I dislike this time of year... mostly because of the commercialization of religion and the false "be nice" attitude people take on as a result of this "season". Reality is, appreciate what you have in life and be a decent human being all year round... not just cause some religious holiday that may or may not be in your belief system.
CONservative governMENt
Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
The older I get the less I like Christmas time. I don't get depressed or anything, I just see it as a diversion and an obligation to spend money. It's what it's become that bothers me; the need to go shopping, the obligation to giving lots of gifts which is usually a bunch of stuff that no one needs. The media shoving the commercialism down our throats. The radio stations playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving. I've resorted to calling the holiday "Giftmas" because that's how society has exploited the holiday.
If we could just get back to the basics of being kind, respectful and peaceful; what the holiday is supposed to mean, I may be more in the spirit.
If you rely on society for your points of view, then commercialism, externally-driven obligation, and exploitation is what you are going to see/experience--and that's what you say you do see.
By choosing to call Christmas "giftmas" only because "that's how society has exploited the holiday", you are actually an active participant of the exploitation that you are herein criticizing. Even if done sarcastically, you are still replacing what should be your opinion with society's apparent opinion.
Peace, beauty, joy, respect, and kindess, and the other things you say you wish for all come from inside ones own self. And If you have to fight societal ways in order to preserve those truths, then so be it--that fight is up to the individual.
I don't want to sound self-righteous, but to me this is just the truth....I'll be damned (in search of a better word :angel: ) if I let any outside force interfere with what I hold and regard to be something beautiful and sacred, like for me, the Christmas season
My family copes with horrible Atlanta traffic everyday
I am talking cutthroat out there
unfortunately that seems unchanged by the approaching holiday
it seems even during,
what some are claiming to only be once a year faux generosity,
that this generosity does not apply to kindness in traffic
one would think it would though.
Perhaps the reason for this is because it is an anonymous arena
and some people are inclined to be mean/rude when given an opportunity...
Ah Christmas.... that age old festival amidst mid-winter to celebrate the returning of the light. A time to gather together with friends and family if you are lucky enough to have them, huddle together and fill the blackness with food, gifts, colours, warm thoughts and light. Without it, we would be pretty bereft at this time of year..... and so it will remain (if you live in another hemisphere, you can be excused )
In short, I value Christmas, I think it is an important part of the year. True, capitalist tendencies will exploit every powerful emotion, and use our heightened feelings to manipulate us into spending money - but such is the way of the world these days.....
Cancel my subscription to the Ressurection
Send my credentials to the house of detention
I like Christmas...it reminds me of the excitement of being a kid on Christmas Eve/morning...it's taken a new significance for me as an adult, since it gives me a chance to see family and friends that I don't get a chance to see otherwise.
I've never been comfortable with the commercialization of the holiday, people trampling each other on Black Friday, etc. I made the decision a couple of years ago to do Buy Nothing Christmas, and I love it. I don't give gifts or ask for gifts, we just throw parties and each bring something to eat/drink and spend time together.
Whether you are Christian or not, I think Christmas is a good thing.
Chicago 2000 : Chicago 2003 : Chicago 2006 : Summerfest 2006 : Lollapalooza 2007 : Chicago 2009 : Noblesville (Indy) 2010 : PJ20 (East Troy) 2011 : Wrigley Field 2013 : Milwaukee (Yield) 2014 : Wrigley Field 2016
The older I get the less I like Christmas time. I don't get depressed or anything, I just see it as a diversion and an obligation to spend money. It's what it's become that bothers me; the need to go shopping, the obligation to giving lots of gifts which is usually a bunch of stuff that no one needs. The media shoving the commercialism down our throats. The radio stations playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving. I've resorted to calling the holiday "Giftmas" because that's how society has exploited the holiday.
If we could just get back to the basics of being kind, respectful and peaceful; what the holiday is supposed to mean, I may be more in the spirit.
If you rely on society for your points of view, then commercialism, externally-driven obligation, and exploitation is what you are going to see/experience--and that's what you say you do see.
By choosing to call Christmas "giftmas" only because "that's how society has exploited the holiday", you are actually an active participant of the exploitation that you are herein criticizing. Even if done sarcastically, you are still replacing what should be your opinion with society's apparent opinion.
Peace, beauty, joy, respect, and kindess, and the other things you say you wish for all come from inside ones own self. And If you have to fight societal ways in order to preserve those truths, then so be it--that fight is up to the individual.
