nice rant on christmas
04-Dec-2007, 12:34 PM
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2007
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nice rant on christmas
http://www.thisisby.us/index.php/con..._be_much_worse
Christmas Wasn't Always Like This: It Used to Be Much Worse
Christmas Was Secular Before Your Righteous Indignation Was In Your Mommy's Sacred Womb
Every year, as kids get excited and parents get panicked, you see soft news stories all over TV. Has Christmas lost its focus? What is Christmas really about? Why don’t children understand the real meaning of Christmas?
The last question is especially bothersome because it implies that this generation is the one that misses the point. Previous generations? Oh, they had their **** together. They went to church, said prayers, chopped wood, accepted a moderate gift, and had a long discussion about the importance of family in every day life.
Wrong. Christmas wasn’t always like it is now. It used to be worse.
You think Christmas is commercial now? Look back a generation or two. You’ll see Santa Claus shilling cigarettes. And while it isn’t quite true that Santa Claus as we know him today was invented by the Coca-Cola corporation, it is true that the ad campaign appeared in the 1930s as a way to bank on his popularity.
In other words, Santa Claus, the very representation of winter gift-giving and consumerism was shilling products you didn’t need before most of the parents who claim their kids “don’t understand Christmas” were even born.
But, you might argue, Christmas is about Jesus. Right? Am I right? Can I get an Amen! Righteous indignation!
Wrong again.
Yes, it’s been designated as the birth day of Jesus. But then it shouldn’t be the most popular Christian holiday – Easter should. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. It’s a bigger deal to get resurrected than born. Easter is technically the most important holiday in Christianity. Yet it definitely isn’t treated that way. Christmas is always a bigger deal, even when it comes to churches decorating themselves.
Christmas, name withstanding, actually has its historical roots in Yule, a Northern European winter festival that was meant to bring joy to the dark seasons. The gift-giving element of Christmas so many people claim has taken away from Christ actually has as much to do with feasting on slaughtered cattle – you had to kill most of your cattle during the winter or chance it all going to waste – as it does the three wise men.
Of course, this means that many people who complain of Christmas’ “meaning” speak of “yuletide” celebrations without knowing the meaning of that either.
Also, there’s the Roman God Sol Invictus whose feast day was December 25th. He was also drawn with an orb around his head the same way Christ is portrayed. And on his feast day gifts were exchanged.
You might say, “So what? Christmas should be a celebration of Christ’s birth!”
Okay, sure. But then why was it banned by many Protestant sects in the 17 and 1800s? Many early English and American Protestants – and their local governments – banned Christmas as too raucous. Apparently, folks were using the celebration as a reason to have sex and get drunk. Protestants believed that celebrating Christmas – which, at the time involved demanding money from the upperclass and generally making a mess of things – was just too socially damaging. Churches were kept closed on December 25th.
Santa himself does come from St. Nicholas, a real Christian bishop who gave gold to people in need, especially children. But his feast day became so popular with kids who wanted gifts that Christian officials – centuries ago – demanded that people change the gift bringer from St. Nick to the Christ Child. That way, kids got their toys without worshipping someone other than Jesus.
Do you understand what I’m saying? This whole “stop making Christmas secular!” argument has been going on for centuries. Kids have wanted gifts since time immemorial. Parents have wanted a reason to complain about it for almost as long. The whole argument that people should just quietly worship their religion doesn’t only go against the entire history of the holiday, but of the reason behind it’s creation by officials.
I know no one likes a history lesson, but my point here isn’t that your Christmas shouldn’t be about Christ. I don’t care what you do on Christmas. But when you get on television and complain that your kids wanting a Nintendo Wii is a vast departure from the “real” meaning of Christmas, you are an *******. Christmas has no meaning because it is culled from so many sources. It means the birth of someone’s savior, sure. But it’s also a time for people to drink and be merry. And have sex. And worship the sun god. And feast on the harvest during a dark time.
It’s not yours to decide what to do with it. Nor was it ever religious enough to warrant the demand that it “goes back” to being about something it was never really about.
