An atheist Christmas anthem

[Zebedeo]

On this Christmas Eve, let us celebrate the beautiful anthem originally written in French by atheist Placide Cappeau and put to music by the Jewish composer Adolphe Charles Adams.

O Holy Night

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;

Chorus
Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine.

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend.

Chorus
He knows our need, He guardeth us from danger
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

Chorus
Christ is the Lord, O praise His name forever!
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!

Here is the original version:

Minuits, chrétiens / Cantique de Noël

Minuit, chrétiens, c'est l'heure solennelle,
Où l'Homme-Dieu descendit jusqu'à nous
Pour effacer la tache originelle
Et de Son Père arrêter le courroux.
Le monde entier tressaille d'espérance
En cette nuit qui lui donne un Sauveur.
Peuple à genoux, attends ta délivrance.
Noël, Noël, voici le Rédempteur,
Noël, Noël, voici le Rédempteur!
Le Rédempteur a brisé toute entrave:
La terre est libre, et le ciel est ouvert.
Il voit un frère où n'était qu'un esclave,
L'amour unit ceux qu'enchaînait le fer.
Qui Lui dira notre reconnaissance,
C'est pour nous tous qu'Il naît,
Qu'Il souffre et meurt.
Peuple debout! Chante ta délivrance,
Noël, Noël, chantons le Rédempteur,
Noël, Noël, chantons le Rédempteur!

Here is the literal translation:

Midnight, Christians, it's the solemn hour,
When God-man descended to us
To erase the stain of original sin
And to end the wrath of His Father.
The entire world thrills with hope
On this night that gives it a Savior.
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer,
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer !
The Redeemer has overcome every obstacle.
The Earth is free, and Heaven is open.
He sees a brother where there was only a slave.
Love unites those who surround the fire.
Who will tell Him of our gratitude.
It's for all of us that He is born,
That He suffers and dies.
People stand up! Sing of your deliverance,
Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer,
Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!



Merry Christmas to everyone! May you all experience the joy, the wonder, and the miracle of Christ's birth!

- Zeb

[ret5hd]

1. Link?

[beam me up scottie]

2. Why must you always make shit up, Zeb? Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure wasn't an atheist.

Hate to ruin that warm and fuzzy feeling you no doubt get from revising history and/or baiting atheists, but the story behind this carol actually proves many of your brethren were just as petty and small minded then as they are now.

From Beliefnet:

In 1847, Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure was the commissionaire of wines in a small French town. Known more for his poetry than his church attendance, it probably shocked Placide when his parish priest asked the commissionaire to pen a poem for Christmas mass. Nevertheless, the poet was honored to share his talents with the church.

*****

Initially, "Cantique de Noel" was wholeheartedly accepted by the church in France and the song quickly found its way into various Catholic Christmas services. But when Placide Cappeau walked away from the church and became a part of the socialist movement, and church leaders discovered that Adolphe Adams was a Jew, the song--which had quickly grown to be one of the most beloved Christmas songs in France--was suddenly and uniformly denounced by the church. The heads of the French Catholic church of the time deemed "Cantique de Noel" as unfit for church services because of its lack of musical taste and "total absence of the spirit of religion." Yet even as the church tried to bury the Christmas song, the French people continued to sing it, and a decade later a reclusive American writer brought it to a whole new audience halfway around the world.

[NMMNG]

3. Much like the Pope,

who cannot even make his Christmas address without spewing hatred against gays, Zeb obviously cannot let one of the most important Christian holidays go by without spewing hatred to atheists. It's obviously so ingrained in them that it's as necessary as drinking.

[beam me up scottie]

7. Tis the season to double the hypocrisy, I guess.

And they think WE ruined Christmas.

[NMMNG]

9. Nah

They ruin it themselves, then blame it on us so they have yet another reason to denounce us.

[rug]

5. Ah, Christmas Eve in R/T.

:grouphug:

[beam me up scottie]

8. ROFLMAO!!!

HEY! Watch those hands, you pre-vert!

:rofl:

[NMMNG]

10. Indeed

Maybe this would be a more appropriate song for the occasion. :P

[Warpy]

12. This is the only one I can relate to since I came from that kind of

family:

I knew of two sisters whose name it was Christmas,
And one was named Dawn of course, the other one was named Eve.
I wonder if they grew up hating the season,
The good will that lasts til the Feast of St. Stephen

For that is the time to eat, drink, and be merry,
Til the beer is all spilled and the whiskey has flowed.
And the whole family tree you neglected to bury,
Are feeding their faces until they explode.

Chorus:

There'll be laughter and tears over Tia Marias,
Mixed up with that drink made from girders.
’Cause it's all we've got left as they draw their last breath,
Ah, it's nice for the kids, as you finally get rid of them,
In the St Stephen's Day Murders.

