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Laura1976
Member since 5/05 5754 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
This might be a slightly controversial topic.
Whats your feeling on celebrating Christmas (putting up a tree and giving gifts on Christmas) when your not Christian. i know its a growing trend for people of Jewish and other faiths to do this.
Personally, I think if you don't believe in teh meaning of Christmas you have no right celebrating it. I can even understand if your not a practicing christian but you've celebrated it throughout your whole life. JMO
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Posted 11/3/06 9:25 AM  |
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LisaW
Time for me to FLY!
Member since 5/05 13199 total posts
Name:
Did I ever tell you that I hate people?
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
I am Jewish, and DH is Catholic,although non-practicing.
We put up a Christmas tree
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:32 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
I don't really have a problem with it.
So many people ARE christian and make christmas about materialism, etc.
If someone wants to have a tree and give gifts and spread joy, then that's great. In a way that is celebrating christ, because it's spreading love and warmth.
The christmas tree is a pagan symbol anyway, we adopted it, so other people can adopt it too.
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:35 AM |
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Stacey1403
Where it all began....
Member since 5/05 24065 total posts
Name:
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
My sister converted when she got married and is now Jewish (I am talking the whole got naked in a pool of water w/a rabbi converted)
Our family is Lutheran. While she doesn't put up a Christmas tree she still celebrates with our family all the Christian traditions. She buys us all Christmas presents and we buy them Hanukkah presents.
I think that most people who do this is because they have different faiths in their families.
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:36 AM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
As a Catholic, it sort of bothers me how commercial the holiday has become and that it is more associated with Santa than Christ. However, I do like the idea of people being in the holiday spirit and being a little nicer to each other and showing their appreciation for other people at least once a year.
For me, Christmas is not the most religious of our holidays. It would bother me a lot more if Easter was secularized in the way Christmas is.
I don't really have a problem with people with other religious backgrounds (or not religious background) wanting to participate in our holidays. I think it helps us learn about each other.
Message edited 11/3/2006 9:39:29 AM.
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:37 AM |
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june262004
But I love the Snow!
Member since 5/05 15379 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
Ive never heard of people who are lets say both jewish putting up a tree and giving gifts is this what you mean  Either im lost or Naive or maybe both.
If I was jewish and my DH christian I'd have no problem putting up a tree.
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:37 AM |
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Michelle
My Little Yankee Fans
Member since 1/06 4018 total posts
Name:
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
I am an atheist and I celebrate Christmas, IMO having a christmas tree and santa have nothing to do with any Christian beliefs of Jesus being born that day. I celebrate the pagen aspects of the holiday winter solstice.
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:38 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
Posted by june262004
Ive never heard of people who are lets say both jewish putting up a tree and giving gifts is this what you mean Either im lost or Naive or maybe both.
If I was jewish and my DH christian I'd have no problem putting up a tree.
I know people who are Jewish or muslim, but who had a christmas tree as a kid, just as a secular holiday, so they wouldn't feel left out.
Or there are some instances where there are both fiaths in one family. like our niece a nd nephew, their mom is jewish, they are being raised jewish, their dad is catholic, but he's not the one raising them, but the kids have seen a christmas tree in other people's houses, and they want one this year even though theya re jewish. I think FSIL is going to put one up for them
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:42 AM |
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JennChris
life moves fast
Member since 5/05 4225 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
I am an atheist and I celebrate Christmas... To our family Christmas is about family and tradition, not religion.
Message edited 11/3/2006 9:45:10 AM.
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:43 AM |
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Elbee
Zanzibar
Member since 5/05 10767 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
I have no problem with people celebrating the goodness of the holiday - family, friends, the act of giving. It's a special time of year and I think many people feel it whether they are Christian or not. I see nothing wrong with wanting to be part of that act of loving and giving.
I am secure in my catholic faith and that is all the really matters to me.
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:45 AM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
As a Jew, I do not understand when a Jewish family (not a mixed one) has a "Chanukah bush" or "Chanukah stockings." We have our own customs and traditions to be proud of, and I feel like adopting the traditions of Christmas is like saying that ours aren't good enough. I love Christmas decorations, and I appreciate them at my Christian friends home, but I would never make them part of my own home.
That said, I have many very observant Jewish friends who wouldn't think it's right that Brad and I had a Halloween party, as it is not part of our religion.
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:46 AM |
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Trouble
I am going 2 be a BIG brother?
