Community > General Discussion

Topic: Atheist need a Christmas
GuitarManager Joined Wed 10/08/08 Posts: 273	Sun 11/23/08 04:47 PM
What has a big guy in a red suit driving a sleigh pulled by a herd of magical flying reindeer got to do with the birth of the baby Jesus? The same could be said about chopping down a fir tree, bringing it to your house and decorating it. One could equally call Christians hypocritical for celebrating Christmas if they celebrate with Santa and trees. Tradition credits Saint Boniface with the invention of the Christmas tree. The Oak of Thor at Geismar was chopped down by Boniface in a stage-managed confrontation with the old gods and local heathen tribes. A fir tree growing in the roots of the Oak was claimed by Boniface as a new symbol. "This humble tree's wood is used to build your homes: let Christ be at the centre of your households. Its leaves remain evergreen in the darkest days: let Christ be your constant light. Its boughs reach out to embrace and its top points to heaven: let Christ be your Comfort and Guide." An angel or star is often placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity story. There's nothing like copy and paste from wikipedia. While we're copying and pasting let me have a go from the same page: Both setting up and taking down a Christmas tree are done on specific dates. In Europe, when the practice of setting up evergreen trees originated in pagan times, the practice was associated with the Winter Solstice, around December 21.[10] Tree decoration was later adopted into Christian practice after the Church set December 25 as the birth of Christ, thereby supplanting the pagan celebration of the solstice. The New Testament gives no date for the birth of Christ. It was set by the church on December 25 as an aid to converting pagans to Christianity.

Mr_Music Joined Wed 10/22/08 Posts: 10677	Sun 11/23/08 04:49 PM
What has a big guy in a red suit driving a sleigh pulled by a herd of magical flying reindeer got to do with the birth of the baby Jesus? The same could be said about chopping down a fir tree, bringing it to your house and decorating it. One could equally call Christians hypocritical for celebrating Christmas if they celebrate with Santa and trees. Tradition credits Saint Boniface with the invention of the Christmas tree. The Oak of Thor at Geismar was chopped down by Boniface in a stage-managed confrontation with the old gods and local heathen tribes. A fir tree growing in the roots of the Oak was claimed by Boniface as a new symbol. "This humble tree's wood is used to build your homes: let Christ be at the centre of your households. Its leaves remain evergreen in the darkest days: let Christ be your constant light. Its boughs reach out to embrace and its top points to heaven: let Christ be your Comfort and Guide." An angel or star is often placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity story. There's nothing like copy and paste from wikipedia. While we're copying and pasting let me have a go from the same page: Both setting up and taking down a Christmas tree are done on specific dates. In Europe, when the practice of setting up evergreen trees originated in pagan times, the practice was associated with the Winter Solstice, around December 21.[10] Tree decoration was later adopted into Christian practice after the Church set December 25 as the birth of Christ, thereby supplanting the pagan celebration of the solstice. The New Testament gives no date for the birth of Christ. It was set by the church on December 25 as an aid to converting pagans to Christianity. Never said I wrote it, so pull the stick out.

GuitarManager Joined Wed 10/08/08 Posts: 273	Sun 11/23/08 04:49 PM
I really don't mean to offend with any previous comment. I wish everyone a happy Christmas with peace, love and joy all round.

Seamonster Joined Mon 11/03/08 Posts: 902	Sun 11/23/08 04:58 PM
What has a big guy in a red suit driving a sleigh pulled by a herd of magical flying reindeer got to do with the birth of the baby Jesus? The same could be said about chopping down a fir tree, bringing it to your house and decorating it. One could equally call Christians hypocritical for celebrating Christmas if they celebrate with Santa and trees. Because they are both made up stories,so why not put them together?

Mr_Music Joined Wed 10/22/08 Posts: 10677	Sun 11/23/08 05:00 PM
Non-believers can believe (or NOT believe, as it were) whatever they want. I am sure that believers would expect the same respect.

