When I posted the accurate nativity play, double duchess said she'd been curious what posts had upset my relatives. So, in the order I'd posted them to Facebook ...
I think the first one set up the upset for the other two, but I also think that Alice and Jackie ... well their feelings are waiting and ready to be hurt.
Exactly. And honestly, if they find this to be that upsetting, they clearly lead charmed lives because they have nothing else of true import about which to be upset!
The post is really about my relative's hurt feelings. And, since I'm not a Christian, I can say the holidays aren't about Christ for me. I'm glad you have a good relationship with your God, but it's not my thing.
This idea that Christmas belongs to Jesus and how dare people suggest otherwise is quaintly American.
You find a little of it in Australia, but it's a tiny niche, mostly confined to talkback radio, and the rest of us roll our eyes. Christmas is public holidays, Santa, family, and eating your weight in ham (or barbecue or seafood). It's the big opening to summer holidays. Christians can enjoy it for the religious tropes; for the rest of us, that stuff's long gone.
Japan isn't Christian at all. They celebrate Christmas with decorations and KFC, no Jesus needed.
And here I thought the Christmas tree was a Germanic Pagan symbol!
Linus failed to mention that some Calvinists banned the celebration of Christmas because of all the Pagan ritual it entailed -- gift-giving, drinking, feasting.
None of this is to say that Christians are wrong to believe what they believe and celebrate the way they celebrate. Only that both the celebrations and the beliefs have historical parallels (one might say origins).
Personally, I find all the history and synchronicity fascinating, but I'm an atheist. :)
no subject
Date: 2015-12-29 04:41 am (UTC)Vey.
Gabrielle
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Date: 2015-12-29 05:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-29 05:47 pm (UTC)Maybe you should have added this one:
Gabrielle
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Date: 2015-12-29 06:13 pm (UTC)And I love the comments over O Tannenbaum. “Really, what is this?"
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Date: 2015-12-29 05:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-29 05:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-29 10:32 am (UTC)This idea that Christmas belongs to Jesus and how dare people suggest otherwise is quaintly American.
You find a little of it in Australia, but it's a tiny niche, mostly confined to talkback radio, and the rest of us roll our eyes. Christmas is public holidays, Santa, family, and eating your weight in ham (or barbecue or seafood). It's the big opening to summer holidays. Christians can enjoy it for the religious tropes; for the rest of us, that stuff's long gone.
Japan isn't Christian at all. They celebrate Christmas with decorations and KFC, no Jesus needed.
8^-
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Date: 2015-12-29 05:46 pm (UTC)I wonder if they would find this offensive too....
Date: 2015-12-29 04:30 pm (UTC)Re: I wonder if they would find this offensive too....
Date: 2015-12-29 05:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-29 11:43 pm (UTC)I can understand that not everybody cares to be reminded of these things, true as they may be.
no subject
Date: 2015-12-30 12:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-31 09:15 pm (UTC)Linus failed to mention that some Calvinists banned the celebration of Christmas because of all the Pagan ritual it entailed -- gift-giving, drinking, feasting.
None of this is to say that Christians are wrong to believe what they believe and celebrate the way they celebrate. Only that both the celebrations and the beliefs have historical parallels (one might say origins).
Personally, I find all the history and synchronicity fascinating, but I'm an atheist. :)
no subject
Date: 2016-01-01 12:02 am (UTC)The birthing one really grossed my aunt out. I think that was the stickler that then made the others unacceptable.