And one last thing.
X-Mas means the same thing as Christmas. Stop saying it “takes Jesus out of Christmas.” The X represents the first letter in the Greek word for “Christmas.” Okay? He’s still there.
Now leave me alone and let me enjoy my Santa.
Christmas Wasn't Always Like This: It Used to Be Much Worse
Christmas Was Secular Before Your Righteous Indignation Was In Your Mommy's Sacred Womb
Every year, as kids get excited and parents get panicked, you see soft news stories all over TV. Has Christmas lost its focus? What is Christmas really about? Why don’t children understand the real meaning of Christmas?
The last question is especially bothersome because it implies that this generation is the one that misses the point. Previous generations? Oh, they had their **** together. They went to church, said prayers, chopped wood, accepted a moderate gift, and had a long discussion about the importance of family in every day life.
Wrong. Christmas wasn’t always like it is now. It used to be worse.
You think Christmas is commercial now? Look back a generation or two. You’ll see Santa Claus shilling cigarettes. And while it isn’t quite true that Santa Claus as we know him today was invented by the Coca-Cola corporation, it is true that the ad campaign appeared in the 1930s as a way to bank on his popularity.
In other words, Santa Claus, the very representation of winter gift-giving and consumerism was shilling products you didn’t need before most of the parents who claim their kids “don’t understand Christmas” were even born.
But, you might argue, Christmas is about Jesus. Right? Am I right? Can I get an Amen! Righteous indignation!
Wrong again.
Yes, it’s been designated as the birth day of Jesus. But then it shouldn’t be the most popular Christian holiday – Easter should. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. It’s a bigger deal to get resurrected than born. Easter is technically the most important holiday in Christianity. Yet it definitely isn’t treated that way. Christmas is always a bigger deal, even when it comes to churches decorating themselves.
Christmas, name withstanding, actually has its historical roots in Yule, a Northern European winter festival that was meant to bring joy to the dark seasons. The gift-giving element of Christmas so many people claim has taken away from Christ actually has as much to do with feasting on slaughtered cattle – you had to kill most of your cattle during the winter or chance it all going to waste – as it does the three wise men.
Of course, this means that many people who complain of Christmas’ “meaning” speak of “yuletide” celebrations without knowing the meaning of that either.
Also, there’s the Roman God Sol Invictus whose feast day was December 25th. He was also drawn with an orb around his head the same way Christ is portrayed. And on his feast day gifts were exchanged.
You might say, “So what? Christmas should be a celebration of Christ’s birth!”
Okay, sure. But then why was it banned by many Protestant sects in the 17 and 1800s? Many early English and American Protestants – and their local governments – banned Christmas as too raucous. Apparently, folks were using the celebration as a reason to have sex and get drunk. Protestants believed that celebrating Christmas – which, at the time involved demanding money from the upperclass and generally making a mess of things – was just too socially damaging. Churches were kept closed on December 25th.
Santa himself does come from St. Nicholas, a real Christian bishop who gave gold to people in need, especially children. But his feast day became so popular with kids who wanted gifts that Christian officials – centuries ago – demanded that people change the gift bringer from St. Nick to the Christ Child. That way, kids got their toys without worshipping someone other than Jesus.
Do you understand what I’m saying? This whole “stop making Christmas secular!” argument has been going on for centuries. Kids have wanted gifts since time immemorial. Parents have wanted a reason to complain about it for almost as long. The whole argument that people should just quietly worship their religion doesn’t only go against the entire history of the holiday, but of the reason behind it’s creation by officials.
I know no one likes a history lesson, but my point here isn’t that your Christmas shouldn’t be about Christ. I don’t care what you do on Christmas. But when you get on television and complain that your kids wanting a Nintendo Wii is a vast departure from the “real” meaning of Christmas, you are an *******. Christmas has no meaning because it is culled from so many sources. It means the birth of someone’s savior, sure. But it’s also a time for people to drink and be merry. And have sex. And worship the sun god. And feast on the harvest during a dark time.
