What is Christmas? Christian Nationalists complain about secularists conspiring to transform it from a religious into a secular holiday, but they don't seem to notice how it has already been transformed form a somber memorial to the birth of their Savior into celebration of excessive spending and materialistic consumerism. More money is spent on more things during Christmas than at any other time. Many business rely on Christmas buying to break even or make a profit for the entire year.
Read Article: Christmas as Mass Consumer Feeding Frenzy: Undermining Christian Christmas Through Commerce
That picture of Santa is just too comical. I can’t tell whether he’s stumbled upon something good or shocking. Perhaps he found a nail on the floor with his foot.
Actually, what zealous Christians often fail to realize is that the date of Christmas was actually moved by the Romans in order to coincide with, and eventually pre-empt, the existing Pagan winter festivals in ancient England. It was by this process of assimilation that they increased control over local tribes to expand their empire. So if they’re complaining about secularism in Christmas now, they should look to the roots of their own religion!
I found it amusing that I had to get through an ad for the LDS church to get to the article. Seriously, doesn’t About.com realize that there are probably better places to put some ads than others?
>
Some, but not all. Many people are well aware of Sol Invictus, and many have no problem with the idea that a pagan festival was overwritten (if it was overwritted at all, which is now being contested…). And before you forget, keep in mind that a pagan religion is usually a deistic religion (as was the religion of the unconquerable sun), nowhere near the same as the secular Christmas of today.
However, I guess that is beside the point really, since I agree with Austin when he says: “The process of removing the religious meanings began a long time ago and it’s too late to turn back the clock.” Though I am of the firm belief that certain movements can still be powerful within that framework (The Advent Conspiracy being a personal preference.)
did you do that saints report/ biography in the front?
If time travel was possible, I bet that the people who “celebrated christmas” a thousand years, or even two hundred years ago wouldn’t recognize what it is today.