Is Christamas bad for us, all that overspending, eating and drinking, is it not all just consummerism gone mad.
Its supposed to be a religeous festival but most people are not interested in that concept anymore. Is it immoral that so much money is spent by those who arent in need, while so many of our brothers and sisters are starving to death.

People are emptying the supermarket shelves, why, the shops are open all the time now so why do people buy like its the last food on the shelves forever. Have we just lost the plot and are we just selfish greedy individuals.

People, in general, are driven by the need to have the latest and the greatest of anything. People, in general, are driven by the need for commercialism. People, in general, and with very few notable exceptions, are driven by greed.

Big commercial companies, in general, are profit driven. Christmas season, this year, where I live, started in the stores before Halloween was done (talk about a commercial holiday)...

Do the math...

Happy RhamaHanniKwansamas to you and all.

It's pretty disgusting actually. The holiday season comes with the whole "togetherness and love" jive. If you add to that a society that has trouble understanding love, and ends up equating it to things and money. When that happens, corperations go nuts, and spending goes up the wall.

But then again, that's the moral of every Christmas special I've seen since childhood, so who knows. I think Steve Urkel tought the Winslows that one year on Family Matters actually.

But one thing I did notice was at my local mall. The mall's new slogan is "Defining You." It was the most disgusting thing i've ever seen. But with this type of suggestion around every corner is it any wonder that people are more and more being defined by their things?

Originally posted by magicmushroom
Is Christamas bad for us, all that overspending, eating and drinking, is it not all just consummerism gone mad.
Its supposed to be a religeous festival but most people are not interested in that concept anymore. Is it immoral that so much money is spent by those who arent in need, while so many of our brothers and sisters are starving to death.

People are emptying the supermarket shelves, why, the shops are open all the time now so why do people buy like its the last food on the shelves forever. Have we just lost the plot and are we just selfish greedy individuals.

So you are the decider of who is in need? Are you the decider of what is "too much?"

Who exactly is starving to death? Maybe the North Koreans, but I believe Christmas celebrations are forbibben in Comunist countries. I'm sure you will bring up some 3rd World country like Ethiopia or some famine ridden country. Maybe they should copy the United States form of government, and get some much needed capitalism there, that would solve that problem.

But here in the United States of America NO ONE is starving to death.

RR I'm sure you will find plenty of people in the US are in need of many things including food, whilst others drown themselves in things they dont need and from what position do you claim that no one is starving in the US People are starving all over the World dont be fooled into thinking it only happens in 3rd World Countries.

Originally posted by Rasobasi420
It's pretty disgusting actually. The holiday season comes with the whole "togetherness and love" jive.

Oh! God forbid the family togetherness and love for fellow man!

pffft! go find a communist country.

Xphiles people get togethwer all the time and share love you dont need a special day to do it and you dont need to spend a fortune either.

RR if you have food in your belly, clothes on your back and a roof over your head then you have enough, try sharing with others, one world, one people.

Every year, Christmas is shoved in our faces earlier because the retail stores want to get as much profit as they can. I see commercials on TV that push the idea that you MUST buy a gift for everyone that you know.

So many people in this country are already in severe debt due to unfortunate circumstances such as the loss of a job, medical problems, etc., and our government continues to do whatever they can to push us further and further into debt.

I feel it's all part of the grand plan to make society completely in debt and dependent on the government in order to maintain control over all of us.

I stopped participating in Christmas over 10 years ago and have never regretted it. I don't decorate, buy gifts, or send cards. I talk to my parents and immediate family members on the phone on Christmas Day (because I live in a different state from them) and they always appreciate that.

I refuse to be one of the sheeple. Deny Ignorance.

Originally posted by magicmushroom

RR if you have food in your belly, clothes on your back and a roof over your head then you have enough, try sharing with others, one world, one people.

There you go "deciding" again.

The United States has shown the world what prosperity looks like. It is up to them to implement it. It is better to teach someone to fish, than to give them a fish.

The last person in the United States that starved to death was Terri Shiavo, and that was a court-ordered starvation.

[edit on 25-12-2006 by RRconservative]

RR have you been at the cooking sherry, America shown the World dont make me laugh, the fact is that you are unaware of the people who are not rich in America, there are plenty who go without what you and I take for granted, there are charitys handing out food, medical supplies etc. all this and more in the country that shown the World posterity.

I mean come on you could'nt even sort out the Katrina victims and needed outside help. I dont mind helping anyone no matter who they are if you want to be an economic slave thats your choice but it is immoral that so many suffer when there is an abundance of wealth to go around.

And yes I am a decider I have to do it for those such as yourself who cannot.

Originally posted by magicmushroom

I mean come on you could'nt even sort out the Katrina victims and needed outside help. I dont mind helping anyone no matter who they are if you want to be an economic slave thats your choice but it is immoral that so many suffer when there is an abundance of wealth to go around.

And yes I am a decider I have to do it for those such as yourself who cannot.

The people hurt most by Katrina were the ones that relied on the government in the 1st place. When these people took to the TV screaming "Where is the government?" I was screaming back "You are in this position BECAUSE of government!"

The United States has the "richest" poor people in the world!

