Thursday, December 7, 2006

Brandon, Brandon, Brandon... A History Lesson About the Winter Holidays, With a Dash of Common Sense and Lick of Sarcasm...

In case any of you have been missing the fun, there's a new fundie who, I have to give him credit for actually putting his name on his comments, decided it would be fun to try to mock me (they say it is the highest form of flattery...), but, as everyone should be warned, generics and knock-offs are certainly not the same. (I think any of you who have tried store-brand spaghetti sauce know what I mean.) Plus, being as there are two brandons (who'd of thunk it?), this one is not to the one whom I dedicated my garbage post too, but the one who thinks he's witty (but not gay...)
To My Fundie Fan, brandon: Let's deal with the first comment you left, shall we? You decided to try your hand at dialogue (and, while not bad for a beginning to our lovely site) you failed on a few key points: You said:
Fundie: So, you hate God?
Gay Jay: No, I don't believe God is real. I just hate fundies because they are hypocrites.
Didn't your mother ever tell you to say "not like" instead of hate? It really send the wrong tone. You were right on your first point though, a bravo to you for the key distinction: I can't hate something that isn't real, but I can hate the hypocrisy of the "moral majority." Kudos!

You followed up with:
Fundie: Do you buy Christmas presents for your family and do you receive presents for Christmas from your family?
Gay Jay: Yes, I love to buy Christmas presents and I loved that new scarf Aunt Bea got me last year.
Kudos again! You realize that, though one can hate the actions of others (isn't that one of your big mottos? Hate the sin, love the sinner? I know, it is a cop-out, but then again, I'm not the one preaching you really have to love everyone, am I?) Oh, and Aunt Bea? I think your confusing Ms. Bea Dickson with one of my relatives... she's not. My Aunt Bea is dead. And it hurts. A lot. Thanks for that. I don't think I can go on... But then again, I think I can.

But then you said (and, just for reference, this is where you got off track a little--okay, perhaps a lot!)
Fundie: But wait! If you don't believe in God, then you don't believe in His son, Jesus, so then that makes you the hypocrite for celebrating Christmas. If you don't believe in God, then there is nothing for you to celebrate at Christmas time. Giving or receiving Christmas gifts at Christmas makes the atheist an atheistic hypocrite.
My, so much hogwash in so short an amount of text--you make Jerry Falwell proud! (and that's no easy feat!) So because I like to get together with my family and show my love for them by buying them presents (or making them on the leaner years) and sharing food, love and laughter makes me a hypocrite? Newsflash, Brandie: Christmas has never been about Christ. It's always been about showing love for your fellow man, an idea much older and much more noble than sky god's raping of a poor village girl and shaming her before all his "chosen people."

In fact, celebration of the winter solstice goes back thousands of years--a time when people were observing the metaphorical death of the earth, the getting together to share supplies, each other's company, and make sure everyone would be okay for the coming winter months. It was a time to reflect upon the years work--harvest, hunting, what-have-you--and make sure everyone in your family or village was going to be okay. The buying of gifts is the natural evolution of that sharing of needs to wants as people and technology made life easier.

