Christmas-Is it offensive?

[Gripper]

You may or may not know that I am not a Christian,I quite happily celebrate xmas as it coincides with my beliefs.
At the moment in Britain we have a form of political correctness gone mad,
one example http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2596703.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4398680.stm
and another one.
What I'm asking is,do people of other faiths find Christian xmas offensive,if this lunacy persists there will generations growing up in Britain who will grow up with hard feelings against relegions who are doing nothing to promote it
From personal experience a lot of Hindus and Muslims that I know welcome it,especially from a profit point of view.

[Samurai]

Labour peer Lord Ahmed, one of the country's most prominent Muslim politicians, told the Daily Mail newspaper it was "stupid" to think Muslims would be offended.

He added: "The Muslim community has been talking to Christians for the past 1,400 years.

"The teachings from Islam are that you should respect other faiths."

Word.

Christmas has been a prominent feature for many many years, why bring this up now?? It's like you're not even allowed to celebrate anything anymore in case it offends someone.

I read a story a few years back about a local council forcibly removing a local's UK flag from their porch as it may offend local residents.

Funny thing is, you never hear about this sort of stuff happening anywhere else in the world like the US, or the Middle East.

Every other country can display national pride in any way shape or form, but when it comes to the UK, so much political correctness goes on as to not offend anyone it's crazy.

[3RA1N1AC]

At the moment in Britain we have a form of political correctness gone mad,
one example http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2596703.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4398680.stm
and another one.
What I'm asking is,do people of other faiths find Christian xmas offensive,if this lunacy persists...
at the moment? didn't the same political correctness run mad at last year's moment, too, prompting The Sun to launch its "Save Our Christmas" campaign which included sending a nativity scene touring on the back of a truck? i wonder if they succeeded in saving christmas. :P

ALSO: i think the real threat to holidays is not from mean politically correct meanies who wish to ban them all and stamp a bar-code on everyone's forehead... rather the fact that every religious/social/etc holiday & observance in certain countries (ahem) is eventually taken over by commerce and turned into a capitalist holiday. i.e. "your celebration isn't up to snuff, unless you go out and spend heaps of cash on gifts & decorations associated with it. no it is not alright to make your own stuff for the holidays. spend more money, NOW."

also also: "happy holidays." is it offensive? (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/3455083) or just "dumb," as one christian leader calls it?

[Busyman]

Whoever gets offended by Christmas is an idiot.

Don't celebrate it.

Christmas isn't a religious holiday anyway. It's a commercial feces holiday.

The last thousand or so times I heard Christmas mentioned, Jesus wasn't. However, shopping, gifts, and presents were mentioned.

If one is offended by the commercialism of it, don't buy gifts or add Jesus into your ceremonies.

People are offended too much and need to be offended alone. No need to spread their shit to others.

[sArA]

It seems to me that it is only Christian festivals that are attacked in this way in the UK. I have not seen any similar restrictions for the Diwalli, or Ramadan or Hanukkah....

Someone please correct me if I am wrong on this as I haven't bothered to Google but if I am right, then PC only seems to work in one direction. I am an agnostic btw so I am happy to sit on the fence regarding the validity of any religion, festival or whatever....each to their own and all that.

[Barbarossa]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.

[GepperRankins]

man, i'd celebrate ramadan if i had someone to celebrate it with. don't believe in any religions but i believe in having fun.

my point? i dunno. nobody is offended by any others customs. being intolerant of another religion is intolerance we won't tolerate, because we don't tolerate intolerance in this country. or at least we aren't supposed to :dabs:

[Barbarossa]

I'd have a few beers with you for Ramadan! :01:

Maybe a barbeque... :unsure:

[Gripper]

