Is Christmas a day dedicated to celebrate of the birth of Christ?

[steve.foote]

It's a simple question.

[Huzband]

Duh!

 

Well, it's not called Muhammadmas, is it?

[HappyMan]

Duh!

 

Well, it's not called Muhammadmas, is it?

 

That was good!

[steve.foote]

Let's keep the comments civil, guys. This poll isn't intended to start a brush fire.

[Huzband]

Hey, you started it, you control it.

 

I'm done.

[ESokoloff]

How do I vote if I think it should be but know that it isn't?

 

Serious question.

[ghaverkamp]

How do I vote if I think it should be but know that it isn't?

 

I guess you ignore the glaring mismatch between the thread title and the poll question.

[jaytee]

Hmmm.. Christ-Mass - I'm guessing, uh... yeah!

 

Although I kinda like Buddahmas better

 

JT

 

PS: Are you sure you couldn't have thrown a more bloody piece of meat on your baited trolling line???

[steve.foote]

How do I vote if I think it should be but know that it isn't?

 

Serious question.

 

Eric, it's a good question, but one I'm not going to help you with. The question is clear enough, in spite of what Greg says.

[ESokoloff]

PS: Are you sure you couldn't have thrown a more bloody piece of meat on your baited trolling line???

 

Those that know me know that I'm not a troll.

 

I was raised in a Christian fashion so I'm well aware of the origins of the holiday.

My confusion is I'm I supposed to vote on the origins of the holiday or the evolution of it.

[ghaverkamp]

Eric, it's a good question, byt one I'm not going to help you with. The question is clear enough, in spite of what Greg says.

 

Obviously it's not. That's the problem with asking different questions.

[steve.foote]

How do I vote if I think it should be but know that it isn't?

 

I guess you ignore the glaring mismatch between the thread title and the poll question.

 

Sorry Greg, I should have run it past house counsel before I posted it. Actually, I didn't think the subject line was long enough for the final question. That being said, I have confidence that most of our membership have the ability to cipher the riddle in spite of all those letters.

 

But, thanks for helping anyway.

[ESokoloff]

How do I vote if I think it should be but know that it isn't?

 

Serious question.

 

Eric, it's a good question, byt one I'm not going to help you with. The question is clear enough, in spite of what Greg says.

 

You sound like some of the staff during my College days

[steve.foote]

PS: Are you sure you couldn't have thrown a more bloody piece of meat on your baited trolling line???

 

No trolling here, I'm serious about what I'm doing with this poll.

[Huzband]

Bloody interlopers.

[KMG_365]

Well despite the mismatch in title and poll question I think that it's patently obvious that "Christmas" is a day dedicated to "celebrating" the birth of Christ (according to an edict of Pope Julius I in 350 CE). Despite the fact that most scholars agree he must have been actually born around September sometime (shepherds tending their flock by night and all).

 

A better poll question would have been "Is December 25th (or thereabouts ) a day dedicated only to 'celebrating' the birth of Christ" . . . or are there perhaps other possibilities?

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

A better poll question would have been "Is December 25th (or thereabouts ) a day dedicated only to 'celebrating' the birth of Christ" . . . or are there perhaps other possibilities?

 

The dictionary claims that the word "dedicate" connotes singularity of purpose, i.e. if the day is dedicated to celebrating the birth of Christ, it is intended for that purpose only.

 

There may have been a time when that was the case, but nowadays it's expanded beyond that to also encompass a celebration of friends/family/togetherness.

[Matts_12GS]

 

There may have been a time when that was the case, but nowadays it's expanded beyond that to also encompass a celebration of friends/family/togetherness.

 

Mitch, I think that fellowship of family and friends is indeed part of the "good will toward man" that is intended by the chroniclers to convey "peace on earth."

 

Unlike this thread

 

Hiya Steve!

[Mr_Ed]

A better poll question would have been "Is December 25th (or thereabouts ) a day dedicated only to 'celebrating' the birth of Christ" . . . or are there perhaps other possibilities?

 

The dictionary claims that the word "dedicate" connotes singularity of purpose, i.e. if the day is dedicated to celebrating the birth of Christ, it is intended for that purpose only.

