mamasita99
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Post by mamasita99 on Dec 8, 2016 6:53:24 GMT -5
We have a Christmas tree, with a hand carved nativity ornament picked up in Germany. Of course, it's hanging next to a mug of beer, purchased from the Simpson's souvenir shop in Universal Studio I grew up saying Merry Christmas, but that was probably because 99% of the people I ran into celebrated Christmas. Where I live now, there are so many different cultures and beliefs, we generally wish each other "Happy Holidays". It kind of makes sense. But like many others here, I don't get offended by whatever someone chooses to say, as long as it's not f-k off. From the perspective of a teacher, I can tell you that across all cultures, a majority of children respond positively to lights, bells, candy, music, presents, family, candles, and food! Many of these symbols are found across religions, and the other symbols just mean fun and positive adult attention for the kids. So leave it alone and let the kids have their fun, damn it!
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Dec 8, 2016 8:10:28 GMT -5
No, I meant having an actual log brought in the house.
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Green Eyed Lady
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Post by Green Eyed Lady on Dec 8, 2016 9:06:18 GMT -5
Not me, Zib. I do enough to get my tree decorated and my nativity up. I have to put all my ornaments above "tail reach" so the bottom looks kind of dumb. After my mother passes (which I hope is a long long time yet), I probably won't even do that much. It's a pain to drag around and I hate disorder. But? She enjoys it when she comes over so...
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Dec 8, 2016 10:17:52 GMT -5
Ummm....there are Hanukkah songs?? and I don't know why you would just write to the school board. It's not like you to shoot so low. Aim higher - I suggest trying to get your case to the Supreme Court! Courtney Cox, you're so hot. . .I love you"
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Dec 8, 2016 10:20:58 GMT -5
No, I meant having an actual log brought in the house. Why would I do that? I have an all electric house and no fireplace? Could act like a climbing structure for DGS though
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Dec 8, 2016 12:01:33 GMT -5
I agree. I don't know many (any?) people who will become offended at a "Merry Christmas," but I do hear a lot of complaining about "all the crybaby atheists" who have forced the rest of the world to stop saying it. I am sure the crybaby atheists exist, but I suspect in about the same number as the people who go nuclear over NOT being told "Merry Christmas" (which is, fortunately, not many people). I think it all started when the retailers started telling their employees to wish everyone a "merry Christmas" as part of their job.... which is probably annoying if you are an employee compounded by NOT being Christian or one of the varieties of Christian that thinks "Christmas" is a really Holy thing that shouldn't be tossed around lightly.
I think the backlash might have started with employees and then worked it way out to the general public.
I can understand some special circumstances - like if you were not Jewish, but worked in a Jewish Deli (or some other Jewish themed establishment - say a store named after it's Jewish business owner) that it might be a requirement to wish everyone a "Happy xxxxxx" depending on the Jewish Holiday. And, I can see where everyone who enters the store MIGHT expect the Jewish well wishes. It kind of goes with the place you work. (I picked a Jewish deli /store names with an obviously Jewish owner name on it because that's what I'm familiar with - I can rattle off other establishments that have owner names that identify where they came from/what language they may speak.)
But, let's say you aren't Christian - and you work at say some place that's not known for it's religious affiliation and you are being told you must wish everyone a "Merry Christmas"... yeah, "Merry Christmas" is kind of generic... but, it may seem kind of weird. You are serving people burgers or working at a checkout - checking out non-Christmas stuff... I can see where both the Christians (who care about Christmas being THEIR holiday) and non Christians might see the incongruity in that.
FWIW: when I shop at Hobby Lobby, which has a reputation as a Christian store - I totally expect to hear "Merry Christmas" or some other religiously themed greeting YEAR ROUND. As an atheist I'm not offended or upset. It goes with the store.
I'm in the group that accepts and gives back "well wishes" when they are offered.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Dec 8, 2016 12:12:48 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?
Tiny, do you have a tree decorated with imported blown glass pickles? Or other vegetables? LOL! No, but there is a hand blown glass pickle, I got it at a 'faire' years and years and years ago - the glass blower was demonstrating glass blowing techniques and she had an assortment of hand made things to buy... the shimmery iridescent pickle ornaments for sale caught my eye. The majority of my ornaments come with stories.
I have some Victorian style 'sugared' fruit and veggie ornaments - I know there's a carrot-- can't remember what the other veggies are (there's an apple, an orange, a bunch of grapes). The weirder ornaments are probably the assortment of fanciful glass fish ornaments and various bird ornaments (I have cats and I imagine if they decorated a tree there would be fish and bird ornaments), the 'pink and silver' mirrored disco-ball, the spider ornaments, and maybe the collection of snowman ornaments (in various mediums from glass to metal).
I'd have mouse ornaments - but the one's I've seen are too cartoonish... I'm more into whimsical or "ironic" kinds of things.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Dec 8, 2016 12:18:49 GMT -5
No, I meant having an actual log brought in the house. Why would I do that? I have an all electric house and no fireplace? Could act like a climbing structure for DGS though Back when my fireplace was more functional (and I didn't mind not getting a lot of sleep) if I managed to find a "log" that was between 24 and 36 inches long (usually with a 10 inch or better diameter) - I'd use that in my fireplace as a "Yule log" and have a fire going for a couple two three days. I wasn't too keen on leaving the fire place unattended so I would use those days to stay home to clean, bake, decorate, prep for Christmas Dinner with the family.
