War on Christmas : Papal attack !

[tocqueville]

Pope: Christmas Polluted by Consumerism Sun Dec 11,10:17 AM ET

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI said Sunday that Christmas festivities have been polluted by consumerism and suggested that assembling the Nativity scene in the home is an effective way of teaching the faith to children.

Nativity scenes are a common sight in Italian homes around Christmas time, and in an annual tradition children came to St. Peter's Square bearing Nativity figures of baby Jesus for the pontiff to bless.

"In today's consumer society, this time (of the year) is unfortunately subjected to a sort of commercial 'pollution' that is in danger of altering its true spirit, which is characterized by meditation, sobriety and by a joy that is not exterior but intimate," the pope said in his traditional Sunday blessing.

"Assembling the Nativity scene in the home can turn out to be a simple but effective way of presenting the faith to pass it on to one's children," Benedict added.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051211/ap_on_re_eu/pope_nativity

[Squatch]

They're all Hallmark holidays now...

just another way for companies to turn a buck.

I agree with the Pope's sentiments. These holidays should be intimate family affairs and not hyper-busy materialist binges.

[Deja Q]

4. For once, I agree with Benedict Arnold...

Whoops, Pope Benedict... small slip, take no notice, nothing to see here... unless I drop trou, naturally... :7

[TallahasseeGrannie]

9. You are very naughty.

[Beam Me Up]

7. They should also not be used as political "divisionism" (but they are) Eom

[Sandpiper]

1. No, it's the people who say "Happy Holidays" who pollute it!

Supply side Jesus says spend, spend, spend!

Just make sure the money changers tell you Merry Christmas.

[beyurslf]

2. Well but surely the Pope meant assembling a giant nativity on government

property so we can enshrine it in our christian nation. And he must have meant a live action nativity scene should put in all good christians front yards to show off to the neighbors because their religion should be worn outside the home not inside it. And surely he meant that the war on christmas must stop and no one should ever say happy holidays. I mean, that what's they keep telling us over here. Didn't the Pope get the memo: "Shopping good. Holiday bad."

[Deja Q]

3. 'Papal attack' sounds like a cheezy Atari 2600 video game...

[tocqueville]

5. it was a video game indeed

the aim was to send your enemy to hell and earn eternal paradise. Allowed defenses were crosses, holy water and Bible thumping...

[name not needed]

6. Hell, I'd play it.

[walldude]

8. Guess he didn't find the Pope Soap On A Rope gift too funny

http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/celebrity/celebrity-clothes-fashion-list.php?designer=Pope%20On%20A%20Rope%20Soap

:rofl:

[CatholicEdHead]

10. This is opposite the "Happy Holiday" bashers

in that Ben XVI is consitant with Catholic social teachings on this. The "Happy Holidays" bashers encourage the consumer season and ignore the rest of the spirit of the season (which is both religous and non-religious). You do not have to be Catholic, Chrisitan, or any religon at all to agree with this.

[tocqueville]

11. I agree with you

Here in Europe the Muslims and Jews have no problems with Christmas, some even celebrate it (at least the pagan part). Never heard here anybody being "offended". But there is a always a big dicussion about the consumerism and the frenzy, even if the frenzy is far more limited than in the US...