chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Dec 7, 2016 14:45:05 GMT -5
Anyone here celebrate summer solstice? Anyone, anyone? No? Face it, the only reason we do these weird things at Christmas is because the Christians took it over and kept the traditions. For the record, saying Happy Holidays to someone is perfectly acceptable in my book, but I don't think it's fair or appropriate to dilute everything that is associated with Christianity to "Holiday". And, for the record, my priest told my class (way back when) that Jesus was actually born in the early spring. Never heard September. They keep changing that up, and I'm going to think that they just don't really have a clue. Glad we celebrate around winter solstice because it gets awfully dark here in the northern hemisphere this time of year. The Christmas lights help a lot with the gloominess. Or should I say, holiday lights? Yup. next question?
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Dec 7, 2016 14:46:16 GMT -5
Is it still a 'Christmas Tree' if I decorate mine with non-Religious symbol ornaments and don't put a crèche under it nor a star or angel on top of it? I don't have a crèche...
I have a collection of weird ornaments - which aren't really 'Christmas-y' -- my friends helped me decorate my tree one year and after they marveled at the ornaments I have amassed and got them all on the tree - they were like - these aren't "Christmas-y' at all!!
Do I still have a Christmas Tree?
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Dec 7, 2016 14:49:03 GMT -5
Anyone here celebrate summer solstice? Anyone, anyone? No? Face it, the only reason we do these weird things at Christmas is because the Christians took it over and kept the traditions. For the record, saying Happy Holidays to someone is perfectly acceptable in my book, but I don't think it's fair or appropriate to dilute everything that is associated with Christianity to "Holiday". And, for the record, my priest told my class (way back when) that Jesus was actually born in the early spring. Never heard September. They keep changing that up, and I'm going to think that they just don't really have a clue. Glad we celebrate around winter solstice because it gets awfully dark here in the northern hemisphere this time of year. The Christmas lights help a lot with the gloominess. Or should I say, holiday lights? Yup. next question? I do!!. I mark the solstices and equinoxes each year with a little celebration. I especially like Midsummer's day.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Dec 7, 2016 14:57:02 GMT -5
A few years ago my city started saying Holiday tree as opposed to Christmas tree. I was sitting in Jiffy Lube waiting to have my oil changed and a TV was playing. A local news station announced the Holiday Tree would be lit on X date and the woman sitting next to me started yelling at the TV "It is a Christmas tree. It has always been a Christmas tree and it always will be a Christmas tree." Uh, okay...I was completely shocked because I could not care less what they call it. I am okay with Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Have A Good Kwanzaa, whatever people want to say in good tidings. People are so freaking uptight. Yep. Anyone who can find a way to get upset over being told to have a "happy holiday" is simply an asshole. There are just no two ways around it. It amazes me every year that it's the very same people always so eager to accuse others of being easily offended that manage to get super offended by an f'ing pleasantry. Christmas trees were something different before they were co-opted by Christians anyway, so it has not "always" been anything. The way I figure it (I'm an atheist) is that it's offensive to receive 'well wishes' or a 'blessing' of someone who doesn't worship YOUR god(s). That's the generic you, by the way and the generic god, too. I think it's because some gods might feel that if their followers accept such kind thoughts/wishes that the followers aren't LOYAL enough and therefore are BAD followers. No one wants to get on a god's bad side. So, if you don't want to piss off your own god - you can't accept well wishes from the followers of other gods. It's that simple. Gods are very very jealous and sometimes kind of petty - but you can't do anything about it - except try your best to stay in your god's good graces. I think that's where all the stress comes from. No one wants to be caught pandering to the other guy's god...
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rob base
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Post by rob base on Dec 7, 2016 15:00:23 GMT -5
Were you convicted or not?
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on Dec 7, 2016 15:05:20 GMT -5
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Dec 7, 2016 15:08:51 GMT -5
Anyone here celebrate summer solstice? Anyone, anyone? No? Face it, the only reason we do these weird things at Christmas is because the Christians took it over and kept the traditions. For the record, saying Happy Holidays to someone is perfectly acceptable in my book, but I don't think it's fair or appropriate to dilute everything that is associated with Christianity to "Holiday". And, for the record, my priest told my class (way back when) that Jesus was actually born in the early spring. Never heard September. They keep changing that up, and I'm going to think that they just don't really have a clue. Glad we celebrate around winter solstice because it gets awfully dark here in the northern hemisphere this time of year. The Christmas lights help a lot with the gloominess. Or should I say, holiday lights? Yup. next question? You do? Awesome. I've tried but forget about it every year.
