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Christmas. Does it offend you? |
gtr83
Joined: Sep 27, 2008
Posts: > 500
From: Indonesia
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@Badassman
You forgot to mention John Lennon.
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mcrosser
Joined: Oct 11, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: Peru
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Well, I'm not very sure, but Christmas is commercially associated with snow. Here in Peru (at this time of year) children singing carols would just burn under the hot sun.
My point is, Christmas is celebrated (or not) in different ways all over the world. As a member mentioned, Kingbooker5's point is not percieved in his country.
Here, local TV channels on Christmas transmit mostly Santa Claus movies, whereas in Holy week it's all Jesus movies. This should'nt be like that imo.
Peru is also a multicultural country. But that's not the reason Christmas is not celebrated the way it's meant to (according to the bible). I think it's publicity wich disctracts our mind from the really important thing. Being in family and sharing presents, eating a good meal is all nice, but to really have in mind what Jesus has given us with his life is mostly forgotten.
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Yoruichi
Joined: May 10, 2007
Posts: 82
From: Many Places
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Dont celebrate it and hate the entire season.
1. am not christian 2. the blatant greed and materialism. 3. as an ex army officer spent 10 christmases over the years in combat zones. peace on earth yea right dream on. 4. parent both died on christmas a year apart. 5. uncle died on christmas 4 years ago.
its just another day to me no reason to celebrate. let those who do enjoy it but spare me the entire season its far from cheery.
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Cycovision
Joined: Nov 30, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: England
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Well said KingBooker5!
Has anybody actually met someone who genuinely finds references to Christmas offensive?
And I mean offensive in the true sense of the word, not just the feeling that grumpy old gits like me get, where they would rather not get involved in the festivities at all for various reasons.
I wonder which underworked, overpaid bureaucrat originally dreamed up the idea that Christmas might be offensive to some people? I wish I had their job, sounds cushy as anything!
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gtr83
Joined: Sep 27, 2008
Posts: > 500
From: Indonesia
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@Cycovision: in my country several churches were rigged and others burned down by smalltime terrorists a few years back, right on Christmas Eve ceremonies. Don't know what could those terrorists find more offensive than Christmas then 
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Cycovision
Joined: Nov 30, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: England
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^^^
Yeah, arsonists set fire to a church in Goa last time I was out there, so I guess those nutters are not too keen on Christmas either!
I should have made myself clearer. I was talking about in the UK specifically, and whether things like Christmas trees, cards, decorations etc. directly cause offense.
I suspect (and hope!) that the vast majority of the UK population, regardless of their faith, think they do not cause offense.
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Bonovox
Joined: Apr 13, 2008
Posts: > 500
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Im Irish catholic but what gets me these days is Christmas is far too commericalised. So many people now who DONT even believe in god celebrate Christmas and some probably dont even realise why we celebrate it. I call them hypocrites. Sorry thats just my opinion. And im also sick of our polititons taking away our traditions our heritage and saying we cant fly our flags and we cant put up a Christmas tree cos it might offend a muslim. How stupid are these people honestly. Some people seem to think Christmas was some invention just for everyone to buy each other presents and get drunk.
[ This Message was edited by: Bonovox on 2008-12-08 13:14 ] |
londonlad123
Joined: Jun 22, 2004
Posts: > 500
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Where is all this coming from?
I have never heard any ethnic minority community say that chrismas offends them but many say they enjoy it and the time off too at the end of the year. I have heard ethnic minority communities be asked by others in the workplace why Christmas offends them? But Christmas doesn't offend me. But why does it offend you? Reply was but it doesn't offend me!!
As far as I am concerned the govenment and media are paranoid that chrismas is offensive to others and the media is making money out of stories and making the public paranoid.
Have a happy chrismas! |
Sammy_boy
Joined: Mar 31, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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I'm perhaps being a bit cynical here, but I suspect it's lawsuit avoidance. Given the current litigious nature of our society here in the UK (and the US) and the ease in which people can start 'no win, no fee' lawsuits it's theoretically possible for someone to sue a council or company for being 'insulted' by Xmas decorations. This personally I find absolutely ridiculous, and this legislation makes everyone's job hard - I'm a nurse and find that my job is made harder by various rules and regulations which basically are there to avoid the trust being sued.