It’s not yours to decide what to do with it. Nor was it ever religious enough to warrant the demand that it “goes back” to being about something it was never really about.
And one last thing.
X-Mas means the same thing as Christmas. Stop saying it “takes Jesus out of Christmas.” The X represents the first letter in the Greek word for “Christmas.” Okay? He’s still there.
Now leave me alone and let me enjoy my Santa.
04-Dec-2007, 11:34 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Robot City, Ontario
Posts: 500
*joins the slow clap and slowly stands up, and pulls out his ******
top that!
Nice article Fee, but seriously are you an atheist?
I don't just mean someone who doesn't like organized religion, but like a full-blown humanist-atheist?
top that!
Nice article Fee, but seriously are you an atheist?
I don't just mean someone who doesn't like organized religion, but like a full-blown humanist-atheist?
04-Dec-2007, 11:44 PM
#7
04-Dec-2007, 11:56 PM
#10
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Robot City, Ontario
Posts: 500
05-Dec-2007, 08:52 AM
#12
05-Dec-2007, 09:36 AM
#13
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: GTA
Posts: 2,305
a full blown atheist? I didn't know you could be a half-assed atheist.
I don't believe that anyone can define something they can't experience without evidence.
We have 5 senses we can use to examine and observe with.
1. Sight
2. Smell
3. Touch
4. Taste
5. Hear
Most people learn about these in kindergarten.
Any experience outside of this range cannot be proven, or taken as an absolute or even relative truth.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of crazy people on this planet, and everyone can experience things differently within their own mind.
I cannot see the logic in believing one person's experiences over another.
I.E. What's the difference between someone finding "Jesus" and another finding space aliens or a purple dragon in their garage that no one else can experience using the 5 senses?
I do not consider Jesus speaking to someone any more real than a 7 year old boy speaking to a 45 year old mother with a multiple personality disorder.
I despise all organized religion as I see them as nothing but casual version of a cult.
Yet, I believe that people should be allowed to believe, follow, and do whatever they want, provided they aren't forcing their system on other people.
Many people don't understand the concept of freedom of thought and freedom of speech. They don't want anything against their god anywhere. This causes a clash about people of different beliefs and shows the intolerance.
A real Christian would never have jewellry, even a diamond ring, as this is a material possession with no real worth. I don't recall Jesus wearing a lot of bling. Remember the whole distribute the wealth thing?
The amount of corruption in ALL religious institutions is astounding.
The different sects of Christianty have all shown to be corrupt at the top levels. Many have used slavery, they have waged war, they have turned over great profit and not shared it with the poor.
One really cool event was the vatican in the 1800s was selling spots to heaven. Some guy asked to buy all of Hell, the pope decided he had a sucker on his hands and sold him hell assuming no one would want it anyway.
The guy turned around and declared with his recent ownership of hell, he was going to refuse entrance to everyone. Therefore everyone would have to go to heaven - in case you didn't pick that up.
I will try and remember the names of the pope and the guy involved if you wish to look it up. It's a historical fact.
I speak of only Christianity here, because that's what I'm most familiar were. It's safe to assume that my contempt for liars is the same regardless of where they worship.
What I do believe is that everything in existence has an explanation, except that which has no explanation.
This is my concept of god.
The cause or igniter of all.
Yet, I would not dare define it, or say that this thing requires people to do this and that.
Then I would be a liar.
If I had to pick a view, I'd say that I was a Buddhist.
I've read two different translations of the Tao Te Ching, and I can honestly say, it's pretty much the most 'enlightened' thing I've ever read. I read it and agreed with it. It is thousands of years old, has all the teachings of Jesus, before Jesus, and it hasn't been tainted by rich white guys who wish to oppress the sheep.
Answer your question? Feel free to PM me.
I don't believe that anyone can define something they can't experience without evidence.
We have 5 senses we can use to examine and observe with.
1. Sight
2. Smell
3. Touch
4. Taste
5. Hear
Most people learn about these in kindergarten.
