First person that tells me that we need to 'Keep Christ in Christmas', will get punched in the face

[trailmonkee]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Stinky The Clown (a host of the General Discussion forum).

Last edited Mon Nov 19, 2012, 01:03 AM - Edit history (1)

Ok, maybe a slight exaggeration...... Nobody will be injured..... But seriously, I am not looking forward to that shit...

[SaveAmerica]

1. We should keep Christ in Christmas

[trailmonkee]

14. .

wait no fair.... I can't punch you??? how about this instead?

[SaveAmerica]

43. Yow!!!! Wait, I like it...

I just ignore people who have to make a big deal about saying Christmas. I notice most people (and I'm in the south) say Happy Holidays anyway.

So, happy Thanksgiving to you, and a Happy Holidays (all 7 or 8 of them)!!

[trailmonkee]

72. ditto

[agracie]

29. I plan to pass on most of the holiday hoo-ha.

I get gift cards for the grandkids. Period. No tree. No decorations. No travel. No huge meal(s). I got weary of all the hassle, so I decided not to it anymore.

[RKP5637]

95. It's all about marketing, sales and $$$$$ anyway. I'm fed up with it all too. n/t

[lob1]

40. Lets put the X back in Xmas.

[SaveAmerica]

44. I have a strong feeling that X would be cool with it!

[Hekate]

56. Nice Greek letters: Chi Ro, look like X P overlaid

http://www.cresourcei.org/symbols/xmasorigin.html

Abbreviations used as Christian symbols have a long history in the church. The letters of the word "Christ" in Greek, the language in which the New Testament was written, or various titles for Jesus early became symbols of Christ and Christianity. For example, the first two letters of the word Christ (cristoV, or as it would be written in older manuscripts, CRISTOS) are the Greek letters chi (c or C) and rho (r or R). These letters were used in the early church to create the chi-rho monogram (see Christian Symbols: Christmas Ornaments), a symbol that by the fourth century became part of the official battle standard of the emperor Constantine. >snip<

The exact origin of the single letter X for Christ cannot be pinpointed with certainty. Some claim that it began in the first century AD along with the other symbols, but evidence is lacking. >snip<
In any case, by the fifteenth century Xmas emerged as a widely used symbol for Christmas. >snip<

In religious publications, the church began to use the abbreviation C, or simply X, for the word "Christ" to cut down on the cost of the books and pamphlets. From there, the abbreviation moved into general use in newspapers and other publications, and "Xmas" became an accepted way of printing "Christmas" (along with the abbreviations Xian and Xianity). >snip<

So there is no grand scheme to dilute Christianity by promoting the use of Xmas instead of Christmas. It is not a modern invention to try to convert Christmas into a secular day, nor is it a device to promote the commercialism of the holiday season. Its origin is thoroughly rooted in the heritage of the Church. It is simply another way to say Christmas, drawing on a long history of symbolic abbreviations used in the church. In fact, as with other abbreviations used in common speech or writing (such as Mr. or etc.), the abbreviation "Xmas" should be pronounced "Christmas" just as if the word were written out in full, rather than saying "exmas." Understanding this use of Christian symbolism might help us modern day Xians focus on more important issues of the Faith during Advent, and bring a little more Peace to the Xmas Season. >snip<

[lob1]

58. Damn, I can't even mock someone right.

[Hekate]

98. See my reply to northoftheborder

Happiness from Solstice to Solstice, and to all a good night!

Hekate

[northoftheborder]

90. interesting history - thanks - I didn't know all of that

PS Please excuse me from entering the argument pro and con with "Xmas".

[Hekate]

97. When I was a little kid I was snarked at by another little kid

I was painting a picture in 2nd grade with Merry Xmas on it, and she huffily informed me that I was "Crossing out Christ". I was little -- it put the fear of God in me.

Fortunately my mother was an ex-Catholic instead of an ex-Protestant, and she knew her Latin and the bits of Greek that are in the Mass. Mom told me the X came from the Greek Chi in Chi-Ro, and that it wasn't "crossing out Christ" at all.

I only bothered to Google it for the sake of the current argument -- no need to apologize! The fundies in this country have done a good job muddying the waters for quite awhile, because there's nothing like being holier-than-thou that tells Jesus what a good Christian you are.

Happiness from Solstice to Solstice, say I!

