Christians, why do you celebrate Christmas?

[H3LL]

Christians, why do you celebrate Christmas?

ProfMTH says it better than I:

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The usual biblical cherry-picking seems to be out as there is nothing telling you to celebrate Christmas only ignoring the word of the good book saying the opposite seems to work.

The common atheist answer of why we celebrate Christmas; Family, Friends and Tradition, seems to be more honest and sincere.



Atheists claim Christmas ... :cool:



:D


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[SnuffSnuff]

Jeez, only 3 stars? What a nice way to get into the holiday spirit...

Thanks for the post though, it was very interesting:D

[quarky]

We're forced to.

[Mr Clingford]

The clip seems very weak on explaining what those Bible verses mean, their context and application to Xtians.

Really, this is tiresome and boring. If that clip says it better than you, then you're in trouble!

[H3LL]

The clip seems very weak on explaining what those Bible verses mean, their context and application to Xtians.

Really, this is tiresome and boring. If that clip says it better than you, then you're in trouble!



What exactly is the meaning, context and application other than what is written? Do tell.

I'm keen to see an explanation that is not "tiresome", "boring" and better presented that ProfMTH. If what was given is so "weak" - show me better.

Should one look for the meaning, context and application from those Christian groups that actually do take what is written in the bible seriously and don't celebrate Christmas in a pagan fashion and follow the points raised in the video - as written in the bible?

What makes those Christians wrong and you right?

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[Darth Rotor]

Christians, why do you celebrate Christmas?


I wonder ...

[I Ratant]

The celebration was banned by the Puritans.
http://www.biblicalfoundations.org/family/a-puritan-christmas

[Darth Rotor]

The celebration was banned by the Puritans.
http://www.biblicalfoundations.org/family/a-puritan-christmas
So what? Their reach was short, as well as short lived. You will find that Puritans were not the only settlers in the New World. Germans showed up, Catholics showed up (see Maryland) Dutchmen showed up, and so on. So too did Anglicans. Cromwell's influence waned after he fell from power "back home in Merry England" and oddly enough, the attempts to ban Christmas in England failed.

DR

[justcharlie09]

Why not? It's fun, usually nice, and it involves presents and eggnog and charitable giving...

Seriously, what's not to like?

[qayak]

So what? Their reach was short, as well as short lived. You will find that Puritans were not the only settlers in the New World. Germans showed up, Catholics showed up (see Maryland) Dutchmen showed up, and so on. So too did Anglicans . . .

. . . and then the atheists showed up and have been trying to fix the cluster-**** ever since. :p

[Steelmage]

According to Bill O'Rielly, atheists are jealousy of the Holiday or Jesus or both.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX_URHACJPw

[H3LL]

Jeez, only 3 stars?

Yes, vote-bots and false DMCAs - The weapon of choice for those with no rational argument.

[quarky]

We have new neighbors that are Jehova's Witnesses. My wife invited them to a Christmas cookie making party, and they declined because they don't celebrate Christmas.

Now, I want to join up.

[Hux]

I once went to a Midnight mass on Xmas Eve(My wife is a very lapsed Catholic,my Ma in law is more Catholic than the Pope) and I had heard so much about it, I decided I wanted to experience it. Besides which, at that time in my life I had nebulous ideas about there being no God but it wasn't by any means the focus of my attention.

So I went with my wifes family. It was great fun. I sat with my back to the proceedings virtually the entire time, as I enjoyed the predicament of the door keepers (or whatever they call them) trying manfully to keep the pissheads and drunks out.

Every now and then I could hear a sly little 'clink' of bottle in the congregation and Ive never heard so many words made up in hymns despite having books. The numbers of the hymns were displayed upon a column in order of appearance. I thought it was a lottery and had missed a ticket.

Everyone shook hands, some hugged and then we went out into the crisp Xmas air. All a load of crap of course but I remember it well. I remember all these things of my youth. I dont think we ever forget them; nor should we. Really, I look upon atheists who object to any show of Xmas as being graceless and miserable.

Xmas when I was a lad, was all about Santa; not Jesus. And now that kids choose what they want for Xmas, I mourn the passing of these traditions. They were good fun.