I don't want to sound self-righteous, but to me this is just the truth....I'll be damned (in search of a better word :angel: ) if I let any outside force interfere with what I hold and regard to be something beautiful and sacred, like for me, the Christmas season
First of all, getting away from society's interpretation is literally impossible. I don't watch much tv as it is. But one would have to literally live under a rock to get away from anything to do with Christmas, at least in America. Believe me, I've tried.
I use the term Giftmas sarcastically. I'm making fun of society. Spreading awareness that we only use the values of being peaceful, kind, generous, thoughtful and joyful ONCE A YEAR, rather than year-round is what I'm trying to get across, as well as the notion that we must shop our way into others hearts, to prove they mean "so much to us". It's crap.
Ever since I was hospitalized from a near fatal accident, I have promised myself to be more generous to those I care about all year long. I celebrate solstice and Christmas, but I definitely prefer the former. Solstice is magical; it is truly a celebration of the Earth. But the Christmas thing has been exploited and pushed on everyone regardless of what individuals personally hold dear.
And why is it so wrong to question our rituals regarding Christmas any way?
I like Christmas...it reminds me of the excitement of being a kid on Christmas Eve/morning...it's taken a new significance for me as an adult, since it gives me a chance to see family and friends that I don't get a chance to see otherwise.
I've never been comfortable with the commercialization of the holiday, people trampling each other on Black Friday, etc. I made the decision a couple of years ago to do Buy Nothing Christmas, and I love it. I don't give gifts or ask for gifts, we just throw parties and each bring something to eat/drink and spend time together.
Whether you are Christian or not, I think Christmas is a good thing.
The older I get the less I like Christmas time. I don't get depressed or anything, I just see it as a diversion and an obligation to spend money. It's what it's become that bothers me; the need to go shopping, the obligation to giving lots of gifts which is usually a bunch of stuff that no one needs. The media shoving the commercialism down our throats. The radio stations playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving. I've resorted to calling the holiday "Giftmas" because that's how society has exploited the holiday.
If we could just get back to the basics of being kind, respectful and peaceful; what the holiday is supposed to mean, I may be more in the spirit.
Jeanwah,
I feel the same way about "giftmas'. This time of year has turned into an over commercialized frenzy. Many people rush around to buy tons of crap made in China that will just end up in the trash within a few months.
FYI, I am not a scrooge, I "adopt" 3 kids every year.
And why is it so wrong to question our rituals regarding Christmas any way?
Oh, it's certainly not wrong to question our rituals regarding Christmas or ANYthing for that matter. Like,
--why DO we kill and eat an entire turkey just because its Thanksgiving.
--why DO kids put on costumes and run around on the streets after dark collecting CANDY from strangers?
--why ARE eggs mainly a breakfast food.
--why DO I have to uncover a buried morsel of a tooth under the pillow under the head of my sleeping child--the whole time pacnicked that I might wake him and he discover--Oh Please No, say it isn't so--Mommy's the tooth fairy :wtf:
And why is it so wrong to question our rituals regarding Christmas any way?
Oh, it's certainly not wrong to question our rituals regarding Christmas or ANYthing for that matter. Like,
--why DO we kill and eat an entire turkey just because its Thanksgiving.
--why DO kids put on costumes and run around on the streets after dark collecting CANDY from strangers?
--why ARE eggs mainly a breakfast food.
--why DO I have to uncover a buried morsel of a tooth under the pillow under the head of my sleeping child--the whole time pacnicked that I might wake him and he discover--Oh Please No, say it isn't so--Mommy's the tooth fairy :wtf:
And why is it so wrong to question our rituals regarding Christmas any way?
Oh, it's certainly not wrong to question our rituals regarding Christmas or ANYthing for that matter. Like,
--why DO we kill and eat an entire turkey just because its Thanksgiving.
--why DO kids put on costumes and run around on the streets after dark collecting CANDY from strangers?
--why ARE eggs mainly a breakfast food.
--why DO I have to uncover a buried morsel of a tooth under the pillow under the head of my sleeping child--the whole time pacnicked that I might wake him and he discover--Oh Please No, say it isn't so--Mommy's the tooth fairy :wtf:
--same with Christmas
the history behind all our traditions is really some cool stuff "ring around the rosie a pocket full of poseys we all fall down" have you ever read the meaning of this childs game-poem ? I'm sure you already know of most or all of our traditions historys, your post made me think of all these things thanks !
Godfather.
