Christmas just wouldn't be the same without a Steamy Cup of Hyperbole served up by the WingDings!

But to a growing group of Christians, this focus on the commercial aspect of Christmas is itself the greatest threat to one of Christianity's holiest days

So we are returning to the 80's view of "Santa distracts from Jesus, presents take away from the meaning of the day, and commercialism is ruining Christmas?"

Putting the Christ back in Christmas has long been a theme of a lot of Christians.

The Christmas season has been hijacked by commercialism for sure. It is up to the parents of Christian Children to make sure the proper message of Christmas is understood. It does Christianity no good to have it commercialized any more than it already is.

THE best time to shop during the holiday season? The day AFTER Christmas!

In many ways, Christmas has become more of an American Holiday to many of us more than a religious one. I cannot think of one friend who has a kid who doesn't have a tree in their house, Jewish or not. My friends with kids are lighting the candles this week, but saving the gifts for the 25th. I think if you removed the whole "Jesus is the ONLY reason for this season" attitude, much of the "War on Christmas" would go away. Who doesn't love this time of year really?

Nothing says "I Love Jesus" to a WingDing during this time of "Good Will towards Man" more than attacking minorities, defining what constitutes love between people (other than themselves), playing' the perpetual "victim", and in generally being hypocritical, pious assholes.

I like the christmas season.

all the lights
all the delicious food
the eggnog
the misletoe (spelling??)
the wreathes
the bows
the santa clause decorations
rudolph
the way cities and towns come alive
winter beers
hot chicks in skimpy mrs. santa costumes.
can i say hot chicks in skimpy mrs. santa costumes again?

I go to my parent's house for dinner more around this time of year just so I have an excuse to drive by "Santa's Enchanted Forrest" which is a city park they turn into an amazing light display every year.

Christmas is that time of year where, if you can't go to Vegas, the lights of Vegas comes to you.

Lets put some soul in solstice.

You should see how they celebrate Christmas in Japan.

And get a load of this - in the Fox News Shop, they only mention "Holiday" and the word "Christmas" is nowhere to be found.

"Holiday Must Haves From The FOX Shop!"

"Holiday Shipping Schedule"

I go to my parent's house for dinner more around this time of year just so I have an excuse to drive by "Santa's Enchanted Forrest" which is a city park they turn into an amazing light display every year.

The River Walk in San Antonio is done up very nicely as well.

So we are returning to the 80's view of "Santa distracts from Jesus, presents take away from the meaning of the day, and commercialism is ruining Christmas?"

That makes a hell of a lot more sense than getting mad at people who say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."

Santa Claus is at war with Jesus, as the first South Park warned.

hot chicks in skimpy mrs. santa costumes.
can i say hot chicks in skimpy mrs. santa costumes again?

#7 | Posted by klifferd

Now the christians want to go and ruin christmas for everyone else?

8^)

I love Christmas, but as a committed agnostic have only a marginal interest in its "true meaning." I respect those who want to worship, but people who grouse about a supposed war based on what a store employee says or doesn't say are just being silly. Christmas has always been tied to an even older traditional celebration, that of the winter solstice, and the confusion is unavoidable. And I really don't think that's a bad thing. Just relax and celebrate the holiday in your own way.

I do agree with the concern about "commercialization" and overspending, however.

What I like most about Christmas are the displays of kindness and the willingness of most people to think beyond themselves at this time of year. The Advent Conspiracy is a great way to channel that notion. Safe drinking water spreads joy and "good news" in a way no Bible passage can. Their videos rock.

Of course I also enjoy all those things Klifferd mentioned... plus watching "It's a Wonderful Life," "Christmas Story," "White Christmas," and the Peanuts and Grinch cartoons...

Who doesn't love this time of year really?

Precisely.

Spud's an atheist.

Pals around with other atheists, agnostics, Christians, Jews, Muslim, Sikhs, Hindu, Taoists, Buddhists, Wiccans et al.

And every one of the above seems to really enjoy this time of year.

Wot's not to luff?

A chance to get together with family.

To eat entirely unreasonable amounts of food including treats not seen throughout the rest of the year.

Christmas tunes onna radio.

Christmas movies like wot CBob talked about.

People wishing each other Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays on the street.

Spud tries to downplay the more commercial aspects of this time of year and mostly just enjoys the positive change in attitude that occurs.

Be Merry.

Be Well.

Putting the Christ back in Christmas has long been a theme of a lot of Christians.

To all my protestant brethren who believe they should put the Christ back in Christmas, I say put the Mass back in Christmas.

After all, it is a part of the Word that we are celebrating.

Cheers

Spud tries to downplay the more commercial aspects of this time of year and mostly just enjoys the positive change in attitude that occurs.

Wots not to luff 'bout that?

Happy Holidays to you Spud.

Happy Holidays to you Spud.

Merry Christmas, Grendel.

Peace be with you.

