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[keasy]

Working in a school it is perhaps more evident to me than many that certain religions do not celebrate Christmas. Not even religion TBH many people just refute any religious aspect.

There are a few ethnic minority groups that certain pupils belong too at our school and I have had conversations with those kids about the holidays that transpired the fact those kids will not receive any presents on Christmas.


Call me blinkered but I thought the majority of Brits (and other so called Christian countries) didn't really take Christmas as a religious celebration any more as it's more of a cultural thing now.

I feel for those kids watching every other kid being lavished with gifts.

Much as I am never scared to openly admit I consider myself a Christian I am however not object to Christmas being more of a cultural practice these days. Although the message it spreads is brilliant...peace and love and forgiveness.

I know of at least 6  non Christian but religiously active kids whose parents practice the cultural celebration and get involved.


Soz, I forgot my point.

I just feel rid rotten for those kids whose parents refute the whole thing altogether.
It's a general holiday these days.

[Kryten]

But it's us Christians who brazenly hitched a ride from long-established Pagan Winter Solstice celebrations to mark Christ's birthday at a time of year having no connection with his real birth date.

If anyone, it's us Christians who are mean-spirited at what's conventionally but misguidedly called 'Christmas'.

Wouldn't it be gracious of us to move over, and let a senior religion have its celebration back?

[Wooster]

You don't have to call me cynical...I know I am.

There's too much obligation involved these days, driven by commercialism..so imho religion barely enters into it anymore.
Even back in the 70's I can recall that kids were judged among their peers by the quality of presents they received, which has nothing whatsoever to do with any Religious values and all to do with monetary values.

Even the News is driven by these kind of stories with headlines like the Death of the High Street: Christmas Sales Plummet.
...aye they've plummeted because families are struggling.

I'm not knocking the annual show of appreciation for friends and family, but for Christs sake (and here's me a rampant Atheist) don't feel pressurised into buying stuff you can't afford...it doesn't matter.


I'm not big on religion (surprise, surprise) but maybe some don't see this annual spending (for many it means months of debt) jamboree in quite the same way.
I've spoken to a few people who, in tightened circumstances, feel as if they are letting their kids/family down...and that ain't right by a long shot.

It shouldn't matter.


I'm thinking that if we skipped Christmas for a year, the worst thing that would happen is that China would go bankrupt.

[keasy]

The amount of gifts doesn't matter. It's not my initial point.

I'm talking people not observing it as even a cultural celebration at all. Taking 100% religiously and refusing to acknowledge it at all.
Regardless of religious beliefs. It's a cultural holiday...IT IS OUR CULTURE. To actively and wilfully exclude a kid from what is no longer a religious celebration for the majority  is bad news IMHO. That's the point I was getting at.

I've even seen kids sent to other classes to sit and do essentially bugger all but a quickly thought out exercise sheet a teacher drew up to fill time for the kid as their peers ie: the entire class excluding them attend the classes Christmas party.



 

[keasy]

Wouldn't it be gracious of us to move over, and let a senior religion have its celebration back?

What 'senior' religion is that though ?

Paganism is generally a mass term for non Abrahamic cultures/religions, no ?
To suggest that Pre-Christianity  was one religion (I assume we're talking U.K. here) 'senior' to following religions is un true at  the least surely. What are we talking here ?

Please for the love of sanity do not say Druidism!

 

Like I said, Christmas is a cultural celebration....regardless of history...the amalgamation  of varying factors from religion to folklore and culture.

Everyone should celebrate it regardless if it's called Christmas, Wintermass, Shove it up yer hairy ass...w.whatever....it;s a time when we all get together and share some love!

[Hijpo]

Thats the first mistake, segregating the kids because of a "religious" party. Straight from the off they think there is something wrong with whats celebrated by others etc
what hope does the world have if people cant interact with others at times of celebration, all kids love partys,  they dont care what its for, its the parents that hae a shit freak if they find out the kids were havin a party for another religion.
Pisses me right off.

[keasy]

Thats the first mistake, segregating the kids because of a "religious" party. Straight from the off they think there is something wrong with whats celebrated by others etc
what hope does the world have if people cant interact with others at times of celebration, all kids love partys,  they dont care what its for, its the parents that hae a shit freak if they find out the kids were havin a party for another religion.
Pisses me right off.

Well said.

The parties don;t even suggest a hint of religious preaching or anything...it's just that once a year special holiday that's ultra magic for kids.

[Wooster]

It's not our culture, its the nominal culture of the majority (maybe ambiguous to say so) of our society, but not of all the people who make up our society.

Bit of a difference there.

i.e.  Muslim kids might feel a bit chuffed because they had their version of Christmas back in August during Ramadan.  

[keasy]

I disagree.

It is our culture.

Everyone that's British share in a common culture.

[Wooster]

Bollocks ...and you know it.

[keasy]

Bollocks ...and you know it.

Do I ?

You're dictating what I believe and assuming what I know ?

That's bollocks.

[Hijpo]

Exactly, like you said, the religious aspect doesnt really matter to most anymore. Its really just turned into a gift exchanging extravaganza. Its not as if they swap gifts of crucifix or ram skulls.

LET THE KIDS SWAP TOYS!!!

[keasy]

Exactly, like you said, the religious aspect doesnt really matter to most anymore. Its really just turned into a gift exchanging extravaganza. Its not as if they swap gifts of crucifix or ram skulls.

LET THE KIDS SWAP TOYS!!!

Yay!   

[keasy]

Anyhoo.


I well look forwards to spoiling my kids at Chrimbo.

I don't give a fuck if it's commercial or what not.

It's fucking great !


Plus I get a nice Christmasy feeling  Tough tits to you if you don;t experience it 

[Wooster]

Bollocks ...and you know it.

Do I ?

Aye, I am presuming to know what you think...unless you've suddenly become a bigot, which I never expected.

Some people prefer to preserve their own cultures for a while, if you emigrated to Australia, would you tell the kids they weren't Scottish?
After a while it doesn't matter, it all balances out.

Anyhoo, enjoy Christmas (as you do, since yer a big kid yerself ) and let the other cultures fend for themselves.