'Soldiers' gear up to defend Christmas?

I'm aware of the history of December 25 thanks to my addiction to the History channel and Discovery Channel. What I was referring to the other poster is that without Christ, there wouldn't be a holiday that has the meanings of Christmas (goodwill to men, etc.). I dont think religion should be forced on anyone, it's the best way to create a backlash. My argument with him (since ended) was that it would be silly to call Martin Luther King day XLK day if his name happened to be Jesus Luther King. It's simply an acknowledgement of his time on earth.

 

Well said Azadre.

 

Of course nothing is happening, just like there is no oppression of Muslims.

 

You do realize using X as an abbreviation for Christ dates back to ancient transcripts of the New Testament and Christian art? X is the symbol for the greek letter 'Chi' which is the first letter in Christ in greek. I think the more apt analogy would be to say that it is silly to abbreviate Martin Luther King as MLK.

Also, pretty much the only thing unique to Christmas that came after Christ's birth is Christ's birth. Well, other than the whole rampant commercialism thing. Most of the other traditions and meanings we associate with Christmas come from earlier winter celebrations.

I see a lot of people say that it isn't about forcing religion on people, but about recognizing the birth of the Christian savior. This is horribly disingenious, because by trying to get people to "recognize" the birth of Jesus, you are basically forcing your religion upon them. It's like saying, "I'm not trying to force Scientology on you, I'm just trying to get you to recognize that Hubbardmas is about the birth of our the great L. Ron Hubbard!" (which coincidentally replaced the local winter celebration in some magical land where Scientology is the dominant religion ) "Sure you don't have to believe in my religion, you just have to observe great Mr. Hubbard's birth!"

To some people Christmas is about the birth of their saviour. To others it's about being with famliy and pretty lights. Christmas is different things to different people. It would seem if Christians wanted to maintain Christmas as a Christ-centric holiday, they would encourage the spreading of things like "Winter Holiday" and "Happy Holidays." That way there is a secular winter holiday that Christians and non-Christians can enjoy and their is a religious holiday the Christians can enjoy. But it is unfeasible to insist that Christmas remain the dominate winter holiday AND have it be Christ-centric. Those that want both are forcing their religion on people and no amount of hand waving will change that.


Sorry, hotballa. I guess i just started rambling on the issue in general instead of addressing specifically only your points. I'm not trying to say you are forcing your religion on people, but please understand that is basically what some people are doing.

Edit: Good post Azadre!

 

Friday to come...

 

you just haven't been looking hard enough:

--
Activist Judge Cancels Christmas

December 14, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC—In a sudden and unexpected blow to the Americans working to protect the holiday, liberal U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Reinhardt ruled the private celebration of Christmas unconstitutional Monday.

"In accordance with my activist agenda to secularize the nation, this court finds Christmas to be unlawful," Judge Reinhardt said. "The celebration of the birth of the philosopher Jesus—be it in the form of gift-giving, the singing of carols, fanciful decorations, or general good cheer and warm feelings amongst families—is in violation of the First Amendment principles upon which this great nation was founded."

In addition to forbidding the celebration of Christmas in any form, Judge Reinhardt has made it illegal to say "Merry Christmas." Instead, he has ruled that Americans must say "Happy Holidays" or "Vacaciones Felices" if they wish to extend good tidings.

Within an hour of the judge's verdict, National Guard troops were mobilized to enforce the controversial ruling.

"Sorry, kids, no Christmas this year," Beloit, WI mall Santa Gene Ernot said as he was led away from his Santa's Village in leg irons. "Write to your congressman to put a stop to these liberal activist judges. It's up to you to save Christmas! Ho ho ho!"

Said Pvt. Stanley Cope, who tasered Ernot for his outburst: "We're fighting an unpopular war on Christmas, but what can we do? The military has no choice but to take orders from a lone activist judge."

Across America, the decision of the all-powerful liberal courts was met with shock and disappointment, as American families quietly took down their holiday decorations and canceled their plans to gather and make merry.

