I'm not sure they're trying to appeal to everyone - just those who buy Christmas gifts. I realize that there are exceptions, but I would have to assume that the majority of Christmas gifts are purchased by......wait for it....Christians.
Yeah, I realize the majority of people celebrating Christmas in the US are Christian but it's an initiative that should go beyond religious boundaries. That's all I'm saying. Agnostics, atheists and people of other faiths give Christmas gifts too. I grew up in a family where religion had little to no importance (you could say we were agnostics, but really we never really put THAT much thought into it) and we still celebrated Christmas every year as a time to get together and celebrate with friends. To us (and to a significant portion of North Americans I'd assume), Christmas has become less about Christ and more about family, gifts and peace. And that's the reality of our secularized nations, whether we like it or not. It's a noble cause that shouldn't be limited by religion. The group in question is free to frame this as a Christian issue, but really, it would make much more sense to include everyone in on this. It shouldn't be Christians sacrificing to aid others; it should be humans sacrificing to aid their brothers. If you acknowledge that Christians represent a significant majority, then you also acknowledge that there will be a minority, however small but still present, that will not be a part of this initiative. I know I'm being picky here and I'm pretty much repeating myself, but I just don't like it when religious groups try to exclude others; the same applies for Muslim initiatives/Buddhist initiatives etc. etc., it's just frustrating to see them go exclusive when they could realize something much larger by including everyone.
^You're thinking too much into this. Like Dada mentioned, it's possible to follow Jesus's message without being a Christian. As for the charge of religions themselves being "exclusive". Well duh.... It doesn't mean the message is exclusive.
The way this video is framed does make the initiative at hand exclusive. "It begins with worship." If they had just done the "what would Jesus do?" that might be fine. But the worship part...eh. You can follow Jesus without being Christian. But can you worship Jesus without being Christian?
You made a case on non-practicing Christians celebrating Christmas. I don't see why you can't apply that logic to your last question. One could say many people across the world already do... But do you want to worship Jesus? Is it a necessity to worship in order for any person to follow the clip's theme of giving?
...That many people are worshiping Jesus? Man, there's a huge difference between being inspired by Jesus and worshiping Him. You can follow the example of Gandhi but does that necessarily mean you are worshiping him as a God? Your second question cuts straight to the point. The video answers it; yes, it is a necessity for you to worship Jesus to be a part of this initiative. After all, it "started with worship and it starts with worship." That's cut and dry. Of course, there are some who will listen to the message behind it and recognize that this is an initiative beyond religion, race or gender divisions. But there are also some that will be put off by the exclusion. Which is really too bad because even though the group is Christian, they should have realized that the message behind it could have been better served if it did not come attached with the preaching.
You obviously have some major issues with Christians. More people would be Christians if they truly understood the meaning of Christ. I believe if Christ was in our time era, he would be labeled a left wing nut job. The message is about giving, not receiving. To worship something does mean you get on your knees and blindly give thanks and tell them how wonderful they are. Do you really think Christ/God needs us to tell him how wonderful and powerful he is? Worship is being thankful for what one has done for you. Christians (should) believe the wonderful things Christ has done for them. In turn for Christ doing wonderful things for us, we should do good things unto others. This is one of the many ways of worship in Christ.
If you consider this "having major issues" with Christianity, you might as well say I have a "major issue" with religious groups in general. Which I do to some extent (although I wouldn't say it's a major issue). I'd be just as uncomfortable if not more with a Muslim video extolling me to worship Allah and give myself after worshiping. It just rubs me the wrong way. Now, some of you say that others should be more tolerant of Christianity and you may be right. There is a tendency to attack Christianity, sometimes unfairly, because it is the biggest and easiest target out there. This is a beautiful initiative, I am not denying that. I am not denying that Jesus was a great inspiration. However, search your own responses; all of them to some degree reflect an intolerance to accept the viewpoints of the minority that do not believe in Christ as God, the same minority that would feel excluded by this initiative.
Christmas has gotten soft yo, It's too commercial. What if we were to take the santa suit away from santa? what would we have? No, not a naked jolly big man... We would have St. nikolas, a man who like jesus, also served the poor. Yeah, i know, without a flying rudolph, christmas wouldn't be as much fun for our kids. On the bright side, I just finishe placing Baby jesus under my tree. My aunts will be proud when they come over for the 24th.
You've already mention non-Christians exchanging gifts and partipating in Christmas. Are you worshiping Jesus when you celebrate his birth? Does the concept of Christmas offend you? Is it really that huge a difference, or is being reminded about the point of celebrating Christmas bugging you? Initiative beyond religion... I would say it's an appeal by the group to other Christians (maybe the hypocritical variety...who knows?) moreso than "preaching" to everyone else. This clip isn't in some multi million dollar advertising media blitz. Most people will likely see it elsewhere online or in a church sermon. The message in itself should target Christians because the commercial aspects of Christmas and the stress it causes can strip away meaning from Jesus' birth. I mean if all you think of Christmas is a gift giving holiday, then the message of turning away gifts or not spending as much on them might not appeal to you. It's like you're asking/demanding Red Cross to play down the cross aspect because it would offend the sensibilities of non-Christians. Take good messages for what they are. Atheists or non-Christians know good from bad. If they don't, here's a friendly, albeit "preachy", reminder.
I am friends with one of the pastors of the 2 churches that kicked this off. This is a message to churches. You're missing the point. Note that it talks how it started with 2 churches...and grew to more churches the next year. This video gets presented at church services...it's design is to appeal to those who would call themselves Christ-followers to celebrate Christmas different from those who celebrate X-mas. My church is one of the 2nd year churches. We talk all during Advent that if this is Jesus' birthday, the gifts are to be for him...and he says, "when you do something for the least of these, you do it for me." We talk about how this is transformative for ourselves as well as being life-giving to other people. Make no mistake...Advent Conspiracy is for those who celebrate Advent. Who view Christmas as something that's been hijacked by culture to mean something very different than what it should mean to the Church.
Alright, fair enough, I'll concede that I may have been picking at something that doesn't exist. Rather then justifying that, I'll just say that I assumed some things and your post informed me that I was wrong, so salut! Just to clarify this, I think a significant amount of people aren't celebrating the birth of Jesus when they celebrate Christmas; it's become such a secularized tradition that it has lost it's true "meaning". So, no, I'd argue that just because you are celebrating Christmas does not mean you are worshiping Jesus. Christmas doesn't bother me...I love it! Free time, family, good stuff in general. I have nothing against Christmas. I have something against those that would use it to exclude others (ex: if someone stipulated that you had to be Christian to celebrate Christmas, that would rub me the wrong way)
I think what's clearly being said here is that Christmas SHOULDNT become a cultural/secularized thing. It is Jesus' birthday and should be celebrated as Jesus' bday. I'm not Christian and don't celebrate Christmas but found great inspiration in the video. Such an awesome idea, a truly amazing gift.
we are doing advent conspiracy at my church. We are actually sending our own crew down to south america to build a well.
I completely agree with message, but here is a counterpoint. Suppose consumer's decide to go build wells instead of gifts. We are already in recession if people buy less the retailer, manufactures, etc. make less. This in turn causes the the manufactures to hire less. Which hurts our consumer economy. Suppose we go build a well in Africa. Who is is going to make sure the local warlord doesn't take over that well? Who is there to maintain it? A couple of years ago I had donated a nice chunk of change to an Indian temple, when I found out how they have used the money it was a little disheartening.
I learned more about this effort, and they actually stay with the well, make sure it's used properly, and also train the villagers and have them go make 2 more wells in other areas Serious question: Do Indian temples do charity efforts like these? I have never heard of it
