Let the “War on Christmas” Begin
I know we’re just a couple days into the holiday season, but it’s never too late to start talking about the “War on Christmas”. You know the time when people get upset because someone wished them “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”. They then go on ad nauseum to say America is continuing to slide away from it’s Judeo-Christian foundation. Well, being the agnostic-Muslim that I am, I decided to remind folks that a lot of the things rooted in Christmas tradition (courtesy of The History Channel) have nothing to with Jesus.
December 25
First of all Jesus was not “born” in December. Most scholars believe he was born in the Spring, likely March by our calender. December 25 was chosen by Pope Julius I to coincide with the Saturnalia, a pagan winter festival to mark the Solstice. Julius believed Christianity would be a lot more accepting if Christmas was held at the same time as the winter event. If you can’t beat them, co-op them. And just so you know, early Christmas celebrations were more like Mardi Gras parties.
Early America
In the early days of America, Christmas wasn’t even a holiday. The Puritans banned it. And Congress was even in session that day. It was illegal in Boston from 1659-1681 because people would get so out of control. Christmas didn’t become a federal holiday until 1870. So much for our “long standing tradition.”
The Tree
Early pagan cultures believed the evergreen tree would keep away witches, spirits and other evil items.
Santa Claus
He is actually closer to the religious meaning of Christmas than the tree and the date. St. Nick is based on the monk St. Nicholas who was born near Turkey in the 4th century.
Blatant Commercialization
Go to the mall in mid-October and look at the Christmas decorations for sale. Nuff said!
Now does any of this take away from the meaning of Christmas, not really. Messages of hope are always welcome, but I figured sometimes it’s best to nip this nonsense in the bud before it gets started.
November 29th, 2009 at 9:03 am
All your statements may be valid but there is a 'meaning of Christmas” =honoring Christ's birth on this chosen time of year plain and simple, until the anti Christian bunch decided to systematically destroy it over these years and using such statements as you made and Marxists agendas. I shall continue to resist as will millions who continue with honoring the true meaning in spite of them.
November 29th, 2009 at 9:41 am
lol @ streetfighter.
As a practicing Catholic, I find that the “War on Chirstmas” is nothing short of complete fantasy. The ones who talk about how hard it is to be a Christian during the holidays are the only people in this war. They have a martyr complex, and they just want to publicly show how good and wholesome and religious they are. Which is strange, when you consider Matthew 6:
5″And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
November 29th, 2009 at 10:42 am
“I know we’re just a couple days into the holiday season, but it’s never too late to start talking about the “War on Christmas”.”
To me, the “war on Christmas” is about the PC attitudes some retail merchants take. I mean a Christmas Tree is just that, a Christmas Tree. I recall one ad that called Christmas Trees “Holiday Trees.” They also had “Holiday Wreaths.” Now why call these things that are clearly Christmas items another name? What really was laughable was they sold a menorah and called it exactly that. Why not call it “Holiday candle holder?” Why the fear to use the word Christmas?
November 29th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Lets also not forget that the word Holiday stems from Holy Day.
Origin: bef. 950; ME; OE h?ligdæg. See holy, day
It seems to me that this issue, as so much of this type of “outrage” does, has nothing to do with what people are upset about. To wish someone Merry Christmas is to wish them a joyful celebration of Christmas. Why would you say that to someone you dont know what faith they adhere to? What sense does it make to wish a Muslim or Hindu Merry Christmas? Insisting that everyone adopt Merry Christmas, at a time of year celebrated by many different faiths as Holy, seems to be much more an arrogant flexing of muscle on minorities. Happy Holidays means Happy Holy Days. Does that not work for Christians too. Then why would it be offensive? My guess is that it's not offensive. It just gives some people a sense of dominance, and that brings them comfort and joy. Hardly the spirit of Christmas, or any other Holy Day.
