Bah Humbug!

[PBurke]

 i wish i could sleep through the holidays. the whole commercialism and political correctness of the holidays drives me nuts. why can't we just say "Happy Holidays" and move on. the diversity in our religions is part of what makes the country great, but we all worry so much about catering to everyone's feelings that we forget the real reason for this holiday time. now i am not preaching, but shouldn't people remember the #1 reason for this. it is not to see who can get the kids the newest video game, or the most gifts. when i see stores that have "X-MAS" on the windows it makes me want to scream. my wife says i am a scrooge. well so be it. until i feel like chistmas is about CHRISTmas again, then i don't have to get caught up in all the materialistic aspects of what it has become. sure my kids are getting cool stuff, but i am not gonna camp outside bestbuy to get them a $600.00 piece of electronic junk. they still know i love them. i show them that every damn day. if i had to compensate for something to buy my kids love, then i don't deserve them. some might say i spoil my kids, and i do to an extent, but i show them how much they mean with my actions and my time everyday. hugs and playing catch last alot longer in their memories than some overpriced crap that they won't fool with after a couple months. so i am a scrooge. so what?  feel free to agree/disagree i look forward to your opinions. Paul SCROOGE Burke.

[PBurke]

sorry for the tangent guys. just had to get that off my chest. thanks for letting me vent for awhile. maybe we should add an area where we can just vent or get stuff off our chest.

[PigPen]

You're more than welcome Paul. I got a little frustrated with the commercialism mysilf over the weekend. The wife went out and spent way too much money this weekend (after I specificaly told her the limit) on Christmas gifts. Then she started whining that she was almost out of money for the month. I didn't have much sympathy for her, because she knew what her limits were. Like Paul said, my kids don't need the material stuff to know that daddy loves them. Oh well, guess I got my own little tangent goin.

Merry Christmas guys...really

[Robmeister]

Vent on, brutha!!!

I'm with ya.  The materialism/commercialism has been with us a long time and still worth of a priority check.

The freakin political correctness is the latest asininity.

Lou Dobbs of CNN (who is no conservative or religious right advocate) recently commented on this:  Here's just a couple paragraphs that sum it up. click here for the full story http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/12/Dobbs.Dec13/index.html
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NEW YORK (CNN) -- Merry Christmas! That's right, Merry Christmas. Whether you're Christian, Jewish, Muslim, agnostic, pagan, barbarian or whatever, Merry Christmas!

It's what most of us say in this country come this time of year. It's about who we are, where we are and where we've been. And all the namby-pamby, little sensitive darlings among us who can't handle this verbal assault on their delicate senses should immediately begin seeking emergency psychiatric care.

Common sense and judgment should always reign supreme over political correctness, no matter what the current trend.

And, my gosh, even Wal-Mart this year has abandoned its generic, politically correct "Happy Holidays" greeting in favor of "Merry Christmas." I'm starting to think this may be the season to be jolly after all. Ho, ho, ho.

[Robmeister]

the diversity in our religions is part of what makes the country great, but we all worry so much about catering to everyone's feelings that we forget the real reason for this holiday time....shouldn't people remember the #1 reason for this [time of year].....when i see stores that have "X-MAS" on the windows it makes me want to scream....until i feel like chistmas is about CHRISTmas again, then i don't have to get caught up in all the materialistic aspects of what it has become.

You nailed it, bud.   Religious diversity is what made this country great, but--no matter what religious persuasion we are faithful to (or choose NOT to be faithful to)--that doesn't mean trying to stamp out the Judeo Christian heritage and traditions upon which this great country was built.

How'bout this perspective....got it from an email someone sent me....it's not about touting a particular religion...but preserving our American heritage.
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So if the US government determines that it is against the law for the words "under God" to be on our money, then, so be it.

And if that same government decides that the "Ten Commandments" are not to be used in or on a government installation, then, so be it.

I say, "so be it," because I would like to be a law abiding US citizen.

I say, "so be it," because I would like to think that smarter people than I are in positions
to make good decisions.

I would like to think that those people have the American public's best interests at heart.
BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE?

Since we can't pray to God, can't Trust in God and cannot post His Commandments in
Government buildings, I don't believe the Government and its employees should participate in the Easter and Christmas celebrations which honor the God that our government is trying to eliminate from many facets of American life.

I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter. After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the US Supreme Court to be in session on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter as well as Sundays. After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the Senate and the House of Representatives to not have to worry about getting home for the "Christmas Break." After all it's just another day.

I'm thinking that a lot of my taxpayer dollars could be saved, if all government offices & services would work on Christmas, Good Friday & Easter.

It shouldn't cost any overtime since those would be just like any other day of the week to a government that is trying to be "politically correct."

In fact....I think that our government should work on Sundays (initially set aside for worshipping God...) because, after all, our government says that it should be just another day....

[chadoweasel]

When they decided to celebrate Christ's birthday on the same day as one of the most important pagan holiday's and the birthday of several "gods" throughout the Greek, Egyptian, Persian, and Roman Empire, this time of year was bound for disaster. Over time nearly all of the traditions that were performed during this time of year to celebrate these Pagan holidays became the traditions of Christmas. Its no wonder that nobody knows how to behave during Christmas, or knows what it REALLY means.