Anytime there is a survey on who gives more to charity between Republicans and Democrats, Republicans always win! Democrats validate this by saying "Government, not myself, is supposed to take care of "these people."

I believe individuals can do much more than government in helping out the poor.

So believe it or not....magicmushroom, we may be closer to the same side of the arguement than not?

christmas is a day of over-indulgence of two sorts
the typical materialistic over-indulgence that everyone points out

but there is the religious over-indulgence
we see people indulging in the comforts that this opiate brings to the masses
people ignore their problems at this time
they ignore the problems of the world

and RRconservative, they've done studies on republicans and democrats
you are right, republicans do give more
HOWEVER
they also have a lot more on average
the average democrat gives a bigger percentage of their paycheck than the average republican

Originally posted by magicmushroom
Is Christamas bad for us, all that overspending, eating and drinking, is it not all just consummerism gone mad.
Its supposed to be a religeous festival but most people are not interested in that concept anymore. Is it immoral that so much money is spent by those who arent in need, while so many of our brothers and sisters are starving to death.

People are emptying the supermarket shelves, why, the shops are open all the time now so why do people buy like its the last food on the shelves forever. Have we just lost the plot and are we just selfish greedy individuals.

nothing has changed about christmas for centuries... hundreds of years ago people still gave gifts, people still overeated and over drank on this time of year...

what has changed is how many gifts, what kind of gifts, and how we buy them. the concept stays the same... be like everyody else... buy someone a gift.

Eh I didnt get a single gift this christmas save for what I got myself. But my son made out like a bandit. I just got finnished loading him up with tons of sugar and sending him home with the evil ex wife MU HU HA HA HA HA! (sorry evil laugh snuck out there)

Christmas is what you make it.

If you're greedy and materialistic with no thought for anyone much but yourself then thats what the holiday will be. A day of self-indulgent consumerism.

If you actually want to try to show love with a gift and give where it's needed without thought to your own selfish desires, then...I believe that's the real Christmas spirit.

So... Christmas is'nt really "good or bad", it's what you do with it that makes it whatever it is for you.

[edit on 25-12-2006 by elaine]

I look forward to Christmas so that I can spend time with my three sons and husband. We like to give small practical inexpensive gifts but the most important thing we give each other is the togetherness of the family.
We are not religious but are respectful of why Christmas is celebrated.

We have also observed over the years how this festive season has been transformed into an 'in ya face' marketing and consumerism fiasco. I hate even having to do my regular grocery shopping at this time of year as the crowds, bad service and noisy mall bratz have an agoraphobic effect on me. I can not wait to get away from all the hype and BS.

For us, Christmas is a time to donate foodstuffs to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal and buy a gift for an anonymous needy child and place it under the wishing tree at K-Mart. We also like to ask a couple of people who have no family or can not be with their loved ones, to join us for Christmas dinner.

Christmas is not about maxing out your credit card, trying to outdo everyone else, and endless shopping safaris in search of the perfect gift.

We keep Christmas simple...maybe this is the key ?


In Peace Always

For years now I no longer celebrate Christmas or any other holiday. Nor birthdays. All days are the same to me.

However to those who choose to celebrate this day..that is their buisness. I merely choose to let them and the day pass by. I find ways to occupy myself as on any other day.

I choose not to hold one day above another...simply that.

Agree with Resistancia in that it is not a time to max out ones credit cards...well said. However I will add ..nor is any other day of the year.
Nothing wrong with giving to others..this too can be done any other day of the year.

I do however understand the longing for Resistancia to get together with her family. This is so for many familys. Sad it must be only at this time of the year for most as it is the time that they have the most time off. Family time can be very prescious in this high speed fast/food lane type lifestyle of today.

I dont care for the commercialism of what it has become among other things. I understand that many buisnesses are made or broken on this time of the year. It is not however my task or obligation to keep them so.

I am very glad that I gave the whole thing up and dont run in that rat race anymore. I still get together with my family ..just not in that setting.

Thanks to all for thier views,
Orangetom

Christmas IS bad for us, we get depressed, overspend, overeat and give each other presents that most of the time are not even what we want.

I think it would be better if we bought presents for our selves and wrap it up/put it in a box and be sure it's what we want, ofcourse there wouldn't be much of a suprise but atleast we would spend our own money on our own stuff and stuff we want

It IS a good excuse to eat Turkey and a day off work or school.

Originally posted by GrOuNd_ZeRo

It IS a good excuse to eat Turkey and a day off work or school.

I'll second that!!!!
A fine repast is always a good blessing!!

Thanks,
Orangetom

I just needs a bit of adjustment.

I've got to say that an afternoon meeting my brothers, whom I rarely see, eating my mums good cooking, and seeing the kids go wild amongst the wrapping paper is a pretty damn good day.

It just needs some self control to prevent it escalating into massive purchases.
We live in times where the average person is quite wealthy. We have everything we want, and buy it ourselves when we need it. We don't need MORE. In fact parents dread all the extra toys they have to put somewhere.
I think in these times, gifts should be tokens... momentary amusements that are easily disposed of, or items of a personal, emotional nature.

What I do dread about Xmas is all the parties... too many. Not good at all for an introverted antisocial guy like me.