November 29th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Even all the athiests should grant that Jesus made more of a universal impact for the betterment of humanity than any other and as such he deserves a celebration of his birth. So why can't it be just that and why do you all have to nit pic it to death bringing in these tired old arguments trying to get rid of simple traditions or to bring in political correctness or to change this country.
November 29th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Who is preventing you from celebrating any day recognized by [insert religion of choice here]?
Merry Christmas AND Happy Holidays can both be said and are so much used that they are secular phrases, as is the Christmass Tree. Anyone getting bent out of shape on hearing Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas probably needs a hobby.
November 29th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Will holiday cheer brighten the spirits of Tim Durham and Carl Brizzi ? Cocktails at Harry & Izzys might work too…
November 29th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Wow, I find it telling that the political world in Indy is being turned upside down with the scandal of Tim Durham, and Abdul is talking about the perpetual Christmas wars. Just saying.
November 29th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Some guest.. maybe you dont understand what an atheist is. Many dont believe that Jesus even existed. But that's not the point.
Matthew, if it doesnt matter, why not refer to what SHOULD be universally welcomed instead of what most specifically points to one single religion. If the point is to wish joy to someone else, why does it matter what you believe?
I'm Christian. I'm not offended if someone says happy holidays, why would I? And even if Merry Christmas appears to become generic, it is still offensive to non Christians. What if Everyone wished you happy Kwanzaa. Not only that, what if every advertisment, every store every reference to the season, wished you Happy Kwanzaa? It'd take about an hour before you'd reach your fill of that. Now imagine it year after year after year.
Happy Holidays is universal. Its not a cheapening of the season, it means HOLY DAYS. Merry Christmas does not mean the same thing to everyone, and it can be oppressive to people who dont share that faith. Why would anyone who calls themselves a Christian want to be a party to that? It's selfish and contrary to Christ's teachings. This season, if you can't remember this at any other point in the year, is about good will toward men. (meaning forget about yourself for a moment.)
November 29th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
?War on Christmas? Whoa!
“Blatant Commercialization” is indeed nonsense. Like that of several religious traditions, the spirit of Christ, of Christmas, concerns that which no amount of money can buy. Materialism doesn't cover transactions of the soul; a lifetime summary of which we occasionally concern ourselves, in fast forward consideration of our last breath review.
Many people, first experienced this post's second sentence complaint in reverse; those “offended” by wishes of “Merry Christmas.” “Offense” is more import than export; squandered liberty, languishing in the “luxury of victimology.”
It's OK, it's history, the founders precepts were generally Judeo-Christian; tolerative tenets of acceptance, imperfectly practiced (likely in humanly similar percents, as those of other religions), by those in need of forgiveness, improvement & redemption.
It's reasonable to assume the absolute best of intentions in matters of well wishes. So thank you, to those who kindly offer Happy Holiday wishes & Merry Christmas to y'all!
November 29th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Abdul? Why are you letting unpaid bloggers and practicing attorneys Gary Welsh and Paul Ogden run circles around you on the Durham story?
You didn't know that Durham's properties were seized on November 24th when you wrote your post on November 25th saying essentially that there's nothing to see here?
Regarding Christmas, I'm buying silver and gold. I hear it's on the rise due to another ponzi scheme.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
FYI people, Especially Melissa…
This post has been sitting in my blog que for 2 weeks and it was scheduled to go up today. I promised my wife to devote my time to her during our first Thanksgiving as a married couple. So I wrote this a couple weeks back so it would go up today. Having this thing called a life sort of does that to you. My question is why are you people reading this when you should wrapping up quality time with friends and loved ones, unless you don't have any? And the way some of you act, I would not be surprised.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Abdul…You wrote the post on the 25th saying there was nothing to see here. AND there was a forfeiture of Durham's property on the 24th.
Are you saying you've not talked to Brizzi to know this fact?
Don't deflect the issue by trying in infer that others who read (and write) the blogs dont have lives and you do. That's high school and you should be above it.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Abdul, I grew up in an extremely violent home and was sexually tortured by my older brother. There? You happy? Now you know why I steer clear of family. You're so much better than me.