In fact, did you know before a man named Jesus ever walked the earth:
  1. Early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many people rejoiced during the winter solstice when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to the start of longer days and extended hours of sunlight.
  2. In Scandinavia the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the start of the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, and that could take as many as twelve days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.
  3. The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so that they did not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer that had been made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.
  4. In Germany people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terrified of him for it was well-known that his nocturnal flights through the sky would help him decide which of his people would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to say inside.
  5. Brazilian archeologists have found an assembly of 127 granite blocks arranged equidistant from each other. They apparently form an ancient astronomical observatory. One of the stones marked the position of the sun at the time of the winter solstice and were probably used in religious rituals.
  6. Ancient Egypt: The god-man/savior Osiris died and was entombed on DEC-21. "At midnight, the priests emerged from an inner shrine crying 'The Virgin has brought forth! The light is waxing" and showing the image of a baby to the worshipers."
  7. Greece: The winter solstice ritual was called Lenaea, the Festival of the Wild Women. In very ancient times, a man representing the harvest god Dionysos was torn to pieces and eaten by a gang of women on this day. Later in the ritual, Dionysos would be reborn as a baby. By classical times, the human sacrifice had been replaced by the killing of a goat. The women's role had changed to that of funeral mourners and observers of the birth.
  8. Roman times: Saturnalia began as a feast day for Saturn on DEC-17 and of Ops (DEC-19). About 50 BCE, both were later converted into two day celebrations. During the Empire, the festivals were combined to cover a full week: DEC-17 to 23.
  9. Budhists: On DEC-8, or on the Sunday immediately preceding, Buddhists celebrate Bodhi Day (a.k.a. Rohatsu). It recalls the day in 596 BCE, when the Buddha achieved enlightenment. He had left his family and possessions behind at the age of 29, and sought the meaning of life--particularly the reasons for its hardships. He studied under many spiritual teachers without success. Finally, he sat under a pipal tree and vowed that he would stay there until he found what he was seeking. On the morning of the eighth day, he realized that everyone suffers due to ignorance. But ignorance can be overcome through the Eightfold Path that he advocated. This day is generally regarded as the birth day of Buddhism. Being an Eastern tradition, Bodhi Day has none of the associations with the solstice and seasonal changes found in other religious observances at this time of year. However, it does signify the point in time when the Buddha achieved enlightenment and escaped the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth through reincarnation--themes that are observed in other religions in December.
  10. Druids and Druidesses formed the professional class in ancient Celtic society. They performed the functions of modern day priests, teachers, ambassadors, astronomers, genealogists, philosophers, musicians, theologians, scientists, poets and judges. Druids led all public rituals, which were normally held within fenced groves of sacred trees. The solstice is the time of the death of the old sun and the birth of the dark-half of the year. It was called "Alban Arthuan by the ancient Druids. It is the end of month of the Elder Tree and the start of the month of the Birch. The three days before Yule is a magical time. This is the time of the Serpent Days or transformation...The Elder and Birch stand at the entrance to Annwn or Celtic underworld where all life was formed. Like several other myths they guard the entrance to the underworld. This is the time the Sun God journey's thru the underworld to learn the secrets of death and life. And bring out those souls to be reincarnated." A modern-day Druid, Amergin Aryson, has composed a Druidic ritual for the Winter Solstice.
  11. Inca's: The ancient Incas celebrated a festival if Inti Raymi at the time of the Winter Solstice. It celebrates "the Festival of the Sun where the god of the Sun, Wiracocha, is honored." Ceremonies were banned by the Roman Catholic conquistadores in the 16th century as part of their forced conversions of the Inca people to Christianity. A local group of Quecia Indians in Cusco, Peru revived the festival about 1950. It is now a major festival which begins in Cusco and proceeds to an ancient amphitheater a few miles away.
  12. Persia: Shabe-Yalda (a.k.a. Shab-e Yaldaa) is celebrated in Iran by followers of many religions. It originated in Zoroastrianism, the state religion which preceded Islam. The name refers to the birthday or rebirth of the sun. People gather at home around a korsee--a low square table--all night. They tell stories and read poetry. They eat watermelons, pomegranates and a special dried fruit/nut mix. Bonfires are lit outside.
  13. Judaism: Jews celebrate an 8 day festival of Hanukkah, (a.k.a. Feast of Lights, Festival of lights, Feast of Dedication, Chanukah, Chanukkah, Hanukah). It recalls the war fought by the Maccabees in the cause of religious freedom. Antiochus, the king of Syria, conquered Judea in the 2nd century BCE. He terminated worship in the Temple and stole the sacred lamp, the menorah, from before the altar. At the time of the solstice, they rededicated the Temple to a Pagan deity. Judah the Maccabee lead a band of rebels, and succeeding in retaking Jerusalem. They restored the temple and lit the menorah. It was exactly three years after the flame had been extinguished--at the time of the Pagan rite.
  14. Some Native American beliefs:
    1. The Pueblo tribe observe both the summer and winter solstices. Although the specific details of the rituals differ from pueblo to pueblo, "the rites are built around the sun, the coming new year and the rebirth of vegetation in the spring....Winter solstice rites include...prayerstick making, retreats, altars, emesis and prayers for increase."
    2. The Hopi tribe "is dedicated to giving aid and direction to the sun which is ready to 'return' and give strength to budding life." Their ceremony is called "Soyal." It lasts for 20 days and includes "prayerstick making, purification, rituals and a concluding rabbit hunt, feast and blessing..."
    3. There are countless stone structures created by Natives in the past to detect the solstices and equinoxes. One was called Calendar One by its modern-day finder. It is in a natural amphitheatre of about 20 acres in size in Vermont. From a stone enclosure in the center of the bowl, one can see a number of vertical rocks and natural features in the horizon which formed the edge of the bowl. At the solstices and equinoxes, the sun rises and sets at notches or peaks in the ridge which surrounded the calendar.
DISCLAIMER: I closed the windows before I had a chance to link my sources, but if you think I may have gotten this info from your site, feel free to let me know and I'll link you!! But mostly I used Wikipedia, Encyclopedia Brittanica Online, and a few other free-lance sources from seemingly reputable individuals for the information above.

