What is Christmas all about?

[Elderman]

[missnemesis]

Nothing more than a 'Hallmark Holiday' these days and I find that very sad, regardless of religious beliefs.

[naomi24]

Jom, Sandy isn't paraphrasing - he's completely making it up.

[rowanwitch]

SandyRoe others may have chosen to ignore your point about parthenogenesis but that would mean Jesus Christ would be more likely to be Jesus Christine... and yes the world might be a better place....

Christmas even with all its commercialisation is about trying to make sure others are happy.... maybe we have a situation where the methodology i.e buying expensive gifts, stuffing people senseless with unhealthy food has gone a bit awry but the underlying intent is still there....

Folk accept that Auntie Flo isn't good company or Your brothers kids are horrible tearaways who will wreck the carefully laid out decorations but we invite them into our homes, or we go to their place because we care, and don't like the idea of them being alone.... so regardless of belief the core values of concern and 'love' still underpin the celebration for many many people

They just don't go to church anymore they go to Argos

[missnemesis]

I get what you're saying Rowan but why does it have to be on a certain date in December? Surely Auntie Flo et all could do with the company, food, entertainment or whatever throughout the rest of the year.

Love is for life, not just for Christmas ;-)

[rowanwitch]

I know and in an ideal world... but I guess its a start....

[sandyRoe]

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

I think those two Johns were heading for the same destination but were on different paths.

[rowanwitch]

The difference being JL did drugs and god is a drug for some people... the idea is a good one though where-ever it comes from

[missnemesis]

Yes sandy but don't forget according to JL the beatles were bigger ;-)

[sandyRoe]

Missnemises, more than one day with my relatives would test even my near inexhaustible Christian patience to the limit.

[sandyRoe]

JL will know now who's bigger ;-)

[jomifl]

You really believe that Sandy?

[Elderman]

Back Christmas, The Bible ignores Christmas because it is not a Christian doctrine or practice.
Where, then, did Christmas originate? It is impossible to separate Christmas from its pagan origins.” It adds: “The Romans’ favorite festival was Saturnalia, which began on December 17 and ended with the ‘birthday of the unconquered sun’ on December 25. Somewhere in the second quarter of the fourth century, savvy officials of the church of Rome decided December 25 would make a dandy day to celebrate the birthday of the ‘sun of righteousness.’ Christmas was born.”
The pagan celebration of Saturnalia took place at the winter solstice. The word “solstice” comes from two Latin words: sol (the name of a sun god) and sistere (to stop). The winter solstice is the time when the daylight hours stop getting shorter and instead begin to get longer. According to the ancient Julian calendar, the day of the winter solstice was December 25.
Thus, The World Book Encyclopedia states: “This celebration [Christmas] was probably influenced by pagan (unchristian) festivals held at that time. The ancient Romans held year-end celebrations to honor Saturn, their harvest god; and Mithras [the sun god].” The New Catholic Encyclopedia says: “On Dec. 25, 274, [Roman emperor] Aurelian had proclaimed the sun-god [Mithras] principal patron of the empire . . . Christmas originated at a time when the cult of the sun was particularly strong at Rome.” The book Celebrations states: “The clergy eventually brought the . . . world of the Saturnalia into the Church itself.” And the Encyclopædia Britannica notes that December 25 was regarded “as the birth date of the . . . [sun] god Mithra.”
So most of the customs associated with Christmas—the yule log, mistletoe, Christmas tree, Santa Claus, lavish gift giving, revelries—are also rooted in your paganism gods.

[mccfluff]

for me its about having 5 days off work, roll on the 23rd

[naomi24]

Elderman, if you're talking to the non-believers, then you are wasting your time because you are preaching to the converted. On the other hand, if you're talking to the believers, then you're wasting your time because they will ignore you.

[Elderman]

Naomi- To you I know, but like all the Bible you won’t be able to say I did’t know, Went that day come.

[sandyRoe]

When they, the atheists, stand trembling before the judgement throne and say: 'I didn't know...'
God will thunder: 'Well, you know now...'

[jomifl]

So he is a thundery kind of god is he? a bit like thor? and just as real.

[Elderman]

The word “sense” is defined as “accurate appreciation,” “understanding,” and “practical wisdom or judgement.” It implies that a person has the ability to judge and decide with intelligence. Common sense evidently requires that we use thinking ability. Many people would rather let others do their thinking for them. They allow the media, their peers, or popular opinion to make decisions for them.

[sandyRoe]

I couldn't agree more. ^^^ Atheists have clearly jumped on the bandwagon. They deny all faith just to seem 'cool'.

[sandyRoe]

Jomifl, he must get exasperated hearing the same old excuse time after time.
'I didn't know,' they say. The reality is they did know but didn't want to listen.
So, if he thunders a bit, who's to blame him?