Christmas is not secular

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I've always asked to work on Christmas when I've had jobs like that. Overtime pay.

Well Somebody's gotta pay for all that stuff neither Jesus nor Santa provide.

 

[Desert Snake]

Well Somebody's gotta pay for all that stuff neither Jesus nor Santa provide.

Yes, that's true I guess.

 

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I like X-mas best, in that 'X' is a variable "to the extreme degree" (mas).




(If you want to fill in that variable (X) with "Christ"... or Santa or Yule or Family dinner or Presents or Overtime pay...)

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

So, basically Christmas isn't secular. ... This being the case, why do non-Christians celebrate Christmas? Is it hypocrisy?

Not at all, did you read the other opinions? Considering Christmas as a secular holiday is quite common.

Yes, I've read that many consider Christmas a secular holiday and I've read that you insist that "basically Christmas isn't secular" and raise the specter of hypocrisy based on that proclamation. I'm simply suggesting that Christmas is as it's become. You can like it or dislike it as you wish, but to pose a question based on a conclusion drawn from a faulty presumption seems less than useful.

 

[Desert Snake]

I don't really celebrate it. I exchange gifts with my family because it would awkward otherwise. But that's it. No decorations, no songs, no saying Merry Christmas except when I'm handing over gifts, etc.

But really, how can you blame anyone for celebrating when it's forced on them by television, movies, radio, newspapers, stores, restaurants, offices, neighbors, family, friends, etc.?

You know what's real hypocrisy? Forcing it on secular people and then calling them hypocrites for celebrating it.

What?! Did I even say that I celebrate Christmas? Get your facts straight before throwing out drivel.

 

[Desert Snake]

Yes, I've read that many consider Christmas a secular holiday and I've read that you insist that "basically Christmas isn't secular" and raise the specter of hypocrisy based on that proclamation. I'm simply suggesting that Christmas is as it's become. You can like it or dislike it as you wish, but to pose a question based on a conclusion drawn from a faulty presumption seems less than useful.

That's what this forum is for. Getting peoples opinions.

 

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Honestly SKKF,

religious people (Christians) are just as guilty of attempting to usurp the "point/reason" of/for the day as every other "mindset" might be.

Ever heard "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" ?

As a personal tree ornament that's fine.
As a billboard, eh.

Still it is (also) a season of advertizing, and pressure to 'buy' and 'sell' things (and ideas).
I guess no one's precluded from participating in any of that (commercialism).

It all seems to be par for the course.

 

[JacobEzra.]

So, basically Christmas isn't secular. It's commercialized, yes, however the holiday is about Jesus, regardless of the "Yule" date etc.
This being the case, why do non-Christians celebrate Christmas? Is it hypocrisy?

It surly has adopted to the secular world.

 

[Desert Snake]

Honestly SKKF,

religious people (Christians) are just as guilty of attempting to usurp the "point/reason" of/for the day as every other "mindset" might be.

Ever heard "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" ?

As a personal tree ornament that's fine.
As a billboard, eh.

Still it is (also) a season of advertizing, and pressure to 'buy' and 'sell' things (and ideas).
I guess no one's precluded from participating in any of that (commercialism).

It all seems to be par for the course.

I have no problem with Christmas. So maybe it's partly secular.

 

[JacobEzra.]

I like X-mas best, in that 'X' is a variable "to the extreme degree" (mas).




(If you want to fill in that variable (X) with "Christ"... or Santa or Yule or Family dinner or Presents or Overtime pay...)

lol only in modern times. Xmas started out as just an abbreviation for Christmas, with the mas meaning mass and the X as the first letter of the name Christ in Greek with it being a Chi. I mean, ever see the Chi-Rho?

Its funny how many atheist, and even Christians, believe this is something new done to take Christ out of CHristmas lol

 

[Desert Snake]

It surly has adopted to the secular world.

Yes, it seems like it.

 

[Desert Snake]

lol only in modern times. Xmas started out as just an abbreviation for Christmas, with the mas meaning mass and the X as the first letter of the name Christ in Greek with it being a Chi. I mean, ever see the Chi-Rho?

Its funny how many atheist, and even Christians, believe this is something new done to take Christ out of CHristmas lol

That's what it's from. I knew it wasn't just some arbitrary abbreviation.

 

[JacobEzra.]

Yes, it seems like it.

Don't think I agree with it. But I know what its about, and I will be at a Midnight mass and celebrating it in its fullest. Going to the actual Christ-mas.

Its become nothing more to the general public then a cultural thing. So atleast it lives on in some major way.

 

[Desert Snake]

Don't think I agree with it. But I know what its about, and I will be at a Midnight mass and celebrating it in its fullest. Going to the actual Christ-mas.

Its become nothing more to the general public then a cultural thing. So atleast it lives on in some major way.

...Interesting. So quite secular it would seem.

 

[JacobEzra.]

...Interesting. So quite secular it would seem.

Secular is what the society is in America. So of course?

 

[Desert Snake]

Secular is what the society is in America. So of course?

I don't think that would make a holiday celebrated in America inherently secular. If it's a religious holiday to a large amount of people then I wouldn't just label it as such.

 

[JacobEzra.]

I don't think that would make a holiday celebrated in America inherently secular. If it's a religious holiday to a large amount of people then I wouldn't just label it as such.

But Christianity has been majorly watered down, and now most Christians only go on days that they are suppose to go, such as Christmas and whatnot.

 

[Desert Snake]

O.k. so secular with Christian origin.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

O.k. so secular with Christian origin.

Secular with Christian grafts onto pagan roots.

 

[ChristineES]

So, basically Christmas isn't secular. It's commercialized, yes, however the holiday is about Jesus, regardless of the "Yule" date etc.
This being the case, why do non-Christians celebrate Christmas? Is it hypocrisy?

The only thing not secular about Christmas is the name. What does decorating trees, hanging up stockings, putting up mistletoe and holly, etc. have to do with Jesus? People are not required to read Luke Chapter 2 if they don't want to. Most movies about Christmas have to do with Santa Claus. While Silent Night, Joy to the World, etc are religious- Deck the Halls, Jingles Bells, etc are not religious.
Miracle on 34th Street, for example, wasn't at all about the existence of Jesus or God, but whether this nice old man was Kris Kringle, Santa Claus, Father Christmas, etc.

So, even though people like me look at the religious meaning of it- most people do not.