I honestly dont care what people say to me, or hang on walls, or sing, or whatever. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, Felice Navidad, Mry Xmas, Happy Saturnalia, or even Happy Birthday Osiris, Dionysus, Attis, Mithra....and/or Jesus.

None of that would sway why 'I' celebrate Christmas. I cant speak for, pass judgement on, or argue with anyone else on WHY they are celebrating this time of year or WHAT they want to call it.


Just my 5.8 cents  

[chadoweasel]

Oh...and just to clarify, I LOVE Christmas, call it Christmas and celebrate it for being Christmas. I just have a pretty open mind to those that dont. But then....they should be calling it the name of whatever the hell it is that they ARE celebrating.

[wpruitt]

Bald dudes .... take heed with this bit of Christmas Trivia.  The "X" in Christmas goes back to the ancient Greek.  The letter "X" was not a way to remove the "Christ" from "Christmas", but rather their way of writing the name Christ. 

[Robmeister]

Oh...and just to clarify, I LOVE Christmas, call it Christmas and celebrate it for being Christmas. I just have a pretty open mind to those that dont. But then....they should be calling it the name of whatever the hell it is that they ARE celebrating.

Right!....me too.  That's diversity.  I'm just urked when certain groups start trying to strip away heritage.  Yeah, the celebration of Christmas has roots in lots of "stuff."  Heck, the Puritans tried to abolish Christmas because of "pagan" roots.  And Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate birthday's or Christmas for the same reason. 

But Christmas has nonetheless come down in American tradition as the Nativity, the birth of Christ.  If someone doesn't think Christ is a significant figure, that's fine...no one's twisting anyone's arm.....but the majority of Americans do take our heritage VERY seriously....and we would like the courtesy of not having OUR arms twisted. 

Can you imagine leading a crusade....oops, bad choice of words....leading a movement to try to begin erasing the Islamic roots of a middle-east country?  'nuff said there.

I think I'm in line with Pburke and the rest of you....just expounding the sentiment a little more.  Have I crossed the line?

And Mr. Pruitt you are right....I've used Xmas as a way to shorten it....just like "Christian" can be shortened by "Xtian."  It all depends on why you're using the "X."  Some folks/groups purposely want to have "Christ" taken out of Christmas....that's who I think Paul was referring to.

[David]

As an AWANA leader/sunday school leader, I completely understand.    The presents are nice and all, but it's my favorite holiday because it is the birth of our lord/savior, Jesus Christ.     

The greatest gift of all is accepting Christ into your heart as your lord/savior, after recognizing the sacrifice he made to give us all a second chance.    Presents come and go, and you get tired of them after awhile.   This gift stays strong and loved forever.

[Johnny]

Does anyone remember growing up and having the Christmas program in grade school? I loved that time of year back then. You got to sing songs in front of your parents and grandparents, then be done with school for Christmas Break. My kids now have a Winter Break, which ironically correlates with Christmas. There is no Christmas program, which makes me sad to think they missing a great part of growing up.

On a side note, the school Halloween party is the "Fall Bash." The kids get to dress up in costumes, but they won't call it Halloween.

I know we are a country that is very diverse, but we also have deep traditions that are slowing fading.

Thanks Paul for starting this thread. It is up to parents like us to make sure our kids grow up at least knowing what kind of world we were raised in to let them make decisions about their life and life they will lead.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

[Robmeister]

My kids now have a Winter Break, which ironically correlates with Christmas. There is no Christmas program, which makes me sad to think they missing a great part of growing up....I know we are a country that is very diverse, but we also have deep traditions that are slowing fading.

I'm right with ya, Johnny....AMEN, brutha!!

[Professor Melon]

  ;DRant on, bald brothers. I share all your irritations at the inanity (actually, the folly and danger) of politically correct. Yet I love the religious core of the holy-day. So, just to be clear, Merry CHRISTmas to all. Professor Melon

[David]

Does anyone remember growing up and having the Christmas program in grade school? I loved that time of year back then. You got to sing songs in front of your parents and grandparents, then be done with school for Christmas Break. My kids now have a Winter Break, which ironically correlates with Christmas. There is no Christmas program, which makes me sad to think they missing a great part of growing up.

On a side note, the school Halloween party is the "Fall Bash." The kids get to dress up in costumes, but they won't call it Halloween.

I know we are a country that is very diverse, but we also have deep traditions that are slowing fading.

Thanks Paul for starting this thread. It is up to parents like us to make sure our kids grow up at least knowing what kind of world we were raised in to let them make decisions about their life and life they will lead.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Start the program back up, my man.  Get your local PTA behind it.    I don't know what I would do if our church didn't have our christmas story performance every year.   It rocks.

[Moon]

I am in total agreement with yall.  Christmas is Season with reason.  We all Christians need to get a set and speak out for OUR rights.  We need to put Christ back onto our schools, government and in our lives.  It has become a faux-pas to even mention the word Jesus or Christ.  There are people that can really blow things out of proportion and there are some that are too down your throat.  These people need to be restraind.  But the fact is this country has gone down hill with out Christ in our lives.  Admit it.
You all have a very Merry Christmas.