But who cares about all of that coincidence, eh? Your fabled god-child was born--who cares what everyone else celebrates, right? I mean, perish the thought that, not only has celebrating this time of year been in humanities blood eons before the desert-wandering Hebrews even thought up a monotheistic god who possibly might care for them, but even if you are celebrating what you believe to have happened so long ago in a manger, who cares? You celebrate this time of year, I celebrate this time of year, in fact thousands celebrate this time of year for vastly differing reasons! And even though it is good PR for all you fundies to come up with clever rhymes like "Jesus is the reason for the season," everyone has their own personal reasons for celebrating--even Christians!

Now, even though this is getting kind of long, since you may be learning something, I'll next touch on some things you said in your next comment.

You said: [...] but I felt it necessary to show the other side-the right side to his blasphemous remarks. You sound a little like John Edwards, you know that? The Other Side. Ooohhhhh, creepy! You didn't show anything but ignorance as to the history of humanity on earth, deciding instead it was all about your sky god and not the other souls who live upon the earth. And, sad to say, it wasn't even a good try, just--kind of sad...

You said: What about that teenage boy who is confused about his sexuality and stumbles upon this blog through a link from some other 'gay type' blog. He'll probably think, "Wow! You mean I can be a functioning normal adult? I don't have to listen to all that crap that's says there's something wrong with me? That there are others like me?" It'll offer some hope, some humor, some truth, all with a dash of sarcasm and satire. And perhaps even, a healthy sense of self that most gay teens don't get when they're growing up. But if you'd rather he think that he's an awful, "wrong" person in need of an imaginary friend, who should feel dirty and rotten about who and what he is, then by all means--keep talking.

You said: the truth of the matter is that he may be influencing someone away from God with the things he writes. Aw, how sweet of you to offer me hope. Not that I need it. But it's nice to know I'm thought of. :D

You said: I pray that you see the day when your son denounces homosexuality AND comes to Christ (I truly will pray for that). I'm thinking asking you to hold your breath for that won't make it happen, will it? Sigh. Well, if it gives you a purpose in life, who am I to take that away? Good luck--I mean that.

You said: I feel that sometimes the best way to show someone how they sound is to imitate them. Flattery will get you nowhere. I'm a happily married man.

You said: but I get riled when someone rips my Savior. You know what your book says: "Be angry and do not sin." Do you feel you may have committed a sin? (I personally don't think you did, but then again, I'm not living with a guilt-ridden soul that make some cling to imaginary beings either.)