Member since 5/06 684 total posts
Name:
"HearzBellz"
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
I am not Christian, but DH is Roman Catholic. I celebrate it with him as a family occasion, not a religious one. I know this may offend some people but it is a big deal to him and I could not sit on the sidelines on such a big day for him. I do not go to the mass with his family though.
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:47 AM |
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Trouble
I am going 2 be a BIG brother?
Member since 5/06 684 total posts
Name:
"HearzBellz"
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
Posted by JenniferEver
The christmas tree is a pagan symbol anyway, we adopted it, so other people can adopt it too.
Exactly. I told MIL this & she did not talk to me for months
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:48 AM |
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dandr10199
Grace is growing up too fast!
Member since 10/05 11561 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
Posted by dpli
As a Catholic, it sort of bothers me how commercial the holiday has become and that it is more associated with Santa than Christ. However, I do like the idea of people being in the holiday spirit and being a little nicer to each other and showing their appreciation for other people at least once a year.
For me, Christmas is not the most religious of our holidays. It would bother me a lot more if Easter was secularized in the way Christmas is.
I completely agree. As a Christian, Easter is THE MOST important holiday for Christians. Easter is what our ENTIRE faith is based upon. Christmas is second IMO of the "holy days" for a Christian. That said, we do the santa, tree, holiday thing BUT we do not loose sight of the fact the reason why Christmas even exists is to celebrate the birth of Christ. We believe His birth is celebrated because Christ died for our sins and arose on the third day (Easter).
If any other faith wants to celebrate Christmas and the fact the Jesus was born and lived, IMHO that is great!  I feel that the giving spirit that is displayed by all faiths during the holidays is wonderful and if people want to get into the "Christmas spirit" of giving, peace on earth, love towards your fellow man, etc. That is EXACTLY what Jesus would want to happen, IMHO.
Message edited 11/3/2006 9:56:25 AM.
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:48 AM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
Posted by Jax430
As a Jew, I do not understand when a Jewish family (not a mixed one) has a "Chanukah bush" or "Chanukah stockings." We have our own customs and traditions to be proud of, and I feel like adopting the traditions of Christmas is like saying that ours aren't good enough. I love Christmas decorations, and I appreciate them at my Christian friends home, but I would never make them part of my own home.
I agree.
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:52 AM |
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MrsBlueSash
Love my sailor
Member since 6/05 5793 total posts
Name:
Christian
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
I think its so commercialized that even Christians kinda lose the point. So I'm not offended if anyone/everyone celebrates Santa, Rudolph, and the rest.
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:55 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
Posted by Shellyesq
Posted by Jax430
As a Jew, I do not understand when a Jewish family (not a mixed one) has a "Chanukah bush" or "Chanukah stockings." We have our own customs and traditions to be proud of, and I feel like adopting the traditions of Christmas is like saying that ours aren't good enough. I love Christmas decorations, and I appreciate them at my Christian friends home, but I would never make them part of my own home.
I agree.
Agree as well.
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| Posted 11/3/06 9:55 AM |
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june262004
But I love the Snow!
Member since 5/05 15379 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by june262004
Ive never heard of people who are lets say both jewish putting up a tree and giving gifts is this what you mean Either im lost or Naive or maybe both.
If I was jewish and my DH christian I'd have no problem putting up a tree.
I know people who are Jewish or muslim, but who had a christmas tree as a kid, just as a secular holiday, so they wouldn't feel left out.
But if they don't celebrate christmas then whats the point of having a christmas tree IM SORRY but that is DUMB!
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| Posted 11/3/06 10:01 AM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
I also wanted to add, that in the scheme of Jewish holidays, Chanukah is not the most important one, but because it falls at the same time of the year as Christmas, it has also become bigger and more commercialized over the years, almost like it's in competition with Christmas.
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| Posted 11/3/06 10:06 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
Posted by june262004
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by june262004
Ive never heard of people who are lets say both jewish putting up a tree and giving gifts is this what you mean Either im lost or Naive or maybe both.
If I was jewish and my DH christian I'd have no problem putting up a tree.
I know people who are Jewish or muslim, but who had a christmas tree as a kid, just as a secular holiday, so they wouldn't feel left out.
But if they don't celebrate christmas then whats the point of having a christmas tree IM SORRY but that is DUMB!
It is a littlwe weird if NO one in the family is christian at all. But imagine the kids who go to a school that is 90% christian and everyone ha s achristmas tree, and there's a christmas tree at school and the kids want one and they are too young to understand. Some parents don't have the heart to tell their kids "this is not our holiday" etc.
