Comments on: The Roots of the War on Christmas http://www.daylightatheism.org/2008/12/roots-of-the-war-on-christmas.html NIGHTTIME IS FOR DREAMING. DAYLIGHT IS FOR ACTION. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:48:06 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Jim Baerg http://www.daylightatheism.org/2008/12/roots-of-the-war-on-christmas.html#comment-42855 Jim Baerg Fri, 26 Dec 2008 03:57:53 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=906#comment-42855 Here's an interesting historical comment on 'the war on Christmas', with a discussion of the origins of many Christmas traditions. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/12/21/221425/67/364/675959 Here's an interesting historical comment on 'the war on Christmas', with a discussion of the origins of many Christmas traditions.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/12/21/221425/67/364/675959

]]> By: Larian LeQuella http://www.daylightatheism.org/2008/12/roots-of-the-war-on-christmas.html#comment-42771 Larian LeQuella Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:22:35 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=906#comment-42771 Every time I see all that "Keep X in Xmas" BS that the xtians have on their cars and such, I want to post a "Keep the Solstice in Saturnalia!" Every time I see all that "Keep X in Xmas" BS that the xtians have on their cars and such, I want to post a "Keep the Solstice in Saturnalia!"

]]> By: nfpendleton http://www.daylightatheism.org/2008/12/roots-of-the-war-on-christmas.html#comment-42759 nfpendleton Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:10:23 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=906#comment-42759 The simple fact that "Merry Christmas" is being replaced by "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings," is because of what I thought the promise of the US was supposed to be all along: An inclusive melting pot of all nationalities, beliefs or disbeliefs, and cultures. Apparently the cave conservatives really just mean, "NON-XIANS NEED NOT APPLY." Not a very American conceit. The simple fact that "Merry Christmas" is being replaced by "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings," is because of what I thought the promise of the US was supposed to be all along: An inclusive melting pot of all nationalities, beliefs or disbeliefs, and cultures. Apparently the cave conservatives really just mean, "NON-XIANS NEED NOT APPLY."

Not a very American conceit.

]]> By: bipolar2 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2008/12/roots-of-the-war-on-christmas.html#comment-42742 bipolar2 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:09:34 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=906#comment-42742 ** Celebrate the only Sun reborn each December 21 ** “Proclaim [anti-supernaturalism] throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof.” Reason, rudeness, the risible should never be underestimated when dealing with sanctimonious xians. Crude or sophisticated . . . straight-up or parody with a twist, your voice will spread a mindset that xianity is (and always has been) a lying joyless fraud. Remember your audience is vast. As the good news supposedly says, "Those who are not against us are with us." What do all gods have in common? They're dead. bipolar2 ** Celebrate the only Sun reborn each December 21 **

“Proclaim [anti-supernaturalism] throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof.”

Reason, rudeness, the risible should never be underestimated when dealing with sanctimonious xians.

Crude or sophisticated . . . straight-up or parody with a twist, your voice will spread a mindset that xianity is (and always has been) a lying joyless fraud.

Remember your audience is vast. As the good news supposedly says, "Those who are not against us are with us."

What do all gods have in common? They're dead.

bipolar2

]]> By: Libby http://www.daylightatheism.org/2008/12/roots-of-the-war-on-christmas.html#comment-42740 Libby Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:55:35 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=906#comment-42740 As much as I disagree with the Catholic church I am required to attend weekly, I never thought they'd sink to this sort of language. They generally prefer to make their political agendas understated and implicit, rather than using fear-mongering propaganda such as the "War on Christmas." Well, last week they went there. According to our pastor, the "secular progressives" are trying to take away our "christian society" and replace it with secular policies that lead to the "immorality, dysfunction, and the collapse of our society." He said that during this Christmas season, we had to fight in the "War on Christmas" to defend our religious liberties. Then he said "secular progressives" again as if it was a synonym for the devil. Catholics continue to surprise me. As much as I disagree with the Catholic church I am required to attend weekly, I never thought they'd sink to this sort of language. They generally prefer to make their political agendas understated and implicit, rather than using fear-mongering propaganda such as the "War on Christmas."

Well, last week they went there. According to our pastor, the "secular progressives" are trying to take away our "christian society" and replace it with secular policies that lead to the "immorality, dysfunction, and the collapse of our society." He said that during this Christmas season, we had to fight in the "War on Christmas" to defend our religious liberties.

Then he said "secular progressives" again as if it was a synonym for the devil.

Catholics continue to surprise me.

]]> By: Richard P http://www.daylightatheism.org/2008/12/roots-of-the-war-on-christmas.html#comment-42730 Richard P Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:12:46 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=906#comment-42730 I think that it is the commercial interests that focus on removing the Christ from x-mass. They generate interest in the holiday by creating conflict, while pretending to mulfiy it by compromising and calling it a season of giving. Really it is an attempt to get everyone to spend money. "Lets not just have the bible thumpers giving, let's get everyone doing it. That way they can run up the credit cards. Stimulate the economy with more pretend money." I think that it is the commercial interests that focus on removing the Christ from x-mass. They generate interest in the holiday by creating conflict, while pretending to mulfiy it by compromising and calling it a season of giving. Really it is an attempt to get everyone to spend money.
"Lets not just have the bible thumpers giving, let's get everyone doing it. That way they can run up the credit cards. Stimulate the economy with more pretend money."