And finally, I saved this for last even though you said it much earlier in your comment: You said: yet you continue to justify his actions. Fundie say what? Do you even read what mom posts? Have you heard our (HOURS!) long conversations? She has never "justified" anything about my lifestyle of choice, just as I have never condoned her lifestyle of choice (or yours, for that matter!) I'm guessing you are of the whole "tough love" school of though, eh? There's a bunch of crock that needs to be placed on the backburner and forgotten about, let me tell you! But be that as it may, while mom and I share a close friendship and great relationship, there are some things about ourselves we know we disagree on, we know we'll never see eye-to-eye on, and yet--somehow we manage to make it work out of respect. Now, she knows this is my blog--where I share my thoughts about what I read, see, hear, or generally wonder about. When I'm in her home, I expect to hear, see, or listen to things she believes strongly about, and you know what? I do. And we still make our proverbial red state-blue state friendship work. Go figure, huh? The Christian and the Atheist, something that tears most families apart since fundies seem to have a hard time with that thing called respect--it's what makes them try to legislate morality, demand to hear "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays." RESPECT.

Oh, and a little blasphemy never hurt anyone--except when the Church sentenced them to death. I wonder why god can't kill blasphemer's on his own? Hmm...

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ummm, you are kidding, right? You want people to believe that Christmas is simply a time to give gifts to your family and show them how much you love them. Christmas is that, but it is also the day that we celebrate when Christ was born. December 25th was not the actual day He was born, but we do celebrate His birth on that day. If you just want to spread peace and joy, why not do it in January or some other random day. Oh, and here is a newsflash: you do not live in a Hopi tribe, you do not live in Greece, Scandinavia is no where near PA, and you are not a Druid priest (as far as I know). Your attempt to point out winter rituals is pretty lame considering that you live in America and we here in America celebrate Christmas. Anyone who doesnt believe in God, has no reasone to celebrate Christmas. It is pretty simple to understand, but go ahead and justify it any way you wish. I am not gay, so I do not celebrate Gay Pride or whatever you call it. I am not black - no Kwaanza for me. I am not Jewish - there is no menorah in my home. My point here is this: if you dont believe in God, you cannot believe in Jesus - so why celebrate His birth. According to you it never happened, so what is there to celebrate. You cant have it both ways - either be an atheist or not. I find it hilarious that you will go to all the trouble to type a million word diatribe on a subject that you believe is a lie. You spread all this hate toward God (and 'fundies') then you celebrate Christmas, His son's 'birthday'. And then you say I'm a hypocrite? Look in the mirror. Or, maybe you really dont believe all the junk you say. Maybe deep down, you really believe there might be a God and all you learned as a child might be true, so you have to play both sides. That wont work either. You see, all your little bullets about 'winter celebrations' mean nothing to me, because you and I both know that it is smoke and mirrors. We are American - we celebrate Christmas - not winter solstice - ever been to a 'Winter Solstice'party? Its like you believe the more words you type the smarter you will sound. Wrong. Type all day if you want, justify it however you want, blow as much smoke as you want, but Christmas is about Christ and His birth - if you dont believe in Him, why celebrate Chrsitmas?

Jason Hughes said...

You said:If you just want to spread peace and joy, why not do it in January or some other random day. I spread joy and happiness all year long--as stated earlier, this is just the time of year we all get to be tacky about it.

You said (as you gained momentum in silliness): newsflash: you do not live in a Hopi tribe, you do not live in Greece, Scandinavia is no where near PA, and you are not a Druid priest (as far as I know). And your point was? I was simply pointing out that long before Jesus was born, a whole host of peoples and nations celebrate this time of year with both food and gifts--apparently you missed that point--try again. Yes, I celebrate the holidays. I don't have to be christian, black, jewish, or even purple with green polka-dots to do so. How about this: You get me a rule sheet of who can and who cannot celebrate holidays, and we'll run down the list to see even how many so-called christians make it on your approved-before-god list, okay?