Be Well.

Putting the Christ back in Christmas has long been a theme of a lot of Christians.

Too funny considering Christ was most likely born in the summer and his birth magically moved to coincide with pagan winter solstice festivities.

Ah, the Tater of Doom and the Monster of Mass!

Two of my all time fav posters.

Merry Christmas, and May the Farce be with You.

Ah, the Tater of Doom and the Monster of Mass!
...and May the Farce be with You.

It is. Big time.

I say put the Mass back in Christmas.

Spud still does Midnight Mass every coupla of years or so despite the whole atheist thing because it's always a beautiful and moving experience.

So far no bolts of lightening has flashed down and struck Spud dead fer his blasphemous presence which Spud takes as a good sign.

Be Well.

May the Farce be with You.

And also with you.

Merry Christmas, Corky! ^_^

Be Well.

Corky - I'd like to hear your thoughts on this perhaps being the time of year Yeshua was CONCEIVED and his birth more than likely occurring during rosh hoshana or sukkot. Have you studied that aspect at all? It would give us a word picture of life beginning at conception, yes?

"That makes a hell of a lot more sense than getting mad at people who say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas.""

Actually, the commercialism and the political correctness are equally annoying. And they are related. Because stores want to cash in on Christmas and take money from people who celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday while acting as if "Christmas" is offensive.

Its a Christian holiday. If you need to stay secular, don't acknowledge the holiday - which is what you do for every other religious holiday. That goes for stores, schools, the post office, whoever. Leave Christmas to Christians, its their holiday.

Ah, the Tater of Doom and the Monster of Mass!

Two of my all time fav posters.

Merry Christmas, and May the Farce be with You.

Right back at ya, Corky.

Merry Christmas

-Too funny considering Christ was most likely born in the summer and his birth magically moved to coincide with pagan winter solstice festivities

Magically moved to coincide with already prevalent celebrations.....

I have thought the same thing for decades, Jesus being born in 3-4 BC, sometime in about September, as he was about 6 mos younger than his cousin, John the Baptist, who's birth date we can figure.

But then again..... a new astronomical survey using conventional software places the date of the visit of the Magi to a toddler (the word used in the Gospel story instead of baby) apparently just after his first birthday, is..... wait for it..... Dec 25th, in 2-3 BC, I forget which.

Very interesting study done here...

#26 | Posted by nanc

Take a good read of the link above, nanc

#30 - I'm in the midst of this right now, but will check your link further:

Personally, I can barely stand to watch commercials of almost any kind at any time of the year. Yep, that means a lot of PBS or movie channel or switching channels whenever a commercial comes on if I watch TV.

So, for me, the commercialization of Christmas is just another grating fingernail on the chalkboard of life.

Spud still does Midnight Mass every coupla of years or so despite the whole atheist thing because it's always a beautiful and moving experience.

I understand what you mean. The mass is ritual and the origins of both ritual and theater are closely tied together. As such they both are meant to affect someone on an emotional level.

They certainly were for pagans in the ancient world and they were for Christians in the later Middle Ages.

Friends of mine who are atheists use to substitute going to local theater productions to take the place of religious ritual in their lives. That made sense to me.

So far no bolts of lightening has flashed down and struck Spud dead fer his blasphemous presence which Spud takes as a good sign.

Nothing blasphemous about it. Welcome all.

The only flash you may experience is the feeling of good will toward man. (And perhaps the fleeting spark that maybe, just maybe, there is more to this life than just this life.)

-the fleeting spark that maybe, just maybe, there is more to this life than just this life.)

Which hope is what Jesus represented and Paul preached.

Of course, some QM based theory now chimes in on the subject.....

Declare war on christmas music.

Worst fucking shit since elevator.

#35
Oh, I don't know...

Which hope is what Jesus represented and Paul preached.

Ah, yes. Faith is the substance of things hoped for.

BTW, the stuff on QM and spirituality is very interesting.

I will probably not live long enough to see it, but it would not surprise me that the so called rift between science and spirituality will some day seem like an odd historical curiosity by both spiritual and science minded people.

-I will probably not live long enough to see it, but it would not surprise me that the so called rift between science and spirituality will some day seem like an odd historical curiosity by both spiritual and science minded people.

I think it is trending that way.

And it started some time ago....

We need more farting Santas. Bartle Doo!

"Nothing blasphemous about it. Welcome all."

I was at a Catholic funeral recently. When it came time for the wafer and wine, the priest politely pointed out that while he knew the attendees were not all Catholic, and he welcomed their presence, he/his church could not condone non-Catholics' taking communion. It was politely done, and he spoke of respect for one another's beliefs. It was... a bit uncomfortable, but true and honest. And given that I wasn't sure what I would do if everyone took it (before he said that), it gave me my out. : ) (I can feel okay saying Peace be with you and bowing my head in prayer; I can't feel good about taking communion, given my atheist/agnostic status.)

