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Christmas

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Original poster

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

347 replies

Marmiteandjamislush · 03/10/2014 09:37

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?

OP posts:
ArcheryAnnie · 03/10/2014 11:04

(And yes, I know why X is used for Xmas, I just used that as a thing to make a shorthand with for the other religions!)

katiekatie · 03/10/2014 11:06

I'm not judging you! You said you are irritated people assume you are homophobic, why even bring that up if you don't want someone to answer that - it's not relevant to your question

Original poster
Marmiteandjamislush · 03/10/2014 11:06

KatieKaye, why can't you accept we have different religious backgrounds? Hmm Your need to be so belligerent and prove how right and superior you are shows real pride to me

JeanneDeMontbaston that has been my experience, as I've said countless times, I will read up and God will reveal. I'm not going to shake my whole foundation as KatieKaye implies based on a parenting forum though.

Based on this I can see why many of my Church do not allow internet

OP posts:
exexpat · 03/10/2014 11:07

You could just have said 'as a practising Christian, can I ask…' without going into all the distracting detail.

KatieKaye · 03/10/2014 11:07

I'm not touchy at all.
I'm just sad that you find it difficult to accept factual information that you could check up on in 5 minutes. I hope you are able to read up about Christianity from a number of sources as I'm sure you would find it very interesting.

For those who believe in God revealing his will, God may reveal his message to you in many ways. These may not necessarily be the ways you expect. He might not give you the message you expect either. You have to be open and accepting, not close-minded and unwilling to accept His will because it may not fit in with your teaching.

RiverTam · 03/10/2014 11:09

why? because they might be able to prove that some things they have been taught are, in fact, wrong? The internet can be a very valuable tool for instruction and education (as long as you don't believe Wikipedia has all the answers).

LaCerbiatta · 03/10/2014 11:09

And don't feel hypocritical about having a nativity scene.

TheSecretCervix · 03/10/2014 11:10

Pootles

I presumed that the 'being taught wrong' was in reference to the 'x' being an abbreviation rather than any other religious aspects.

'X' is an abbreviation for Christ, this was something that I was taught many times at my school and in Church study groups.
I don't think it's a contentious issue or is it? I thought this was an accepted abbreviation?
Admittedly I haven't been to Church in 15 years!

PetulaGordino · 03/10/2014 11:11

you have your sources your deem reliable, other people have theirs

this parenting forum includes some people who are very knowledgeable and experienced in the study of religion

Original poster
Marmiteandjamislush · 03/10/2014 11:12

Redhead, that is really rude.

Expat, there is no one size fits all practicing Christian though and some people seemed to have found the info interesting.

Katie, I have said I will do research, just not your way. You are closed minded for not accepting this. God has opened my heart and mind to go looking for answers and he will give them but as I said you could be anyone and 5 mins is not long enough for me.

OP posts:
KatieKaye · 03/10/2014 11:12

Your whole foundation of belief is based on the misunderstanding that the abbreviation of "Xmas" is secular?

Really?

Because that is what I've been talking about - the etymology, the symbolism etc. that's all. And your refusal to accept factual evidence that your teacher was wrong about the abbreviation and move on from it.

If you have been reading more into it, then that probably explains why you are so defensive.

CaptainAnkles · 03/10/2014 11:13

Have you already said which denomination you belong to OP?

JeanneDeMontbaston · 03/10/2014 11:13

You're being a bit belligerent yourself now.

It is rude to as a question, then belittle the answers as coming from 'a parenting forum' (what exactly do you think happens, people have babies and their brains fall out?). And it's rude to as for answers and then say you still have to 'research' before accepting them. O, fine ... research then ... why ask us?

Anyway, here's a lovey monogram.

Out of interest if you are secular, do you celebrate Xmas rather than Christmas?
Original poster
Marmiteandjamislush · 03/10/2014 11:14

Anyway, as I said, sorry if I've offended. I didn't mean to. I wish I'd never asked. Some stuff on here has really upset me, but you live and learn. Off to make lunch.

OP posts:
TheSecretCervix · 03/10/2014 11:14

OP 'shake my whole foundation'

Have I missed something how would religious lettering change your while belief structure?

TheSecretCervix · 03/10/2014 11:15

whole not while!

Honsandrevels · 03/10/2014 11:15

I see I'm a bit late to point out X means Christ!

OP I'm sorry you feel upset by some responses but what people are saying is that it is a fact that X means Christ and has done for thousands of years. You may believe that God can help with your understanding of scripture and teaching but what people are saying is that X isn't allegorical or open to interpretation.

Original poster
Marmiteandjamislush · 03/10/2014 11:16

Katie, you said other more fundemental stuff might be wrong. By parenting forum I mean not religious scholars ect. It is my right to research. I really didn't mean to generate such bile. I was just interested.

OP posts:
JeanneDeMontbaston · 03/10/2014 11:16

Grr. My l and k keys are not working. Excuse missing letters in posts.

Original poster
Marmiteandjamislush · 03/10/2014 11:17

Not upset by that Hons. Just some rudeness.

OP posts:
MrSheen · 03/10/2014 11:17

I was always taught that X was an abbreviation of Christ (Catholic school). Our iconography is dripping with Xs but obviously some people don't have that in their churches. Kings used to sign documents with an X to signify that they were appointed by God, so could sign for him (or at least Christ) by proxy.

I have no issue with non-Christians celebrating Christmas and calling it what they like. I celebrate Easter. I do get a bit sniffy when people say I shouldn't celebrate Easter, and patronisingly explain in a weary tone that it's a pagen festival etc etc. I know we shamelessly nicked the egg idea but for me it is a celebration of the new life of the church post resurrection and entirely fitting (and hardly original so I don't think it's appropriate for one group to trademark it)

PrivatePike · 03/10/2014 11:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PetulaGordino · 03/10/2014 11:19

op in the nicest possible way, you must know that if you have encountered views that are upsetting to you in RL you are going to encounter them here too. no one has to respond here, but likewise people with differing views to your own are freely available to respond too

JeanneDeMontbaston · 03/10/2014 11:19

How'd you know we're not religious scholars? Wink (Ok, I'm not.)

But, well, this doesn't require religious scholarship. It's not about interpreting a complex text. It's about a minor error you could correct in two seconds on google.

Unless, I suppose, you think multiple surviving bits of writing where Christ is Ihc Xptos are all faked?

KatieKaye · 03/10/2014 11:20

I have no interest in how you chose to conduct your research into confirming that "X" is a Christian abbreviation for the Greek letter Chi.

I've never said that I did. Why would I? I know exactly what you are going discover, no matter where or how you look for the information.

As for your rude allegation about being close-minded, is this a brick you throw at anyone who encourages you to learn from mistakes and move forward in life?

I encouraged you to read, to discuss with members of your congregation, your minister etc. If that is being close-minded then I am guilty as charged.