Wait--you mean there aren't any rules? No quest list? No hard-and-fast this-is-what-one-must-be-and-do-to-have-fun-in-December-type thing? Quit being stupid, Brandie. I have everyone reason to celebrate and not just because it is traditional for my family to do so. It is traditional in my heritage (see early European traditions above) as well as in humanity to celebrate the solstice, whether you call it that or not. You're celebrating, aren't you? It's at the same time as everyone else's holiday traditions, is it not? Are you actually trying to claim "dibs" on the whole month of December? If it makes you feel any better, my family and I are celebrating the 23rd, as we normally don't get together on the day itself anyway, so if you must be such a territorial piss-ant, there you go. I'm not "celebrating Christmas," I'm celebrating Christmas Eve Eve. (This is where I roll my eyes at you for the 100th time in the last two days--I think you owe me some sort of door prize...)

You said: we here in America celebrate Christmas. Yeah, that's right. Isn't it like, the 29th amendment or something? newsflash for you: Not everyone in America celebrates, dumbass. You even mention Hanukah and Kwanza later in your diatribe of the ridiculous, yet you imply they aren't American--perhaps subconsciously? Oh, that's right--you're just a dumbass.

You said (getting sillier): Anyone who doesn’t believe in God, has no reason to celebrate Christmas. It is pretty simple to understand, but go ahead and justify it any way you wish. If you say so, a Great and Wise Christmas Keeper...

You said: I am not gay, so I do not celebrate Gay Pride or whatever you call it. Actually, I know lots of straight people who celebrate Gay Pride with us queers. Hmm, I guess you just don't get the invites in the mail. Wonder why that is?

You said: if you don’t believe in God, you cannot believe in Jesus - so why celebrate His birth. I'm not celebrating his birth--get this through your skull! I'm celebrating life, my family, and the sharing of what earthly possessions we have. Nothing more, nothing less. But as I said, Oh Great and Wise Christmas Keeper, since you're being such a testosteronie-piising-territorial bitch about it, you can see above that I'm leaving the 25th all to your poor little self, okay?

You said: According to you it never happened, That's actually a lie, but perhaps by mistake. posted, quite some time ago, a post about how there is historical proof of a man with a similar name born at a similar time who by all accounts is the now infamous Jesus, but that doesn't mean he's god--it just means you're involved in idol worship. Wasn't it god himself that said "have no other gods before me?" Then one day some dude shows up claiming to be the son of said god, and you all run to him like he's this years PlayStation or whatever. No man needs that kind of recognition, especially since all he basically said was "You should all be nice to each other and learn to share." Wise man, but not a god. Too bad for you.

You said: e. You cant have it both ways - either be an atheist or not. Au contraire, Keeper. I can and I do. And I make no bones about my beliefs and why I celebrate--you seem to be the only one having an issue with it, though. None of my family does, and trust me--I have my fair-share of fundies. Funny how they don't come across as pissy as you do, though...

You said (silliest thing yet, and that's saying something!): I find it hilarious that you will go to all the trouble to type a million word diatribe on a subject that you believe is a lie. Fundie-say-what? I have no idea where you are going with this. Why would I lie? I have no reason to. You, on the other hand, have an "image of godliness" and a "life of servitude" to try to make it look like you do love sky god, so maybe he'll get you Jell-O puddin' pops with gold popsicle sticks or something. What, exactly above, don't I believe? I stand by everything I said as factual (in regards to historical evidence) and everything I said as opinion, I also stand by and hold to be true. Where I you getting this "posting about something I know is a lie"? Or are you not being clear?

You said: You spread all this hate toward God (and 'fundies') then you celebrate Christmas, His son's 'birthday'. And then you say I'm a hypocrite? Look in the mirror. A. I spread "I-Can't-Believe-It's-Not-Hate, not hate itself. Lower calories. And I don't, as stated earlier, celebrate sky god's kids birthday. Is your skull made of steel? Cause nothin' seems to be gettin' through that metal plate. And where, exactly, did I call you a hypocrite? I'll wait--go ahead and look for it.

