tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170116880352300881.post6762108427716764365..comments2023-08-12T08:02:18.118-07:00Comments on La Buena Vida: Thinking About Christmas...Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257863829848728846noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170116880352300881.post-47327673368492490362011-08-25T14:24:22.149-07:002011-08-25T14:24:22.149-07:00I found your blog from a house blogging link and t...I found your blog from a house blogging link and then saw your "top posts" post which led me to this one. <br /><br />I have to admit that as an atheist I started reading with much skepticism - I thought this was going to be another "why are you stealing my religious freedom!" post that one sees every December 1. <br /><br />Instead I found a wonderfully inclusive post that gives credence for the holiday (as we all know it today) to both Christianity and Paganism (now if only we could get people to understand that pagans do not equal devil worshipers). <br /><br />I come from a deeply religious family and so often find myself incredibly frustrated because the people who are screaming the loudest about this topic very rarely know the history behind the holiday. Thank you for taking the time to post and share this with your readers. <br /><br />I wanted to add that not all atheists hate "Merry Christmas." Like the chest beating evangelicals I know, it's the bullhorn carrying atheists that have contributed most loudly to this debate. If someone wants to wish me Peace on Earth, I'll take it ... because peace on Earth would be really great right about now. If someone smiles and sends me warm wishes, I'll take that too. It's all about the spirit in which it's intended and for the most part, holiday greetings are usually passed on in kindness, not in politics. <br /><br />Finally, I want to also say that not all atheists view Christmas as a Hallmark holiday or merely a reason to give presents. For us, it's a time of year (not so much the exact day) to reflect on what you have, what we're thankful for, what we'd like to achieve in the coming year, and most importantly to slow down and spend quality time with our loved ones.casacaudillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17737547597204258314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170116880352300881.post-50775853486888836192011-08-25T03:16:05.365-07:002011-08-25T03:16:05.365-07:00This was an awesome post! I never read it until no...This was an awesome post! I never read it until now. You should be proud of this one! I might even vote for this one to be your most beautiful post...Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11749102486551585185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170116880352300881.post-61700816159047294172009-12-09T13:32:20.763-08:002009-12-09T13:32:20.763-08:00You KNEW I was going to like it Meredith. Thanks ...You KNEW I was going to like it Meredith. Thanks for being a part of the CONVERSATION. A little compassion and understanding goes a long way, doesn't it. Merry, er, Christmas - DanUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17694430478121288584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170116880352300881.post-14814667452058654732009-12-09T12:06:35.617-08:002009-12-09T12:06:35.617-08:00wonderful, thoughtful and important post, Mer!wonderful, thoughtful and important post, Mer!Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07969585082192160360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170116880352300881.post-47944515073248104102009-12-09T10:04:45.368-08:002009-12-09T10:04:45.368-08:00Congrats, you get the atheist stamp of approval. ...Congrats, you get the atheist stamp of approval. Cuz I know you wanted one. :)Baloohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15283328719713141490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170116880352300881.post-76446451648719927322009-12-09T08:21:13.604-08:002009-12-09T08:21:13.604-08:00How many Nativity scenes do you see with the 3 wis...How many Nativity scenes do you see with the 3 wise guys bearing gifts to the baby Jesus? Truth is they didn't show up until almost 2 years later, so it's doubtful they were anywhere near the manger where Christ was born. Everytime the story is told, it gets a new twist as writers, retailers, believers and non-belivers put their own twist on this story to make it easier to understand or digest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170116880352300881.post-63422356370713895952009-12-09T08:12:46.058-08:002009-12-09T08:12:46.058-08:00Good post, thanks for the information!Good post, thanks for the information!gvhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17702089938287377034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170116880352300881.post-83420302584616223192009-12-09T07:40:09.277-08:002009-12-09T07:40:09.277-08:00This is a GREAT post, Meredith. And I couldn'...This is a GREAT post, Meredith. And I couldn't agree more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170116880352300881.post-58643450151321140832009-12-09T07:16:51.396-08:002009-12-09T07:16:51.396-08:00A wonderfully written post! I think that the part...A wonderfully written post! I think that the part I struggle with the most, is not the fact that most companies do not approve of the phrase "merry christmas" at all! It is not my intention to insult people by wishing them a merry christmas, just as I am not insulted when fellow jewish coworkers might wish me happy/merry-whatever the holiday is that they are currently celebrating/recognizing that I do not celebrate.(I purposefully am not naming just one as they have so many holidays and feast/fast days between October-December) I think that it's wrong to force orgnaizations (such as fire stations) to take down signs that say merry christmas. Most firestations are volunteer, if there's an emergency, are we going to say, no I don't want that fire station to come assist/resuce me because they have a merry christmas sign up? I think there is a line and that our governement continually crosses the line in this area. We should all be entitled to celebrate our own religious holidays without others being offended, as long as it is peaceful and not causing physical harm to individualsJen | Our Life Accountshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05604469692164988683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170116880352300881.post-72291553671977292032009-12-09T07:04:07.491-08:002009-12-09T07:04:07.491-08:00Great post. There's something to be said for ...Great post. There's something to be said for the fact that giving was always a part of Christmas, too - whether Christ was born on the 25th or not, the 3 Wisemen each brought a gift, St. Nicholas (feast day we celebrate in the Catholic Church in December) gave to children in need. I have no problem with giving for Christmas, I do have a problem with the gimmes and greed during Christmas, and think we need to remember what the season is about. And, if a celebrant is not religious, at least remember why we give to others.Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04793480432068543767noreply@blogger.com