Hey, they made me wear a Yamaha at a Bar Mitzvah. Whatever's good.

hope the war is succesvul. The day of covetousnesss has destroyed many children.

Concerning: "Friends of mine who are atheists used to substitute going to local theater productions to take the place of religious ritual in their lives. That made sense to me."

No wonder they never had a relationship with God. Kind of rude to do selfish things and not thank your father for all his benefits..

Methinks the athiests benefits are going to get cut off soon. We'll let their theater manager save the from coming destruction soon.

Christmas is fabulous and, for me, largely guilt free hedonism. Food, family & friends.

The irony of this campaign is how commercialized religion is in this country. Most churches are a tax free business, which is OK with me as long as they limit their activities to service in any community. When they use their tax advantage to engage in business it riles me. Pat Robertson and the Mormon Church are gaming the system as much as the Goldman-Sachs.

I know an apple farmer who belongs to a Christian Religion, NO non-profit Corporate tax status, NO paid staff, NO real estate (they use members own homes), all their ministers take an oath of poverty living by traveling from one member home to another, and NO NAME. The one thing they share nationally is a syllibus of bible chapters, which along with a hymn book form the basis of their common Sunday Church services. Each Sunday one chapter is discussed. That's all there is to it.

"...Fresh of their Yearly War on Halloween, the Christian Moron League will devote its full time on fighting the war on christmas..."

Sheeeesh. enough already, Morons.

-Too funny considering Christ was most likely born in the summer and his birth magically moved to coincide with pagan winter solstice festivities

Magically moved to coincide with already prevalent celebrations.....-Corky

What's the big deal about that? Observances are just that, observances. It doesn't matter when a particular thing happened because all you are doing is recognizing that it did happen and it was a good thing. When you do it doesn't matter one iota.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

-What's the big deal about that?

None that I can think of.

most likely the guy fell off his horse and then lied alot. You worship a dream.

Re: #33...Grendel...I have to tell you that those of us who do or have done theatre in the past will tell you that there is a (please excuse the word usage) sacred feeling that occurs when the play comes together in front of an audience. Being the prototypical recovering Catholic, doing theatre is the closest I've ever come to a "religious" experience. One in particular that I'll always remember...1976 @the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. The Tempest. Something clicked that night. We got 5 curtain calls.

That settles it...I'm going to hit some auditions after the New Year.

Let's put things in perspective, both believers and non-believers alike.

"It's the shopping, the going into debt, the worrying that if I don't spend enough money, someone will think I don't love them," says Portland pastor Rick McKinley. "Christians get all bent out of shape over the fact that someone didn't say 'Merry Christmas' when I walked into the store. But why are we expecting the store to tell our story? That's just ridiculous."

Anything wrong with that?
Personally, I think this paster nailed it right on the head.

"The pastors...weren't advocating a Grinchy no-gifts kind of Christmas, but rather one in which people spent a little less and thought a little more"

Anything wrong with that?

Christians are neither more nor less vulnerable to greed, worry, pettiness, or stress than non-Christians. During the Christmas season or otherwise.

This pastor is simply saying "Relax, people, focus on your faith, on why we celebrate Christmas."

Anything wrong with that?

One of my roommates was worried that he might spend less money on a gift for a friend than that friend spent on a gift for him. I told him it was pointless to think that way, and shouldn't be a factor.

Isn't this exactly what pastor McKinley is talking about?
Regardless of faith?

Re: #33...Grendel...I have to tell you that those of us who do or have done theatre in the past will tell you that there is a (please excuse the word usage) sacred feeling that occurs when the play comes together in front of an audience. Being the prototypical recovering Catholic, doing theatre is the closest I've ever come to a "religious" experience. One in particular that I'll always remember...1976 @the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. The Tempest. Something clicked that night. We got 5 curtain calls.

That settles it...I'm going to hit some auditions after the New Year.

An interesting post.

Good luck, Dutch.

I wish I had such talent and the experiences they provide.

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.

from: As You Like It

Grendel...Kurt Vonnegut wrote a short story that I ran across in Welcome To The Monkey House called Who Am I This Time? that aptly describes the transcendent nature and power of theatre. It was made into a television movie, but I'm not sure if it's available on dvd or download. I think you'd enjoy it.

The part of the story I left out was that the next night's performance was a total train wreck. That what we get for trying to replicate the previous night's show. Each performance is its own living, breathing creation that only the people watching can see and experience. There's no dvd or recording to take home...you take it with you in your head, and if done successfully, in your heart. I image that's what a real religious experience is for some people.

#29. Jesus wasn't stupid, Corky. He set up his own birth to coincide with the pagan holliday. Happy Yule. Blessed Be.

#54 | Posted by igmoramus at 2009-12-18 11:11 AM | Reply | Flag: Winner Most Appropriate Drudge Handle

That's why I get the big money.