You said: Or, maybe you really don’t believe all the junk you say. Yes, that's it. I'm a closet Christian. This is all a big cover to hide my true feelings for sky god. It took your brilliant mind to bring it to light, and now I must go under cover again under the "Christian Protection Program" and hope you never seek me out again. I would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for you, stinkin' Brandie--and your damn dog too!

You said: We are American - we celebrate Christmas - not winter solstice - ever been to a 'Winter Solstice’ party? Apparently someone's never dated a wiccan, have they. know you think I'm lying (I still don't know what my motivation is for that), but yes, I have attended a winter solstice party, although they just called it Pagan Xmas, but that's neither here nor there. It was very pretty, all blue and purple lights, great food, great company. You should check one out sometime.

You then said: you believe the more words you type the smarter you will sound. Okay Pot. I'll be Kettle. Where do I claim great knowledge? Nowhere. I'm just tellin' you the facts. If you don't like it, that's your issue, not mine. I say what I know, I know what I say, and anything I don't know, say "I don't know." You, on the other hand, I'm thinkin' don't know what "don't know" means. We'll see, I suppose.

You said: but Christmas is about Christ and His birth - if you don’t believe in Him, why celebrate Christmas? Broken record much? See above.

Anonymous said...

Gawd Jason! What a looong post! lol!

But I love how you are so committed to getting all your empirical data to support your posts. That's admirable.

Darkmind said...

A couple of points, if I may:
First, Jehovah's witnesses are christians and DO NOT celebrate christmas. They see it as a pagan holiday. The reason they think this is because it does not fall on Jesus's actual birthday (which the folks on both sides of the argument agree on), rather DURING THE WINTER SOLSTICE. Christianity was set up to be similar to the pagan beleif systems to make it easier to convert pagans into the fold. Its the reason Christmas is at the winter solstice and that Easter is at the spring solstice and All Saints Day coincides with Samhain-the original term for Halloween and where the traditional 'yule log' originates. The jehovah's witnesses, while they are annoying, at least understand the bull-shittery of christmas and ignore it.

Second, even if you are an athiest, this is a great time to buy and exchange gifts anyway because EVERYTHING IS ON SALE! YAY, FLAGRANT CONSUMERISM!!! And what better way for an athiest to enjoy the shitty winter than to throw a party during the worst part of it. Get friends and family together, put up bright colors and evergreens to remind you of spring, discuss life and laugh, tell stories and laugh, tell jokes and laugh, drink some booze, indulge in some gluttony, exchange and covet material things, dancing, play games, singing songs, maybe afterward some hanky panky with that special someone. Hey wait...THAT'S A CHRISTMAS PARTY! What a coincidence!!

Anonymous said...

um, I am on my way to a Christmas party (no, really) so I dont have time to get into all of what you said, but I think you misunderstood something - I didnt say you were lying - I said you believe that God is a lie - I am sorry if I was unclear, but I never said you were lying - I will read this later and we can disagree some more

Anonymous said...

Your arguments are pretty lame in my opinion. The point is that you claim that you dont believe in God, but you still celebrate Christmas, yet you feel the need to divert attention from the real issue here and add a bunch of, well, crap. There is no rule as to who can celebrate Christmas (never said there was) - I am simply saying this ----If you do not truly believe that Jesus is the son of God, then why even celebrate on the day Christians traditionally celebrate His birth? It is a really simple concept (at least I thought it was). I dont celebrate holidays that I dont believe in - where am I on halloween? At home - having studied the pagan origins of halloween - I decided that I dont agree so I dont celebrate. And there are many other holidays that I dont lay claim to because I dont believe in the concept behind the celebration. Your whole site is filled with attempts to refute the claims of Christianity, yet you celebrate the birth of Jesus? And then you call me (and other Christians) a hypocrite - you are wrong on this one - I am sure you would never admit that you are wrong - but it is pretty plain to see - justify it however you wish.
Oh yeah, maybe you should reconsider the whole "I hate God" thing - His son is coming back to earth really soon and I dont think He will be happy with your blasphemy. You see, there is one unpardonable sin and that is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit - after reading your blog - you are guilty of that, but it isnt too late to ask forgiveness and change the way you live. Just FYI.