 

There may have been a time when that was the case, but nowadays it's expanded beyond that to also encompass a celebration of friends/family/togetherness.

 

While Christ ain't my thing I believe that Christmas is dedicated. It's crass commercialism that got the ball rolling to change the perception but that doesn't change the initial intent.

Personally I don't celebrate Christmas or even XMas. I do however use that time of the year to eat and drink. When everyone else is in a good mood I might as well be too.

[Ken H.]

The key part of the question to me is, "dedicated." Certainly the celebration of the birth of Christ is part of the Christmas holiday, but not dedicated to it by any means.

 

Blatantly stealing Leslie's link from another thread, this link points out well that the December 25th holiday has far more implications - Origin of Christmas

[soboy]

Blatantly stealing Leslie's link from another thread, this link points out well that the December 25th holiday has far more implications - Origin of Christmas

 

Very interesting information - I was unaware that Christmas had a pagan origin. Makes the crass commercialism a lot easier to deal with now!

[Mike]

Do you believe Christmas is a day dedicated to celebrating the birth of Christ?

 

It's a simple question, but not one necessarily given to a simple answer, except by the simplest of minds.

 

For me, yes, Christmas is dedicated to observing the birth of Christ. But that sense of dedication in my mind implicates a willingness embrace the spirit of the Christian faith, which emphasizes love, compassion, and forgiveness. So, while the holiday has a special religious meaning for me, I view the fact that it holds a broader meaning for others who don't share my faith as a true gift.

 

To deny sharing the joy of Christmas with others who don't share my faith would strike me as one of the most unchristian things I could do.

[philbytx]

Lessee now,

It was a birthdate manufactured for Jesus Christ's birth by the church which was based on the date of a pagan ritual. So as not to upset the, converted(?), natives ).

 

Now, it appears to be mainly a whining and spending ritual

[Lone_RT_rider]

Let's keep the comments civil, guys. This poll isn't intended to start a brush fire.

 

yeah....riiiiiiiiiiiight....

[Jerry_75_Guy]

....... But that sense of dedication in my mind implicates a willingness embrace the spirit of the Christian faith, which emphasizes love, compassion, and forgiveness. So, while the holiday has a special religious meaning for me, I view the fact that it holds a broader meaning for others who don't share my faith as a true gift.

 

To deny sharing the joy of Christmas with others who don't share my faith would strike me as one of the most unchristian things I could do.

 

Thank you Mike.

 

Very nicely put.

 

And a sincere Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone.

[Les is more]

We can keep slamming crass commercialism or implying that it's the non-Christian celebrants who keep that ball rolling but I've celebrated Christmas in many a Christian home over the years. Except for the time spent in church, they've all centered around the buying, wrapping and giving of gifts. The kids from the Catholic School in my neighborhood are at my door every year selling wrapping paper, cards, candy, ornaments, etc. There aren't many of us who don't buy Christmas gifts. The "crass commercialism" associated with Christmas is there because we--almost ALL of us who celebrate on Christmas Day-- buy into it (literally).

[MattS]

And a sincere Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone.

Indeed. And may all of your Kwanzaas be white.

[Huzband]

And a sincere Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone.

Indeed. And may all of your Kwanzaas be white.

 

[Paul Mihalka]

A little side anecdote: When I was working in the BMW dealership in Florida, at about this time of year, a customer was leaving and I gave him my usual "Merry Christmas".

He: "I DON'T BELIEVE IN CHRISTMAS"! I: "Oh, I'm sorry, then don't have a Merry Christmas"...

[Francois_Dumas]

[Jerry_75_Guy]

And may all of your Kwanzaas be white.

 

Dude, you are So on the naughty list now!

[SeanC]

Let's put Christ back in Christmas

Right back where he belongs

Let's put Christ back in Christmas

And back in our favorite Christmas songs.

 

Frosty the Snowman was Jesus Christ's best friend

and he stood there melting by the cross until the very end.

 

You better not shout, you better not cry

You better not pout I'm tellin' you why

Jesus Christ is coming again.

 

Jesus the longhaired saviour

had a very shiny glow

And if you ever saw it

You would call it a halo.

 

[Matts_12GS]

me likey!

