Dianna, I don't expect anyone to say "Merry Christmas" to me, but am pleased when they do. What sticks in my craw is the invention of a Christmas devil in a Wisconsin school district, another there turning,"Silent Night" into "Cold is the Night", references to Holiday Trees, and the worst of all, the "holiday infant." This is just too much preposterous stomping on the name of Jesus Christ. It is known by most Christians that December 25 is not historically accurate, but the date selected to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Not to mention; Santa, candy canes. Christmas trees with presents under them are secular icons of Christmas. Few Christians connect any of those things to Jesus Christ or his birth on a Christian level...but many Christians were raised to celebrate Christmas both ways and that continues today.
Merry Christmas, Dianna, to you and your family and loved ones...we love you even if you don't love us.

12:51:15 a.m. on December 21, 2005
CYRUS BRANDT | 12.21.05 - 12:56 am | # |Report as offensive

Christians have tried to 'christianize' other cultures traditions by creating 'something' that resembles a christian event. Rather than replace the pagan traditions, Christianity has become watered down and incorporated many of the pagan practices into their celebrations. Now, what was an important and serious event to the pagan has become a 'fun' secular event to the Christian. Maybe Christians like pagan celebrations? Look at Halloween, Christians dress as witches, devils, goblins, etc. and call it a 'Fall Festival'. Look at Santaria.... a mixture of Catholicism and voodoo. There are many, many examples of watered down Christianity. WWJD? Does Jesus cry?

8:12:25 a.m. on December 21, 2005
PAT HARTMANN | 12.21.05 - 8:17 am | # |Report as offensive

Ms. Narcisco,
These activities you describe are customs and traditions. They are not prescribed by Christianity. The theme of Christianity is simply the teachings of Christ and in a nutshell:

(1) There is nothing you can do to achieve heaven...I did it for you.
(2) Treat other people better than yourself.

If you are glad you don't participate in such thought, You are fixed on traditions and customs instead of Christianity.

10:06:37 a.m. on December 21, 2005
JERRY WEINTRAUBE | 12.21.05 - 10:11 am | # |Report as offensive

1Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.



2:07:50 p.m. on December 21, 2005
NICK HALLANDALE | 12.21.05 - 2:12 pm | # |Report as offensive

Hey, I'd have a problem with a "holiday infant" too. That's just stupid. There can't be a holiday infant. Not all winter celebrations have an infant in them.

The point is, Christians managed to get their religious celebration named a national holiday. Now they're screaming because it's become too secular. It has to be secular. You can't make an entire nation celebrate your religion.

And another point is that the Christmas tree is pagan. But these supposedly devout Christians are now screaming if you don't call it a Christmas tree.

And another point is that Christians use to be upset about the commercialization of their religious celebration. Now they're screaming because Walmart won't use the word in advertising.

Hypocrites.

I heard a radio ad the other day from Hooters. Have a Hooters Christmas!

Satisfied now?

4:03:29 p.m. on December 21, 2005
DIANNA NARCISO | 12.21.05 - 4:08 pm | # |Report as offensive

And I'm certainly glad you're not Christian either!

8:27:39 p.m. on December 21, 2005
JAMES CALLAGHAN | 12.21.05 - 8:32 pm | # |Report as offensive

Good Lord, it's scary to know that someone like DIANNA NARCISO is living in this area. Isn't there some government agency she is required to register with? If not, there should be!





9:54:22 p.m. on December 21, 2005
VERNON SHILOH | 12.21.05 - 9:59 pm | # |Report as offensive

Go Dianna Narciso! You are right on! Unfortunately, it seems that many are so blinded by their faith that they become discriminating, intolerant, and even display hatred to anyone who does not conform to their religious beliefs. I find that most Christians do not understand history and also do not read their Bible. For example, Mithraism predates Christianity by some 800 years. The Mithras God was born on Dec. 25, from a virgin, had 12 followers, was killed and resurrected, performed miracles, etc. Then consider that there is no undisputable evidence to support the existence of Jesus. Early Christians were competing with Mithraism and other pagan religions. It becomes obvious that early Christians simply created Jesus and copied Mithraism to satisfy their need for a savior. And regarding the Bible, well I haven't the time right now to tell all the problems with it. It is certainly a grim fairy-tale that should be rated "R" for blood, violence, and sexual content. So I'll only point to one scripture for now. Yes it is true that the so called Christmas tree really isn't even Christian (read Jeremiah 10:2-. Of course this makes sense because decorating trees came from earlier pagan traditions. Please come visit and chat with me at http://www.iidb.org/vbb/index.php

5:39:35 p.m. on January 2, 2006
CHARLES EUGENE | 01.02.06 - 5:44 pm | # |Report as offensive