Hekate

[Daemonaquila]

59. And add 2 more - XXXmas.

[Matt_in_STL]

76. That's a holiday I can get behind

Or on top of...or under...or...

[KatyaR]

93. Yeah, because otherwise it's just "mas."

Although I guess "more" is totally appropriate for this holiday.

That's it! Let's just call it "MAS!"

HAPPY MAS, EVERYBODY!!!

[msongs]

2. xtians mischaracterize their own propaganda - the baby was jesus, the killed one was the christ nt

[roody]

3. Didn't the Supreme Court rule that Cmas

is secular, years ago when a postal employee wanted to work on Xmas?

[justice1]

4. Don't log onto Facebook for the next 6 weeks.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

12. Too late...

I received my first one today. What happened to waiting until after Thanksgiving to be a right-wing whack job?

[RC]

36. Yeah, now Halloween isn't soon enough.

[cherokeeprogressive]

5. Christ, in Christmas, needs to be kept.

Otherwise, how would Christmas be spelled? mas?

KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS!

[trailmonkee]

16. damn it!!!! why why!!!!

please stop it!!!

[dchill]

33. Xmas.

Jesus X.

[eShirl]

6. We likewise need to keep Eostre in Easter.

Or neither.

[WinkyDink]

64. You've heard of rabbits?

[Fozzledick]

7. We need to keep Saturn in Saturnalia!

[oldhippydude]

8. now that has a familiar ring!! n/t

[trailmonkee]

17. wow that was so bad, and good

[pinboy3niner]

21. And Festive in Festivus!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

32. We learned about Saturnalia in Latin class way back in high school.

Toga parties,but of course we were too young for alcohol. I got to college & decided I didn't like alcohol anyway.

[SaveAmerica]

45. And porn in pornography?

[Moonwalk]

9. Just tell 'em you don't celebrate Christmas, you celebrate Saturnalia--and you want

...everyone to go back to celebrating that instead of Christmas.

After all, Christmas didn't exist till around the fourth/fifth century. That's when Christ was introduced into Saturnalia. I think we should take the Christ back out of Saturnalia and really enjoy ourselves.

--And yes, I totally agree with you--the arrogance of people who want to put the "Christ back in Christmas" bugs the shit out of me. Mainly because they don't mean "let's be kind and charitable and remember to think of the poor and homeless--as Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus were at this time of year..."--they mean, "let's make December 25th a holiday exclusive to Christians as we imagine it once and always was...." Because, gosh, that's so "Christian"--to tell all non-Christians that that there is "no room at the holiday inn..." for them on this particular day

[Bohunk68]

77. And not only that, but

I hate to agree with the Mormons and that book by Moroni ( have a difficult time not to say, "Boney" Moroni), that JC was probably born around the first part of April. Any coherent reading would tend towards that date and not December.

[customerserviceguy]

10. If they're a Protestant

especially a fundie, ask them why it's not equally important to keep Mass (the Catholic worship ceremony) in Christmas.

It's fun to mess with their little brains. Sort of like watching a bug wriggle on it's back in a jar of turpentine.

[jberryhill]

11. Beat me to it

Yep, tell the Protestants to go to Mass

[customerserviceguy]

30. I laugh with your cow! n/t

[WinkyDink]

65. As a Catholic, I suspect their reply would be Luther's: It's not in the Bible.

[Moonwalk]

94. The date on which Jesus was born isn't in the Bible either....

So, I suppose that answer negates celebrating Christmas on the 25th of December as well

[treestar]

88. A good one!

Hadn't thought of that! Cognitive dissonance. They made need to rename it "Christbirth" or "Christservice."

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

13. But you'll still go to the mall right?

I lose patience with the people (Bill O'Reilly) who take retailers to task for calling it a "Holiday Sale" because invoking the name of Jesus Christ in your marketing plan is a sign of the one true faith.

[Union Scribe]

15. You must be fun at parties. nt

[trailmonkee]

18. I stay away from Christmas parties... most others, I'm cool with

[LeftyMom]

19. Better yet, ask them if they put up a tree. If they are tell them they're a pagan and will burn.

Jeremiah 10
King James Version (KJV)
10 Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

[catbyte]

20. I still prefer Festivus

"The Festival for the rest of us." Especially the "airing of the grievances."

[RB TexLa]

22. Tell them you'll do it when Chick Fil la says Christmas in their TV commercials instead of

"holidays" LOL

[hedgehog]

23. If you want to keep Christ in Christmas, don't go to the Mall to celebrate,

go to church!

