Out of interest if you are secular, do you celebrate Xmas rather than Christmas?

[Marmiteandjamislush]

Just for background, our family is modern traditional Christian, that is to say we observe all of the rules as they relate to the individual, so food, dress, personal actions, hygiene etc. but we do not impose our views on others or encourage others to join the faith. God gave people choice and we cannot influence that, we can only show our best selves. We do not believe in creationism, we believe God gave us the capacity to understand and practice science so science and God cannot be mutually exclusive, though we do believe that the process began with God. We are most definitely Not homophobic (really annoys me that a lot of Christians are automatically tarred with this brush) God made all people in his image and that includes people of all orientations. We accept that the Bible was of it's time and the language used expresses views that do not always hold true in our time, because God has revealed information to us that changes our understanding. We use it as a guiding hand rather than a rigid stick.

Anyway, to my point. I've seen quite a few threads on the site generally where people will say they celebrate Christmas, but then follow it up with something along the lines of 'but we don't do any religious nonsense.' I have no problem with people wanting to do the commercial/family aspects, but I do have an issue with people talking about Christmas, but having nothing to do with or even basic respect for Christ or Christians. Especially when a secular term exists. So as I said, out of interest do any of you do Xmas rather than Christmas?

Petula, as I said in my OP, other people's life choices are not my preserve. Now you are going to say so what they call their winter celebration is not as well. Correct. However, I have never heard anyone ever say 'My son is called Christian, but we don't believe in God.' I have however heard people say they celebrate Christmas but make derogatory remarks about Jesus and Christmas and Christians. So I asked the question here because I was interested, on here noone has to answer anything, but if I asked in RL people may feel obliged to have the discussion. This would be wrong in terms of my beliefs.

I don't refer to Easter Rabbits, I refer to the Resurrection btw.

Easter, Rabbits, Not Easter Rabbits. Grammar fail.

OP - do use the term 'Easter'? Do you celebrate it? If so, how to you justify this when Easter comes from the name of a pagan goddess, just as much as the name Christmas comes from Christ.

I find myself wondering about Christian Grey's religious life choices.

As I said, I don't use the term Easter.

The origins of the word Christmas have been lost for a lot of people ( same with Easter) so although we don't have a religion we have no problem using the word in our house.
We use it as a time to celebrate how lucky we are, send time with family and appreciate what we have. We do all the presents and stuff and DC school do Nativity but for me the birth of Christ and all that is a nice story and that's that.

That's fine Hopping, but you don't sound as if you actively exclude any reference to Christ, but others do and that is what confuses me.

Wow Op, you never use the term Easter & sleep in a separate bed when you are on your period. Sounds like a pretty intensive form of Christianity to me - certainly nothing I recognise from my Church of Scotland upbringing. Are you part of a sect?

I was always taught Xmas is separate and not to use it

But now you know that person was totally wrong, so why keep proceeding from a point of miscomprehension when posters have told you the Greek origins?

Im curious as to how a practising Christian seems to have missed the Greek origins - haven't you ever seen the Chi-Rho symbol (looks like a P and an X together) as a symbol for Christ? It often appears on church architecture, on vestments, processional crosses and on hymn books etc. My confirmation classes explained all this (and much more!). I think it was dealt with about the same time as we did the Nicene creed.

lol at Jeanne.

I think religion is a very personal topic and can see this thread getting personal in the wrong sense.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions and beliefs but when you start to express those opinions as wrong (which I can see coming from both the op as well as the others) then its probably best to leave it there.

I really do sit on the fence when it comes to religion.

'Christmas' isn't a religious celebration in our vernacular, it's a period of festivities in December.

Xmas is just shorthand. My kids write it in their Christmas cards because they're lazy and think it's cool. They're not making a statement.

That's a little rude Kate. I'm assuming we have had very different upbringing and teaching, but I'm not judging you.

What do you mean by sect, what?

Kate wasn't rude, just surprised that you'd never come across something that's seemingly everyday in Christianity. I'm not religious, so I'm learning as this thread goes on

But now you know that person was totally wrong, so why keep proceeding from a point of miscomprehension when posters have told you the Greek origins?

I find that quite rude, I need time to make a decision to abandon my teaching.

I respect the right of people to be none religious so could you do the same please.

Hmm ^ this is why so many people reject religion, this sort of 'faux' tolerance Christians go on about, then in time you find out what they really think. (Speaking from experience there, why do you think people assume Christians are homophobic OP? Because we've witnessed it countless times!!)

Do you have a new name in mind for us to use instead of Christmas OP?

It wasn't rude. I asked how you had managed to miss the Chi-Rho symbol which is very common in Christian imagery. For a practising Christian it is akin to not knowing what INRI means.

and yes, I do judge someone who refuses to accept that they have been proceeding from a misunderstanding of a concept and will not admit they have been wrong. We all live and learn throughout our lives - but it is learning from our mistakes and not repeating them through a refusal to learn that is important.

As a practising Christian you have many opportunities to learn more about your religion - from your minister, from fellow members of the congregation, from reading books about the history of Christianity etc.

You can't assume anything about my upbringing or teaching. Chi Rho, confirmation classes (or the equivalent thereof for becoming a member of the Church), the Nicene creed etc are part of traditional Christianity in the UK. That isn't to say that all denominations put equal emphasis on them but they are undoubtedly traditionally part of Christianity. The fact you seem unaware of these aspects does not mean they are not traditional.

OK, so coming on to answer OP's actual question rather than get involved in her choices

I have lived in a number of countries so I use the term current in that language for the festival. The further South I live the more likely it is that it is called something around "Nativity" or "Christ"- Natale, Noel, Natividad, etc.

In Germany of course you call it "Weihnachten" which means "night of worship".

In the UK we no longer say "Yule" which is a lovely old British term I am rather fond of. But if you lived further North, Christian or not, you would call it a version of "Yule": in Danish it is "Jul" for instance.

So in my heart I celebrate Yule, the old pagan festival of renewal of the seasons and the return of life in midwinter. I call it Christmas when I am speaking English. I call it Jul if I am speaking Danish. I call it Weihnachten if I am speaking German.

I avoid Xmas because although originally it was a specifically religious abbreviation, to me it is now associated with commercialisation and so
I dislike it.

what do you call Easter then? I am surprised that you are still refusing to acknowledge what you have been told about the Greek origins. you asked and were told that you had misunderstood. And as for saying you weren't judging what KatieKaye said - yes, you clearly were. She was not rude to you at all. You seem very defensive about your beliefs.

Britain is not a secular society, although it is becoming more secular. It would appear from what you say that you live a very restricted life in the branch of Christianity you follow. Why do you follow Kosher rules? I ask out of curiosity, not because i am judging you. By what name does this branch go? I have never come across it, i don't think. From the way you describe it, it does sound like a sect or a cult.

I think thats a bit unfair Katie - if I did a straw poll in my mum's Church none of them would have the foggiest about Chi-Rho or INRI.

And you're expecting OP to take the opinion of a total stranger on t'internet about her Church's guidance!

Now that's really rude Katie Just because that's your experience, don't lump others in with it. If you are interested PM and I will invite you to witness how our practice works. Not all Christians are homophobic, that is so narrow minded.

I hadn't thought of a term, but maybe something to do with family?

OP separation from the marriage bed when menstruating and not praying when dirty.

menstruating is dirty...?

against her Church's guidance, not about. Dammit.

Though, OP, I think you have to recognise that some teachings are just demonstrably wrong.

Anything which is based on the meaning of modern English is going to be wrong. Not only were the biblical texts not written in modern English- modern english didn't exist 2,000 years ago.