Are these the same people as "Catholics aren't Christian" people. Because that blows my mind, given that the town I grew up in let all the Catholic Children out of school in the afternoon every Tuesday for religious instruction. And there were 5 generic Protestants, a Jehovah's Witness and me left in the classroom!

When I was in the FAC, they were emphatic that Christmas wasn't Christian, it was Roman. Celebrated the Sun God, not the Son of God, so to speak.

Damn, your FAC was freakier than my FAC.

You were in the FAC too? I thought the FAC was Teppy's thing.

FACs are, sadly, prolific.

What's a FAC?

I like Christmas. Pretty trees, lots of food and presents, shiny lights. My family gathers to eat and exchange gifts and sing carols badly and have fun. We're atheists. For us it isn't religious, and I wouldn't put up a nativity set or send out holiday cards with religious messages on them any more than I would put up a menorah on Hannukah. Santa stockings and lighted trees have nothing to do with Christ, and I'd be annoyed at anyone telling me I shouldn't do it because I'm not Christian. On the other hand, if all that were not a *family* tradition, we wouldn't be doing it, and I'd be annoyed at anyone telling me I should just because it's a *cultural* tradition.

FAC=Freak Ass Church

...if this is how the fundies feel around Halloween?

The manager at one of my favorite thrift stores, Mission Ministries, is not down with Halloween nor its merchandise - store policy is to throw it away because of the satanist connection.

So I stood there with my Marge Simpson blue hair stammering, well, not the way I celebrate it... it takes so long to grow all those pumpkins, it's like service to others... nope. He wasn't happy with it at all.

And I've always thought I myself celebrated Christmas in a capitalistic, materialistic American sort of way without really concerning myself over the spiritual aspect.

I like Christmas. Pretty trees, lots of food and presents, shiny lights. My family gathers to eat and exchange gifts and sing carols badly and have fun. We're atheists. For us it isn't religious, and I wouldn't put up a nativity set or send out holiday cards with religious messages on them any more than I would put up a menorah on Hannuka

That's my family, except we're not atheists. But otherwise, that's totally us. Socializing, food, presents, tinsel! That's what the winter holidays are to me.

FAC=Freak Ass Church

Ha! I thought it was something more official.

The manager at one of my favorite thrift stores, Mission Ministries, is not down with Halloween nor its merchandise - store policy is to throw it away because of the satanist connection.

That drives me CRAZY. Me, I'd never shop there nor donate anything to them again.

Me, I'd never shop there nor donate anything to them again.

I scheduled the Salvation Army to come pick up our old couch, and then about an hour later remembered that I'm displeased with them because of their less-than-charitable ways.

However, I am a hypocrite, because I didn't cancel. I need the couch to be gone so the new one can come in.

If that were how it was actually framed/celebrated, that'd be another story.

Indeed so. Plus, still religious, just a different religion.

Damn, your FAC was freakier than my FAC.

And we couldn't profit from it! The circuses are up to a three-head minimum!

I think my FAC was doctrinally freakier, but yours has the edge on interpersonal relationships. (Though if you go back a few decades, that could even out.)

FAC=Freak Ass Church

I prefer Freak-Arse Church, myself. Details, details.

However, I am a hypocrite, because I didn't cancel. I need the couch to be gone so the new one can come in.

Someone in need will benefit from your giving the SalArm your couch. That's what you should concentrate on.