0
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,090
Funny you should mention this, Jeanwah- I think maybe it's not just an age thing but maybe even a more widespread phenomena. Black Friday was nuts- everybody shopping (except a few of us ) and Christmas music everywhere are so forth. And then a few days later it seemed like- ok, enough of this, everybody back on their heads!
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.
Democracy Dies in Darkness- Washington Post
0
g under p
Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,197
Oh, it's certainly not wrong to question our rituals regarding Christmas or ANYthing for that matter. Like,
--why DO we kill and eat an entire turkey just because its Thanksgiving.
--why DO kids put on costumes and run around on the streets after dark collecting CANDY from strangers?
--why ARE eggs mainly a breakfast food.
--why DO I have to uncover a buried morsel of a tooth under the pillow under the head of my sleeping child--the whole time pacnicked that I might wake him and he discover--Oh Please No, say it isn't so--Mommy's the tooth fairy :wtf:
--same with Christmas
the history behind all our traditions is really some cool stuff "ring around the rosie a pocket full of poseys we all fall down" have you ever read the meaning of this childs game-poem ? I'm sure you already know of most or all of our traditions historys, your post made me think of all these things thanks !
Godfather.
I have asked some of those questions too...like why is it that my dog Snoopy eats only meat and I don't?
Peace
*We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
And why is it so wrong to question our rituals regarding Christmas any way?
Oh, it's certainly not wrong to question our rituals regarding Christmas or ANYthing for that matter. Like,
--why DO we kill and eat an entire turkey just because its Thanksgiving.
--why DO kids put on costumes and run around on the streets after dark collecting CANDY from strangers?
--why ARE eggs mainly a breakfast food.
--why DO I have to uncover a buried morsel of a tooth under the pillow under the head of my sleeping child--the whole time pacnicked that I might wake him and he discover--Oh Please No, say it isn't so--Mommy's the tooth fairy :wtf:
Ya know, another reason I don't care for the season is that people look to one time of the year to be kind, peaceful and in making family a priority. It shouldn't be just one day a year. If we actually made time for each other more often than once a year, life would be a whole lot better for everyone. Without being rude, I feel that everyone jumping on the Christmas holiday is just a status quo thing, and that it's something that we're "supposed to do", rather than a genuine feeling. If it was genuine it would carry over to the rest of the year.
I think it serves as a good reminder to give and to pledge good will toward men. some people carry that reminder with them, some don't.
christmas is what it is to each individual. commercialism be damned. I don't spend more because the tv tells me to. I actually started a movement within my family to stop going hog wild at this time of year. we were sitting around opening presents for what seemed like hours. people didn't even know what each other got. so we now just pick names, and buy one $50 gift for one person, instead of that for 20 people. The kids obviously get from everyone, because that's fun.
for us it's more about getting together and celebrating each other and life than anything else.
Gimli 1993
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
Has anyone else thought these people camping out for black friday to get all
the great deals may be turning them to make extra money for their own
children's Christmas?
seeing so many are hurting
Acknowledge those who believe in Christ as their Savior, in the profound
way they lives their lives, in the meaning of Christmas to them.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
respectful as always of others beliefs
I am very respectful of others beliefs. My wife and her entire family are Catholic, and I respect that greatly. What I don't respect is someone telling me to "recognize the profound way they live their lives", inferring that all Christians are perfect human beings. To say that is just as ridiculous as me saying all Christians/believers are hypocrites, or all priests are pedophiles, etc, as I know that's not the case.
also, there's a massive difference between respecting someone's belief and respecting the person. I'm sure you can figure out what that means.
Gimli 1993
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
someday I would like to get away during the christmas holiday and not return till mid of January.
On a beach in Maui over looking the sun rising and setting every day, walking the beach and having a special man to celebrate the new year together....
Comments
really an awesome movie you should look it up.
Godfather.
perhaps that poster derailed :?
wonder if you might want to set it back on track with a Christmas view?
thanks I will GF
I like Chris Walken's movie too ... The Prophecy
scary but sooo cool
I did already
oh then you are the derail police, just kidding, you got the gun there
I have another Christmas thought a positive one from my favorite
childhood author
"Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand."
Author: Dr. Seuss
Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
If you rely on society for your points of view, then commercialism, externally-driven obligation, and exploitation is what you are going to see/experience--and that's what you say you do see.
By choosing to call Christmas "giftmas" only because "that's how society has exploited the holiday", you are actually an active participant of the exploitation that you are herein criticizing. Even if done sarcastically, you are still replacing what should be your opinion with society's apparent opinion.