[steve.foote]

Everyone,

 

I'm still at work, and can't respond appropriately, but I am keeping up on the development of this thread. So far, a lot of interested responses. I'll check back in later tonight and give my take on this subject.

[russell_bynum]

Do you believe Christmas is a day dedicated to celebrating the birth of Christ?

 

It's a simple question, but not one necessarily given to a simple answer, except by the simplest of minds.

 

For me, yes, Christmas is dedicated to serving the birth of Christ. But that sense of dedication in my mind implicates a willingness embrace the spirit of the Christian faith, which emphasizes love, compassion, and forgiveness. So, while the holiday has a special religious meaning for me, I view the fact that it holds a broader meaning for others who don't share my faith as a true gift.

 

To deny sharing the joy of Christmas with others who don't share my faith would strike me as one of the most unchristian things I could do.

 

That's great stuff, Mike...and I agree totally.

[tallman]

Let's keep the comments civil, guys. This poll isn't intended to start a brush fire.

 

yeah....riiiiiiiiiiiight.... Spiiiin

[KMG_365]

Everyone,

 

I'm still at work, and can't respond appropriately, but I am keeping up on the development of this thread. So far, a lot of interested responses. I'll check back in later tonight and give my take on this subject.

While we're all waiting to hear what the Spinner has to say on this, let me share the lyrics of one of my favorite "Christmas" songs:

 

Dar Williams - The Christians And The Pagans

 

Amber called her uncle, said "We're up here for the holiday,

Jane and I were having Solstice, now we need a place to stay."

And her Christ-loving uncle watched his wife hang Mary on a tree,

He watched his son hang candy canes all made with red dye number three.

He told his niece, "It's Christmas Eve, I know our life is not your style,"

She said, "Christmas is like Solstice, and we miss you and its been awhile,"

 

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,

Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,

And just before the meal was served, hands were held and prayers were said,

Sending hope for peace on earth to all their gods and goddesses.

 

The food was great, the tree plugged in, the meal had gone without a hitch,

Till Timmy turned to Amber and said, "Is it true that you're a witch?"

His mom jumped up and said, "The pies are burning," and she hit the kitchen,

And it was Jane who spoke, she said, "It's true, your cousin's not a Christian,"

"But we love trees, we love the snow, the friends we have, the world we share,

And you find magic from your God, and we find magic everywhere."

 

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,

Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,

And where does magic come from? I think magic's in the learning,

'Cause now when Christians sit with Pagans only pumpkin pies are burning.

 

When Amber tried to do the dishes, her aunt said, "Really, no, don't bother."

Amber's uncle saw how Amber looked like Tim and like her father.

He thought about his brother, how they hadn't spoken in a year,

He thought he'd call him up and say, "It's Christmas and your daughter's here."

He thought of fathers, sons and brothers, saw his own son tug his sleeve, saying,

"Can I be a Pagan?" Dad said, "We'll discuss it when they leave."

 

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,

Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,

Lighting trees in darkness, learning new ways from the old, and

Making sense of history and drawing warmth out of the cold.

Maybe we all can get along!

[steve.foote]

Maybe we all can get along!

 

The last guy who said that got shot in the face.

 

Just kidding.

[russell_bynum]

Maybe we all can get along!

 

The last guy who said that got shot in the face.

 

Just kidding.

 

[Paul_Burkett]

Christmas is a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus who is the Christ/messiah, if you choose to honor Him as such. However the "Holiday season" can be spent celebrating whomever or what ever person or belief or brewery that you want, that is the freedom that we are able to enjoy here in this greatest country on earth. The fly in the soup seems to be that often times we look at the "season" as MY SEASON and not that of others who have differing thoughts on what celebration is correct for the home that other people live in. I have a Muslim friend that calls and wishes me a Merry Christmas and his house celebrates quite similarly as my house does and I have attended Seders and been humbly moved by the solemn yet joyful meal with my Jewish friends.

