Christianity does not own this season, and it never did. Indeed, Christianity is only the latest in a long line of mythologies that have adopted the Solstice for their religion and called it their own. Mythras, Zarathustra, and of course the Pagan holiday of Yule (as in Yuletide, and Yule logs) come to mind. Indeed, nothing about Christmas is Christian at all..I love celebrating the shortest day of the year — a celestial event that affects all life on the planet, and is of course the source of all these holidays. I’m not much for the Jesus songs, but I like the lights, and the eggnog. I really like the eggnog.
Mmmm… eggnog!
Loves me the eggnog.
Just saw that there is a story about if this dude Jesus really existed, he was born in june:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1093053/Cancel-Christmas–Jesus-born-June-17-say-scientists.html
Oh well, we all know how those pesky xians don’t like science or anything associated with it, so I doubt anything will come of this.
I’m going to be celebrating the Solstice with some great food and even better beer.
Boise Jim:
And that’s “news†to you? Did you really think that shepherds would be with their flocks in the fields in December? Just because Matthew and Luke didn’t specify a month in their accounts in no way diminishes their credibility—and it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that the early church chose 12/25 as the date to simply to attract pagans to their religion.
Christmas has never been religious for me. It has always been about spending time with family, gifts and sharing, TV specials, Santa Claus and FOOD!
Same for my kids, they see the “Jesus Christmas” as something other people choose to celebrate, like Hannukah or Kwanzaa.
At our house we do celebrate and exchange gifts on the Solstice, but we call it Seasonal Holiday Gift Man Day.
A close examination of the evidence shows that the best explanation for the story of “Jesus Christ” is nothing more than “mythology”.
Just like many other religious figures, “Jesus Christ” began as a theological concept, was later used as a character in allegorical stories, and was then historicized as someone whom some people believed really existed.Much like Robin Hood or King Arthur
“Indeed, nothing about Christmas is Christian at all..”
I beg to differ on this. The name “Christmas” sure seems to be Christian to me. Therefore, at least one thing is Christian.
and in deed is proof enough to state that it has turned into a national religious holy day….and needs a name change….like Tis the season of the Winter Solstice….yeah!!!the days are going to stop getting shorter….
havnt some hydrogen plotters placed the birth in Jun instead of Dec 25 any how….wft
Dave…why is AA intentionally misrepresenting Thomas Jefferson…?
http://www.atheists.org/
http://etext.virginia.edu/jefferson/quotations/jeff1650.htm
One can only guess that AA is distorting the truth…can you say………myth?
Jonathan Smith–
Hey watch it, Jonathan Smith!! I KNOW King Arthur was real! I stood by his gravesite in Glastonbury!
still can’t sign in on home page. I tried starting from scratch and gave my name, rank, and (old) password, but no luck. I tried resetting password, but no luck there either. Wah!!
jcc –
umm, average temperature in Israel in winter (Dec., Jan., Feb.) is between 41 & 65 – only slightly cooler than Florida in the winter (51-72) Sounds like prime time to get the sheep out, since all that wool probably keeps them fairly warm.
I think the sheep would like it better in the winter – the summer can get up to 122 degrees and 95% humidity!
Why cant I log in with my old name and password?
zujlbwav
zujlbwav
For the first time in my life, I’m around a lot of Hanukkah celebrators, people who assume that I too observe it. I’ve never been to a Christmas party that was religious, despite its name — no caroling, no Jesii, no blessings. Hanukkah parties, in contrast, don’t stand a chance of being as secular.
I’ve never cared about the solstice, but it’s looking more appealing now.
[QUOTE]Jon wrote:
That is thier problem! Living in sin and the way they want is far better to them!
