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Happy Xmas ?

Any topics that are primarily about humanism or other non-religious life stances fit in here.
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Johnnywas
Posts: 53
Joined: May 7th, 2010, 12:20 am

Happy Xmas ?

#1 Post by Johnnywas » December 11th, 2010, 2:37 pm

Eric Pickles, the entirely charmless Minister for Communities in England has launched an attack on Councils for not spending enough on Christmas and spending instead on secular celebration such as "winterval" and "luminous"

Eric is in trouble from some quarters because the evidence that local authorities ever invested substanially in secular celebrations at Christmas seems to be rather slim and limited to a few endlessly recycled anecdotes

My experience is that some local authorities, mostly Tory, feel obliged to pay for a few baubles to satisfy a vocal minority of evangeical Christians but most Council run celebrations have for a long time been about promoting the town and its shopping centre. I find it difficult to believe that these days councils have much to spend on promoting secular virtues in December or that many are inclined to do so. I suppose that it is arguably part of the council's job to provide some modest help local businesses by promoting shopping centres - however its not really for Councils to promote any religious or for that matter any secular world view using local taxpayers money.

However I quite like the idea of Winterval. I can't stand all those nativity scenes and iconography. While I ratherlike the fireworks and guady celebrations. I don't even mind much a little commercialism at a time of year when all is otherwise fairly bleak. What else is there to do on cold dark nights except wrap our presents, have fun with the family. A celebration of plentifulness with a nod towards the virtues of human charity.

Xmas is the safe choice in song writing. Witness John Lennon and Yoko's perfect seasonal ballad. Its the perfect anecdote to Pickles. Christmas without the Christians. A celebration of the potential for all to live in peace regardless of race, wealth or status.

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Carja
Posts: 2325
Joined: September 4th, 2010, 7:58 pm

Re: Happy Xmas ?

#2 Post by Carja » December 11th, 2010, 4:30 pm

Here in the states, we have a lot of people who get upset over people saying "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". They say that we are a Christian country and that only "Merry Christmas" should be said. But, we are not a Christian country. We are a country of many religions and non religion. When "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" is said, it covers all the religious holidays that fall during this time of year. Non Christians are tax paying Americans and should not feel obligated to please the Christians' point of view.

It's all so petty. I see "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" as covering all these holidays, including "New Year's". Christians seem to get mighty selfish at times. Honor their holiday and ignore every one elses.

"Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" fits me just fine. And "Xmas" also.
Laugh often/love much;leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child,a garden patch,or a redeemed social condition;play w/enthusiasm & sing w/exultation;know even 1 life has breathed easier because you lived. This is success.B.A.Stanley

redsquirrel
Posts: 38
Joined: October 23rd, 2010, 9:28 pm

Re: Happy Xmas ?

#3 Post by redsquirrel » December 11th, 2010, 6:55 pm

Eric Pickles is, to be frank IMO, a complete and utter loudmouth tory gobs**te who appears to have spent most of the time since the election getting his name in the papers and having a pop at anyone and anything that he doesn't agree with or like (which seems to be quite a lot). I'd like to say that he should be ignored but unfortunately he is in a position of power and doesnt seem to care that many others may not agree with him.

As for Xmas, I personally have always liked the winter period and enjoyed the whole xmas period, albeit without the over the top commercialism that inevitably comes with it in todays consumer world. I have however not just treated it as the one day rather a bit of a (mid) winter festival as you have said. I particularly enjoy some nice lights and tasteful decorations but don't see why they should only be up for such a short time.

It was only fairly recently that I did a bit of research into the whole issue of xmas and surprise surprise its not just a christian thing anyway. There are many other traditions that existed of celebrations at this time of year following the winter solstice on dec 21/22 and then the rising again of the sun on or about 25 dec, which seems to have been a traditional 'birthday' of many pagan sun gods. The Romans had the Saturnalia festivities in the previous week and judging by the accounts of this, there are similarities with the pre-xmas party season which exists now!! :party:
The Scandinavians had Tree (and Wodan) worship festivities this time of year too, and many things like mistletoe, yule logs etc come from non-christian sources.

In other words it's a hotch potch of all sorts of traditions, and just like you said, why not see it as a time of (responsible)enjoyment, peace etc for all who wish it to be, irrespective of race, religion etc. And call it what you like! :thumbsup:

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animist
Posts: 6522
Joined: July 30th, 2010, 11:36 pm

Re: Happy Xmas ?

#4 Post by animist » December 12th, 2010, 7:15 pm

yesterday I was involved in the local Amnesty International group's annual greetings card campaign, whose aim is to send greetings cards (signed by individual local people) to prisoners of conscience etc abroad. I noticed that the instructions had changed in the last year or so - last time, we were supposed to tell people NOT to say anything religious, but now they can be either religious or not on the cards as they like. So here we have an altruistic and secular organisation moving AWAY from political correctness - what a pity the religious lot cannot move a bit from the other side!

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