Uncle is garglin' a heart-breaking air,
While the babe in his arms pulls out all that remains of his hair.
And we're not drunk enough yet to dare criticize,
The great big kipper tie he's about to baptize.

With his gin-flavoured whiskers and kisses of sherry,
His best Chrimbo shirt slung out over the shop.
While the lights from the Christmas tree blow up the telly,
His face closes in like an old cold pork chop.

Alternate Chorus:

And the carcass of the beast left over from the feast,
May still be found haunting the kitchen.
And there's life in it yet, we may live to regret,
When the ones that we poisoned stop twitchin'.

Regular Chorus Repeat

http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/St-Stephen's-Day-Murders-lyrics-Elvis-Costello/9AA1CEAAD0132F07482568B1002139EC

on edit: This is from an otherwise charming and inoffensive Christmas album by the Chieftains called "The Bells of Dublin."

(if you came from a sane and sober family, enjoy the season. This is for the rest of us.)

:evilgrin:

[SidDithers]

14. Why am I not surprised...

good catch again, BMUS.

And Merry Merry, Happy Happy to you and yours :)

Sid

[beam me up scottie]

20. Same to you, Sid!

Contrary to popular belief, most DU heathens and infidels aren't anti-Christmas.

If someone wants to wish me a happy anything, I appreciate it.

[Danger Mouse]

17. Why must you always be hatin so much, BMUS?

When Jesus loves YOU, you blasphemous agent of Santa! Or is that...Satan??

[beam me up scottie]

21. Why, because I hate America, Jesus, Mom and apple pie too!

I have to, it's in our contract. :D

[Danger Mouse]

25. And this contract...

...it is signed in blood, and the Great High Priest Richard Dawkins oversees the signing, right?

[Zebedeo]

27. Feeling a little Grinchy this time of year, eh bmus?

I call for a celebration of a titanic achievement of a little-known atheist, and you get all snippy about it and accuse me of “baiting atheists.”

Cappeau is described as a freethinker and a non-Christian.

“Freethinker” is a euphemism for “atheist.” From Wikipedia:

“When applied to religion, the philosophy of freethought holds that, given presently-known facts, established scientific theories, and logical principles, there is insufficient evidence to support the existence of supernatural phenomena.”

Hey, that’s your exact position on the subject, isn’t it, bmus? Are you still going to try to contend that Cappeau was not an atheist? Then what does that say about you?

Here’s another quote from the same Wikipedia article on “freethought”:

“In France, the concept first appeared in publication when Denis Diderot, Jean le Rond d'Alembert and Voltaire included in an article on Libre-Penseur in their Encyclopédie in 1765; the article was strongly atheistic.”

Here’s another:

“In 1881 in Frankfurt am Main, Ludwig Büchner established Deutschen Freidenkerbund as the first German organization for atheists.”

And “non-Christian” is pretty self-explanatory. You’re not going to try to argue that Cappeau was a Muslim or a Jew are you? Please.

Face it, Cappeau held your exact same position on the subject of religion, and nevertheless he wrote a great poem that glorifies God. I think that’s wonderful, and should be recognized and celebrated. But if you instead want to sling mud and say “Bah, Humbug!” I can’t stop you.

I, however, will not reciprocate your nastiness. Have a wonderful "winter break," and best wishes to you in the new year.

[cosmik debris]

30. Why do xtians use insults to describe people

who don't hold to their religious beliefs. Non-Christians are not Grinches and we are not Scrooges just because we don't buy into your religion.

Should I assume that this behavior is the way you wish to be treated by the "golden rule"? I mean that if you use derogatory terms to describe people who disagree with you, then you must want people to use derogatory terms to describe you when you disagree with them. Right?

[Meshuga]

34. Derogatory terms indeed

I get the angry and sometimes really nasty responses (or we at least get "the look" from the ones who don't want to say anything) when I tell people that we don't celebrate Christmas in our home and "Grinch" or "Scrooge" are words that usually come out.

I have no problems with Christians celebrating Christmas but our family don't particularly want to celebrate it ourselves.

The use of "Grinch" or "Scrooge" does get old and they are derogatory.

[beam me up scottie]

36. Ha ! You should live in the buy-bull belt.

You almost have to put up a tree to pacify the locals.

[Meshuga]

45. I live in a blue state

and my county can't be any bluer but I still get crap. I couldn't imagine what would be like living down in the "buy-bull" belt.

[beam me up scottie]

46. I don't know what's worse,

the way bigotry is just accepted and actually expected here, or the fact that even the minorities feel that way.

[cosmik debris]

38. Actually I celebrated last night

because this was the first year in my memory that I had NOT been called a Scrooge or a Grinch. Of course the main reason for this is that I stay away from Christians more now. But it was a refreshing change.

