culturally christian
I was baptised as a baby. I vaguely remember chuch services when I was tiny. and then we didn't go to church until we were 15 . We did however celbrate easter and christmas. I read a children's bible as a kid. I do not think that general values of christianity are bad ( the practice is another matter). However , I have no belife in christ as my savior. In fact, I don't believe I need a savior. However, I still celbrate holidays that are christian. Actually only christmas. Easter has become giant brunch day. I guess I also mean that even though I am not religious- my understanding of the world is at least partially inflenced by being raised in a community that was 95% christian.
by useing the words 'culturally christian' - it is one of the ways I acknowlege my biases in how I look at the world. I picked it up from the friends I had that were jewish, but didn't practice the faith they were brought up with.
I'd probably push for calling it our midwinter celebration
This is wrong. And possibly sinful. Definitely boycottable.
It's an early winter celebration, darn it.
the white lights (symbolizing Christ's purity) and the star/angel on top that symbolizes those two Christmas story elements. The presents really do live in my mind as representative of the gifts of the Magi
Whoa. I may have heard those things at some point, but I've long since forgotten them. Sure, that'd complicate the secularization somewhat (do colored lights represent anything?).
A guy may be going to jail for not completing his drug rehab program. It was run by a Pentacostal group, and the requirement was that he give up Catholicism (which the Pentacostals labeled witchcraft) and become a Pentacostal. ACLU is suing and I presume they will win.
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Or rather, I don't understand how someone can be part of a faith culturally but not religiously.
Aren't all secular Jews an example?
The idea of the holiday is so wedded in my mind with the religious significance that I can't see myself having a purely secular celebration
Because of the years without church - it isn't for me. DH may have had more problems with it but 1) he likes giving me gifts and 2) he likes giving 3) and all the trimmings - are mine and for me, and he can chose or not chose to get invovled in most of it.
Aren't all secular Jews an example?
I admit, I don't know much about Judaism, whether Orthodox or secular. So I didn't want to create an even bigger muddle by trying to compare it to Judaism.
TB, I tend to think you're right because the judge ordered that specific rehab program.
Aren't all secular Jews an example?
But Judaism is sorta an ethnicity as well as a religion.
Good point, Trudy. I was conflating ethnicity and culture in my mind.
