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#813668
MK
The Christians stole it from the Romans, who undoubtedly stole it from someone else they'd conquered. It was called Saturnalia, and it was a winter solstice celebration.
Christmas, actually, was rightfully denounced by the Calvinist churches across Europe because it had pagan, not Biblical, origins. Even the Puritans that settled in New England would not celebrate it, and would expel anyone who tried.
12/16/2008 10:51:57 PM
#813670
Ashfish
Gee, I guess I should have gotten offended at the guy who told me "Merry Christmas" this afternoon. And most people celebrate the summer solstice by going outside and having fun. That's what you do in the summer...You know, when it's the sunniest and warmest because we've defrosted from winter.
I decorate my home, not to celebrate Jesus, but as a family bonding activity. It's always been a tradition in my home to decorate the tree together. Perhaps you're missing the other point of this season, it's not a holiday to proclaim that followers of Abrahamic traditions are better than others but to embrace others in a time of peace and love.
12/16/2008 10:52:50 PM
#813673
Ambrielle
liberals =/= atheists
And even then, I haven't seen an atheist beat someone up over being told Merry Christmas. They (me) may reply with 'happy solstice' or somesuch. Get over it.
12/16/2008 10:54:37 PM
#813691
Lucilius
Yes, liberals do talk more about tolerance than conservatives. That's because self-styled conservatives like Prelutsky are the real bigots, who want nothing to do with tolerance.
12/16/2008 11:00:12 PM
#813719
Grigadil
Reason's Greetings!
12/16/2008 11:08:04 PM
#813736
myheadhurts
"Liberals are so intolerant they often can’t even bear to have people say “Merry Christmas” in their presence."
United Church of God, IA and JW's are not liberal. Say "Merry Christmas" to some of them and be prepared to have your head handed to you.
I think it is fair to say that some atheists are very annoyed at "Merry Christmas," but to say all liberals, including many Jesus B-day celebrating Christians, is a bit of a stretch.
Personally, the words mean nothing to me so I really don't care if I'm wished a merry Christmas.
12/16/2008 11:17:02 PM
#813771
Ragabash
The Fairness Doctrine does not work that way!
I mean, come on, I'm Canadian and I know more about the Fairness Doctrine than you! That should make you feel very ashamed.
12/16/2008 11:28:21 PM
#813826
pete
Explain, again, why do sane people have to be tolerant of fundies trying to impose dogma on society?
12/16/2008 11:49:13 PM
#813845
Old Viking
There are very few people who take offense at "Merry Christmas." I say, "Thank you, same to you." Mature adults do not concern themselves with trivialities.
12/16/2008 11:59:34 PM
#813847
GreenEyedLilo
Saying "I celebrate something else" isn't the same as "disparagement." I'm wondering why this guy feels the need to suck up to the most hateful conservative Christians.
I say nothing to, for instance, a cashier or homeless guy on the street except my usual "You have a good day."
Also, why the hell do people keep acting like Kwanzaa is some alternative religious celebration? It is not. It is a celebration of pride in African heritage. I have seen black and part-black Christians, atheists, and Pagans observe it, and I've seen other black and part-black people ignore it. People who celebrate Kwanzaa tend to celebrate other holidays, too.
12/17/2008 12:00:41 AM
#813849
The Watcher
Liberals are so intolerant they often can’t even bear to have people say “Merry Christmas” in their presence.
Cite, please, for one liberal who has ever said s/he "can't bear to have people say 'Merry Christmas' in his/her presence."
Well, in spite of Kwanzaa and Chanukah, this is Christmas season because most Americans are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
So, what the majority wants means that's the way it is for everybody? Great. I'll let everyone in South Dakota know that you're done trying to get abortion banned, after said measure has failed twice.
12/17/2008 12:01:08 AM
#813875
Undecided
Actually, I wouldn't mind celebrating the summer solstice.