I'm with KB5 et al, this has gone too far and IMHO will cause more resentment and acrimony towards minorities. This shouldn't happen, all should be able to celebrate whatever festivals/religious ceremonies they want without fear of offending or being sued. This is where I wish there was no religion and the fervour, rhetoric and fanaticism it breeds - I'm with John Lennon on that one!
However, I guess I'm a bit of a hypocrite as I class myself as an atheist so probably shouldn't celebrate Xmas. However, I should be free to celebrate it if I want - thinking about it Xmas is based on old Pagan mid winter/solstice celebrations so it actually isn't originally a Christian festival! I still love Xmas, the spirit it provides which is still there if you strip away all the commercialism, hype and drunkenness that goes with it.
Not that I am much this year, I'm rota'd to work all through Christmas anyway, but that's a different story lol!
"All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
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goldenface
Joined: Dec 17, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Liverpool City Centre
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I think its this silly govenments fault.
When are we gonna kick the whole lot of them out, this country is becoming a living nightmare because of them.
This is supposed to be a free country where countless died fighting just so that people are free to worship whoever they so please - within reason.
Have you ever heard of anything so flaming ridiculous as imagining that people may be offended by Christmas? Its supposed to be a season of good will. Imagine being scared of putting up a Christmas tree in your front garden?
They need their heads seeing to.
I'm with Kingbooker on this one and some in this very thread saw his post as an attack on religion but its actually an attack at this stupid Nannying State which needs to stop poking it nose into peoples lives and let them just get on with things.
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Bonovox
Joined: Apr 13, 2008
Posts: > 500
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I have honestly seen it on my local news. Councils have refused to put up certain things for Christmas for fear of offending Muslims. How narrow minded and stupid is that. I never heard any muslim say anything or any Christian say anything in reverse either. I dont know where it comes from but its wierd. Im catholic but what ever anyone else does is not offending me unless its a blatant insult. I dont think councilors or MPs understand religous people. Its all so pathetic and sad really.
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goldenface
Joined: Dec 17, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Liverpool City Centre
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Yeah, I agree.
Next they'll be kicking down our Snowmen because they're insulting someone else.
I've read it on the news a few times too - its ridiculous.
We should revert back to Paganism and sacrifice people on bonfires, I wonder what they'd have to say about that?! 
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Sammy_boy
Joined: Mar 31, 2004
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From: Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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On 2008-12-08 16:11:56, goldenface wrote:
Yeah, I agree.
Next they'll be kicking down our Snowmen because they're insulting someone else.
I've read it on the news a few times too - its ridiculous.
We should revert back to Paganism and sacrifice people on bonfires, I wonder what they'd have to say about that?!
It's probably more peaceful than the current crop of religions (Except maybe Buddhism) and I believe is based on respect and worship of nature, we could do a lot worse than it!
And this is (just about!) on topic as Christmas, and in fact most Christian celebrations come to think of it, based on old Pagan celebrations and ceremonies as I said earlier! 
"All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
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goldenface
Joined: Dec 17, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Liverpool City Centre
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Indeed!
You'd be surprised how Pagan some of our festivals are.
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Bonovox
Joined: Apr 13, 2008
Posts: > 500
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Growing up i used to love having traditional Christmas with my family. Things change though alot is still the same in my family its not in most these days. For me on Christmas Eve we would go to midnight mass with my family then after midnight we would open our presents. But back then(im 37) you got what you were given or what your parents could afford. But i enjoyed the traditional Christmas singing carols in church or school. I care nothing for presents i dont expect people to buy me stuff. These days(call me old fashioned)everyone is just obsessed with presents or getting drunk. Yes i know times change but there is not as much tradition anymore and i find that sad. And Tony Blair is a hypocrite. He converted to being a Christian and yet he is from the pathetic politically correct Labour goverment. Dont get me started with Labour or Blair.
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Posted: 2008-12-08 01:55
