So....When are the Christmas decorations going up?

mai_taylor

scaredlady wrote: »

I think you will find Jesus, does not require tinsel decorations to be put up at all.
2 years we were on cruises just before Christmas , and did not return home until just before Christmas day, so we had no decorations at all.
Still celebrated Christmas as it should be celebrated , and not with the secular hoo ha that now takes over from November onwards.

Who are you to say how Christmas should be celebrated? I'll celebrate the way I want and as Jesus doesn't exist I'll continue to put up as much tinsel as I like.

jaydeeuk1

mai_taylor wrote: »

Who are you to say how Christmas should be celebrated? I'll celebrate the way I want and as Jesus doesn't exist I'll continue to put up as much tinsel as I like.

I'm an atheist and Jesus might well have existed, but he's no more magical or mystical than Donald Trump or Kim Kardashian.

Gloomendoom

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

I'm an atheist and Jesus might well have existed, but he's no more magical or mystical than Donald Trump or Kim Kardashian.

To you maybe. Many millions would disagree.

ska_lover

Gloomendoom wrote: »

To you maybe. Many millions would disagree.

And millions may disagree with you too - however both point is equally as valid and should be respected as such

Robisere

ripplyuk wrote: »

I'm an atheist. You don't need to be religious to celebrate the winter solstice. The tradition is much older than Christianity.

My tree will be going up on the 21st (of this month). I can't wait

You are referring to the Celtic festival of Beltain, the Midwinter madness that involved eating lots of stored food, slaughtering some food animals and the whole tribe running through a huge bonfire. That was actually based upon a much older tradition, going back to the Neolithic peoples who built Stonehenge and other ancient henges. No one knows what they called it of course, even the word "Henge" is based upon an Old High German (Saxon) word.

History is soaked into the earth of these islands. All of life is connected.

ripplyuk

Beltane is May Day.

I'm referring to Yule. Or Saturnalia etc. Any of the midwinter celebrations from Neolithic times onward.

I have some religious friends and family members but even though they believe in Jesus, they know midwinter is not his birthday so Christmas doesn't mean that much to them.

I wish I could share some of my 'Christmas spirit' with them! I just love it. I love the history of it, and it's the only time of year that I feel moments when I'm totally at peace.

I don't go crazy with the decorating though. Just a tree, and a few bits of holly/mistletoe if I can get it. But I really enjoy seeing other houses that are covered with lights! It's lovely that people make such an effort.

Gloomendoom

ripplyuk wrote: »

I have some religious friends and family members but even though they believe in Jesus, they know midwinter is not his birthday so Christmas doesn't mean that much to them.

I would have thought that most Christians realise the the precise date of Jesus' birth cannot be precisely established. The Bible is no help. Over the centuries, the range of potential correct dates suggested has ranged from November to March.

Rather than just not bother, early Christians decided to pick a date for the party and stick with it. It's not really that surprising that they picked the date of an existing pagan booze up as it probably meant the minimum disruption of their established routine. I've been to plenty of birthday parties at weekends that weren't on the actual date of the birthday boy/girl's birthday.

Those believers and unbelievers who get their knickers in a twist over December 25th not being the actual date are missing the point somewhat.

Person_one

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Those believers and unbelievers who get their knickers in a twist over December 25th not being the actual date are missing the point somewhat.

I think most unbelievers only get their 'knickers in a twist' about it when certain believers (not all of course) try to act as though they have a monopoly on the midwinter festival that is now known as Christmas and insist on telling people who celebrate it for non-religious reasons that they are doing it wrong!

ska_lover

I think threads like this highlight that 'goodwill to all men' is actually a load of BS as you watch people patronise the Christmas spirit out of each other in an attempt to prove that their way of thinking is the only way/correct way. Should be reworded to say 'Goodwill to all men who believe the same as me, and poo to everyone else''

It doesn't matter what other people think or do. It has no knock on effect to your life, and only lends to make a person look insecure if they insist on trying to belittle others for their beliefs or force their own opinion down anyone else's throat. It really does say more about you than the persons opinion you are trying to change or belittle.

If people were so secure in their beliefs they would not feel the need to belittle others choices.

Religion is the number 1 cause of war around the world, as some cannot stand for others to have independent thought.


I just really feel people need to chill. and stop with the trying to make other people feel guilty for wanting to celebrate or NOT celebrate however they want.

fierystormcloud

ska_lover wrote: »

I think threads like this highlight that 'goodwill to all men' is actually a load of BS as you watch people patronise the Christmas spirit out of each other in an attempt to prove that their way of thinking is the only way/correct way. Should be reworded to say 'Goodwill to all men who believe the same as me, and poo to everyone else''

It doesn't matter what other people think or do. It has no knock on effect to your life, and only lends to make a person look insecure if they insist on trying to belittle others for their beliefs or force their own opinion down anyone else's throat. It really does say more about you than the persons opinion you are trying to change or belittle.

If people were so secure in their beliefs they would not feel the need to belittle others choices.

Religion is the number 1 cause of war around the world, as some cannot stand for others to have independent thought.

I just really feel people need to chill. and stop with the trying to make other people feel guilty for wanting to celebrate or NOT celebrate however they want.

I agree. However, this works both ways. Both religious people AND 'non-believers' are capable of being a bit arrogant, and thinking that their beliefs are the correct ones! (And anyone who doesn't agree is wrong, or stupid!)