Phuque Joined Mon 11/17/08 Posts: 14151	Sun 11/23/08 05:14 PM
Maybe this will piss some people off...My B/F is making "Baby Jesus in a Nutshell" X-mas ornaments...I think they'll be a big hit!

heartSoul Joined Sun 08/26/07 Posts: 6038	Sun 11/23/08 05:17 PM
celebrate the Winter Solstice

beautyfrompain Joined Wed 03/05/08 Posts: 4696	Sun 11/23/08 05:38 PM
How about hell's day

GuitarManager Joined Wed 10/08/08 Posts: 273	Sun 11/23/08 06:29 PM
How about hell's day Atheists don't believe in hell.

Skad Joined Sun 11/16/08 Posts: 914	Sun 11/23/08 06:41 PM
Ok, just wondering how an atheist doesn't believe in God.. Isn't their religion centered around the fact that HE.. God.. doesn't exist. Without God, they wouldn't have a religion.

Mr_Music Joined Wed 10/22/08 Posts: 10677	Sun 11/23/08 06:42 PM
I'm still wondering how atheists can get insurance coverage for an Act of God.

quiet_2008 Joined Sat 08/30/08 Posts: 11138	Sun 11/23/08 06:42 PM
Ok, just wondering how an atheist doesn't believe in God.. Isn't their religion centered around the fact that HE.. God.. doesn't exist. Without God, they wouldn't have a religion. some atheists really are athiests and some athiests are really just anti-Christians

michiganman3 Joined Mon 10/29/07 Posts: 14521	Sun 11/23/08 06:45 PM
Not being Jewish, I don't get any Hannakah gifts, so being an atheist, I guess you don't get anything for the Holidays. If you want to play you got to pay.(with your soul, LOL)

Skad Joined Sun 11/16/08 Posts: 914	Sun 11/23/08 06:45 PM Edited by Skad on Sun 11/23/08 06:47 PM
Ok, just wondering how an atheist doesn't believe in God.. Isn't their religion centered around the fact that HE.. God.. doesn't exist. Without God, they wouldn't have a religion. some atheists really are athiests and some athiests are really just anti-Christians You said it. So, doesn't that qualify as a politically correct "hate crime"? Ok, granted no crime is committed.. "hate organization" whatever. Why be negative when Christians and Jews are just trying to enjoy the holiday they've celebrated for years.. for the reason they've celebrated? I think Atheists should work on Christmas.

michiganman3 Joined Mon 10/29/07 Posts: 14521	Sun 11/23/08 06:48 PM
There's nothing like copy and paste from wikipedia. While we're copying and pasting let me have a go from the same page: Both setting up and taking down a Christmas tree are done on specific dates. In Europe, when the practice of setting up evergreen trees originated in pagan times, the practice was associated with the Winter Solstice, around December 21.[10] Tree decoration was later adopted into Christian practice after the Church set December 25 as the birth of Christ, thereby supplanting the pagan celebration of the solstice. The New Testament gives no date for the birth of Christ. It was set by the church on December 25 as an aid to converting pagans to Christianity. Same reason they built Christian churchs on/over old pagan sites and temples.

Skad Joined Sun 11/16/08 Posts: 914	Sun 11/23/08 07:02 PM
Ok, I'm confused now. Are you atheist or pagan?

Ruth34611 Joined Sat 08/02/08 Posts: 32402	Sun 11/23/08 07:03 PM
What do you get an Atheist for christmas?? nothing! thats kinda the point.... or is it i think we need to come up with a godless holiday for atheist that isnt Halloween. ...But what would you call it? would there still be a red nose reindeer?? help me out mingle2 Halloween is not a godless holiday.

michiganman3 Joined Mon 10/29/07 Posts: 14521	Sun 11/23/08 07:10 PM
Kwanzza is a godless holiday.

quiet_2008 Joined Sat 08/30/08 Posts: 11138	Sun 11/23/08 07:11 PM
so is Veterans Day

Ruth34611 Joined Sat 08/02/08 Posts: 32402	Sun 11/23/08 07:11 PM
celebrate the Winter Solstice I celebrate the Winter Solstice...Yule. But, it's not a godless holiday. I guess you could celebrate it as simply the changing of the season if you wanted to. I also celebrate Christmas.