[Nonhlanhla]

24. I am a progressive Christian

I am a progressive Christian and I absolutely hate the highjacking of my faith by these right wing twits. And we all know that this "insistence" on keeping Christ in Christmas, or this BS about the so-called war on Christmas, and this refusal to politely wish people "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas," is all just right wing posing. Ughh.

Maybe remind them that Jesus was actually born in September and that the December 25 date is pagan. See their heads spin.

The day that I have to get my theology from the likes of Bill O'Reilly I will have to convert to another religion. Hmm, Scientology looks good.

[nolabear]

25. Well Welcome to DU! You sound like fun.

[Coyotl]

67. Solstice is the old calendar station

Dec. 25 is how bad they messed up the calendar since Roman time.

[Atman]

26. If one wants to keep Christ in Christmas, say "Christmas."

If you're not Christian, say any bloody thing you want. The holiday season has been Nationalized, and turned into a festival of money changers. These same Christians hate others for not being freedom-loving capitalist Americans. How ironic.

[defacto7]

47. Atheistmas?

[Moonwalk]

96. Oh, I like that. "Happy Atheistmas!" I'm going to start saying that....

And start a thread on it! Thank you!...you know, those born-again, missionary types sent to knock on doors are told to pretty much run from atheists. Why? Because there is a belief that atheists want to convert everyone to secularism and if the door-knockers stick around they may be the ones converted. So, no engaging the atheists.

Thus, I think if we start to wish everyone who wants to argue to put Christ back in Christmas a happy "Atheistmas" they might well run away. (One can only hope).

[flvegan]

27. Really? That's your reaction?

Good thing that won't be my response. (I don't care).

[trailmonkee]

35. no one will be hurt, i promise.... but, it does irritate the hell out of me

[Drale]

28. Remember Christmas for what it really is

The day Santa gave his life to save Jesus in Iraq

[pitbullgirl1965]

81. LMAO!

The day Santa gave his life to save Jesus in Iraq

I swear to Dog I've seen this as a cartoon or something... It's needs to be a macro at least.

[Drale]

83. It was on South Park /nt

[cynatnite]

31. I fully support in keeping the x in xmas...

only because I'm too damn lazy to type "christ" every freaking time I want to type out the entire word.

[Tree-Hugger]

34. We can't have Yule without Yu

[ChoppinBroccoli]

37. On The Day After Thanksgiving, I'm Posting This Picture On My Facebook Page

[trailmonkee]

38. +1

[rainlillie]

69. That pretty much sums it up for me, It's about tolerance and being respectful towards other people

IMO.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

39. Happy Isaac Newtonmas!!!

I baffle the fundy natives with my posters of Isaac Newton, Christmas baby, the cover of Principia Mathematica, 2 of the equations ( helpfully provided by physicist hubby).
I also painted AXIAL TILT IS TE REASON FOR THE SEASON. Those are fairly large as that is a 6 foot high privacy fence so we don't have to look at crosses in the neighbor's yard or the church across the street.

The county courthouse has a nativity scene on the grounds. The railroad right of way in our little town has a lighted Jesus is the reason for the season sign.

<a href="http://imgur.com/tEnrO"><img src="" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" /></a>

[littlemissmartypants]

53. You and your

husband are awesome.

[LeftofObama]

61. I love it!

Those signs would make my right wing fundy relative's heads explode!

[BlueMan Votes]

41. as opposed to keeping the mitch in easter.

too 80's?

[SheilaT]

42. Our current celebration of Christmas is very much a post WWII phenomenon.

The emphasis on gifts and the presumption of the gathering of families, those are relatively recent. If you actually read Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol you'll see a world in which the celebration of Christmas was part secular, and part religious. And at that time, December 25 was simply an ordinary day that happened to be Christmas. Our current huge celebration, overladen with consumerism, is relatively recent.

Indeed, the piling on of purchasing stuff, especially as exemplified by "Black Friday" is a very recent phenomenon.

I am personally a non-religious person. I enjoy the secular aspects of Christmas, while acknowledging and understanding the religious aspects. I enjoy getting together with family and friends, I love giving and receiving gifts. If you are one for whom the religious aspects are paramount, I would say, That's wonderful! I know enough about the religious meaning of Christmas to think that it's truly wonderful for those who believe that way. But I don't have to share that belief to participate in the celebration of Christmas.