]]> By: Nes http://www.daylightatheism.org/2008/12/roots-of-the-war-on-christmas.html#comment-42716 Nes Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:48:25 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=906#comment-42716 That's exactly why I use that phrase, too, xJane. That's exactly why I use that phrase, too, xJane.

]]> By: Polly http://www.daylightatheism.org/2008/12/roots-of-the-war-on-christmas.html#comment-42707 Polly Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:06:52 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=906#comment-42707 @goyo <blockquote>Strange, but she's 80 and I don't want to push it. This time of year is always difficult.</blockquote> This time of year especially. It seems like a lot of disappointment with life in general combined with the persecution complex stirs up arguments too easily. She still thinks I'm "saved" (I think) but is aware of a definite trend from me away from the (tel)evangelical-type worldview. And that's me holding a lot back! @goyo

Strange, but she's 80 and I don't want to push it. This time of year is always difficult.

This time of year especially. It seems like a lot of disappointment with life in general combined with the persecution complex stirs up arguments too easily. She still thinks I'm "saved" (I think) but is aware of a definite trend from me away from the (tel)evangelical-type worldview. And that's me holding a lot back!

]]> By: xJane http://www.daylightatheism.org/2008/12/roots-of-the-war-on-christmas.html#comment-42702 xJane Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:39:48 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=906#comment-42702 I find it interesting that it's always "atheists" who are apparently against the word "Christmas" (which most atheists I know find to be a secular holiday of gift-giving, Santas, and trees). The reason I say "happy holidays" is that the person I'm talking to may be Christian, but may well be pagan, Jewish, or Muslim. If I knew, I would wish happiness for the appropriate holiday. I find it interesting that it's always "atheists" who are apparently against the word "Christmas" (which most atheists I know find to be a secular holiday of gift-giving, Santas, and trees). The reason I say "happy holidays" is that the person I'm talking to may be Christian, but may well be pagan, Jewish, or Muslim. If I knew, I would wish happiness for the appropriate holiday.

]]> By: bbk http://www.daylightatheism.org/2008/12/roots-of-the-war-on-christmas.html#comment-42697 bbk Sun, 21 Dec 2008 04:27:17 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=906#comment-42697 <blockquote>The irony is that if you look at the history of Christianity in the late Roman and into the Middle Ages, Christian clerics had no compunction about destroying pagan temples or tearing down sacred groves like the Oak of Geismar in their efforts to stamp out paganism.</blockquote> They also had no compunction about buying slave boys when the local population wasn't willing to supply enough bodies for the clergy. They only went about destroying other religions once there was enough popular support on their side. Christians were always a pathetic, power-hungry bunch.

The irony is that if you look at the history of Christianity in the late Roman and into the Middle Ages, Christian clerics had no compunction about destroying pagan temples or tearing down sacred groves like the Oak of Geismar in their efforts to stamp out paganism.

They also had no compunction about buying slave boys when the local population wasn't willing to supply enough bodies for the clergy. They only went about destroying other religions once there was enough popular support on their side. Christians were always a pathetic, power-hungry bunch.

]]> By: cl http://www.daylightatheism.org/2008/12/roots-of-the-war-on-christmas.html#comment-42692 cl Sat, 20 Dec 2008 23:41:46 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=906#comment-42692 Tom, LOLOL!!! Ebonmuse, screw the Rapture Bonds, any takers for a bet on what the first year where Christmas preparations will begin before June 25th? Ha! Getting ready for Christmas 4 days after the first day of summer... Seriously. If the current trend continues, then yes, <blockquote>..maybe people will even end up getting ready for each christmas several months before the preceding one!</blockquote> The thing that bums me out most about Christmas is how people drive and act the last 2 weeks - so sketchy. Tom,

LOLOL!!! Ebonmuse, screw the Rapture Bonds, any takers for a bet on what the first year where Christmas preparations will begin before June 25th? Ha! Getting ready for Christmas 4 days after the first day of summer...

Seriously. If the current trend continues, then yes,

..maybe people will even end up getting ready for each christmas several months before the preceding one!

The thing that bums me out most about Christmas is how people drive and act the last 2 weeks - so sketchy.

]]> By: Tom http://www.daylightatheism.org/2008/12/roots-of-the-war-on-christmas.html#comment-42691 Tom Sat, 20 Dec 2008 23:14:16 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=906#comment-42691 <q>You kidding? No joke, I saw Christmas stuff in some aisles in August. Barf.</q> It'll be interesting to see if things actually deterioriate to the point that christmas preparations begin closer to the last one - or maybe people will even end up getting ready for each christmas several months before the preceding one! You kidding? No joke, I saw Christmas stuff in some aisles in August. Barf.

It'll be interesting to see if things actually deterioriate to the point that christmas preparations begin closer to the last one - or maybe people will even end up getting ready for each christmas several months before the preceding one!

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