Peace, beauty, joy, respect, and kindess, and the other things you say you wish for all come from inside ones own self. And If you have to fight societal ways in order to preserve those truths, then so be it--that fight is up to the individual.
I don't want to sound self-righteous, but to me this is just the truth....I'll be damned (in search of a better word :angel: ) if I let any outside force interfere with what I hold and regard to be something beautiful and sacred, like for me, the Christmas season
I am talking cutthroat out there
unfortunately that seems unchanged by the approaching holiday
it seems even during,
what some are claiming to only be once a year faux generosity,
that this generosity does not apply to kindness in traffic
one would think it would though.
Perhaps the reason for this is because it is an anonymous arena
and some people are inclined to be mean/rude when given an opportunity...
Christmastime or otherwise
In short, I value Christmas, I think it is an important part of the year. True, capitalist tendencies will exploit every powerful emotion, and use our heightened feelings to manipulate us into spending money - but such is the way of the world these days.....
Send my credentials to the house of detention
I've never been comfortable with the commercialization of the holiday, people trampling each other on Black Friday, etc. I made the decision a couple of years ago to do Buy Nothing Christmas, and I love it. I don't give gifts or ask for gifts, we just throw parties and each bring something to eat/drink and spend time together.
Whether you are Christian or not, I think Christmas is a good thing.
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
First of all, getting away from society's interpretation is literally impossible. I don't watch much tv as it is. But one would have to literally live under a rock to get away from anything to do with Christmas, at least in America. Believe me, I've tried.
I use the term Giftmas sarcastically. I'm making fun of society. Spreading awareness that we only use the values of being peaceful, kind, generous, thoughtful and joyful ONCE A YEAR, rather than year-round is what I'm trying to get across, as well as the notion that we must shop our way into others hearts, to prove they mean "so much to us". It's crap.
Ever since I was hospitalized from a near fatal accident, I have promised myself to be more generous to those I care about all year long. I celebrate solstice and Christmas, but I definitely prefer the former. Solstice is magical; it is truly a celebration of the Earth. But the Christmas thing has been exploited and pushed on everyone regardless of what individuals personally hold dear.
And why is it so wrong to question our rituals regarding Christmas any way?
The bolded part sounds like my kind of holiday!
I feel the same way about "giftmas'. This time of year has turned into an over commercialized frenzy. Many people rush around to buy tons of crap made in China that will just end up in the trash within a few months.
FYI, I am not a scrooge, I "adopt" 3 kids every year.
Oh, it's certainly not wrong to question our rituals regarding Christmas or ANYthing for that matter. Like,
--why DO we kill and eat an entire turkey just because its Thanksgiving.
--why DO kids put on costumes and run around on the streets after dark collecting CANDY from strangers?
--why ARE eggs mainly a breakfast food.
--why DO I have to uncover a buried morsel of a tooth under the pillow under the head of my sleeping child--the whole time pacnicked that I might wake him and he discover--Oh Please No, say it isn't so--Mommy's the tooth fairy :wtf:
--same with Christmas
thank you!
Godfather.
I have asked some of those questions too...like why is it that my dog Snoopy eats only meat and I don't?
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
Awesome.
I think it serves as a good reminder to give and to pledge good will toward men. some people carry that reminder with them, some don't.
christmas is what it is to each individual. commercialism be damned. I don't spend more because the tv tells me to. I actually started a movement within my family to stop going hog wild at this time of year. we were sitting around opening presents for what seemed like hours. people didn't even know what each other got. so we now just pick names, and buy one $50 gift for one person, instead of that for 20 people. The kids obviously get from everyone, because that's fun.
for us it's more about getting together and celebrating each other and life than anything else.
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
don't you folks ever quit?
Charles H Darwin!
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
the great deals may be turning them to make extra money for their own
children's Christmas?
seeing so many are hurting
I am very respectful of others beliefs. My wife and her entire family are Catholic, and I respect that greatly. What I don't respect is someone telling me to "recognize the profound way they live their lives", inferring that all Christians are perfect human beings. To say that is just as ridiculous as me saying all Christians/believers are hypocrites, or all priests are pedophiles, etc, as I know that's not the case.
also, there's a massive difference between respecting someone's belief and respecting the person. I'm sure you can figure out what that means.
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
non-judgmental as always. :roll:
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
someday I would like to get away during the christmas holiday and not return till mid of January.
On a beach in Maui over looking the sun rising and setting every day, walking the beach and having a special man to celebrate the new year together....
( this is just one of my ideas )
they aren't in my house! we have breakfast for dinner usually once a week!
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014