Question about Christmas symbolism?

Question

I'm curious why some non-Christians are so offended by Christmas trees and wreaths and saying Merry Christmas at Christmas time.
Christmas is supposed to be a celebration of the birth of Christ..you don't have to belive in Him, but that's what the holiday is supposed to be about..If someone told me..Happy Hannukah, I wouldn't be offended even though I'm not Jewish..
Though Christmas trees and wreaths have nothing to do with the real meaning behind
Christmas, they are symbols of the holiday that people put up not to indoctrinate others into the Christian religion, but to celebrate the season.
It's like getting angry at someone for putting up a menorah in their window for Hanukkah. It doesn't make sense to get angry to me.
One doesn't have to believe in the religion to respect someones right to believe it...and once the holiday is done, those symbols get put away..
I'm honestly curious..and not trying to bash anyone...
Your thoughts?

Answer 1

We're not offended by Christmas paraphernalia, just sick and tired of it after hearing/seeing it for more than two months every year! I wonder how many Christians themselves are disgusted with the commercialization of Christmas. Will the "Christmas season" ever return to the low-key family celebration of years gone by?

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Answer 2

The poor persecuted victims, declaring that liberals are declaring war on Christians and Christmas, but never giving an example of when and where this is occurring.



Liberals in general are, well “liberal”, respecting religious freedom. Surprise?



See http://www.thedisinformed.co.uk/ for an example of a continuing attempt by supposed Christians to invent persecution that they can then say exists, when it doesn’t, lying about a non-existent attempt to get rid of Christmas. Eventually even tolerant Christians, having heard this enough times, begin thinking there is something to it. There isn’t, beyond a very small group of rabble rowsers and the press in search of a good story. A small group of supposed Christians are trying to manufacture a persecution.



Those who declare there is a war against Christmas should document it, indicate who exactly is preventing people from observing or not observing Christmas in any way they wish, in religious freedom.



You are quite right to be confused. The war on Christmas doesn't exist, outside of a few nuts of the sort you can find making a war on anything. Most people are for living and letting live.

Answer 3

I really like Santo Coyote's answer. I am certainly not offended when wished Merry Christmas, but I will tease those I know by saying "Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, and a Happy New Year!"

The US is a secular country based on laws and offers freedom of religion, which the SCOTUS has ruled that we have the right to worship/believe (or not) as we wish. I do not force anyone to believe what I do and find it offensive when a very few insist on trying to make others believe what they believe.



So - if you celebrate Christmas - a Merry Christmas!

Answer 4

I am too curious as to why people would get mad over a wreath and some ribbon, as they are pagan traditions. I think people may just make the connection with x-mas symbolism and Christianity out of habit and w/out thoroughly doing their research.



Then again I've never been offended by Happy Holidays either.

Answer 5

When in Rome do as the Romans do. as a Walker of the way we must all respect the laws of the land and customs of the people. Although the purpose of Christmas is blurred in that it really doesn't mean the birth of Christ. But now its more of a Tradition and custom to remind us to give gifts and good tidings to people. Anyone still preaching and talking about Santa is breaking the 1st commandment " No other gods before me".

Answer 6

As a Bible-believing Christian, I am offended by other Christians who assume that our Christmas symbols should be displayed on government buildings or sites. I don't want my religious tradition associated by government of any kind.



I suspect, too, that persons of other faith traditions are tired of the arrogance of Christians who seem to assume that *only* Christian symbols should be displayed. I've known no one who objected to me displaying my Christmas symbols in the windows of my own home, and I've never known anyone who displayed their *own* symbols in their own homes (e.g., the Hannukah lights in someone's windows as a display of their own symbols) to be subject to protest. The conflicts only arise when someone has the arrogance to take over public display space as a testimony to their own particular beliefs.



As I say, I don't want my symbols displayed in conjunction with government sanction. I am convinced that government sanction of a particular faith tradition will damage that tradition.

Answer 7

There is a war on Christmas

Toby Keith, On the Colbert Christmas Special

Answer 8

Check out the documentary "Christmas Unwrapped". It's pretty informative. A lot of your questions about Christmas will be answered if you watch. I know a documentary may sound boring, but this one was pretty interesting.

Answer 9

Well I can say I've never heard anybody get angry at a Christmas decoration.

It's true what you're saying though.

Answer 10

Its very simple..... they have a hatred for us because we control the country and although we have placed fail safes to keep people from being forced to convert they still feel pressure from us. They resent this pressure and would rather their weren't even Christians at all. They would have us be gone if they cannot change our beliefs.

Answer 11

It's all manufactured outrage.



Have you EVER met a real person that said they were offended by Christmas symbols on private property? Please be honest.



It's all an attempt by the right-wing branch of Christianity to feign victimhood.

Answer 12

It all started when the godless Liberals declared war on Christmas.It was their way to lower morale and create despair amongst the good Christian communities and God-Loving people across the country.

Answer 13

People take God out of Schools, laws, the US all together, and even the Holidays.



Then we wonder WHERE he is when something goes wrong.

Answer 14

I wonder myself. Maybe they don't like or even hate God, maybe they don't like what their concious is telling them. Who knows?

Answer 15

most of them arent....My daughters jewish friend is fascinated.