[beam me up scottie]

31. No link? As usual, you come up short of the truth. Where, exactly, is Cappeau called an atheist?

All you did is repeat your claim that he was an atheist and provide definitions of the words you used to make it.

Since none of the sources I could find described him as such (I even translated the info I found on him in French), I must assume, as usual, that your claims are as ridiculous as your premise.




Oh, and if I was a christian, I think I'd rather have my posts described as "nastiness" than be caught lying, Zeb.

Don't forget, lies make the baby Jesus cry.

[Zebedeo]

37. If you are too lazy to click on the links I provided,

that doesn't mean that I provided "no link." It just means that you didn't click on them.

If you had bothered to click on the first link in my post, and done a "control f" search for the word "freethinker," you would have seen the following:

"The hymn was first performed on Christmas 1847 to great success, but a few years later it was attacked by French church men who objected to Cappeau, a freethinker who opposed slavery and injustice, and Adam, who was Jewish."

If you had bothered to click on the second link in my post, and done a "control f" search for the word "non-Christian," you would have seen the following:

"Churchmen disputed the song not because of the lyrics but because of Mr. Cappeua’s life and choices. He was a radical, freethinker, and a non-christian."

The rest of my post discussed the meaning of the terms "freethinker" and "non-Christian."

Back in the day, they used the term "freethinker" because "atheist" had such negative connotations, and they hadn't concocted the term "Bright" yet.

[beam me up scottie]

41. Nope, I clicked on them, they're as valid as your opinion.

Which is to say, not valid at all.

The first one is a puff piece writer's opinion based on a blurb written by a christian who can't cite his source, and the second is from a blog called "Missy, it Is well with my soul"! :rofl:




And I wouldn't worry about the word "bright" Zeb, no one will accuse you of being it, I mean one. After all, who the hell is deluded enough to think an atheist would write about his love for the holy son of God?

[charlie]

42. Not exactly, Zeb

"Back in the day", freethinker was a synonym for deist.

The philosophical rejection of received wisdom, authority, and dogma can be held by an atheist, but isn't necessary to be an atheist. For example, the "Godless Commies" were anything but freethinkers.

[trotsky]

40. Zeb, you have deliberately misrepresented a historical figure.

In case you haven't noticed, many believers, Christians included, consider themselves "freethinkers." The sources you mention to try and justify your use of "freethinker" and "atheist" as equivalents are decidedly modern in nature.

I can find nothing that says Cappeau did not believe in gods. That's what you need to find if you are going to declare him an atheist.

Back up your words, or retract them, Zeb. You tossed out a hand grenade and then act surprised when people get upset - gee, go figure.

[beam me up scottie]

43. I can see why he's confused.

The type of christian who would refer to him/herself as a free thinker is the polar opposite of Zeb.

[trotsky]

50. Yup, and might as well be an atheist from Zeb's perspective.

I see your point, bmus.

[beam me up scottie]

51. I find it amusing that he thinks Ozzy is going to heaven.

But everyone else who doesn't believe exactly what Zeb believes only has access to the basement elevator.

He acts like it's his private country club or something.

[Zebedeo]

47. 1765 and 1881 are "decidedly modern"?

You need to get out more. It's the 21st century, trotsky.

[beam me up scottie]

48. Still haven't taken that course in reading comprehension, Zeb?

The sources you mention to try and justify your use of "freethinker" and "atheist" as equivalents are decidedly modern in nature.

[trotsky]

49. No, Zeb. How old is the source that uses the word "freethinker"?

Please spare me the snarkiness.

[Ezlivin]

4. And Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath sang about Christ and being saved, too

After Forever

Have you ever thought about your soul - can it be saved?
Or perhaps you think that when you're dead you just stay in your grave
Is God just a thought within your head or is He a part of you?
Is Christ just a name that you read in a book when you were in school?

When you think about death do you lose your breath
Or do you keep your cool?
Would you like to see the Pope on the end of a rope
Do you think he's a fool?
Well I have seen the truth, yes I've seen the light
And I've changed my ways
And I'll be prepared when you're lonely and scared
At the end of our days

Could it be you're afraid of what your friends might say
If they knew you believe in God above?
They should realize before they criticize
That God is the only way to love

Is your mind so small that you have to fall
In with the pack wherever they run
Will you still sneer when death is near
And say they may as well worship the sun?

I think it was true it was people like you that crucified Christ
I think it is sad the opinion you had was the only one voiced
Will you be so sure when your day is near, say you don't believe?
You had the chance but you turned it down, now you can't retrieve

Perhaps you'll think before you say that God is dead and gone
Open your eyes, just realize that he's the one
The only one who can save you now from all this sin and hate
Or will you still jeer at all you hear?
Yes! I think it's too late.