November 29th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Guest, we're obviously coming at this from a different point of view. Even though the origins of the phrases certainly are religious (Merry Christmas applying to one specific religion, and Holidays to literally any holy day), it's usage is now different. Thanksgiving is a holiday, as is the 4th of July or, to get international, Boxing Day. There's nothing really Holy about these days. But they are still holidays. Holiday is now just a reference to any day that is nationally recognized.
As far as I'm concerned, these are both secular greetings. But Happy Holidys can be used throughout the end of the year, whereas Merry Christmas can only be used to the 25th of December.
As for christmas advertising, I'm annoyed at the advertising in general, the constant playing of the same 12 or so Christmas songs on every piped in in-store radio, and so on. However, I rarely see anything remotely resembling promotion of any religion in advertising. And if I do (or anyone else does), vote with your wallet. Any store that panders to a certain demographic, there will be another store there to pick up the slack.
I'm not saying people should go around and shout MERRY CHRISTMAS in front of the local temple or mosque. That's a jerk move. But if someone is working out at the JCC and gets a Happy Hanukkah even though they aren't Jewish, I'd hope they'd have the good manners to grin and return the well wishes properly instead of getting into a debate.
November 29th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Abdul, it's good you didn't mention Santa's reindeer – you might have had PETA beating up on you, too!
November 29th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
So Wilson do you think the D's who received money from Tim will return it? How about that partner of his who is running for Mayor isn‘t he a democrat?
Remember Tim was generous to both sides of the political pendulum…keep talking trash.
I’m sure sooner or later one of your guys will be named. When that happens I’m sure he or she will be pleased that your insight got debate started.
November 29th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
A person can no more be an 'agnostic Muslim' than an agnostic Christian. One either adheres to the principles of a given faith or he doesn't. Abdul is no more a Muslim than I am Catholic. (Of course, when I quit calling myself Catholic I wasn't at risk of losing my head.) Being born into a particular religion does not make that person a follower for life. Why doesn't Abdul just drop the Muslim label and call himself an agnostic?
November 29th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
99% of Durham's contributions went to Republicans.
*99%*
…but keep busy trying to deflect with that 1% that went to a choldhood friend from Seymour !
November 29th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Christians already know this stuff. And it still has nothing to do with the fact that God in human flesh came down to us–on whatever day–to be the sacrifice for our sins so that anyone who chooses to could be reconciled with God.
November 29th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
So now, Rico, YOU get to decide who's Muslim and who's not?
Holy Jihad!
November 29th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
“A person can no more be an 'agnostic Muslim' than an agnostic Christian.” While true, I think I recall Abdul saying that he wasn't into dogma. Of course, he was being lawyerly and youthful and didn't know what he was talking about. The cure would be Creed or Chaos by Dorthy Sayers available from your decent library or from Sophia Institute Press for a nominal fee. Nice tapdance on the Durham matter but all sorts of would be “bigfeet” are looking the other way on the matter but the other blogs are doing the heavy lifting while Abdul and the Star are far back in the pack.
Since it is evening I should regale you with a portion of Sayers, “…religious dogma is in fact nothing but a statement of doctrines concerning the nature of life and the universe.” Those who have read the Regensburg Lecture would add, “the nature of reality” to that. Which wasn't just about demented Muslims, by the way, who various thinkers have characterized as a Christian heresy-so an agnostic Muslim isn't far off from that, in my view.
More Sayers on dogma, “Teachers and preachers never make it sufficiently clear, I think, that dogmas are not a set of arbitrary regulations invented a priori by a committee of theologians enjoying a bout of all-in dialectical wrestling”. “Most of them were hammered out under pressure of urgent practical necessity to provide an answer to heresy”. I'd listen to a Muslim on Christian Dogma sometime long after said Muslim had answered the questions raised anew at Regensburg concerning what I choose to call the Muslim heresy. And, Rico, beware of Wales, there are worse things to lose than one's head.