This is my point exactly,try walking into the middle of Leicester on Dwalli and tell them to stop because it offends you,you'd have a riot on you're hands.
But us British we quite happily sit back and allow stupid beuracrats to whittle away at things that make us a nation.
It also plays right into the hands of racists and thugs who use it as an excuse to attack racially different people.
Like Dave says if theres a celebration going on,I'm up for it,don't care what we're celebrating as long as everyones enjoying themselves,far to much negativity going round.
As for the commercial side...I'm leaving that one well alone :)

[3RA1N1AC]

well, re: england, specifically. england does have an official state religion. until the gov't removes the church of england's official status, i'm not sure why there should be any controversy about christianity's right to go wherever it pleases. :unsure:

[Busyman]

well, re: england, specifically. england does have an official state religion. until the gov't removes the church of england's official status, i'm not sure why there should be any controversy about christianity's right to go wherever it pleases. :unsure:
Good point.;)

[vidcc]

Only a complete fanatic would be offended by holidays not of their faith.

On the flip side as Brianiac pointed to it is just as fanatical to demand that a company such as walmart stop using a generic "happy Holidays" as they have people of many different faiths as customers.

[Mr JP Fugley]

well, re: england, specifically. england does have an official state religion. until the gov't removes the church of england's official status, i'm not sure why there should be any controversy about christianity's right to go wherever it pleases. :unsure:
The point is well made, however bear in mind that the Church of England is Anglican. Not all Christians have equal rights in the UK.

[GepperRankins]

i wanna celebrate some non-christian events now :fist:

[GepperRankins]

eidt: non catholic or whatever mang

[BigBank_Hank]

Only a complete fanatic would be offended by holidays not of their faith.

On the flip side as Brianiac pointed to it is just as fanatical to demand that a company such as walmart stop using a generic "happy Holidays" as they have people of many different faiths as customers.
I was curious to see how you handled this in your household.

[Rat Faced]

I have no problems with Christians wishing to celebrate their messiahs birthday just after the winter solstice, its just a shame they cant celebrate it on his actual birthday... :P


Seriously, i enjoy Christmas and it isnt even my faiths holiday just like Gripper..

Cant see any reason to put any type of pc crap towards it, it means different things to different people. Some its religious, some just a time for fun and commercial gain..

I dont think i've ever came across anyone, of any faith (apart from a couple of Jehovas Witnesses), that have anything against people celebrating the occasion in whatever way they think is most fitting. I know plenty of Jews, Muslims and others that get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy the occasion, without having any clashes with their own beliefs.

Its the claim of most religions that we should be nice to each other.. its the one time of year (at least in this country) that everyone, of all faiths, at least try for a couple of days.

[Mr JP Fugley]

I have no problems with Christians wishing to celebrate their messiahs birthday just after the winter solstice, its just a shame they cant celebrate it on his actual birthday... :P


Seriously, i enjoy Christmas and it isnt even my faiths holiday just like Gripper..

Cant see any reason to put any type of pc crap towards it, it means different things to different people. Some its religious, some just a time for fun and commercial gain..

I dont think i've ever came across anyone, of any faith (apart from a couple of Jehovas Witnesses), that have anything against people celebrating the occasion in whatever way they think is most fitting. I know plenty of Jews, Muslims and others that get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy the occasion, without having any clashes with their own beliefs.

Its the claim of most religions that we should be nice to each other.. its the one time of year (at least in this country) that everyone, of all faiths, at least try for a couple of days.


Well said.

[vidcc]

Only a complete fanatic would be offended by holidays not of their faith.

On the flip side as Brianiac pointed to it is just as fanatical to demand that a company such as walmart stop using a generic "happy Holidays" as they have people of many different faiths as customers.
I was curious to see how you handled this in your household.

Well the tree, presents, roast turkey etc. have absolutely nothing to do with Jesus or any religious ritual as far as I know so I just do that and take it as a day for family.

I wish people a merry Christmas just like everyone else.

I would like to point out that I think it is entirely possible that a man called Jesus could have existed. He would not have been the son of god of course but a rather pleasant man that wanted us to "get along". He would have faired pretty poorly in the USA today I feel and would be vilified by the right wing.