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on Dec 7, 2016 15:09:18 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm fine with including other religions, but it's a Christmas tree. Don't be stupid about it. or is it?
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ken a.k.a OMK
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Post by ken a.k.a OMK on Dec 7, 2016 15:12:31 GMT -5
They could sing Maryland My Maryland and not know it's the tune of :
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Dec 7, 2016 15:14:32 GMT -5
Anyone here celebrate summer solstice? Anyone, anyone? No? Face it, the only reason we do these weird things at Christmas is because the Christians took it over and kept the traditions. For the record, saying Happy Holidays to someone is perfectly acceptable in my book, but I don't think it's fair or appropriate to dilute everything that is associated with Christianity to "Holiday". And, for the record, my priest told my class (way back when) that Jesus was actually born in the early spring. Never heard September. They keep changing that up, and I'm going to think that they just don't really have a clue. Glad we celebrate around winter solstice because it gets awfully dark here in the northern hemisphere this time of year. The Christmas lights help a lot with the gloominess. Or should I say, holiday lights? Yup. next question? My city has an annual summer solstice parade/festival, and I live in the Bible Belt... I will admit I don't know many people who celebrate the winter solstice (why would they? It's cold here! ) but the others are pretty popular.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Dec 7, 2016 15:19:54 GMT -5
Christmas trees aren't even Christian! They are pagan! A ton of the stuff people get their panties in a wad over have jack squat to do with Christianity. Jesus wasn't even born in December according to analysis of the bible and historical data. He was born in late September. Early Christians adapted the story to already existing pagan traditions in order to make it more appealing for pagans to convert. So people are getting bent out of shape about a "War on Christians" when in reality it is a "War on Pagans" ::head explodes:: THANK YOU!! I was about to call out the "it's a Christmas tree, don't be stupid about it" comment but you beat me to it. if we're going down that road, it's a Yule tree. don't be stupid about it. I have no problem with calling it a yule tree. I'm calling it a pita tree, soon to be a gone tree if my kid doesn't stop messing with the ornaments.
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rob base
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Post by rob base on Dec 7, 2016 15:21:15 GMT -5
Yes. I know they are synonyms. Like pretty and beautiful. Like actually and axially. Thanks though
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Dec 7, 2016 15:21:24 GMT -5
My city has an annual summer solstice parade/festival, and I live in the Bible Belt... I will admit I don't know many people who celebrate the winter solstice (why would they? It's cold here! ) but the others are pretty popular. I would celebrate the winter solstice, only because that means the days are getting longer again!
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on Dec 7, 2016 15:23:55 GMT -5
I celebrate the equinox because it is easier to keep from falling over.
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imawino
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Post by imawino on Dec 7, 2016 15:25:42 GMT -5
My city has an annual summer solstice parade/festival, and I live in the Bible Belt... I will admit I don't know many people who celebrate the winter solstice (why would they? It's cold here! ) but the others are pretty popular. I would celebrate the winter solstice, only because that means the days are getting longer again! A coworker and I always note the day and have a mini-celebration (sometimes that just means a resounding hooray, maybe a high-five). I get so excited about the days getting longer again!
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imawino
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Post by imawino on Dec 7, 2016 15:26:15 GMT -5
I celebrate the equinox because it is easier to keep from falling over. Yeah, I get less drunk on the equinox too.
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DagnyT
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Post by DagnyT on Dec 7, 2016 15:30:23 GMT -5
In my neck of the woods, we always said Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or Season's Greetings and no one took offense. The issue arose when people, supposedly, got offended when someone said Merry Christmas to them when they did not observe Christmas. Then, stores told their employees to not say Merry Christmas because some customers might find it offensive. I worked in retail for several years and have always worked with the public. I have never been offended when someone wished me Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanza.
