Sorry for the ribbing but I just don't get it. You can't posssibly be actually thinking that he was bashing Christmas by saying he would be more pissed about working it if he actually celebrated it. You really are way too sensitive...
I don't blame you. He had me nodding my head with #1 and #2, but then Ender120 lost me. Why? "Republicans hate Muslims because they have brown skin." Racists hate Muslims because they have "brown skin." Racists exist across the political spectrum. And not all Muslims have "brown skin." "Liberals hate lots of things. But Republicans hate lots of people. I'll take the hippies." Again, hatred extends across the political spectrum. As a fellow who was a hippie during the '60's, I have to say that this is as broad as the Atlantic Ocean. Sweeping generalizations don't advance the cause of liberals and secular humanists. They tend to close the doors that would show a different viewpoint to someone you would like to influence, just as the sweeping generalizations of the far-right regarding how Democrats and liberals feel politically about the war, for example, are so offensive. "I hope it doesn't offend you that I, a person with no belief in God and one who doesn't consider Jesus anything other than a philosopher, celebrates a holiday that you feel is the last vestige of America's great history (whipping blacks, suppressing women, and stealing money from our own citizens)." This implies that Republicans all "keep Blacks in their place," are sexist pigs who demean women, and feel they are not the equal of men, and that they are all thieves as well, whether it is the theft of our tax dollars for corporate greed, or theft of another kind. I know feminist Republicans, Republicans who aren't the least bit prejudice, and many that are at least as honest as the next person. Sweeping generalizations like this do the cause of liberalism not good at all. Sure, one can accuse many of some of these things, as I have done with the Bush Administration, the Republican Congress, and the Republican state government here in Texas. Specifically, I have no qualms calling Bush a fool and an extremist. I wouldn't call the several Republicans I know very well, that voted against Bush in '04, these things. Specifics matter, even if they can be damned irritating at times when you are trying to make an argument. Liberal Democrats and liberals of other affiliations have to find a way to convince Republicans that voting for the Democratic Party, and supporting liberal ideas, is in their best interests, and the best interests of the nation. Offending them by painting with a broad brush, before a dialogue has even begun, is not the way to do it. Opinions can be changed. I've seen it happen. Keep D&D Civil.
I did read it that way and I don't think i'm too sensitive. I haven't even posted in this thread in a few weeks. Plus adeeel and I have butted heads before so I pretty much take anything he says the wrong way at this point.
He didn't bash anything. He just said it is bad to work on a day when everyone else takes off, and it would be even worse and he would be pissed, if he celebrates that day as well. Where is the bashing? BTW, before you waive your religious flag high, don't try to speak for all the Christians. I am a Christian too, I am happy to have days off during Christmas, but I never treat it as any holly religious holiday. Because, I could not find a single word in the Bible about this Christmas thing in December. Also, according to my understanding, Lord came to earth with such a low key, without revealing the actual date, is an indication that His death and resurrection need to be remembered, rather than His birth.
Way to keep an open mind and have peace in your heart. My turn to roll my eyes at you. James 19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
My family never celebrated christmas as a religious holiday. It was just a time for the family to get together, everyone to put their differences aside, giving, getting time off from work and school, and most importantly was for the kids. This is my complaint about why people shouldn't attack christmas, because IMO everyone should celebrate it and take the religion aspects out of it if they wish. Easter on the other hand, was more religious in my family.
Well, being a Catholic, I really don't have a problem with the whole "winter holiday" concept. In terms of the public school system, you really have to be sensitive to those kids and parents with beliefs different from your own. And I understand that. So it doesn't bother me to say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays (I say both). Really, what pisses me off are those certain retailers that choose to not display Merry Christmas signs/decorations in their store. As I said, I understand the need to respect other cultures, and, for retailers, to appeal to the broadest consumer base possible. However, there wouldn't be a winter holiday, there wouldn't be presents under the tree, there wouldn't be many things we've come to enjoy about the season if not for Christmas. That said, I wouldn't be offended in the least if store's put up Happy Haunaka or Kwanza signs. In fact I would encourage it. When you start taking the spirituality out of a spiritual season, then something's wrong. But whether or not the Government, retailers, businesses, etc recognize Christmas shouldn't matter in the first place. Because it's not about all that consumer driven stuff anyways.
Deckard, Thanks for the clarification. I thought he was pissed at the original post and wanted to make a parody. Reading it again before replying also helps.
i would never bash another religion, question its ways, yes, but bash it? hell no ive been taught better by my elders and by my religion
its all good, everyone has to work atleast 2 holidays consisting of christmas, christmas eve, thanksgiving, and new years eve... i decided to take christmas and eve so that the christians would get to celebrate their day, plus they worked on eid for me...
Actually, there wouldn't be a Christmas (gift giving, trees, mistletoe, etc.) if not for Yule/Saturnalia. These were celebrations of the winter solsitce. So, technically, 'Winter Holiday' is closer to the originally holiday than Christmas (which adds a specifically Christian aspect). Ultimately, this all stems from a majority who is losing a priviledged status in society. Unfortunately, many people feel this means they are being persecuted when they are not. And no small amount of radio talk show hosts and religious authorities will abuse these (understandable) feelings to drum up support and political points. This is just a process of our society becoming more diverse, which I think is a good thing.
he he, flip floppers. Fox now selling "Christmas" ornaments for "Christmas" trees One day after Media Matters for America noted that the Fox News online store labeled its ornaments "Holiday" ornaments -- including one with The O'Reilly Factor logo -- the items have been renamed "Christmas" ornaments, and references to "your holiday tree" now refer to "your Christmas tree." Fox News hosts Bill O'Reilly and John Gibson have criticized what they consider a secular "war on Christmas," and O'Reilly has specifically railed against use of the term "holiday tree" instead of "Christmas tree." Fox News' use of "Holiday" in the ornament names was first documented by the weblog Daily Kos.
Well I did realize that a number of these traditions did not stem from Christianity nor the actual events of Jesus' birth (though gift giving could be tied to the story of the three wise men). But somewhere down the line they became associated with Christmas. So it's difficult to imagine these traditions existing today without Christmas (but then who knows maybe could have). By I'm all for diversity and acceptance of religions and spiritual/cultural/personal beliefs.
I've been watching that scenario unfold on countdown. It is hilarious to see FOX first take the hypocritical route, and then cave in and change their website after being called on it. They are such a laughing stock.
