My Personal War on Christmas.

[Guy Fawkes]

Let me start by saying two things:
1. I am not a Christian.
2. This is not political.

With that out of the way, I feel that I can address the subject issue with some amount of freedom from misunderstanding. I don't want any political pundits to think that I have some sort of left-wing agenda against Christians or their holidays- but I want them to know that I do not celebrate Christmas. I am Jewish, and this time of year can be something of a depressing thing for me.

No, it isn't your "Merry Christmas"s, or your Christmas trees- and it was not the Christmas decorations or the songs which bothered me as I found gifts for friends; birthday gifts, if you wanted to know. It's the over commercialization of what I believe- again, I'm not Christian- should be a religious holiday; a time of contemplation about the true spirit of your beliefs and the teachings of Jesus Christ. I am constantly amazed by the greed in American society- the overwhelming sense of 'me' and 'mine'.

Some parts of the "Christmas Season" I can understand- during most of its history, America has been a predominantly Christian nation. It has been only recently that the nation has become more secular- with percentages of Christians ranging anywhere from 49-85%, depending on who is taking the numbers. Secular society has been taking things from religious society for a long time. Decorations, lights in particular, are a tradition during the winter months for many cultures and peoples- not just the Christians.

But a light up Jesus? A plastic manger scene in your front yard? These things I do not understand. I believe that religion is a personal thing- that it shouldn't be advertised or rubbed in people's faces. Saying "Merry Christmas" isn't a problem for me- I understand that most people are Christian. It's easier, I think, then "Joyful ChrismaHannuKwanziFestiWinterSolsticus... And a happy New year- unless you're Chinese, in which case it was a while ago- Or Jewish, in which case it was not so long ago, but you know what I mean..."

Whether or not it's a "holiday" tree is something I could care less about. As I go out to find a festivus pole- and I warn you, I intend to- I'm sure I'll see people getting their trees ready. I like Christmas trees, in fact. But please, please... I've had enough JC Penny commercials. I've had Best Buy and RadioShack drilled into my head. I'm all Zales/Jared/Diamond Centered out. And if I see another Overstock.com or Old Navy commercial, I'll destroy my television.

To you few who give money to charity instead of each other, have a joyful Chrismahannukwanzifes... screw it. Merry Christmas.

[xxqqqzme]

1. Yesterday, walking past a surf shop,

on the window was painted 'PEACE and MERRY EVERYTHING'. I had 2 laugh - leave it 2 the surfer dudes 2 do it right.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. back at you, Guy, but I say merry holidays.

Wasn't there some litigation between TiVo and some advertisers, demanding that Tivo drop plans to offer an "erase all ads" as an option?

[otohara]

3. This So Called "War"

I'm no fan of this season - for reasons dating back to my childhood and drunk adults. It's a stressful time, spend money you don't have, be joyous when there's so little to be joyous about. There's a great amount of pressure to make the holidays "special" whether it be in decorating your home, cooking a ton of food, buying gifts - entertaining.

So if that weren't enough - now we have this so called war on Christmas - it only makes me want to boycott the entire season even more than I already do. All those commercials contribute to my already cynical views. As do the Bill O'Really's out there in corporate hell media land.

[Skidmore]

4. I was raised Christian and

have come to conclude that many paths lead to God, only some of which are Christian. I don't have much use for organized religion any longer, and rarely attend church. All organized religions are constructs of other humans. I do believe that there is a role for spirituality. At Christmas, we celebrate the coming of a peacemaker to the world in our home. We have no tree decorations up here this year, but I would have them if the grandchildren were coming, but this year is there time with their other family. We will have a meal for the family members who come to be together on a day of peace. We will give gifts to the young children. Otherwise, we will give gifts of money to local charities in a dollar amount per person. The greatest gift we will exchange this Christmas is the warmth of family and the joy of being together yet another year.

I don't consider it a war on Christmas. I consider this a celebration of peace and joy and hope.

[Generic Other]

5. I like "Merry Whatever"

But then I always liked "Christmas! Bah Hambug!"

[madeline_con]

6. "But a light up Jesus? "

Well said.

Hogging the tree (a pagan tradition), is just too darn funny, IMO.

The self-proclaimed Christians seem to want to monopolize the buying of gifts and all paraphernalia at this time of the year.


A Happy Shiny Thing to you, too. :hi:

[devinsgram]

7. I've got my on litt;le protest going

I do not buy from anyone that advertises on TY.

[prole_for_peace]

8. years ago, my roommate and i put "merry freakin christmas"

on our apartment window us that fake snow paint stuff. but the manager made us clean it off because someone complained. some people have no sense of humor.