repretty perfect.

Sorry, Sniv, should have added a grin and didn't mean to sound as bossy as I did.

(Though I do think the ancient version, variant of the Green Man, is the better fit for Yule. And he didn't invariably wear red).

[santa]

It goes back to Matthew 5.17 'Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil'. So still worth printing, as it is the foundation, but it all led up to Jesus' superseding teaching

Yes, but that doesn't mean the OT is irrelevant or that Christians don't treat it as part of the word of God, simply that where there are inconsistencies, the NT wins. At least that's my understanding.

Of course, the internal consistency for Protestants was improved by Martin Luther's judicious editing (though he failed to get rid of Hebrews...)

My festive wicker man is coming on. About 30 feet high now.

Agree with jassy.

It's also fair to point out that the interpretation of this verse is contentious, and it is relatively recent to see it as referring explicitly to what is now commonly referred to as the Old Testament.

It could, after all, refer to any of several not-well-defined bodies of law/scripture.

But that's hair-splitting.

Jeanne, Anna Don't worry, I do actually assume Christians (and everyone else for that matter) are fine until they prove otherwise :)

Stella I'm down with Yule for the heathen feasting and quaffing and the house full of happy people and holly, but when we get down to presents, courting the Green Man seems a good way to get a stocking full of nuts and deer poo. I'll stick with the big, marketable guy who likes a Coke and apparently shops on my high street ;)

Wasn't worrying - just standing in solidarity. My girlfriend tolerates my Christianity so I tolerate her lesbianism.

Now, where can I get a festive wicker man?

Jeanne That seems like an excellent arrangement

It works.

Ebay Jeanne Ebay

Wicker Santa

Probably not one to set fire to though

It's only 30 cm high. That's like the Spinal Tap of wicker santas.

Ebay is against my religion, raptor.

But ta. That is a level of tat I did not know was real.

These are nicer

this is now turning into a shopping thread.

I guess you need to surround them with playmobil people with pitch forks for that authentic feel.

Well, in this country you are supposed to avoid disrespecting other people's religion
Are you? Why should I respect something I disagree with?
My Xmas has fuck all to do with religion so I'll call it what the hell I want to call it thanks.

But you're clearly on a wind up (I've seen better)

I'm with you OP. But only because I hate abbreviations of any words. If I try to get over myself and abbreviate items on my shopping list, I have to go back and write them out in full. I'm weird, and I accept that.

Anna & Spiv: Actually, God made only sinless people. We rebelled and that's why we are all much less than perfect!

Anna - is there anything your church stands for or is it just "whatever goes" and ruffles the fewest feathers?

PS: glad you're ok with lesbianism. Did you ask God what He thought?

I could ask the same, left.

With your adherence to the Bible, is it anything stands, or just "whatever goes"?

we wish you a merry xmas we wish you a merry xmas we wish you a merry xmas and an xfilled new yr

You are not being unreasonable op. At all.

Oh, cross posted.

I've asked God what She thinks. I find my response in a text you perhaps find too obscure:

'Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.'

'Judge not, that ye be not judged.'

'Three things will last foreverfaith, hope, and loveand the greatest of these is love.'

I also look at the fact that the verb same verb for 'love' is used for Adam and Eve, but also for Ruth and Naomi.

So Ruth fancied her MIL?

PS: glad you're ok with lesbianism. Did you ask God what He thought?

My church (US Episcopal) solemnizes same sex marriages. In the name of God.

On sweet baby Jesus and the orphans, OP! God is love, end of. Stop judging people.

I admit I am disrespectful to religions - because I think they're ridiculous, and anyone who still believes in such idiotic/simplistic explanations for the way the universe works is deluded. As far as I'm concerned, a belief in a god or gods is no more worthy of respect than a belief in unicorns. Having said that, the 'X' in 'Xmas' is - historically - something that Christians (or Xtians) have used themselves, and is not, in itself 'disrespectful'. And, as someone said upthread - Xmas is about food and bugger all else! Please feel free to take offence at my opinions, I really couldn't give an X :)