The meaning of "Christmas"

[merithyn]

Today, I got into a discussion about the use of the term "Christmas". I mentioned to a couple of friends that I don't celebrate Christmas, but I do celebrate the holiday season. One of them took great offense at that, saying that if I celebrate the holiday season I obviously celebrate Christmas. My problem with that is that I do not celebrate the birth of Christ, which is the whole point of Christmas. So, I kind of feel like it's disinenguous to say that I celebrate Christmas. He said that the whole holiday is Christmas, not just the religious aspect, so I'm wrong in saying that I don't celebrate the holiday.

What says Languish on the subject?

[Phillip V]

The point of Christmas is to not argue over such things.

[Martinus]

White people problems.

[Valmy]

A distinction without a difference.  After all Christmas is just a Christian excuse to continue celebrating the symbolism of rebirth of the world with the Winter Solstice.  I mean even for us who do celebrate Christ-like stuff the holiday really is not about that as getting together and celebrating another year gone by with everybody.  I know you don't do the whole family thing but it sounds like you and Max make it special just the two of you.

So I challenge the notion it is disinenguous to say you don't celebrate Christmas just because you don't do the whole Christ thing.  That part is pretty arbitrary anyway, as it is the symbolism of Jesus' birth that is the deal, not the fact that there is a 1/366 this may have been his birthday.

[Valmy]

White people problems.

What?  In your opinion do other races lack the brain power to ponder on the nature of Holidays or something?

[Caliga]

I say that you should punch your friend in the balls.

[Martinus]

White people problems.

What?  In your opinion do other races lack the brain power to ponder on the nature of Holidays or something?

It's a term used by Louis CK to describe problems that people who have no real problems have. I meant that most people probably do not bother with arguing about stuff like that.

[Caliga]

Calnac the Magnificent predicts that 'white people problems' will show up in Mart-generated threads often in the near future. 

[Martinus]

Calnac the Magnificent predicts that 'white people problems' will show up in Mart-generated threads often in the near future. 

[derspiess]

So I challenge the notion it is disinenguous to say you don't celebrate Christmas just because you don't do the whole Christ thing.  That part is pretty arbitrary anyway, as it is the symbolism of Jesus' birth that is the deal, not the fact that there is a 1/366 this may have been his birthday.

That's kind of what I keep in the holster in case anyone gets all shitty with me telling them "Merry Christmas".  I mean, you're accepting the day off from work, right?  Enjoy the day off if that's all Christmas means to you. 

[Grey Fox]

You are wrong. You celebrate Christmas.

[Faeelin]

You celebrate whatever you damn well feel like.

[merithyn]

White people problems.

What?  In your opinion do other races lack the brain power to ponder on the nature of Holidays or something?

It's a term used by Louis CK to describe problems that people who have no real problems have. I meant that most people probably do not bother with arguing about stuff like that.

This is Languish. It's what we do here.

[Richard Hakluyt]

You celebrate whatever you damn well feel like.

That's right.......and call it what you want too.

[Valmy]

You celebrate whatever you damn well feel like.

That's right.......and call it what you want too.

I don't think Meri is under the impression she is being oppressed here guys as much as I appreciate your bomb throwing anarchism