November 29th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
I was just addressing the contradiction in terms. But, of course, the point was lost on you. To be an 'agnostic Muslim' is analogous to being a 'believer who's not sure'.
And, by the way, my choice would be for the 'religion' of Islam not to exist at all. The world would be a safer place. And save your pc bullshit about Islam being a religion of peace. It simply isn't true (at least not past the 9th sura of the Koran).
November 30th, 2009 at 4:47 am
You may be right, Rico. The Muslim world's history is dark, to be sure. So is the history of followers of Christ, who've done some pretty ugly thing sin the name of the Lord.
The Koran and most holy books contain passages which are used by zealots to further their “view” of that religion.
That said, most of us are probably glad you don't get to decide what religions exist.
November 30th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Moral equivalence as the new last refuge of scoundrels? On what basis can you state that the followers of Christ have don some pretty ugly things (sin) in the name of the Lord? Give us four or five examples of what is alleged to have been done and some documentation about the use of the Lord's name in the endeavors, and, while you are at it, do so without reference to Christian morality e.g. find some other basis for what you think (sic) is right or wrong (sin). And, while you are lost, think again about your Sarah Palin lie (concerning ethics which even pagans have) and retract it for the reading public lest people think you are incapable of knowing truth.
November 30th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Christians have burned women they said were witches. They also burned so-called heretics during the Inquisition.
And while I usually always come to the defense of Christians, had I lived in those times, I would have clearly been burned alive.
The Muslims, Jews, and Christians have all done horrible and barbaric things in the name of God.
November 30th, 2009 at 10:15 am
You're kidding right?
The Inquisition…?? The Crusades?? Salem Witch Trials?? The Holocaust..? “Religious” politicians using the Bible to justify slavery, segregation, women's rights, inter-racial marriage, GLBT civil rights..
Shall I go on?
Christian history is just as bloody as any, perhaps even more so if you take it back to it's origins. Mosaic law was often bloody and violent.
Sorry I cant document that. Unless you count the Bible.
How many more examples do you need??
November 30th, 2009 at 11:01 am
As we “practice” our religions with one another, perhaps we should also “practice” getting along with each other, all year long. So nice to read what everyone has to say about Christmas.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:08 am
The Holocaust wasn't done in the name of anything “Christian”, Zach.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Jezz a guy wants to write about Christmas and visitors to his blog try and hijack Christmas to talk about an alleged crook.
Give Abdul a break. If other blogs are reporting on your issues why should he.
November 30th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
The “War against Christmas” could better be described as a “War for Political Correctness”. I am not a religious person. To me Christmas is a completely secular holiday – though I recognize that to a lot of people this isn't the case. I find it ridiculous that people want to avoid the word “Christmas” because it might offend someone. Give me a break. I can assure you that no one in Israel worries that the word Hanukkah may offend non-Jewish folk. No one in Iran worries that the word Ramadan (I apologize if I didn't spell that correctly) may offend non-Muslims. In this country, a lot of people celebrate Christmas. Deal with it.
November 30th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Abdul; How can you call yourself a Republican after a post like that? You obviously haven't read the handbook. You are frightening the evangelicals with your statements of fact. Jeez, you might as well have told `em that Jesus was jewish. Now you're the enemy of them and God. As far as you ever running for office on the Republic ticket, well rotsa ruck. At least God doesn't vote. Once again, you are not a republican, you are a libertarian. Please review your views with those of the libertarian party contrasted with the republic party and see where you are most aligned.
“Agnostic Muslim” is getting better, if logically incoherent. Once again, please review your views as contrasted with those of Islam. Do you really believe in magic? In some “creator” in charge of every little thing in the universe? I suspect you're closer to agnostic than muslim than you let on. You're getting better at labeling yourself, but you'll get there.
Happy Festivus to you and yours.
November 30th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Try coming up with an example from this century. How about I name fifty acts of violence committed in the name of Islam this past year? And, by the way, the Crusades were a defensive act.
