I identify as culturally christian.( I have no religious affiliation) My ideal day of celbration would be the solstic, because what I am doing with the winter holidays is prepareing to deal with months of cold that will end. It is a good energy vibe , strength, hope ,and love that I am looking for.
I live in an area where xmas is very secular and considered a fun thing to do by a large number of people that didn't celebrate it in thier own country. I think some of them find more joy in it than people than have been celebrating their whole lives.
on a personal level, I prefer Happy holidays. it keeps me from feeling awkward or like I need to explain something, or listen to an explanation.
If they're included in the bunch, rather than being first and foremost, they're being persecuted.
Uh huh.
The thing about this is, I'm sure there are probably very religious Jews out there who refuse to shop at places with specific Christmas decorations. Ditto hardcore anti-religious atheists. The AFA is the same breed of folks
No, they're a large lobby organization. There's a major difference between individuals making individual choices, and a group like the AFA soliciting boycotts from their members.
Well, smaller groups but not
individuals.
I've known plenty of Orthodox Jews with "we don't do/shop/whatever _____" (and this isn't just food) hot religious causes
du jour.
Unrelated to Christmas or holidays in general.
DH was volunteered to drive 4 kids from the middle school to the county fairgrounds for the Science Fair. Son Brendon was one of the ones that went to county. So Brendon spent last evening cleaning out the van and getting his xbox set up for video games on the ride to and from since it is quite a drive from school. He was anticipating 3 of his buddies to play with and ended up getting 3 giggly girls. DH was totally charmed to have the sound of teenage girls filling the van. 2 of the girls did play games with him at least. DH is convinced that the girls are smitten with Brendon, but the lad's clueless. I'm sorry I missed it.
I have 2 out of my 3 holiday "things in jars" gifts decided, and am still wavering on the 3rd. Here are some of my ideas:
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I identify as culturally christian.
I seriously don't mean to start a kerfluffle or anything, but I'm curious -- what do you mean by that? I've heard the phrase before, and I don't understand it. Or rather, I don't understand how someone can be part of a faith culturally but not religiously. So, Beth (or anyone else) -- when you say that, what does it mean for you?
Hate. My. Bad. Boss.
Man, your boss needs a good smiting. And some plagues.
I have 2 out of my 3 holiday "things in jars" gifts decided, and am still wavering on the 3rd. Here are some of my ideas:
Choose strawberry! Go strawberry!
what does it mean for you?
I think, for me, it means that while as an adult I am a non-believer, my parents sent me to Sunday school and we celebrated the Christian holidays. My family still gets together on those holidays and does some traditional things -- but gathering for an Easter ham is a family thing, like gathering for a Thanksgiving turkey, rather than a religious thing for me. I give my nieces and nephews Christmas presents, even though I'm a non-believer, because that's what they're celebrating. (I give my husband Hannuka presents, because that's what he's celebrating). But my knowledge base, and my perspective comes from being raised in a household that worshiped as Christian.
That's my start of an explanation.
I always figure 'culturally christian' means there is no real conviction behind it, but its to some extent how one was raised.
