Left In Lowell

Christmas Has Ties To Al Qaeda!

8 Responses to “Christmas Has Ties To Al Qaeda!”

1. Randy Says:
   December 13th, 2005 at 2:35 am

   Have you seen this Santa Claus Video?

   http://blowthetrumpet.org/TheGreatDeceptionVideo.htm

2. Lynne Says:
   December 13th, 2005 at 10:00 am

   Well, that seems a little overdramatic.

   So many of the Christian rites are so grounded in pagan tradition, the proof of a medieval Church which co-opted the popular symbols of its day in order to be acceptable to the people they wanted to convert.

   In other words, the Church listened to the polls and created its spin accordingly. Guess things really never do change.

3. Tim Little Says:
   December 13th, 2005 at 1:09 pm

   Not quite as amusing as Seder’s, but I really liked Ellen Goodman’s piece the other day (originally in the Washington POst, I think):
   http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?itemid=20044

4. Renee Says:
   December 13th, 2005 at 3:19 pm

   Two cents for the practicing Catholic here, my pastor had a great homily on this. The Christian rite of Mass i.e. Eucharist is not based in Pagan beliefs, and neither is Santa Claus, which is based on the real person Saint Nicholas of Turkey. What does happen is that Catholics retain much of their own ethnic culture in their beliefs, so adopting to put a tree in one’s house is ok because we aren’t worshiping a tree it is just decoration. As at Saint Michael’s in Lowell, where we have a Mass for Kenyans. There is no such exhibits of European aspects to Mass and even though the Sacrament of the Eucharist is done the same way the music and gestures are much different though.

   When does one say Happy Holidays over Merry Christmas? As a Catholic, I will say Merry Christmas I have no other choice because that is who I am. No one can oppress me from saying that, just I wouldn’t tell a Pagan not to say Happy Solstice. That is their sincere belief. You don’t have to accept it, but it isn’t offensive to anyone when I express it openly and publicly. How can we have diversity if we can’t express our beliefs, that is my concern over the misuse of “Happy Holidays”

   If I say “Merry Christmas”, just say “Thanks” for the good vibes if you don’t have a holiday and nothing to celebrate this time of year, but participate in some of the activities, such as charity giving and Christmas tree decorating? If one is speaking in general terms of multiple holidays in December, then Happy Holidays is fine. But I don’t know anyone who puts up a holiday tree. I rather see no tree then a holiday tree. It is a Christmas tree, that is taking away Christ from Christmas.

   I could go on and on regarding Christmas, because I’m still celebrating Advent. The twelve days of Christmas don’t start until the 25th up to January 6th on Epiphany.

5. Tim Little Says:
   December 13th, 2005 at 4:42 pm

   Actually, I do put up a holiday tree. It’s mostly in celebration of the solstice — the beginning of the new year — and a nod to my nature-worshipping ancestors (although I’m about as much a pagan as I am a Christian — which is to say not at all). It is also a symbol for a season held special by people of many faiths.

   I think it’s a bit odd, at the very least, to wish someone a Merry Christmas if he/she doesn’t celebrate. I mean, how would you take it if I wished you a Bodhi Day? (For those who are counting, December 8th is the day of the Buddha’s enlightenment according to Mahayana Buddhists.)

   To wish everyone a “Merry Christmas” regardless of their religious beliefs is to presume that the Christian holiday trumps all others. This reflects lack of multicultural awareness at the very least, and could possibly be perceived as being, well, holier than thou.

   “Happy Holidays,” while not perfect, is the least offensive greeting at this time of year for those whose spiritual predilections are undetermined.

6. Tim Little Says:
   December 13th, 2005 at 8:40 pm

   Sorry…. I was in a bit of a rush when added that previous post.

   To rephrase and elaborate: To presume that everyone *should* recognize Christmas is, at least, shows insensitivity to the beliefs of those who do not. At its worst, “Merry Christmas” can come across as an attempt to force one’s religious beliefs on others — particularly when Christmas represents the dominant (but not lone) religious culture. Implicit proselytization may not be the intention, but one certainly needs to be mindful that the message could be interpreted as such by religious minorities (who may be particularly sensitive to this).

   To my mind it’s better for everyone to save “Merry Christmas” (or Bodhi Day or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa) for one’s fellow believers and to make do with a simple “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” when in mixed company.