Happy Holidays!

[Zebedeo]

29. I did not know

that Ozzy was a Christian. That is cool. There is going to be some awesome music in Heaven!

[beam me up scottie]

32. So just being a christian is enough to get Ozzy into heaven?

When did they relax the rules you keep telling us about?

[Zebedeo]

39. They didn't.

Sounds like Ozzy has confessed with his mouth and believed in his heart. If so, he is saved.

[beam me up scottie]

44. So that's all it takes to get a ticket? Boy, heaven's going to be awfully crowded.

Every christian I've ever know claimed to believe in their heart.

[jgraz]

6. Who cares? It's a great tune -- Here's my favorite version...

http://homepage.mac.com/jgraz/O_Holy_Night.mp3

Merry Christmas everyone!!

[William769]

11. Glory to the new born King!

[charlie]

13. Merry Christmas, Zeb

I wouldn't know about Cappeau being an atheist, but if true it'd be par for the course, wouldn't it? Look up the authorship of the most beloved, oft-played Christmas songs and you'll find plenty were not written by Christians, but by Jewish songmeisters.

In return, here's a carol from someone I've long held in the highest esteem, the incomparable Walt Kelly:

Deck us all with Boston Charlie,
Walla Walla, Wash., an' Kalamazoo!
Nora's freezin' on the trolley,
Swaller dollar cauliflower alley-garoo!

Don't we know archaic barrel,
Lullaby Lilla boy, Louisville Lou?
Trolley Molly don't love Harold,
Boola boola Pensacoola hullabaloo!

Bark us all bow-wows of folly,
Polly wolly cracker n' too-da-loo!
Hunky Dory's pop is lolly gaggin' on the wagon,
Willy, folly go through!

Donkey Bonny brays a carol,
Antelope Cantaloup, 'lope with you!
Chollie's collie barks at Barrow,
Harum scarum five alarum bung-a-loo!

[Danger Mouse]

15. La di da di da...

Hey, what's with this?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=5982802&mesg_id=5982802

[beam me up scottie]

22. Yippee! I've been quoted in the lounge and had a thread started in my honor!

Must be a slow day.

Good catch, Elrond!

[Danger Mouse]

24. Thanks :)

You have a way with words that really gets some people all in a tizzy, and I love it :)

[and-justice-for-all]

16. I'm an Atheist and appreciate the "idea" of Xmas..

...But the dogma and fairy tale shit has got to go.

People need to do good regular bases and not wait until the end of the year or a birthday.

Christ birth?? as though it was the only one on December 25th...how about dionysus or Mithras? there are a few more, all of which had their diety celebrations on the 25th of December LONG BEFORE Jeebus came along.

Fairy Tales are for children, not grown adults.

[Evoman]

18. Have yourself a good christmas, Zeb.

I won't be rejoicing in the ...hehe...miracles of Christ's birth...but you have a good time doing that. I'm just gonna chill and catch a movie or two. Eat some turkey. Maybe burn a couple of bibles if I get in the mood.

*grin* we all "celebrate" religions in our own ways.

[Crunchy Frog]

19. Thank you for the lovely song Zeb

even though I know it's meant to try to propagandize your faith to heathens like me, and in that you will not be successful. This heathen has always really loved that song, and the historical background on it (provided by BMUS) is fascinating.

I wish you the happiest of holidays.

[Zhade]

23. Wonder how your "savior" would feel about you lying, if he existed.

NT!

[Zebedeo]

28. Wrong again, Zhade

I wasn't lying

I'll wait for your apology.

[beam me up scottie]

33. He owes you nothing. You, however, owe us one.

You failed to prove your claim, Zeb.

We'll be waiting for you to apologize for insulting our intelligence with your make believe stories.

[Zhade]

52. Yes, you were - you failed to defend your lie.

I don't OWE you an apology, so don't expect one.

[Meshuga]

26. Great Market

So what? Some of the most popular Christmas songs were written by Jewish composers:

- The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
- Do They Know It's Christmas? (Feed the World)
- Santa Baby
- Holly Jolly Christmas
- Santa Claus is Coming to Town
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Silver Bells
- It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
- Sleigh Ride
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
- There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays
- Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
- White Christmas

I guess there is a lot of more money to be made professionally if you make Christmas songs. It's a great market. In contrast, there is no money to be made composing Chanukah songs. Look at them songs! Chanukah music really sucks! :-)

List of Christmas songs by Jewish composers:

http://www.interfaithfamily.com/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=ekLSK5MLIrG&b=297399&ct=3303147

[beam me up scottie]

35. Supposedly, Cappeau's parish priest only asked him to write a poem.

But he decided what he had written was too good to be just a poem and had his friend Adolphe Charles Adams, a jew, compose music for it.