The more I got to thinking about this, the more harmlees I realize it is, this comming from someone who is studying to be a preacher.
The question is basically, how do you greet people.
That’s it.
Nothing more.
You aren’t being asked to agree with anyone else.
You aren’t being persecuted for what you say or believe.
It’s just a simple question.
How do you say hi at this time of year?
That’s all.
pcarrell, absolutley. And if people are still confused, i’m right here in Massachusetts.
MERRYCHRISTMAS!!!
i think that answers it??..
OZJIM
On my more optimistic days I’m agnostic. The rest of the time I’m pretty firmly convinced that there is no “higher power.”
Regardless, I celebrate Christmas. Hypocritical? No. Whatever the religious underpinnings, the spirit of the season is real, if sometimes somewhat battered by commercialism and intolerance. I celebrate the spirit of the holiday, and in that spirit I say “Merry Christmas!”
If you want to say “Happy Holidays,” feel free. If it offends you when someone wishes you “Merry Christmas,” you have a problem with intolerance. Accept the spirit of the greeting, and don’t get hung up on the religious reference.
you can’t keep religion out of christmas becuase that’s how it started!!!
If want to be P.C. THEN JUST SAY HAVE A GOOD UN. completely neutral and I hope not offencive to anyone
Happy Christmas!!!
With eleven whole posts and nothing since starting this topic, did occur to anyone that kidstrain just might be a troll trying to start trouble?
That thought did occur to me, but it’s OK because things like this need to be discussed. It’s good that we can come to a place such as this and discuss these issues in a rational and calm manner. There is no need for animosity on this issue or any other on this forum. Personally, I’m glad to live in a country where we can even discuss this. There are many countries where I would be executed for my beliefs. This forum’s focus is not on this issue, but it’s good that we are allowed to address it politely if we so desire.
As to the issue of trolling, if we as a group don’t get all fired up and start a flame fest, but discuss whatever issues are brought up in a civilized manner, then haven’t we defeated the troller at his own game?
Why must everyone get so upset about this. This is not only the Christmas season, there are a few other holidays going on at this time as well. What’s the difference.
There are so many other things to be getting upset about, war, or famine just pick one. Let’s stop wasting our time on non issues like this one.
MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!
JOY TO THE WORLD !!!
Oh, and Happy Holidays.
MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!
[angel][bow][bow][bow][angel]
What’s the difference? Thats a really good question. What is the difference? Is it going to feed the hungry or stop the killing? No? Is it going to stop a thief or a rapest? No? Is it going to stop someone from taking away my civil liberty’s? Maybe, eventually. OH, wait a minute here, maybe there’s something here worth looking into. Does it take away someones respect and demean their beliefs? Probably. OH, ouch, that hit a nerve!
See, here’s the difference that I see, and please don’t hear this as preachy or anything, because thats not the way I mean it.
When one person says to another that they don’t see what difference it makes what they call a certain religious holiday, and it is a religious holiday to some people, it undermines that persons right to believe the way they do. It disrespects their right to feel and think the way they do. It says to that person, “You’re just ignorant for believing that way”. It robs them of the basic respect that we SHOULD have for one another.
We should be sensitive to the beliefs of others around us. I know that not everyone feels the same about this season as I do. I have a Jewish friend who feels differently about this holiday then I do. I wish her a Happy Hanukkah in defference to her feelings. She has a right to feel the way she does, and I acknowledge her right to feel that way by greeting her in a way that shows respect for HER feelings. Notice I said “her” feelings. That means that I don’t have to agree with her. It just means that I respect her and her right to feel the way she does about it.
OK good so far. Our enemies hate us and want to kill us because we’re different from what they are.
OK now you’re starting not to make sense.
Whoa there. That’s not a lack of respect - what would be respect in your view? Inviting them in your house? Buying them a 10 course meal? Is that your idea of respect, buying them off? Why is it that person is going hungry? Everyone in this country has the opportunity to succeed, make money, go to the store and buy.