Lately I have found myself running out of emotional energy and decided that there are some discussions that I could easily get into and yet find that the battle of wit and wills is not worth getting into simply to prove my point. The world it seems has gotten a thin skin and is offended all too easily and litigation is the solution to so many ends that could have been resolved by realizing that old saying "my rights end where another mans' begins". If a person wants to sing carols and hymns, great, if an atheist wants to put up a "Christmas type" tree because they like the colored lights and how they make him feel, great, let's not try to tell each other how it is to be done, because in some part, you may be dead wrong. If you want to boycott a store for not saying merry Christmas, do it, I know I am, but that is me and I am not going to tell you how it should be done, I haven't arrived yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdaM8mxEBtY

[Huzband]

Very well said, Paul.

 

Merry Christmas to you & yours.

[Couchrocket]

I guess you ignore the glaring mismatch between the thread title and the poll question.

You'll make a fine lawyer. The gift, and discipline, of critical reading and thinking!

[George Brown]

Very well said, Paul.

 

Merry Christmas to you & yours.

 

+1 and add my Merry Christmas!

[leikam]

Among those inclined to celebrate the birth of Jesus, Christmas certainly is the day to do it. Among those not so inclined, the 25th can mean many things, including just another turn of the wheel.

 

Since religious and cultural beliefs (and practices since Greg already noted the difference between thread title and poll question) vary so widely on this planet, it's quite pointless to talk in general, simple terms about any day being dedicated to anything.

[steve.foote]

It was a ridiculously simple question. “Do you believe Christmas is a day dedicated to celebrating the birth of Christ?” The only answers were ‘yes’ or ‘no.’

 

So, what was the point? Simple, it was intended to illustrate the intolerance, prejudice and lack of civility which has permeated this board. Nowhere in my initial post did I make any point nor did I solicit any discussion, yet that was exactly the result. And, that discussion almost immediately devolved into petty attempts to impugn each other’s views and nit-pick the syntax of the poll like teenager’s arguing over the performance characteristics of their family-sedan-turned-school-cars.

 

Is this the community we want to be?

[ESokoloff]

I'm sitting on my hands. I've gotten into too much trouble around here lately.

 

FWIW I did not vote as I truly was not sure of the origins/evolution aspect.

Not only I'm I thin skinned, I'm also thick sculled

[Firefight911]

It was a ridiculously simple question. “Do you believe Christmas is a day dedicated to celebrating the birth of Christ?” The only answers were ‘yes’ or ‘no.’

 

So, what was the point? Simple, it was intended to illustrate the intolerance, prejudice and lack of civility which has permeated this board. Nowhere in my initial post did I make any point nor did I solicit any discussion, yet that was exactly the result. And, that discussion almost immediately devolved into petty attempts to impugn each other’s views and nit-pick the syntax of the poll like teenager’s arguing over the performance characteristics of their family-sedan-turned-school-cars.

 

Is this the community we want to be?

 

I simply voted and stood back on this flame thrower.

 

Any bets who comes out with the gloves off to "defend" their stance on this one???

 

 

Oh, Merry Christmas! And good on ya for pulling the wool off the wolf.

[leikam]

You may have heard the advice that, in casual company where you want to things to go well, there are two things you don't talk about. Well, politics are banned and you've picked the other so it should come as no surprise that the question sparked a discussion and that it failed to bring our best qualities to light. Does this kind of provocation make the board a better place?

[Firefight911]

You may have heard the advice that, in casual company where you want to things to go well, there are two things you don't talk about. Well, politics are banned and you've picked the other so it should come as no surprise that the question sparked a discussion and that it failed to bring our best qualities to light. Does this kind of provocation make the board a better place?

 

On one hand,

 

 

and on the other end,

 

 

The best thing about being an intelligent human is that you don't need to take the bait.

 

[chrisd]

So, what was the point? Simple, it was intended to illustrate the intolerance, prejudice and lack of civility which has permeated this board.

 

I can't speak about intolerance and prejudice here, but as far as civility, I'm absolutely amazed at the civility demonstrated by this board. I don't know why such potentially divisive topics have been allowed recently, but I haven't read anything, in any thread, that I would categorize as uncivil. This board should be commended for that, and Leslie and the moderators should be thanked. So thank you, Leslie, and the mods, for allowing the experiment and spending the time to oversee it. I realize Les and the mods will shortly be receiving their Christmas bonuses, and therefore are probably be more willing to spend the extra time, but nevertheless, thanks for the work you do.