And any time anyone wishes me Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays, I am genuinely appreciative. There are other times when peoople say things to me like God Bless You, or some other such overtly religious thing. I try very hard to appreciate the sentiment ant express my thanks and gratitude. My personal beliefs don't matter here. It's the appreciation of the other person's belief that matters.

[Romulox]

46. Going back a bit farther...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia

[defacto7]

48. Jack frost roasting on an open fire...

Chestnuts nipping at your nose....

Although it's been said, many times, many ways...

Merry Atheistmas to you!

[Elwood P Dowd]

49. Rove's nuts roasting on an open fire..

Koch brothers questioning what he knows...

Although it's been said, many times, many ways...

Merry landslide to you!

[defacto7]

51. He he he...

[Tom Ripley]

50. We need to keep Ma in Christmas...because I love my mom.

[aquart]

55. Christmas is all about the Ma.

[libodem]

52. Back hand 'em in the chops once for me

[Scootaloo]

54. Well, we SHOULD keep Christ in Christmas...

Don't let him escape!

[pinboy3niner]

57. Watch out--He's making a run for it!

And think of how much harder it would be to rouse the troops for the 'War on Mas.' It just doesn't have that...je ne sais quoi.

[Scootaloo]

82. "War for More" sounds like something Americans regularly support, actually

[hobbit709]

60. I wish that the clowns that always scream this would keep Christ the other 364 days too.

But most of them do very little to actually follow the teachings of the one they claim to follow.

[Mc Mike]

62. Ho Ho HO!

My Christmas wish is to get trail a guest spot on O'Reilly's show. I've been pretty good, this year.

Then Bill can wish for his two front teeth.

[WinkyDink]

63. Well, there IS a clue within the spelling......

[Coyotl]

66. Don't Kill a Tree for Christ's Sake

Happy Solstice.

A calendar belonging to the culture that couldn't keep their calendar in line with the Heavens says something about their God's lack of knowledge of the Heavens.

[rainlillie]

68. What would be the point of removing it?

[trailmonkee]

71. because by removing Christ, you get 'mas'....

Or.... More xmas?

Actually if your question was serious, no one wants to remove it.... Christians just east everybody to say merry Christmas instead of happy holidays.... That's the big war?

[rainlillie]

73. What's wrong with saying Merry Christmas to people who celebrate Christmas? Or Happy Hanukkah to

People who celebrate Hanukkah? I only say "happy holidays" to people I don't know that well, because I'm not sure which holiday they're celebrating. I think the whole thing is rather silly. It's about being respectful towards other people IMO.

[trailmonkee]

74. I say Merry Christmas mostly... problem is, some people don't want others to say Happy Holidays

[Hugin]

70. We need to keep the Ease in Easter!

[adigal]

75. Remind them Christmas was stolen from the pagans

It was a Festival of Lights and Yule. That would be more effective than punching them.

[LeftinOH]

78. We should change it to Barackmas, because of all

the "gifts" we liberals are getting... now that he's been re-elected.

[CBHagman]

79. Just smile and ask them if they are going to pay for food and health care...

...for the disadvantaged instead of having a feast and gifts for the extended family.

[Jackpine Radical]

80. Keep Sol in Solstice, I say!

[randome]

84. We need to keep the 'X' in 'Xmas'.

[backscatter712]

85. This atheist doesn't want to kill Christmas... It's a great excuse to drink!

As long as you don't try to drag me to church, I'm cool!

[Waltons_Mtn]

86. Here is my response to the "Keep Christ in Christmas" bunch.

"I'll keep Christ in your Christmas, if you keep him out of my government."

[Mr Dixon]

87. LOL

THE TITLE IS TOO FUNNY

[trailmonkee]

89. thanks for noticing the funny...

...I had to add a note to the op since people thought I was really going to go out and start punching people

[RegieRocker]

91. It is their holiday

It is a Christian holiday. So what is the problem? Let all religions have their holidays and their deities. Damn. This is the problem. Freedom of religion and from religion. They must exist together. Time for this country (it's peoples) to grow up and comprehend the meaning of the constitution. Want Christianity back in schools? Then you will have to allow all religions being taught in schools along with atheism and Satanism. It's not freedom of Christianity. Grrr....

[alterfurz]

92. non-practicing pantheist here...

[Stinky The Clown]

99. Belongs in Religion