December 1st, 2009 at 5:41 am
Hitler often refered to the Jewish people as Christ Killers, and used that reason, among others, to justify the murder of 6 Million Europian Jews.
Martin Luther (1483-1546) originally favoured the Jews in the hope that they would accept his form of the faith, even praising their contribution to Christianity. However, when he did not succeed in converting the Jews, his attitude changed dramatically.
“All the blood kindred of Christ burn in hell, and they are rightly served, even according to their own words they spoke to Pilate …
'Verily a hopeless, wicked, venomous and devilish thing is the existence of these Jews, who for fourteen hundred years have been, and still are, our pest, torment and misfortune. They are just devils and nothing more.
In the tract Concerning the Jews and Their Lies (published 1542) Luther wrote:
“Firstly, their synagogues should be set on fire … Secondly, their homes should likewise be broken down and destroyed … Thirdly, they should be deprived of their prayer-books and Talmuds … Fourthly, their rabbis must be forbidden under threat of death to teach any more … Fifthly, passport and travelling privileges should be absolutely forbidden to the Jews … Sixthly, they ought to be stopped from usury … Seventhly, let the young and strong Jews and Jewesses be given the flail, the axe, the hoe, the spade, the distaff, and spindle, and let them earn their bread by the sweat of their noses … We ought to drive the rascally lazy bones out of our system … Therefore away with them …
'To sum up, dear princes and nobles who have Jews in your domains, if this advice of mine does not suit you, then find a better one so that you and we may all be free of this insufferable devilish burden — the Jews.”
In a sermon shortly before his death he called for the immediate expulsion of all Jews from Germany.
Later, Luther's anti-Semitic teachings were to be applied literally in the Third Reich.
December 1st, 2009 at 6:50 am
Why? that wasn't the assignment. How about the KKK? that recent enough for you? “Religious” politicians using the Bible to justify slavery, segregation, women's rights, inter-racial marriage, GLBT civil rights.. That is recent history too.
And about the Crusades.. you say tomato…
December 1st, 2009 at 8:11 am
There is a certain beauty in two part questions. How about Joan of Arc? And, why not toss in Galileo (although there is a book claiming that Galileo was Wrong going into its 6th edition). ” and, while you are at it, do so without reference to Christian morality e.g. find some other basis for what you think (sic) is right or wrong (sin).” So far, all fail the second part of the question. Do we judge all Muslims by the acts of a few? If so, are we not like the ACLU and Mrs. Brown or the ADA circa late 1940's when they decided that communists ought not be in the democrat party any longer?
December 1st, 2009 at 8:37 am
THANKS FOR THAT HISTORY LESSON ON MARTIN LUTHER. I WON'T FORGET IT.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:28 am
Agreed.
December 1st, 2009 at 8:01 pm
http://hprweb.com/index.php?option=com_content&... and for folks who have the time to learn…that is…erase what they had been fed about Islam and learn how little use they have been to humanity, the noted French scholar, Gouguenheim's recent book must be read. Folks interested will find the book review linked to also of interest as it cites Belloc's 1938 views on Islam favorably.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:18 pm
So being against gay marriage is the same as cutting the heads off of non-believers ? Uh……good point…….?
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:11 am
The perfect gift this Festivus is Silver or Gold bullion rounds.
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:25 am
Instead of fiat currency issued by the banksters, put silver pieces in Indiana's Salvation Army buckets this year.
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:25 am
I suppose that explains why so many German Christian elites were sent to camps themselves?
Hitler's religion (beyond himself as a demigod of faux “Aryanism”) seemed to be more pagan in character.
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:11 am
The perfect gift this Festivus is Silver or Gold bullion rounds.
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:25 am
Instead of fiat currency issued by the banksters, put silver pieces in Indiana's Salvation Army buckets this year.
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:25 am
I suppose that explains why so many German Christian elites were sent to camps themselves?
Hitler's religion (beyond himself as a demigod of faux “Aryanism”) seemed to be more pagan in character.