The Annual War over Christmas -- by christians

Hello Zen Deist, Yes. No. I think that the celebrations and festivals have already been taken over. At this point, Christians or anyone who celebrates Christmas are only celebrating their own traditions. The first recorded history for a Christmas tree goes back as far as 1441. Over the years the exact specifics of the tree and celebration have changed but the overall tradition remains. I believe that qualifies as being around long enough to justify calling it their own tradition, as opposed to taking over others traditions.

Good morning Zen Deist, I agree, the church should not dictate to the state what the state must call a particular holiday celebration. Especially at the expense of excluding others who celebrate the season for different reasons. The residents of the state however should be able to express their desire to what the state does. I understand that the state wants to be p.c. (Not really my strong point by the way. I hate being p.c.) but how many other holiday traditions involve tree lighting? I ask out of ignorance actually. I just believe that you should call something what it is. If you are performing a tree lighting and none of the other cultures or traditions involve the lighting of a tree. Then why bother being p.c. about the name? You are already excluding these other cultures by performing a ceremony that is traditionally involved with Christmas.

Hello Straggler, Agreed. That change is what the Christian push back is all about though. For years the majority of American culture and the traditions of those who celebrate Christmas, were for what is now being called a holiday tree to be called a Christmas tree. That is what most people are used to and what they want it to be called. Personally I don't care what you call it but I see why others may try to push back against a change in traditions that they don't agree with. My friend, who is a Wiccan, celebrates the solstice and Saturnalia. Still puts up a tree and calls it a Christmas tree, because that was the tradition that she is used to from when she was a child. I see why others want to refer to this time of the season as the holidays and for the most part I agree with them. For myself however. I have all types of friends in my life who celebrate differing holidays. I try to wish them a happy or merry insert whatever holiday they are celebrating here, instead of a watered down and generic happy holidays though.

That's pretty much my take on Christmas as well. I don't subscribe to the tenets of Christianity but grew up celebrating Christmas and enjoy the family get togethers and holiday traditions that come along with it.My objections to the renaming of the holiday season doesn't stem from taking Jesus out of Christmas by any means. It's more based on the cultural traditions that I grew up with and am used to. That and as I said earlier. Fuck being PC! ABE: Tenants, tenants, tenants! Bring it on good Dr. Edited by rueh, : No reason given.