And speaking Internationally, me eating has little to do with respect when people like Saddam were socking away UN Oil for Food money for palaces.
Maybe its the 40 hour week, mortgaged house, middle class American in me talking, but thats better than nothing. I don’t get anything for free, and if you do, you better think of those as the best darn clothes and canned goods on the face of the earth - used and old or not.
[quote]
QUOTE: Once you respect them you can no longer repress them and do injustice to them and still live with yourse
I’m simply saying that we, as a people, are very concerned with ourselves. We, here in America, are a very selfish group of people. Look at the ads we have on TV for instance. “You deserve a break today” and “Have it your way” are two that come to mind right away. We think along the lines of, “Well, I’ve got mine, now you go get your own”.
Now I’m not saying that we are the only group of people that thinks like this. As a matter of fact, I think that many other societies think like this. It’s human nature to fend for ones self first. Thats not necessarily a bad thing. I’m simply saying that SOME people carry that a little too far, thats all.
It’s OK to “give a man a fish” once in a while, but why do we not work on “teaching a man to fish” more?
See, I work with the homeless. I understand the hole they are in. They don’t have an address so they can’t get a lisence or mail. Without a lisence or mailing address they can’t get a job. It’s a vicious circle. They can’t get schooling to better their chances at a good income for these same reasons. The shelters are all full with other people who are either trying to better themselves or just leachi
No need to apologize, my friend. I just wanted you to clarify what you were saying because of the impression I got with your first post - I have a much better understanding of your opinion with your second post. I don’t think you offended anyone and certainly not me.
Best Regards,
DTT
Cool![:D]
yep Jesus is the reason for the season.
Merry Christmas Everyone and have a great Train holiday.
I beg to differ with you!
The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a winter feast and celebration of the winter solstice. Pre-Roman era civilizations also celebrated the winter solstice.
The Roman Catholic Church decreed in the 4th century that henceforth Christ’s birthday would be celebrated on December 25th. By most accounts, Christ was actually born in the springtime, April or May.
During the Middle Ages, Christmas as we know it wasn’t celebrated. There were winter celebrations, marking the passage of the winter solstice. These were raucous celebrations of drinking, eating and general all-around mischief-making. Religion had nothing to do with it.
Pre-Victorian England actually BANNED religious Christmas celebrations for nearly 200 years! It wasn’t until the reign of Queen Victoria that Christmas began to be celebrated in a fashion similar to our current customs. It was during this time that Christmas celebrations began concentrating on children. Prior to that, Christmas celebrations were often month-long drinking and eating contests.
Christmas as we know it and celebrate it didn’t actually begin until the early 19th century. Even then, the religious connections were down-played. In the mid-19th century, many of the traditions we associate with Christmas were begun, including decorated evergreen trees, Santa Claus, Christmas cards and present exchanges.
So, no, it wasn’t always a religious holiday.
To pcarrell and DTT: (Maybe the “p” in “pcarrell” stands for “preacher”?) Thanks for a lively discussion. Very good exchange of opinions and ideas, all expressed in a reasonable and NON-confrontational manner. Too bad the rest of the world can’t exchange ideas in so rational a manner.
Yoshi, I have several friends of Indian and Pakistani desc
Hi Darrell,
Thanks for the kind words. I too appreciate all the input you give to this forum. By the way, I love your ever evolving signature.
The “P” stands for Philip, although I am in Pre-Seminary school. I’m studying to be a teacher though, not necessarily a preacher (although I’ve done that).
You do bring up an excellent point though when you say, “Any offense from that would be the greetee’s problem, not the greeter’s!”
Oh, and your history is quite accurate too.
Jesus is Coming…Look Busy!
and a Merry Christmashuanakakuanzaaramadanfestivus !
There, that ought to include just about everyone![;)]
Ba Hum Bug to the whole *** thing.