@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.