Aethists don’t really disbeleive in God. They try very hard to disprove him and attack religion! If they really didn’t believe in God. Why try so hard? They push very hard almost the same way some religious zealots do! And they complain. Almost seems hypocritical?[/QUOTE]
it is mans nature to push the encvelope in EVERYTHING- drugs- stock market-relantionships-god-all of it-
why- so we learn- push it till it breaks- why- so you learn- and now with media and technology let several generations of gangs-drug users-atheists-all outside the norm of the truth be an example of deviant behaivor in order for the new generation to finally learn truth as a child to grow with dignity and respect-
all atheists and anyone screaming like a sqeeky wheel do so for attention- to search for answers- all are children of god- all disciples of god with a duty to stand up after a life of such an endeavor and begin to state uniformly the truth-
all gang members that ran with the wolf pack with a path of fire only to find the road in the end is tolerance and peace- to thank god with every breath they take- for life is great and thank you dear god for every step we take on planet earth-
very soon all who have sacrificed an endevour like an explorer of the 20 th century may be gathered and tell their story for a world to witness-
it is the children of america- children of all the nations peoples who have been gathered from all corners of the earth to live together-
man needs the basics to survive- bread-shelter and some care from love and support from one another as civilizations provides-
but man never lives on bread alone- for we are infinite beings- it has been said there are no true atheists in foxholes- for it always has been shown when stubborn man is next to death- or last of breath- there is pray to the next world- for it is instinctive- instinct in man for it is true- the arms of god are never far- it is man that runs away-
but was meant to – to explore all the darkest corners of earth to shine a light upon it for our children- for knowledge-
god is infinite- too much for our tiny brains- what can man do –
talk- i see animals talk-
build-
i see spiders build fancy webs and trap doors to catch pray-
man moves one step at a time-
you are the center of a great movie playing out in real time-
first man crawls-walks-runs-learns-grows- all these years to learn language-discipline-science-so much yet to do before our consciousness can even discuss god itself- for man cannot even
CREATE one simple life form- let alone GOD
REPENT
Since when did the “-” replace all other kinds of punctuation?
REPENT? LOL
How about those preachy posts being deleted, eh?
solomon
Mindless, meaningless, theocratic blatherings such such as yours are common place hear.
Please go away untill you can offer some thing more original (if you can)
solomon sami azar said “god is infinite- too much for our tiny brains- what can man do –
While I am very happy that you have admitted your own ignorance, there is no need to attribute this ignorance to me.
I’ve always be partial to using Christmas for marking to solstice and also honoring all of the great teachers in history. I know the historical fact of Jesus is debatable (the deity part is just false). But many of the non-theistic messages from the New Testament were revolutionary for that time and continue to inform our outlook on the world.
Socrates, SiddhÄÂrtha Gautama (aka Budda), Newton, and many others were teachers and thinkers who changed the way we look at the world and ourselves. The idea of Jesus (whatever he was), probably belongs in this pantheon.
It’s convenient our culture has a traditional holiday at this time of year. Just like the Christians took Pagan rituals and icons to promote their holiday, we can take some of the secular aspects of Christmas for ourselves.
A time for family, a time for reflection, a time to celebrate nature and teaching and learning and thought. Besides, the trees are pretty and I like the egg nog also.
All thru Dec to Solstice & beyond, I keep Xmas carols playing.
What can I say? I like the sound.
If you like the traditional tunes of Xmas, Medieval folk songs, and the like, you don’t have to deprive yourself because of the religious lyrics. There are purely instrumental versions of these songs available, and many of them have been put to non-religious words as well.
I don’t care, myself. I grew up with church music and poison ivy, and constant exposure has made me immune.
From Solstice thru New Years, I like to sit in front of a roaring fire at the end of the day, and watch out the window how the sun sets about a minute later each evening.
When you look at the evolution of Earth you must go back 4.6 Billion years ago. If these 4.6 Billion years were com-pressed into a 12 hour clock, you get a good perspective. Bacteria would appear at 2:53, Crustaceans at 10:18, Insects at 11:00, Birds at 11:36 and Humans at 11:59:41. Now, religion appears about 2,000 years ago at 11:59:59.9999996. All the above events are pretty well established through science. However, there isn’t one shred of scientiic evidence to support religion. I think that religion is basically based on the fear of the unknown,
malignant lung cancer
About 95% of the…