12/17/2008 12:21:36 AM
#813885
a mind far far away
"Liberals are so intolerant"
I didn't really need to read past this, but I did. A Jew doing the fundy christian 'christmas is for christians because it celebrates christ' schtick. I see Poe or troll. And by the way, fuckface, the only reason you don't see pagans and such celebrating the other pagan holidays is because christians have made such a big deal out of this one, as well as it being a capitalist holiday. Stores don't sell Beltaine items during that season. The only other pagan holiday we see 'commercialized' is Samhain (Halloween). So don't kid yourself. Just because you put your hands over your eyes doesn't mean it's not there and happening, it's just that you don't want to see it, because it exposes you for the fraud and bigot you are. Fucker.
12/17/2008 12:31:01 AM
#813886
Rat of Steel
"Isn’t it funny how nobody feels the compulsion to exchange gifts or attend church services or decorate their homes for the summer solstice?"
Actually, there are quite a few pagans who do celebrate the summer solstice (Beltane, as they call it). If there were a secular version of the summer-solstice celebration, I'd be celebrating right along with them. Also, you conveniently forgot that everyone in the Southern hemisphere does do exactly what you describe. It's called Christmas...right, Mortok? *smiles and nods to him*
Then again, you wouldn't believe anything I say about pagans, because in your narrow, sheltered mind, everyone who isn't some kind of Christian is either serving your Devil explicitly as a Satanist, or implicitly as an atheist.
12/17/2008 12:33:21 AM
#813891
pete
Oh yeah. Before I forget. Most European nations, and a few others, celebrate "Midsummer". That's a holiday that celebrates the summer solstice. Now STFU you ignorant tit!
12/17/2008 12:38:13 AM
#813895
The Outsider
Man, he sure showed that Straw Man who's the boss!!!
12/17/2008 12:40:12 AM
#813899
POSW
I'd like to clear the air about this subject. I'm a Jewish liberal, and I really couldn't care less if anyone wishes me a merry Christmas. I just say "Happy Hanukah" back and leave it at that.
12/17/2008 12:43:27 AM
#813927
Punchybird
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas! You really think words bother us that much?
12/17/2008 12:59:09 AM
#813941
Kris
What the...the only Fairness Doctrine I can find info on was abolished in '87. Can someone clue me on WTF this idiot's talking about?
12/17/2008 1:09:06 AM
#813950
Shadoboy
Happy Decemberween.
12/17/2008 1:13:17 AM
#813959
MysticalChicken
Yep! Every time someone says "Merry Christmas" to, or in front of, me, I hiss and cower like a vampire who's been caught in a shaft of sunlight.
12/17/2008 1:16:28 AM
#813980
Nowonmai
Isn’t it funny how nobody feels the compulsion to exchange gifts or attend church services or decorate their homes for the summer solstice?
We do at my house. Swing and a miss!
If you wanted to be correct, you should be celebrating Jesus' birthday on June 17th, instead of co-opting the Solstice holiday.
12/17/2008 1:26:43 AM
#814107
LOLKILLZ
I celebrate at Christmas.
I do NOT celebrate the birth of Christ.
12/17/2008 2:44:56 AM
#814109
Allegory for Jesus
"By and large, it’s liberals who carry on as if they have the word copyrighted."
Mosly because, you know, conservatives don't give a damn about it.
"Liberals are so intolerant they often can’t even bear to have people say “Merry Christmas” in their presence."
Sigh...dumbass.
"Well, in spite of Kwanzaa and Chanukah, this is Christmas season because most Americans are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Even though I’m Jewish..."
..."I'm still a douchebag supporting Christian theocracy!"
12/17/2008 2:45:04 AM
#814127
e13
Christmas and Easter were placed over the soltices in an attempt to replace them. Hence the "secualar" Pagen elements.
The holidays were placed in times of season that had centuries of "celebratory history" until then. Deal with it.
12/17/2008 3:51:44 AM
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