[Mr JP Fugley]

I would like to point out that I think it is entirely possible that a man called Jesus could have existed.
:lol: :lol: :lol:

You think.

[3RA1N1AC]

I would like to point out that I think it is entirely possible that a man called Jesus could have existed.
:lol: :lol: :lol:

You think.
there's lots of 'em in spanish-speaking countries. :P

[GepperRankins]

jesus makes the best pizzas in fev :happy:


well he used to anyway

[GepperRankins]

pronounced hey zeus, i think :unsure:

[vidcc]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

You think.
there's lots of 'em in spanish-speaking countries. :P One in my daughters class.

[despikable]

well im not christian i do not find it offensive. If anyhting i like fact of recieving gifts.

[Biggles]

One is hard pushed to find a Muslim or a Hindu that complains about Christmas. Many go further and happily decorate their shops at Christmas time. I have a Hindu friend who sends me a Christmas card every year.

In those places where there are issues one usually finds it is actually some PC obsessed minor official who has over stepped the mark. The papers leap upon as if it is some major crisis and obtain a quote from some rabid fundamentalist (religion unimportant) who represents no-one in particular.

The Christmas Festival is not particularly religious (and certainly not specifically Christian) - although one can go to a Church for a more religiously focused version of the holiday if one desires. I can't say I have noticed any diminuation of the holiday at all - if anything it seems to get bigger and longer (and more expensive :( ) The BBC will have still have Carols from Kings on Christmas day and the world will continue in its orbit.



This is my point exactly,try walking into the middle of Leicester on Dwalli and tell them to stop because it offends you,you'd have a riot on you're hands.
But us British we quite happily sit back and allow stupid beuracrats to whittle away at things that make us a nation.
It also plays right into the hands of racists and thugs who use it as an excuse to attack racially different people.
Like Dave says if theres a celebration going on,I'm up for it,don't care what we're celebrating as long as everyones enjoying themselves,far to much negativity going round.
As for the commercial side...I'm leaving that one well alone :)

[orcutt989]

I agree with the idea that they should not be able to put up nativity scenes and such. They are out there to help people. The last thing they want is an enraged group of muslimis attacking them because they have a nativity scene out. I think you would all compromise putting out a nativity scene for your own safety. As for the christmas lights/winter lights, I have grown up with a Christian family although I am not a Christian myself, and have been open to both the Christian Christmas and the commercialized christmas(santa clause, reindeer, presents, etc) I dont think people should be kept from saying christmas lights. Some people call the lights Winter lights, and some people call them christmas lights. The only way I could see soemone being offended is if someone really dislikes the name christmas lights, and they are locked in a room where the phrase "Christmas lights" is repeated over and over again. Otherwise, I dont think it really matters, because people call things whatever they want anyways.

[Rat Faced]

I agree with the idea that they should not be able to put up nativity scenes and such.

Why?



Muslims have a rich history of celebrating their important holidays. I have outlined here the ones celebrated by both the Sunni and Shia Muslims and then listed the additional holidays celebrated by the Shias who include the important dates during the course of the hereditary succession from Prophet Muhammad (sas) who appointed Hazrat Ali (as) as the successor to his important mission on earth.

These events are celebrated in families and become community affairs where special prayers are offered for being blessed with the joyous occasions. There is a lot of merrimaking and rejoicing including application of henna, decorating houses and streets with lights and decorations, cooking special dinners and sweets which are distributed to everyone present. Everyone wears new clothes and children receive money and gifts. The celebrations include oral renditions of the Quran and beautiful poetry is recited in the praise of Allah, Prophet Muhammad and Hazrat Ali. Since Muslims make up a rich tapestry of many nations and languages, these are recited in the local language besides the traditional Arabic for Quranic recitations.

Should we be offended by hearing your poetry and seeing your decorations then? :rolleyes: