The so called war against Christmas is not being waged by atheists

[Hamlette]

As a kid, our home always had a nativity set. I've got several I put up now. In my atheist family I was taught that the birth of Christ is a beautiful myth which teaches us to take care of poor people so they are not giving birth in barns. And if your intent is to bring peace, love, and compassion into the world, even kings will bring gifts. (The lessons were wider and deeper than that, but you get the idea.)

When I hear Merry Christmas I hear it with my "we are celebrating a wonderful myth which teaches us life's most meaningful lessons" ear and it doesn't bug me at all. I do think schools should take religious songs out of school programs but who cares if its a Christmas card or a Holiday card...I don't.

I think it is most offensive to my jewish friends because it goes AGAINST their faith.

Which is why I think this war against the war on christmas is so dangerous. 1. It makes the christians think they are victims which is VERY dangerous and 2. It is anti-semetic....again, very dangerous.

It's not the so called war on christmas that is dangerous, it is the war against the so called war on christmas that is very dangerous. It would be nice if someone like Bush could see that and call a truce. But, like Hitler, that would not serve his needs. Or his party's.

edited for typos

[TallahasseeGrannie]

1. I like the idea of an atheist

honoring the concept behind "the myth." I'm relatively certain, as a Christian, that although I believe the divinity of Christ, his birth was probably had very little in common with the Christmas story, if anything! So even to me, it is a myth. A very lovely myth.

I don't think many people are buying the war on Christmas crap. Nobody I know is, anyway. As long as I can remember I have only said "Merry Christmas" to people I knew were Christians. It is common courtesy! You wouldn't go saying Happy Hannukah to everybody willy-nilly, even if you didn't know if they were Jewish.

This stuff is actually on the news WHEN THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS UNACCOUNTED FOR ON THE GULF COAST. Just when did I step through that looking glass, I wonder?

[StClone]

2. Good post!

Christmas to me was the romantic belief that when the time comes we draw together in a shared glow of peace, goodwill and love. We gather share and and know we need to move forward with that Christmas spirit into a New Year that will greet us and deliver us again hopefully to the next Christmas.

Looking out over a snow covered Christmas eve with whispers of starlight illuminating the landscape one can not hope for the best. How I wish there was an all-knowing God seeing over us with ultimate care and devotion. There isn't but that doesn't me we can not hold to the ideals of Christmas.

The War on Christmas is another sad attempt by the Christian manipulators to divide, distract and confuse for their motives. As noted the war is not by us but by the purveyors of the idea that such a war exists at all. Isn't it odd they are not focused on the essence of what Christmas represents, instead they invent hate and search out a meaning to fear for Christmas. Grinch, Scrooge and the Anti-Christ shade their efforts.

Christmas is coming but is it safe to enjoy it with FOX, O'Reilly and Hannity stirring up fear and loathing?

[havocmom]

3. Excellent points. I, too, like the concept of Jesus as a teacher.

I even accept the possibility of his historical existence. But he is not 'my savior'. If I am to be saved from a pointless life, it will be my own doing. I celebrate him as teacher and master (meaning teacher, not lord) as I celebrate other great teaching masters.

I LOVE Christmas. The trees (with knowledge of the origins of those traditions) the lights (for me, metaphor for enlightenment) the lessons of celebrating life in the dark time of year, the renewing of bonds and giving from one's heart. The music is great too, so long as one does not have to listen to mu-sak at work all the time.

The older I get, the more I enjoy all of it. Perhaps it is because I do not allow others to define it for me. And I keep it in my heart as much as possible all year. It is nice when others play along in December, though too many seem to miss the point.

A favorite song this time of year, which I sing with gusto: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. For me, all about reflecting, and reflecting is best when there are facets.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas ;)

[theoldman]

4. Republicans enjoy having a war against Christmas.

It gives them another chance to point fingers at other people. Everyone I know says "Merry Christmas", even my Hindu friends. Jews celebrate Christmas because it is good for business.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. The fundies started it. They, not we, are the Grinches.

I'm what you might call a cultural Christian. I celebrate Christmas because it symbolizes peace and charity and compassion, and the phony War on Christmas is designed to inspire exactly the opposite kinds of attitudes. Those Grinches are stealing MY Christmas, dammit.

And while we're on the subject of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas -- In Dr. Seuss' book, the Grinch who stole all the lights and trees and presents was unable to steal Christmas because it's not about "stuff". Maybe the lunatic fundies who have their panties in a wad about how department store clerks greet them should be reminded of that point. So even if the Evil Liberal conspiracy were successful in removing all evidence of Christmas from public places, like the Grinch, if you really believed in it, it couldn't be "stolen" at all, could it?

Idiots...

[Bellamia]

6. I wish everyone was taught as your were...........

There would certainly be a better chance of Peace on Earth.
Recommended

[unblock]

7. the "war on christmas" is a strawman by the fundies to get donations

and rile up their base. it lets them feel righteous indignation. it lets them feel like, hey, it's OUR turn to feel like victims and martyrs.

red meat for the base. it's all coming from the right wing fundamentalist leaders who are trying to raise the next generation of christian soldiers.

christmas is a federal holiday, widely celebrated across the nation, nearly all stores and businesses are closed, one way or another, heed is paid to christmas pretty much every day from the moment the turkey comes out of the oven. and it's the focal point of the biggest consumer season of the year since a few, predominantly JEWISH merchants decided to promote it.

christmas is doing very well indeed, thank you very much.

[Sinistrous]

8. Agree. There is NO "war on Christmas", "so-called" or otherwise.

except in the rabid psyches of the fundamentalist pseudo-christians for whom "tolerance" is a dirty word.