horray! the holiday is over so I don't have to listen to people whining about taking religion out of a holiday that was stolen and raped in the first place only to become a corporate ploy by big businesses worldwide!

it's amazing how far people will go to strictly adhere to their tradition.

You are the one whining 

The fact that the world is re-establishing it as a pagan holiday doesn't mean you have to cease celebrating it your way. After all it was christianity that is trying to convert pagans to christianity, not the other way around. And we include everyone by saying Happy Holidays

Santa Claus was already making huge parties before Jesus came in, and even today, his presence is not overshadowed by Jesus.

@Player1x3 & kain_kusanagi

I guess you two must live in communities far, far more religious than mine because when I sit down to enjoy Christmas with my family and friends I'm sitting down with 90%+ atheists and agnostics and the name Jesus is never mentioned, not even once. The holiday, like Thanksgiving is merely a time to appreciate what is important in life, loved ones, and not some religious figure that is irrelevant to the vast majority of people that I know.

As far as I see it, Christ was tacked onto an unrelated holiday and "Christians" are trying to make it exclusive by thumping their chests and reminding everybody else that it's supposed to be a time to remember their so-called Christ. How about this, I'll simply celebrate the Winter Solstice by participating in the Pagan rights that happen to fall on the same day. What's that you say? December the 25th isn't the Winter Solstice? Well, it wasn't the day Jesus was born either. I will continue to celebrate the holiday for what it is, an excuse to take the time to appreciate those you love and share some time and maybe a gift or two.

If we're going to talk about excluding those who do not share the same beliefs from enjoying the holiday due to its meaning then how about when you celebrate "Christmas" you remember that Yule logs, Yule feasts and caroling (Yule singing) were created with the intent of honoring Odin and just about every other tradition involved is Pagan. Basically, anything beyond sitting in a Church for mass and looking at a nativity scene (ironic to see idolatry in a "Christian" Church) was created with the intent to worship deities such as Odin. If "Christians" get to enjoy the Pagan rituals then it's hardly fair for them to tell others that they are exploiting their holiday when they join in because get this, "Christians" are exploiting another religion's traditions. If "Christmas" really is about Christ then make it about Christ, just don't forget that feasting and exchanging gifts under decorated trees are not connected to Jesus in any way, shape or form and technically have no place in the holiday. Hey, if you get to exclude others from traditions that are not your own then where do you draw the line? Surely not in a fashion that would create a double standard.

christmas isnt about christ at all. if you are celebrating the birth of your lord, youre doing it wrong. (also you are going to hell for idolatry, but w/e)

You do know
Jesus Christ was born on December 16.
We just choose to celebrate Christmas on the 25th.

Personally I don't care about the origins of christmas - no offense to those who do.

For me in 21st century Britain it's time off work, time for parties, meeting up with family and old mates etc. Call me shallow, I don't care.

As for changing it's name this is ridiculous. No one forces anyone to partake of any holiday should they choose not to.

The west use to stand up for itself, it's beliefs and traditions. Now it comes across as pathetic and appeasing.
Killing it's own cultures whilst embracing others.

That's how the west will be conquered. Not by tanks, subs and missile technology, but from within.

Player1x3 If it's true that you don't have any of the things he described in your country, then congrats, you are celebrating a christian version of christmas (probably the one that started in the Roman Empire and still drew inspiration from Saturnalia, etc)

But remember, that most of the people here are discussing the English version of christmas. And for a long time, in britain, the holiday was called Yule. The church made yule about celebrating christ, and then later changed the name "Yule" to christmas, and that's why it's called christmas in english. In that context, Jesus tacked onto a pagan holiday is a perfectly fine description.

And in that holiday, Chist really doesn't have much to do with christmas.

I think this entire "Happy Holiday" vs "Merry Christmas" is silly. I take the ultra conservative position that "Good Yule" would be the best term to use for everyone.

Actually chistmas is a pagan holiday. The 25th is really the sun-gods birthday or the celebration of sol-ivictus birth day. Constitine included chrisitans on this holiday  to push christianity and actually a majority of christian holidays where stolen from pagans.

Christmas = Christ- Pagan Mass.

Jesus birthday was never really known. As he is a mythical god and was made up. So when you use a book as metaphorical as the bible, it's a great way to confuse and trick people . Leaving the bible so open ended makes it harder to nail down facts and interpretations.  Thats why you got so many different religions out of one book. Sh-t one religion used the bible to write another book. Mormanism.  My opinion  but I think Religion is a joke. I'm sorry but it is and if people believe in it, I got a bridge for sale in Brooklyn. God blessed it.