Santa, Yes, Jesus, No

[davidw]

A December parade in Denver will feature everyone from Chinese lion dancers to gay and lesbian shamans, according to the Rocky Mountain News, but not Christians who want to sing yuletide hymns or carry a Merry Christmas message.

More (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,140545,00.html)

[davidw]

I know its old news, but still, this is what its coming to.

[Roswell_NX]

Dang!
When is this ever going to stop? :mad:
I'm hoping that these Christian-hating bigots aren't gonna to win...
they preach about tolerance, but they are so IN-tolerant :(

Roswell

[Xeroid]

I don't see the point . . . why celebrate Christmas without Christ? X-mas is what it's coming to.

[Win2Kuser]

I always thought of Christmas as an old Pagan tradition that somehow got turned around and probably through commercialism twisted itself into what it is now.

But, I have known of Christmas as a religious festival celebrating Christ for 34 years at least anyway.

Unfortunately, now adays, Christmas is more associated with Santa clause, gifts, cards, and holidays than anything else.

True, we should respect others religious tendancies, but at the same time, they should respect ours.

Luckily, in the UK, most organisations are saying a big FO to these anti Christ bigots and are continuing to do what we have always done - Celebrate Christ. There are a few anti-Christ associations about such as Hindu's, Pakistani's etc that are trying to change things, but the majority rules, and the old saying comes to mind, this is the way we do things in the UK, and if you don't like it, FO!

Heck, these idiots have also tried to change laws regarding wearing crash helmets whilst on a motorbike because it doesn't agree with their religion - Tough! is what I say, the laws are in place for a reason, again, if you don't like it, then FO back to your own country!

<ok, rant over>
:D

Peace and goodwill to all mankind :)

...and MERRY CHRISTMAS

[davidw]

Next thing you know, they'll take Easter away too.

[davidw]

MERRY CHRISTMAS

[jshahani]

I don't think its a good idea to debate religion here. Its just going to turn ugly because everyone has their own point of view and is not likely to change.

Religion is a personal thing and everyone is free to practice what they want in the privacy of their homes/churches/temples/synagogues.

Just my opinion.

[sao95]

Originally posted by Win2Kuser
then FO back to your own country!



Peace and goodwill to all mankind :)

.[/COLOR] [/B]


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Win2Kuser]

Originally posted by jshahani
I don't think its a good idea to debate religion here. Its just going to turn ugly because everyone has their own point of view and is not likely to change.

Religion is a personal thing and everyone is free to practice what they want in the privacy of their homes/churches/temples/synagogues.

Just my opinion.

Very good point :)

I don't think this is a rant over religion, more of a rant over the way attitudes have changed towards religious ceremonys.

Everyone is free to practise their beliefs, and far be it for me to tell someone they can't celebrate something because I don't believe in it, like wise, I don't like being told what I can and can't see because these bigots don't want to see it.

I think in general attitudes are changing towards religious festivals such as Christmas and Easter towards a more commercial flavour. It is now frowned apon if you don't send cards to your loved ones etc.

The thing that really erks me is the way certain people are stopping Santa Clause from visiting some shopping complexes incase it offends someone. Father Christmas or Santa or St. Nicolas has been the symbol of Christmas for as long as we can remember, it certainly is in the UK at least, and yet other people from other countries move over here and try and stop it! How dare they!

I still think majority rules, if 90% of the population want to associate the Christmas period with Religion or Santa or whatever, then that should be it.

Anyway, I've said more than enough, anymore and I'll start digging myself into a hole :)

[BBA]

Originally posted by Roswell_NX
Dang!
When is this ever going to stop? :mad:
I'm hoping that these Christian-hating bigots aren't gonna to win...
they preach about tolerance, but they are so IN-tolerant :(

Roswell

Ummm, Christian bashing has been happenning for two thousand years already....What makes you think it will stop anytime soon?

[davidw]

BBA is correct. If anything, its only going to get worse.

[knothead]

Originally posted by BBA
Ummm, Christian bashing has been happenning for two thousand years already....What makes you think it will stop anytime soon? Heh heh...along with Jew-bashing, Muslim-bashing (highly in vogue these days :rolleyes: ) and ________(fill in the blank) bashing. :P

Christian-bashing isn't what it used to be, either. What you're seeing is not bashing, but rather SUBLIMATION.