Any experience outside of this range cannot be proven, or taken as an absolute or even relative truth.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of crazy people on this planet, and everyone can experience things differently within their own mind.
I cannot see the logic in believing one person's experiences over another.
I.E. What's the difference between someone finding "Jesus" and another finding space aliens or a purple dragon in their garage that no one else can experience using the 5 senses?
I do not consider Jesus speaking to someone any more real than a 7 year old boy speaking to a 45 year old mother with a multiple personality disorder.
I despise all organized religion as I see them as nothing but casual version of a cult.
Yet, I believe that people should be allowed to believe, follow, and do whatever they want, provided they aren't forcing their system on other people.
Many people don't understand the concept of freedom of thought and freedom of speech. They don't want anything against their god anywhere. This causes a clash about people of different beliefs and shows the intolerance.
A real Christian would never have jewellry, even a diamond ring, as this is a material possession with no real worth. I don't recall Jesus wearing a lot of bling. Remember the whole distribute the wealth thing?
The amount of corruption in ALL religious institutions is astounding.
The different sects of Christianty have all shown to be corrupt at the top levels. Many have used slavery, they have waged war, they have turned over great profit and not shared it with the poor.
One really cool event was the vatican in the 1800s was selling spots to heaven. Some guy asked to buy all of Hell, the pope decided he had a sucker on his hands and sold him hell assuming no one would want it anyway.
The guy turned around and declared with his recent ownership of hell, he was going to refuse entrance to everyone. Therefore everyone would have to go to heaven - in case you didn't pick that up.
I will try and remember the names of the pope and the guy involved if you wish to look it up. It's a historical fact.
I speak of only Christianity here, because that's what I'm most familiar were. It's safe to assume that my contempt for liars is the same regardless of where they worship.
What I do believe is that everything in existence has an explanation, except that which has no explanation.
This is my concept of god.
The cause or igniter of all.
Yet, I would not dare define it, or say that this thing requires people to do this and that.
Then I would be a liar.
If I had to pick a view, I'd say that I was a Buddhist.
I've read two different translations of the Tao Te Ching, and I can honestly say, it's pretty much the most 'enlightened' thing I've ever read. I read it and agreed with it. It is thousands of years old, has all the teachings of Jesus, before Jesus, and it hasn't been tainted by rich white guys who wish to oppress the sheep.
Answer your question? Feel free to PM me.
05-Dec-2007, 10:18 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,881
well you need something to lure people in first for the brainwashing to commence...and for me a lil sip of red whine just isnt enough, now maybe kegs at mass and chicken wings and big screens with football games on might lure me in cuz thats what I do on sunday anyways
05-Dec-2007, 12:02 PM
#16
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Robot City, Ontario
Posts: 500
05-Dec-2007, 07:49 PM
#19
Inactive
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Where my car is.
Posts: 5,460
That article had a few interesting points...
I have always felt that Easter SHOULD be the more meaningful celebration, not Christmas. Then I realize, the two are equally important.
In terms of what Christmas has become today, I believe it comes down to society and the way things have been changed over the centuries. Manipulated and masked etc.. I have never embraced the whole santa-clause theme, all the decorating the tree, the presents, it all feels so 'hollow' and useless to me.
But the real root of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, is so much more fulfilling to me. If it were not the birth of Jesus, he would not have died on the cross for every single one of you, and we would never have the chance to be saved and live eternally.
My $0.02
I have always felt that Easter SHOULD be the more meaningful celebration, not Christmas. Then I realize, the two are equally important.
In terms of what Christmas has become today, I believe it comes down to society and the way things have been changed over the centuries. Manipulated and masked etc.. I have never embraced the whole santa-clause theme, all the decorating the tree, the presents, it all feels so 'hollow' and useless to me.
But the real root of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, is so much more fulfilling to me. If it were not the birth of Jesus, he would not have died on the cross for every single one of you, and we would never have the chance to be saved and live eternally.
My $0.02
Last edited by MPR; 05-Dec-2007 at 07:51 PM.
