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Originally posted by talklikeapirat
"It is a fact that Christianty is not a religion, it's a philosophy."
Considering it wasn't Christian to begin with, Christians have no power over that date or what goes on during it. As such, they have no right to ban anything, but can choose to cease doing Christian-related stuff, like a mock-stable with animals and a baby Jesus.
Originally posted by grandmakdw
I am a Christian and I think Christmas should be abolished as an official holiday and all displays banned and all decorations banned. Why? Because the way we celebrate it has absolutely nothing to do with Christianity these days. It has become so secularized as to be nearly unrecognizable to real Christians. With the economy the way it is a lot of people would be better off financially if the holiday were banned from being seen in the public arena. Ban decorations, ban the sale of Christmas decorations, ban Christmas trees, I'm all for it.
Then Christians can quietly celebrate in a meaningful way that has nothing to do with paganism and crass commercialism.
Originally posted by Kali74
American Atheists president David Silverman appeared on O'Reilly's show recently to talk about challenging the status of Christmas as a federal holiday. He makes an argument that I think is worthy of debate, that the Government shows preferential treatment toward Christianity by making Christmas a federal holiday. O'Reilly of course turns it into this guy saying that no one should be allowed to put up Christmas displays in public squares etc. which has nothing to do with what the guy is saying.
“It is a fact that Christianity is not a religion, it is a philosophy,” the Fox News host declared confidently. “If the government was saying that the Methodist religion deserves a special place in the public square, I would be on your side.” Raw Story (s.tt...)
Silverman responded that he was not against Christmas celebrations per se, he was only against the government favoring Christianity over other religions.
O’Reilly said Silverman’s views were “insane” and that he should get his “merry band of fascists” together to “re-vote” on Christmas being a federal holiday. After Silverman objected to being called a fascist, O’Reilly again reiterated the point by saying he was a fascist because he wanted to banish Christmas.
Raw Story (s.tt...)
Is the new rhetoric from the GOP and their mouth pieces at FOX going to be that Christianity is a philosophy and not a religion? I suppose then we can go ahead and tax all Christian Churches?
Personally I have no real problem with Christmas being a federal holiday, it's nice to have a break, but why say it's for Christmas? Why not just say winter break or winter holiday? Why not declare a whole week a federal holiday and give every religion a day of it? Silverman is correct there is a clear favoritism toward Christianity here.
Originally posted by Golf66
Originally posted by Kali74
reply to post by DaTroof
I think that is okay too as long as there is some kind of provision that people not be penalized for taking days off to celebrate holidays in their religion.
The constitution doesn't guarantee freedom from religion but rather freedom of it. No one is protected from having to view or see others celebrate their holidays only that the State will not compel them to participate or not as the case may be.
"Christianity is not a new philosophy or new morality. We are Christians only if we encounter Christ... Only in this personal relationship with Christ, only in this encounter with the Risen One do we really become Christians...
Popeular quotes
Then Christians can quietly celebrate in a meaningful way that has nothing to do with paganism and crass commercialism. Considering it wasn't Christian to begin with, Christians have no power over that date or what goes on during it. As such, they have no right to ban anything, but can choose to cease doing Christian-related stuff, like a mock-stable with animals and a baby Jesus.
Or do you still think Jesus was born on the 25th of December? Seems like you do.