As we have a multi-cultural nation here, and nobody can agree on a theological head...I mean, how would a Hindi explain to his kids why they've got a TREE in the living room? :bunny:

But one thing everyone can agree on is $$$...so we'll all wish each other a happy, non-denominational time of celebration coinciding w/ the vernal equinox...yada, yada....

Shoppers, START YOUR ENGINES!!

HUMBUG! :D :D

[M_Six]

The whole "no religious symbols" thing has gotten way out of hand. Personally I'd rather see inclusion rather than exclusion. Open up the parades and the public spaces to any and all religious or secular symbols, as long as they're not hate-based or lewd. I'm not a religious person myself, but I love some of the hymns of the season, like "O Holy Night" and "Adestes Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful)." They lift the spirit in me, whereas namby-pamby tripe like the Beach Boys "Little St. Nick" make me dread this time of year. I was forced to listen to that song twice yesterday (once in a restaurant and once in Barnes & Noble). Makes my skin crawl. :P (My apologies to any Beach Boys fans out there.)

[Roswell_NX]

Originally posted by M_Six
(My apologies to any Beach Boys fans out there.)

Thanks for the appologies:P

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Roswell :)

[halfwatt]

well, they can kiss my arse!!!!!!!!

[jshahani]

Good points. I only wish to add that some religions, notably Moslem, but in other religions as well, there is sometimes a tendency to have extremely loud and provocative parades through communities where the majority is not Moslem.

This "Getting in the Face" behaviour is, I thing, at times responsible for people getting turned off.

My point is all religions are equal and have all the same rights/priveleges. Its only when people forget others' rights and sensitivities that we see conflict.

On the other hand, religion, politics, and government do not and should not mix.

Religion is a very personal thing and should be respected as such.

Todd, I am Hindu and while we do not count Christmas as a religious holiday nor celebrate it, it is certainly a day of getting presents, of reflecting on the year gone by and of perhaps having a good meal at home. And, of course, we enjoy the bright lights in the stores and the festive atmosphere everywhere.

[davidw]

Originally posted by jshahani
This "Getting in the Face" behaviour is, I thing, at times responsible for people getting turned off.
With respect to not only religion, but other aspects as well, I have to fully agree with this statement.

Even in the sense of Christians looking to "force" someone to see their point of view in order to convert to Christianity, it has happened numerous times. I once was turned off by Christians and Christianity because of this approach. In this respect, the Bible offers "compell" but doesn't mention any word of "force" or "make them see you way by nagging or causing others pain." If you want someone to see your point of view, you don't give it to them. It will never work that way.

[jshahani]

I agree in toto.

[jshahani]

CC, thanks for that PM. I have replied. I am compelled to say it out here that your message was extremely enlightening and thought provoking.

I find you to be very generous and tolerant. And I also thing your skills in writing are very articulate.

I look forward to our continued debate here and via PMs and I am truly humbled by your self-analysis and I wish I could be so exacting (and brutal??) with my own introspection.

Take care and wish you a very Merry Christmas.

JHS

[knothead]

Originally posted by jshahani
This "Getting in the Face" behaviour is, I thing, at times responsible for people getting turned off.

My point is all religions are equal and have all the same rights/priveleges. Its only when people forget others' rights and sensitivities that we see conflict.

On the other hand, religion, politics, and government do not and should not mix.

Religion is a very personal thing and should be respected as such.
Yeah...I heartily agree! :) Nicely put, Shahani!

A short aside on this: Whilst in my early 20's (back in the Paleolithic era, ya unnerstan...:P) I got into Scientology, and there was a very strong emphasis to "disseminate" (i.e., PESTER people) and bring 'em in.

After awhile, I began to realize that what I was REALLY doing was trying to validate my beliefs by garnering the agreement of others! :eek:

And I'm not suggesting that this is the motive behind what others have said here, but I HAVE observed that the more solid a person's Faith, the less they tend to bump it with a trumpet...:)


Originally posted by jshahani
Todd, I am Hindu...

DOH! Sorry, buddy! Hindi is the language, Hindu is the faith....did I at least get that right? I'm gonna re-partition my mental hard drive in your honor; but meantime, please note that at least I didn't spell it "Hindoo"! :D :D

[jshahani]

Todd, I apologize for not calling you last week. Its been crazy at work.

I will call you shortly. In the meanwhile, I'm glad to know you are settling down well and have a nice pad now.

[knothead]

Y'all have a happy day? :)