Jason Hughes said...

Yes, your point is simple--so is mine. Yes, I celebrate Christmas. Not for the same reasons as you. I call it Christmas because that's what we've always called it in my family. Not because I believe the fairy tales, but because the reasons I celebrate are family, life, and love. Nothing more. I celebrate the holiday, but not for the sam ereasons. For some reason, you think that makes me a hypocrite, but I still don't see how. Being a hypocrite would be implying I preach hate god yet attend a Sunday Mass every week. That would be hypocrisy. Saying to hate god and then going ona missions project to hand out bibles to the homeless and orphans. That would be hypocrisy. Getting together with my friends and family for the holidays while explicitly stating I do so for differing reasons--I don't see how, if I am being quite clear on the reasons for my being there, does not constitute hypocrisy.

And as to your point about Christ's "return"--tell him to keep it down when he does. I need my sleep. But seeing as how it's been-what, say, 2,000 years? Either his alarm clock is busted or he never did rise from the cave--I think you can guess where I'm placing my bets on that one. If I'm guilty of "blasphemy" (and, really, if you think about it, you can only blaspheme is you believe it to be true--like if you as a bible believer were to say these things, it would make you a hypocrite and a blasphemer. Not I, so, sorry about the whole "unpardonable sin" thing. I do what I can, but only within the realm of what I believe.

Anonymous said...

Ya'no, Xmas is so Christian, it has been banned by various Christain nations after various periods in European history for its pagen origins. lol

Anonymous said...

Obviously we have different definitions of the word hypocrite.

Darkmind said...

Some additional points, if I may:

From the Random House Unabridged Dictionary (2006 edition):
hyp·o·crite [hip-uh-krit]–noun
1. a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, esp. a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.
2. a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, esp. one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.
Just so we are clear on the definition of a hypocrite...

I am trying to see brandon's position here, and I may have an idea where he is coming from. He could be assuming that the action of attending a christmas party implies belief in the basis for christanity, which would be Jesus Christ and (vicariously) God since the definition does discuss actions being part of the definition of a hypocrite.

And he would be right, except that the other half of that definition states the it is only hypocrisy if those actions belie or go against previously stated beliefs. As far as I know, Jason has never stated that be believes in God or that Jesus Christ is his son. Therefore attendace at a party, even if the reason for the party goes against his own beliefs, is not an act of hypocrisy.

However, that is good news and bad news for brandon. The good news is, it means you can go to hanukah parties and kwanzaa parties and even halloween parties and have a good time, as long as you don't let attending them harm your faith. Even if you go, it would not make you a hypocrite.

The bad news is that christmas is not mentioned anywhere in the bible (neither is easter). They have no biblical origin. However, they do have well documented origins in paganism. So technically, going to a christmas party is sacrilege. But there is good news on top of that! Because you don't BELIEVE christmas is pagan and DOES celebrate the birth of jesus christ, then it doesn't technically make you a hypocrite either, just ignorant of the bible.

You were probably taught about christmas as a child and just never questioned its origin. Don't feel bad, though. Believing things you are told in church at face value and never ever looking into it or questioning it is the sign of a good christian.