Back then, I'd also usually have a fire for the Winter Solstice... either inside or outside in the fire pit if the weather cooperated.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Dec 8, 2016 12:20:12 GMT -5
GRG, the Buche Noel kind? Yes. Yule Log is the atheist/pagan version of the Christian Buche de Noel -- the cake that celebrates the birth of our Lord, Savior, Jesus Christ. Either version is yummy and drool-worthy, so no one is persecuted -- it's just cake. Cake does not discriminate. Cake is inclusive, not exclusive. Just don't call it "Christmas cake" in English. People get mad if you label things as being for Christmas. The French "Noel" accomplishes the same purpose but without the protests and the riots "Christmas" generates because anything said in French is sexy. ;-) Wait, you EAT the Yule log? You don't burn it in a fire pit or fire place ?? To the Google! Batman!!!
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wyouser
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Post by wyouser on Dec 8, 2016 13:51:34 GMT -5
You mean the Yule Log wasn't invented to honor the acting career of Yul Brynner?? Are you telling me to celebrate, I didn't need to watch reruns of the Magnificent Seven for the last 5 decades?
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imawino
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Post by imawino on Dec 8, 2016 14:32:42 GMT -5
Isn't the "Yule Log" the fake TV fire?? Otherwise, you're just having a fire.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Dec 8, 2016 19:52:37 GMT -5
The original Yule log was a big ass log/tree that was supposed to burn for like 12 days or something. Non stop. Kind of hard to do for those of us without fireplaces!
I only learned about Yule log cakes last week when one of the holiday baking shows had them as a challenge. But it seems to be a jelly roll type cake that's frosted to look like a log.
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Plain Old Petunia
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Post by Plain Old Petunia on Dec 8, 2016 19:58:12 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. I feel the same way, and I am an atheist.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Dec 8, 2016 22:40:32 GMT -5
No, I meant having an actual log brought in the house. Why would I do that? I have an all electric house and no fireplace? Could act like a climbing structure for DGS though Yule log? You mean a scratching post?
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Dec 9, 2016 8:01:47 GMT -5
I think it might be a southern thing.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Dec 9, 2016 8:06:29 GMT -5
Pagans - trying to take back Christmas since 33 A.D.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Dec 9, 2016 8:24:16 GMT -5
I went to DS's school for the Christmas concert.
They called it a "Holiday Concert" and sang a Hanukkah song.
Should I write to the school board? No.
People need to chill out. Happy holidays instead of merry Christmas isn't that big of a deal in public places, and by the same token, I don't see what's so offensive about a Christmas tree.
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Green Eyed Lady
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Post by Green Eyed Lady on Dec 9, 2016 8:51:04 GMT -5
Well...at least someone answered Swamp's question! The rest of us got kind of sidetracked.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Dec 9, 2016 8:54:01 GMT -5
I went to DS's school for the Christmas concert.
They called it a "Holiday Concert" and sang a Hanukkah song.
Should I write to the school board? No.
People need to chill out. Happy holidays instead of merry Christmas isn't that big of a deal in public places, and by the same token, I don't see what's so offensive about a Christmas tree.
It's a joke thread.
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garion2003
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Post by garion2003 on Dec 9, 2016 9:01:30 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 love pointing this out to people too
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garion2003
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Post by garion2003 on Dec 9, 2016 9:08:20 GMT -5
The original Yule log was a big ass log/tree that was supposed to burn for like 12 days or something. Non stop. Kind of hard to do for those of us without fireplaces! I only learned about Yule log cakes last week when one of the holiday baking shows had them as a challenge. But it seems to be a jelly roll type cake that's frosted to look like a log. And if you do it up really well, you make mushrooms out of meringue
a quick search for what I mean. When I make them they aren't always as pretty, but they sure are tasty. I do suggest dusting a bit of cocoa over them at the end, to make them look more 'dirty'.
natashaskitchen.com/2015/12/15/meringue-mushrooms-recipe/
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swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Dec 9, 2016 9:14:18 GMT -5
mmmmm dirty meringue mushrooms..............
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on Dec 9, 2016 10:10:12 GMT -5
The original Yule log was a big ass log/tree that was supposed to burn for like 12 days or something. Non stop. Kind of hard to do for those of us without fireplaces! I only learned about Yule log cakes last week when one of the holiday baking shows had them as a challenge. But it seems to be a jelly roll type cake that's frosted to look like a log. I heard they're intended to give you heart burn for 12 days instead
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on Dec 9, 2016 10:22:40 GMT -5
speaking of Chanukah songs, as part of my holiday preps, I listened to all 4 versions of the chanukah song on youtube. I love them!
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Dec 10, 2016 14:33:21 GMT -5
I had to suffer the abomination of a Hanukkah song in during the Christmas season. This is a Christian nation, and it's the Christmas season, not the Holiday Season. This is America!!!! You poor thing. I grew up listening to Hanukkah songs. Totally explains my tin ear and love of latkes.
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