   In peace and the spirit of the season….

7. Renee Says:
   December 14th, 2005 at 12:34 pm

   And that peace and Spirit is Jesus Christ I celebrate. Sorry I can’t deny Him. Ok enough of the Chrisitan talk….

   But just as one might imply proselytization, your offensivness can be implied as oppression. If someone expressed their faith to me on their holiday, I would say thanks. I don’t mind recognizing others beliefs, because with a “Thank You” because I fully comfortable with my own. Saying thanks is a positive way to say “no thanks”, it fully acknowledges of who they are without imposing on yourself and stops them from imposing also. There are Christians who don’t believe Catholics aren’t Chrisitan, and they constantly try to convert me away from the Catholic Church. I just say thanks for the good vibes and they go away.

   The tree isn’t used for Hanukkah or Kwanza, so to call it a holiday tree really muddles all holidays at this time.

8. Tim Little Says:
   December 14th, 2005 at 4:38 pm

   Renee:

   Sorry; I really wasn’t having an especially articulate day yesterday and can see that I came across as being a bit more defensive than I meant. (Although I don’t think I was being particularly offensive, as you suggest.) It’s just the sort of thing that gives credence to the “Christmas Defense” folks like Bill O’Reilly, Jerry Falwell, et al: “See, those darn secular liberals really are out get rid of Christmas!”

   Upon further reflection (and a few hours’ sleep) I want to reiterate that it is in no one’s best interest to impose a “gag order” on personal religious expression. Our personal spiritual beliefs are clearly important and deeply held. However the right to our own religious belief entails the responsibility to respect the beliefs of others. This requires a measure of forbearance when it comes to foisting one’s religious views on others – either explicitly or implicitly.

   Of course sharing one’s religious beliefs under the proper circumstances can be a meaningful way to initiate interfaith dialog – as long as the environment is conducive and the intention is genuine. For example, I think it would be great if there was a place where people of different faiths could come at this time of year – a season pregnant with meaning for so many – to share their beliefs and practices and to learn about those of others. I don’t know too much about the Greater Lowell Interfaith Leadership Alliance, for example, but that seems like this sort of initiative would be right up their alley. Perhaps a “cultural exchange” program between local houses of worship would be a fruitful exercise?

   (As an aside, I would recommend checking out the various collaborations between the Catholic monk Thomas Merton and Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh. It is very interesting stuff, but I digress….)

   In another thread “Mr. Lynne” referred to author Sam Harris’s observations about what happens when people stop listening to one another. Christianity has held the floor for a very long time. It is – in all its flavors – the dominant faith in our country and it has had an undeniable influence on our culture. I think that most Americans have a basic understanding of the tenets of the Christian faith, and recognize the religious significance of the Christmas holiday. The fact remains, however, that Christianity is not the lone voice of the faithful, and just because it’s the loudest and strongest does not mean that it is appropriate to drown out the others.

   It is precisely because of Christianity’s privileged position in our society that its believers would do well to be mindful of religious minorities who also celebrate holidays at this time. As I wrote in letter to the Sun at around this time last year, if you believe that your holiday and your faith is more important than mine, then what does that say about your respect for me as an individual? And what about my respect for your beliefs, you ask? I don’t think I take anything away from your beliefs if I ask you to refrain from inundating me with “unsolicited propaganda,” no matter how well intentioned you may be.

   As for “oppressing” the majority, I’ll refer to the Ellen Goodman article I cited earlier. Goodman writes, “On the one hand, the Christmas defense team is portraying its side as the overwhelming majority, the 90 percent who celebrate Christmas. On the other hand they are describing themselves as oppressed, indeed victimized.” I guess I just don’t understand the victim mentality here.

   In the end, when someone wishes me a “Merry Christmas,” I too reply with a simple “thank you; same to you.” (Good point, Renee!) I truly respect the holiday and what it means to certain people. (I also am aghast at the gross commercialization/secularization of the holiday, for what it’s worth. It certainly trivializes the true spiritual meaning of the day.) However there is still a part of me that cringes at the assumption that I hold certain beliefs. A step back and a couple of deep breaths later and I recognize that the misunderstanding is due to a simple lack of awareness – something that can only be rectified through dialog. Perhaps this very discussion can be a step in that direction.

   In peace….

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