| Secularizing Christmas |
| Tuesday, 11 December 2007 | |
|
I turned on the radio today, and a discussion was going on about holiday terminology. It's become a familiar discussion about the secularization of Christmas. Those involved were questioning the push in public schools, and other places, to change terminology from something like "Christmas holidays" to "winter holidays". Inevitably, when I hear public discussions about the push for politically correct and neutral terminology, people think its ridiculous. They seem to feel sentimental about words like 'Christmas'. When it comes to the issues surrounding Christmas, it seems that:
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email This
Hits: 1307 Trackback(0)
Comments (18)
 
I suppose I care more about the attitude behind the proposed changes than the changes themselves. Are the changes being driven by a desire to be anti-Christian or are they being driven by a desire to be respectful of everyone, including Christians? What is taught by the change? Does it teach that Christmas shouldn't be celebrated because it is an archaic holiday and has no significance or is it simply being sensitive to all people, including Christians? It's hard to wrap my mind around all of this because I can understand calling a school holiday the winter holidays rather than Christmas holidays, but I also would rather the change not be driven by anti-Christian animus. And, from some of what I hear and see written, it is hard to tell what drives these changes.
one thing I know, regardless of the force, God's plans will not be thwarted and in that I rejoice! 1 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 12, 2007
Votes: +0 
In a culturally and religiously plural society, do you think we should use terms such as 'Christmas'? Why or why not?
Of course we should, and Yule, and Winter Solstice, and Hannukah, and Eid al-Adha and Muharram, and Kwanzaa, and..... any other festival that is celebrated at this time of year. I really don't think it is right that we should deny the existence of our festivals.... any of them. So 'Seasons Greetings' is probably the most appropriate greeting to offer if one is at all unsure. Either that or .... hey, here's a radical thought.... how about asking people if they will be celebrating a spiritual festival? 'Why should schools or other public or commercial interests be able to divest 'Christmas' of its specific meaning as used by Christians?' Indeed, why should they? But then again, if they're choosing to ignore all the other festivals taking place one would have to ask why they felt it appropriate to deny representation of faiths other than Christianity. 'Is this an American issue, or is it also occurring in other countries?' It happens to a slightly lesser degree in the UK. But it does happen. I am certainly not offended by terms like Christmas. Not only that, but I find some aspects of 'The Christmas message'- compassion and love for others and giving to others have become things I have tried to extend beyond the Christmas period. But it was actually a position I reached when reflecting on the Christmas message, regardless of my being Pagan. It was only through reflecting on how that might fit in with my beliefs as a Pagan that I realised that indeed it DID fit in with my beliefs as a Pagan. I DO think that Christmas has come to mean major shopping sprees to get gifts for people, often in the hope of getting gifts right back. This year I've been thinking about the most memorable gifts I've received for Christmas. Two stick out head and shoulders above the rest. One was the sponsorship of a tiger in a safari in africa. The other was the gift of a fruit tree to a community in a third world country. I DO buy gifts for friends and family at Christmas. But I also give gifts all year round. When I hear of someone in my known Global community who is in need, I give. Most important of all gifts that can be given at this time of year and at any time of year is the gift of love and compassion. That is a gift that can be given irrespective of a faith specific label. It is a gift that is worth more than all the material wealth in the world. So this winter Solstice/Christmas/Yule/Hannukah... whatever, let's all remember to extend that most important of gifts beyond friends and family. Give someone a smile, open a door for someone offer to help someone in some way. Don't worry about what to call your love and compassion. Just do it. BB Mike 2 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 12, 2007
Votes: +0
I like what Matt Stone says over at his blog.
3 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 12, 2007
Votes: +0 
It's interesting, John, in that we have school holidays for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. School is also closed for Good Friday. And no one seems to have problems with those labels. It's interesting that the backlash towards Christmas is probably not driven by a conflict of religious beliefs as all -- but by the over-promotion on the secular side within the retail and entertainment industries. With nearly 8 weeks of 24/7 christmas, I think people are looking for any excuse to get rid of it wherever they can.
4 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 12, 2007
Votes: +0 
I went to an Evangelical college that used to have classes on Christmas day because to celebrate the holiday was considered sinful (and slightly Catholic). Histories like that are forgotten by many evangelicals who rant about the war on Christmas.
