(no subject)
I really feel like Christmas is a cultural thing. Of course, it touches the lives and hearts of the Christian religious folk, but I sort of don't see it as a religious holiday anymore. I'm sure in other countries it's a big, religious deal, but I can't help but feel that it's become less religious in my lifetime. I grew up celebrating Christmas but I didn't grow up identifying as a Christian, so although I know the meaning behind it and I can appreciate what it means for religious people, I don't associate it with Christianity.
and besides, what's wrong with wishing EVERYONE a merry christmas? it applies to almost everyone that /I/ know.. for the non-religious people, it's a salutation and wishes them a happy holiday and .. I don't know, it spreads cheer and happiness for me. maybe not for everyone though.. and that's okay. for our Jewish friends, Jews like Jesus! Jesus is okay for Jews, isn't he? you don't have to think he's the Savior or anything to be able to identify him as a meaningful person, as a prophet. Same with our Muslim friends! We appreciate Jesus, we don't think he's the son of God but he's for sure a prophet. now, I don't know about those who celebrate Kwanzaa and those who are of the eastern religious persuasion, but I don't see why people get up in arms over saying Merry Christmas. yes, I think it shows slight religious preference, as we don't celebrate the birth of Muhammad or Moses or the Buddha (and granted, those figures don't necessarily play the same role in their respective religions as Jesus does to Christianity), but I think it's okay to see and appreciate and, maybe not celebrate, but enjoy and perhaps partake in the religious side of things.
so, in essence, you don't have to be a believer to appreciate the religious side of things. Christmas is multi-faceted and I think, especially in America, the non-religious side of it has really popped out. I'm not going to be negative and call it the consumer side, although that certainly is also a facet of the holiday. I think you can enjoy Christmas, put up your tree, buy and wrap your presents, unwrap your presents, eat your cookies and chocolate, whatever.. you can do all that and still say Merry Christmas, still celebrate the holiday without getting religious. that doesn't mean you shouldn't appreciate the religious side of it and respect those who observe that side of it.
but anyway.
I thought of this after I had realized that I had texted one of my Muslim friends and one of my Jewish friends, wishing them a merry christmas =P
merry christmas, flist!
and besides, what's wrong with wishing EVERYONE a merry christmas? it applies to almost everyone that /I/ know.. for the non-religious people, it's a salutation and wishes them a happy holiday and .. I don't know, it spreads cheer and happiness for me. maybe not for everyone though.. and that's okay. for our Jewish friends, Jews like Jesus! Jesus is okay for Jews, isn't he? you don't have to think he's the Savior or anything to be able to identify him as a meaningful person, as a prophet. Same with our Muslim friends! We appreciate Jesus, we don't think he's the son of God but he's for sure a prophet. now, I don't know about those who celebrate Kwanzaa and those who are of the eastern religious persuasion, but I don't see why people get up in arms over saying Merry Christmas. yes, I think it shows slight religious preference, as we don't celebrate the birth of Muhammad or Moses or the Buddha (and granted, those figures don't necessarily play the same role in their respective religions as Jesus does to Christianity), but I think it's okay to see and appreciate and, maybe not celebrate, but enjoy and perhaps partake in the religious side of things.
so, in essence, you don't have to be a believer to appreciate the religious side of things. Christmas is multi-faceted and I think, especially in America, the non-religious side of it has really popped out. I'm not going to be negative and call it the consumer side, although that certainly is also a facet of the holiday. I think you can enjoy Christmas, put up your tree, buy and wrap your presents, unwrap your presents, eat your cookies and chocolate, whatever.. you can do all that and still say Merry Christmas, still celebrate the holiday without getting religious. that doesn't mean you shouldn't appreciate the religious side of it and respect those who observe that side of it.
but anyway.
I thought of this after I had realized that I had texted one of my Muslim friends and one of my Jewish friends, wishing them a merry christmas =P
merry christmas, flist!