[joobz]

I wonder ...
Using the same logic...
Masterbaters should also celebrate christmas.
Oh wait, we do.:D

[AvalonXQ]

I grew up in a household that does take the Bible seriously, and neither they nor our church ever celebrated Christmas as a religious holiday. We celebrated its secular side, the same as we do with Thanksgiving and Easter and July 4th.
Still, the bible is very clear on this issue. Romans chapter 14. Celebrate the holiday if you want, or don't, but don't judge other Christians that don't celebrate the holiday, or do. Let each be convinced in his own mind. Live and let live. End of discussion.

[Hux]

Using the same logic...
Masterbaters should also celebrate christmas.
Oh wait, we do.:D

Palms together is the more traditional way to pray!

[Mr Clingford]

What exactly is the meaning, context and application other than what is written? Do tell.

I'm keen to see an explanation that is not "tiresome", "boring" and better presented that ProfMTH. If what was given is so "weak" - show me better.

Should one look for the meaning, context and application from those Christian groups that actually do take what is written in the bible seriously and don't celebrate Christmas in a pagan fashion and follow the points raised in the video - as written in the bible?

What makes those Christians wrong and you right?

.
OK. Looking at those two Bible quotations. Using the NIV (because Biblegateway doesn't have the NRSV).

The first one, Deuteronomy 12:30-31 starts halfway through a verse. Taking the verse from the beginning, i.e., from verse 29, we read:

"29 The LORD your God will cut off before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land, 30 and after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, "How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same." 31 You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods."

So you think that an injunction given in this story to the Israelites about to enter the promised land applies to Xtians today? You will have to persuade me why this should be taken literally. AFAIK, there isn't a verse at the beginnings of Bibles saying that it should all be taken literally.

Mark 7:8. The verse comes from a conversation between Jesus and the pharisees. Verse 5 says, "So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?".

Jesus then quotes some Isaiah and then delivers verse 8, "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."

So we see that Jesus is claiming that the Pharisees have abandoned the basic Mosaic law and replaced it with their human traditions. I do not think this verse means what you think it means.

Now, there might be some good arguments out there, but these two quotes don't cut it.

[H3LL]

OK. Looking at those two Bible quotations....

Your quotes seem to me to reinforce the points not make them weaker.

Am I to understand that you say the bible should not be taken literally and the words of Jesus are purely for those in the audience at the time? In this case Israelites and Pharisees?

I hope so, as that makes the entire Bible irrelevant to modern people, a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with.

Have you managed to get around to answering my other question concerning Christians that agree with the quotes stated. A reminder:

What makes those Christians wrong and you right?

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[H3LL]

AFAIK, there isn't a verse at the beginnings of Bibles saying that it should all be taken literally.

Quite so, it's not at the "beginnings", whatever they are.

1Kings 17:24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.

Psalms 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.

Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

1Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

2nd Timothy 3:1 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

2nd Peter 1:20-21 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

There's more but that drivel will do for now.

Thank you for your own interpretation. I'm honoured to be in communication with a prophet.

False prophets have a special place in Hell reserved for them so I know that can't be you.

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[quarky]

Cookie day was great. It caught me by surprise. Without such holy days, we would lose track of our families. That is the likeliest purpose of such events, imho, and should be up-graded in whatever manner is required to bring the people together.

I want to spend any more Christmases I can have on a warm beach, with a coral reef.
If I can convince my family to join me, it will be holy.

[I Ratant]

So what? Their reach was short, as well as short lived. You will find that Puritans were not the only settlers in the New World. Germans showed up, Catholics showed up (see Maryland) Dutchmen showed up, and so on. So too did Anglicans. Cromwell's influence waned after he fell from power "back home in Merry England" and oddly enough, the attempts to ban Christmas in England failed.

DR
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The ban began in Engiland.
That it failed is pure human nature who preferred the celebration.
The disrespecting of Cromwell's corpse was a pretty good indication of the feelings of the people.
Not all that different from the failure of Savanarola, whose strict control of business practices in Florence Italy turned out badly for him.
Some of the colonies other than the Massachussetts Bay colony had religious restrictions on immigrants.