As my post today suggests, I don't think Christmas should be ignored or excluded. But if we are getting time off of school in the presence of multiple holidays, it does seem a bit selfish to insist that the time off be referred to as "Christmas Break." 5 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 12, 2007
Votes: +0 
I think I work for the only company in the world that gives its employees Good Friday off. **GRIN**
So, I bring that up because I think it's a good point. Someone else mentioned schools having days off for Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur. How many workplaces give days off for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Why would they pick that day? Why don't they call it, "Generic two day off period at the beginning of Winter"? I work with a lot of Muslims who want special time off for Ramadan. Fine...as long as the work gets done. Yet, they don't complain about having Christmas off. Same with the Jews, Bhuddists, Hindus (and there are a lot), or atheists. I am "diverse" enough that I've learned when the various holy-days are and I make sure to wish them well on those days. They know I'm Christian, but they are never offended when I show that I care about them, about who they are, about what they believe. It is my opinion that wishing someone Merry Christmas can mean different things. Wishing that to a Christian brings up a whole set of emotions around the Incarnation. Wishing Merry Christmas to a non-Christian should simply show that you care about the person and are wishing them well during a SPECIFIC time of year...but you aren't trying to convert them!!! If someone wishes me a Happy Channukah, I thank them and respond in kind. Sometimes, it even involves TOUCHING each other...a hand shake, a pat on the shoulder. **GASP** Interesting discussion 6 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 12, 2007
Votes: +0 
I'm with our buddy Cern on this. All the names will be used, and unfortunately they will all be drained of their separate powers by the spirit of the age.
7 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 12, 2007
Votes: +0 
I think Matt Stone put it very well in his blog.
8 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 13, 2007
Votes: +0 
India is the most genuinely multicultural place I've lived and they don't have a problem - everything gets celebrated. One more excuse for a holiday, great, go for it. That this is becoming such an issue in places like the US and Australia shows how limited the multicultural vision really is - or to put it another way - how what masquerades as multiculturalism is really just monocultural paternalism.
And yes, it is certainly not just a US issue. It's a huge issue in the UK and Australia as well, manifesting most clearly in terms of school celebrations and assemblies. 9 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 13, 2007
Votes: +0 
I really don't worry about what the world does or doesn't call it. I celebrate Christ, the incarnation. I think we should quit worrying about what the world does or does not think about our holidays and instead focus on celebrating them well. Our simple church groups will be celebrating on Christmas Eve with the homeless in Downtown Dallas. If we concerned ourselves less with "us" and less with being "offended" and instead spent more time focusing on Jesus -we would be amazed at what the Holy Spirit would do.
10 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 13, 2007
Votes: +0 
I really enjoyed Brant Hansen's piece on the same issue - check it out here - http://branthansen.typepad.com...me-it.html
11 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 13, 2007
Votes: +0
I don't have a problem with generic "holiday season" or "winter holiday" terminology. If anything, I think I prefer it as more inclusive of all the different holidays that are celebrated. Also, it leaves room for Christmas to be just that -- the celebration of Jesus' birth.
For me the problem lies not with those who want to secularize Christmas, but with the way Christians (gross generalization coming here--) adopt the culture's attitude towards spending, giving and getting around the season without really thinking. Jesus gets overshadowed by Santa Claus and his minions. And Jesus' radical message of a Kingdom that is at odds with the values of this world is completely subverted as our credit cards smoke. I'd love a way to separate the two -- perhaps as some European cultures do by moving the gift-giving to another day (St. Nick's or Epiphany) and leaving Christmas to Jesus. Or perhaps we just need to reinvent the Christmas gift-giving tradition to focus more on those in need and less on our wants. 12 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 13, 2007
Votes: +0 
As Christians we still celebrate Christmas, whatever the rest of the world wants to call it. It's pretty much the same here in the UK. One city even tried to re-brand this time of year as "Winterval" (winter festival - get it?!) But there's a fairly consistent backlash against avoiding the label "Christmas", even from those of other faiths who are not offended by the title "Christmas". True diversity acknowledges difference, even if it does not celebrate the festivals.
13 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 13, 2007
Votes: +0
'True diversity acknowledges difference, even if it does not celebrate the festivals.'
Excellent comment! I couldn't agree more. But it is also interesting to explore the similarities.  BB Mike 14 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 13, 2007
Votes: +0 
It seems like if we change everything for everyone noone will have anything left.
15 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 13, 2007
Votes: +0 
Seems to me that we'd all be a lot better if we gave up Christmas as a bad deal, allowed it to become entirely secular and started again. We've got to the point where even in the church we're not really sure what it is that we're remembering, and that has to be a really bad sign.
16 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 17, 2007
Votes: +0 
Great questions, as always John. I think we are too concerned about words that have become devoid of meaning. I think we'd do better to let them go, and see ourselves as missionaries in a new world. I think there is plenty of new room to talk about Christmas in a new way in an increasingly post-Christendom landscape. But we have to let go of the old world, first.
17 report abuse
vote down
vote up
December 21, 2007
Votes: +0 
Here in Scotland there is a strong secularising push and in Glasgow where I live the city has a 'winter festival.' Its justified as something that reflects majority opinion and I suppose is some respects is what the withering and dithering Christian community deserves.
However I agree its not very tolerant and fitting for a mature pluralist society Its something that bothered me before but not now. Christmas, as it is celebrated, has so completely lost the 'Christ' that I think we Christians should happily disown it and focus on Easter, Pentecost and Harvest. We shouldnt care what its called but as John Lunt posted just focus on celebrating Christ all year round and being incarnational then we may get the respect we deserve. 18 report abuse
vote down
vote up
January 04, 2008
Votes: +0 Write comment
|
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