Anonymous said...

hello jason! you know i tried reading all this and i feel a bit confused on it all. first off, i love Christmas and i ALWAYS said either Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas and than added Happy New Year. and now i decorate seansonal not Christmas like anymore. what does that make me as a fundie??(tj says i just getting lazy by decorating seasonal since i don't have to take it all down till about march.) i keep my so called one rustic Christmas tree with white lights on ALL YEAR! (my redneck Christmas tree!) :) i really think where the whole thing starts is with what is in your heart. the spirit of Christmas goes away fast on some fundies faster on some i know it seems. i just know in my heart i as an American am living in the land of the free and that means i will be respectful of others and how they celebrate and i hope they do the same for me and so far i have no problem since God is bigger than any of this and i think He can handle some of this hog wash. where ever this whole exchanging gifts idea did start i like it since it gives me an excuse to share gifts in so many different ways and living Gods way of life didn't ever hurt me only help me and i can share the joy of His Sons birth every day not just dec. 25 in a lot of different ways. i remember when santa claus was a sinner in the church and i felt guilty since i always let you kids visit santa and i grew up visiting santa. i am over it now and still try to listen for that old jolly fellow to show up! :) love and prayers

mom said...

hello jason! you know i tried reading all this and i feel a bit confused on it all. first off, i love Christmas and i ALWAYS said either Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas and than added Happy New Year. and now i decorate seansonal not Christmas like anymore. what does that make me as a fundie??(tj says i just getting lazy by decorating seasonal since i don't have to take it all down till about march.) i keep my so called one rustic Christmas tree with white lights on ALL YEAR! (my redneck Christmas tree!) :) i really think where the whole thing starts is with what is in your heart. the spirit of Christmas goes away fast on some fundies faster on some i know it seems. i just know in my heart i as an American am living in the land of the free and that means i will be respectful of others and how they celebrate and i hope they do the same for me and so far i have no problem since God is bigger than any of this and i think He can handle some of this hog wash. where ever this whole exchanging gifts idea did start i like it since it gives me an excuse to share gifts in so many different ways and living Gods way of life didn't ever hurt me only help me and i can share the joy of His Sons birth every day not just dec. 25 in a lot of different ways. i remember when santa claus was a sinner in the church and i felt guilty since i always let you kids visit santa and i grew up visiting santa. i am over it now and still try to listen for that old jolly fellow to show up! :) love and prayers

brandon said...

Ummm, you are kidding, right? You want people to believe that Christmas is simply a time to give gifts to your family and show them how much you love them. Christmas is that, but it is also the day that we celebrate when Christ was born. December 25th was not the actual day He was born, but we do celebrate His birth on that day. If you just want to spread peace and joy, why not do it in January or some other random day. Oh, and here is a newsflash: you do not live in a Hopi tribe, you do not live in Greece, Scandinavia is no where near PA, and you are not a Druid priest (as far as I know). Your attempt to point out winter rituals is pretty lame considering that you live in America and we here in America celebrate Christmas. Anyone who doesnt believe in God, has no reasone to celebrate Christmas. It is pretty simple to understand, but go ahead and justify it any way you wish. I am not gay, so I do not celebrate Gay Pride or whatever you call it. I am not black - no Kwaanza for me. I am not Jewish - there is no menorah in my home. My point here is this: if you dont believe in God, you cannot believe in Jesus - so why celebrate His birth. According to you it never happened, so what is there to celebrate. You cant have it both ways - either be an atheist or not. I find it hilarious that you will go to all the trouble to type a million word diatribe on a subject that you believe is a lie. You spread all this hate toward God (and 'fundies') then you celebrate Christmas, His son's 'birthday'. And then you say I'm a hypocrite? Look in the mirror. Or, maybe you really dont believe all the junk you say. Maybe deep down, you really believe there might be a God and all you learned as a child might be true, so you have to play both sides. That wont work either. You see, all your little bullets about 'winter celebrations' mean nothing to me, because you and I both know that it is smoke and mirrors. We are American - we celebrate Christmas - not winter solstice - ever been to a 'Winter Solstice'party? Its like you believe the more words you type the smarter you will sound. Wrong. Type all day if you want, justify it however you want, blow as much smoke as you want, but Christmas is about Christ and His birth - if you dont believe in Him, why celebrate Chrsitmas?