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Regis
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Post by Regis on Dec 7, 2016 15:35:00 GMT -5
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Dec 7, 2016 15:36:04 GMT -5
I've started wishing people Merry ChristmaHanuKwanzikah. Or Festivus.
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on Dec 7, 2016 15:36:36 GMT -5
I vote we all just get a winter break where business shut down for 2 weeks . That would cover the whole kit and caboodle. Our organization has three basic parts. A central office and two guest facilities. The central office, which is located in a city, takes a 2 week break. The other guest facility, which is located in a more temperate climate, takes a 2 week break. Our facility, which is located in a winter zone with immediate access to a ski resort, does not take a 2 week break. (We do take skiestas as we can through the winter ).
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Green Eyed Lady
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Post by Green Eyed Lady on Dec 7, 2016 15:38:06 GMT -5
I don't understand some of this stuff. If someone says "Happy (whatever)" to me, I'll respond in kind because I really do want that person to have a happy/merry whatever they celebrate. I don't know who came up with that being disloyal to God because I sure don't think it is. I think it's stupid to be offended by well wishes from anyone, regardless of how they are worded.
My tree is a Christmas Tree. Your's should be whatever you want it to be. I bet they are all beautiful.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Dec 7, 2016 15:38:32 GMT -5
I vote we all just get a winter break where business shut down for 2 weeks . That would cover the whole kit and caboodle. Our organization has three basic parts. A central office and two guest facilities. The central office, which is located in a city, takes a 2 week break. The other guest facility, which is located in a more temperate climate, takes a 2 week break. Our facility, which is located in a winter zone with immediate access to a ski resort, does not take a 2 week break. ( We do take skiestas as we can through the winter ). I wanna work with you. are you hiring??
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Dec 7, 2016 15:39:41 GMT -5
Maybe we should put all the Doctor Who and Dalaks stuff on the tree this year...
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ken a.k.a OMK
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Post by ken a.k.a OMK on Dec 7, 2016 15:42:31 GMT -5
That video was GREAT and right on spot.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Dec 7, 2016 15:43:26 GMT -5
My tree is a Christmas Tree. Your's should be whatever you want it to be. I bet they are all beautiful.
Anything other than a CHRISTMAS Tree is an affront to God. Just like those undecorated red Starbucks cups. Because apparently despite everything else going on in the universe God has the time to focus on the fact that Starbucks no longer puts little snowmen on their coffee cups.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Dec 7, 2016 15:51:21 GMT -5
I vote we all just get a winter break where business shut down for 2 weeks . That would cover the whole kit and caboodle. I have so much time off left so I am off work from December 23 - January 2. I also work from home on Tuesdays, so I won't actually be back in the office until January 4. :-) I love my life.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Dec 7, 2016 15:57:24 GMT -5
Unless its completely frigid, or we're buried in snow, we go to a drumming up the sun festival at sunrise for winter solstice. Best part of the holiday season...
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Green Eyed Lady
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Post by Green Eyed Lady on Dec 7, 2016 16:02:57 GMT -5
My tree is a Christmas Tree. Your's should be whatever you want it to be. I bet they are all beautiful.
Anything other than a CHRISTMAS Tree is an affront to God. Just like those undecorated red Starbucks cups. Because apparently despite everything else going on in the universe God has the time to focus on the fact that Starbucks no longer puts little snowmen on their coffee cups. It's not an affront to God to my knowledge, but then I only know me! Now...Starbucks prices are an affront to me, so I wouldn't know or care what they put on their cups. I still wouldn't buy it. I think people make a big deal out of what a few people say and act like it applies to everyone and it just doesn't. Nothing new in this day and age but pretty tiresome all the same. The generalizing has gotten a bit out of hand.
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saveinla
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Post by saveinla on Dec 7, 2016 16:03:14 GMT -5
We have a paid break at work between Christmas and NY - This year we have 9 days off and start back again on the 3rd.
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Dec 7, 2016 16:09:00 GMT -5
Maybe we should put all the Doctor Who and Dalaks stuff on the tree this year... If you have a "Doctor Who" tree for Christmas, please post a picture here. My DD would LOVE that.
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