I think as a parent I would probably respond by making hanukkah an even bigger holiday at home, and make it really fun for the kids so they could take pride in their own holiday.
But on the other hand, christmas symbols, like the christmas tree and (hello!) Yule log, come from ancient pagan winter solstice celebrations. So much of christmas doesnt dfundamentally have anything to do with Christ, it's Christ inserted into a Winter Solstice celebration, which I also have no problem with
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| Posted 11/3/06 10:08 AM |
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june262004
But I love the Snow!
Member since 5/05 15379 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by june262004
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by june262004
Ive never heard of people who are lets say both jewish putting up a tree and giving gifts is this what you mean Either im lost or Naive or maybe both.
If I was jewish and my DH christian I'd have no problem putting up a tree.
I know people who are Jewish or muslim, but who had a christmas tree as a kid, just as a secular holiday, so they wouldn't feel left out.
But if they don't celebrate christmas then whats the point of having a christmas tree IM SORRY but that is DUMB!
It is a littlwe weird if NO one in the family is christian at all. But imagine the kids who go to a school that is 90% christian and everyone ha s achristmas tree, and there's a christmas tree at school and the kids want one and they are too young to understand. Some parents don't have the heart to tell their kids "this is not our holiday" etc.
And this why kids today act the way they do! How can you give your kid "a christmas" tree even if you don't celebrate it! Im sorry but stand up to the 2 year old and tell them no 
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| Posted 11/3/06 10:11 AM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
Posted by june262004
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by june262004
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by june262004
Ive never heard of people who are lets say both jewish putting up a tree and giving gifts is this what you mean Either im lost or Naive or maybe both.
If I was jewish and my DH christian I'd have no problem putting up a tree.
I know people who are Jewish or muslim, but who had a christmas tree as a kid, just as a secular holiday, so they wouldn't feel left out.
But if they don't celebrate christmas then whats the point of having a christmas tree IM SORRY but that is DUMB!
It is a littlwe weird if NO one in the family is christian at all. But imagine the kids who go to a school that is 90% christian and everyone ha s achristmas tree, and there's a christmas tree at school and the kids want one and they are too young to understand. Some parents don't have the heart to tell their kids "this is not our holiday" etc.
And this why kids today act the way they do! How can you give your kid "a christmas" tree even if you don't celebrate it! Im sorry but stand up to the 2 year old and tell them no
I grew up in a predominantly Catholic neighborhood. I was usually one of maybe 5 jewish kids in my class. I think I asked about a Chanukah bush or Chanukah stockings once b/c my friends had them, and my parents explained to me that it wasn't part of our religion, plain and simple. I'm glad they held their ground.
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| Posted 11/3/06 10:12 AM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
as a catholic growin up on LI I had a lot of jewish freinds
I really wanted to celebrate Chanukah - but my parents explained to me that it wasn't our holiday
but it came so much earlier then christmas I just wanted presents early and for 8 day!- they didn't suggested we put up a menorah ( sorry is I mispelled that) or get gifts
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| Posted 11/3/06 10:15 AM |
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mrswask
Pookie Love
Member since 5/05 20229 total posts
Name:
Michal
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
Posted by Shellyesq
Posted by Jax430
As a Jew, I do not understand when a Jewish family (not a mixed one) has a "Chanukah bush" or "Chanukah stockings." We have our own customs and traditions to be proud of, and I feel like adopting the traditions of Christmas is like saying that ours aren't good enough. I love Christmas decorations, and I appreciate them at my Christian friends home, but I would never make them part of my own home.
I agree.
Agreed!
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| Posted 11/3/06 10:18 AM |
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Stacey1403
Where it all began....
Member since 5/05 24065 total posts
Name:
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Re: Celebrating Christmas when your not Christian
Posted by Beth1210
as a catholic growin up on LI I had a lot of jewish freinds
I really wanted to celebrate Chanukah - but my parents explained to me that it wasn't our holiday
but it came so much earlier then christmas I just wanted presents early and for 8 day!- they didn't suggested we put up a menorah ( sorry is I mispelled that) or get gifts
I only had a few Jewish friends but i totally remember being jealous of 8 nights of gifts. My parents did the same thing explained that different faiths celebrate different things. I would hope if you are a religious person you would do the same with your own children (this is a general statement not directed at anyone )
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| Posted 11/3/06 10:22 AM |
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