"They've been chipping away at Christmas rights for decades," Fox News personality John Gibson said. "Even before this ruling, you couldn't hear a Christmas song on the radio or in a department store. I hate to say it, America, but I told you so."

Gibson then went into hiding, vowing to be a vital part of the Christmas resistance that would eventually triumph and bring Christmas back to the United States and its retail stores.

The ban is not limited to the retail sector. In support of Reinhardt's ruling, Sen. Ted Kennedy, a Jew, introduced legislation that would mandate the registration of every Christian in the United States and subject their houses to random searches to ensure they are not celebrating Christmas.

"Getting rid of every wreath or nativity scene is not enough," Kennedy said. "In order to ensure that Americans of every belief feel comfortable in any home or business, we must eliminate all traces of this offensive holiday. My yellow belly quakes with fear at the thought of offending any foreigners, atheists, or child molesters."

America's children are bearing the brunt of Reinhardt's marginal, activist rulings.

"Why did the bad man take away Christmas?" 5-year-old Danny Dover said. "I made a card for my mommy out of paper and glue, and now I can't give it to her."

Shortly after Dover issued his statement, police kicked down his door, removed his holiday tree, confiscated his presents, and crushed his homemade card underfoot.

A broad, bipartisan coalition of lawmakers has been working closely with the White House, banding together in the hope of somehow overruling the decision. So far, however, their efforts have been fruitless.

"Our hearts go out to the Americans this ruling affects," Sen. Chip Pickering (R-MS) said. "If it's any condolence, I wish you all a Happy Holidays, which, I'm afraid, is all I'm legally allowed to say at this time."

 

Got a link to the right wing blog your story came from, basso?

 

You forgot the link:

Activist Judge Cancels Christmas

 

Nevermind. I got the Onion as a favorite.

The story truly illustrates how the "War on Christmas" is a tempest in a teapot.

 

You couldn't take a couple of minutes to read Mulder's post just above yours? Again, who is attacking Christmas? It's certainly not the ACLU.

 

That was pretty good, I'm guessing it is the onion. It has been too long since I've read that fine publication.

 

next time, how about some "real" articles with "links" to back up your baseless claims.

thanks in advance.

they pull out this garbage every year and its getting really old. this war on christmas crap is silliness which appeals to the lowest common denominator, mainly evangelicals.

i dont understand why people allow themselves to get all worked up over a nonissue like this. i for one, will be enjoying christmas with my family and rockin the guitar at christmas mass, accompanying my grandma, who plays piano.

merry christmas to all!

 

To me Christmas is nothing more than a birthday party to celebrate the birth of a man called Jesus Christ who was born a couple of millenia ago. Thats the core of it. FOr the religious, it extends beyond that because we also recognize Jesus as more than just a man, and therefore we take this time to reflect on what his birth meant for mankind. For the secular, it's the guy's name, if saying someone's name (real person, who actually really was on earth) is forcing my religion on them, I guess that's not really an argument I can win. I mean, I don't have a problem saying that such and such date is Mohammed's birthday or the day that Muslims designate to celebrate it. I won't continue to argue this since I don't think we can get anywhere on it.

And a point about the XMas thing, even if that were true, which I wont agree or disagree with since I don't know, that was then, and people use the term XMas now so they won't have to say Christmas. Just as how the date of December 25, as well as some of the rituals that go with it have in the past been used by pagans, does not mean it is the same now.

So all the things about Christmas that make it so special, good will to men, generosity, love and fellowship... What would Christmas be without all those things which we associate with Christmas as a result of Christianity? Nothing but the commericialized crap it is now. It just feels like real empty, yah know? no wonder so many people are so lonely around this time of year

 

You couldnt take a couple of minutes to read my following posts about how I know all about the ADF from before the article?

 

Then who is it that is attacking Christmas? Who is manning the large scale war against Christmas?

 

.....

 

If I used the words, the "liberal media" and "ACLU", would that garner the same response you would get form me if you used "crazy evangelicals" and "CHristian extremists"? You see where this is going.

 

Basso...adjust the gain on your sarcasm meter, you are running on 80gHz--need to knock it up a cuple of notches.


Oh yeah, Merry New-Year!