Christmas is such a HYPOCRISY (and I hate it)

I want to post something Ben Stein said and wrote about Christmas as a Jew. I think it's very American in that it is what America used to be and should be again. I do not do Christmas and I am not a Jew, I am just a simple Bible believer and I know that December 25th is huge to many pagan gods and I also know how big it is in America for its ability to cause much commerce, making retailers happy and in the black. So here below is what Ben Stein said about this Christmas stuff...

"The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it It shows that we are all brothers and sisters

celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about world is in.


My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein"

You're not alone in hating Christmas! I've began to despise the whole yuletide festival thing for about five years or so. I hate the forced fun, the endless renditions of Paul McCartney telling me to simply have a wonderful Christmas time! "No I won't!!"
I hate the Christmas lights. . .The season really Isn't underway until the neighbourhood houses are draped with that many twinkling flashing lights that every other home has a waist high pile of epileptics twitching away on the pavement! And what's with Christmas crackers? Who invented these useless things? And why? And who thought of the idea of putting crappy gifts inside them? If I get one more false little finger nail made out of cheap tacky plastic I swear someone is going to end up having it removed from their backside!
And what is it, somewhere inside our brains, that suddenly makes us knock alcohol back like it's going out of fashion? And why, once you're in that inebriated state, do all the ugly girls suddenly find my company so alluring? At this time of year I seem to attract the sad and lonely vaietyt of female like flies to a turd on a sunny day!!
And why do people feel the need to stick up, or stand up, tacky little cardboard cards over this period? What in the wide wide world of sports is tinsel? Why drag a dirty tree into your lounge and then stick lights on it? If an old man with a dirty beard asks your five year old daughter to sit on his lap at any other time of year you would be outraged, but since it's Christmas it's okay. . . If a jolly fatman in red wanders the streets shouting, "Ho-Ho-Ho",, he'll be done for kerb crawling but at Christmas it's quite alright! Whats with elves? Who ever eats Christmas pudding? Why would any sane human being hang a dirty smelly sock from his mantle? What medical condition did Rudolph have that made his nose shine so brightly? Possible due to all the whisky he's been knocking back if you ask me! I wonder if the ugly female reindeers bothered him?
And who told the areas children that it was suddenly a good idea to come trespassing on my land so they can sing out of tune renditions of Ding Dong Merrily On High! Why do those same brats cry and moan so much when I let the Dobermans loose? And most of all why is that this is the only time of year your binman wishes you a good morning? For the other 50 weeks of the year they' give us the finger or manage to scratch their bin lorry down the side of your car!
When I come to power Christmas will be banned and anyone wishing someone, "Seasons Greetings" will be shot on sight.

BAH HUMBUG!

Christmas is what YOU make of it. Everyone should celebrate it however they and their families want to...IMO....and shouldn't rain on anyone else's parade in regards to how the celebrate it.

I personally have taken religion out of it (different then how I grew up) and make it a fun and happy time (or so I try). I LOVE the decorations and all the pretty lights and festiveness of it....and I LOVE giving gifts to people and donating to local charities!

I believe im this way now because I grew up in a seriously religious home and we never really celebrated Christmas except as very little kids! Even then, there was no santa and it just wasnt that big of a deal. The older we got, my parents never even got a tree. So, now I kind of go all out over it


But I can understand how you feel, even if I don't feel the same. I feel this way about Thanksgiving. I now don't celebrate it for what most people do, but now just see it as a day off to chill out, eat good food, watch football and maybe share it with family and friends.



oh and ps.....i'm not crazy about Christmas songs and never play them....but I still enjoy the "atmosphere" of it all

[edit on 11/20/2008 by greeneyedleo]

How can anyone hate Christmas? You don't have to buy anything to have a good Christmas. I never buy anyone presents. (sobbing hysterically)

Screw christmas. I hate it.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who hates it too.

The worst part is tip-toeing around work-mates etc, who all want to wish me a merry christmas. I don't care! Don't bug me about it, it's all crap!

Bah!

When you are going to buy something for someone who doesn't need a thing then the reason for the season becomes so hollow. This year I am buying livestock for people in 3rd world countries and making the donation in honor of a person in lieu of of gift. It is an awesome thing to do and I've never felt better about any donation than this. If you want to check it out:

heifer.org

Some of you should listen to yourselves. We sit and wonder why there is so much hate in the world. Lighten up a little. Christmas has become a commercial mess, but no reason why we can't enjoy the time with friends and family. No need to give in and spend all your money with the corporations that robbed us of the spirit of the season.
I look forward to it. The look on my kids faces when they see what they have under the tree. I don't spend much on them, but they appreciate it more when they get something.

reply to post by sad_eyed_lady

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Now that is a righteous act!!! Way to go and kudos, I wish more would follow your lead. I abhor Christmas for its history and religious meaning but don't get bothered by others that do it. But I find that people get more satisfaction from the recognition of them for the gift than satisfaction in giving. Hollow describes it well, but your act is awesome. You gave to those in need without recognition for your gifts, one might call that an act of Love for your fellow man.

More acts like this one among mankind and we would truly live in peace and harmony.

reply to post by sad_eyed_lady

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Now there is a great idea! Star for you.

My Wife and I choose to be "Secret Angels" every year. We receive a note telling us what age and sex the child is and what they "need". This is for children who are less fortunate than us. We are not told their names and they don't know who buys for them. Also if we know a family who is going through hard times we try to get all of our family to pitch in and help them.

That to me is what Christmas should be.

I enjoy Christmas.

I am mindful of the religious significance but do not celebrate it as a religious festival. For our family it is a time to come together and be thankful that we have each other, a comfortable home and adequate food on the table.

We do not give each other gifts (can't always afford to) and we keep the Christmas day dinner simple. We have lots of chocs and lollies, don't drink too much and usually all 5 of us, plus partners and some others who have no family to celebrate with, sit around and break out the Terminator and Alien movies. Other friends will call in and join us and they are not allowed to bring gifts, just snacks and drinks.

There have been a few Christmas' when there was just 4 of us because my eldest son is in the army but this year he will be with us again. This year will be one of the best ones.

I do not like the hype and falseness of Christmas. It is so commercial and material. For many it is a lonely and sad time.

take care all
res


Be thankful for the things you do have

Whatta load of replies! I have read all of them and now I am back with a vengance!
Getta hold of this:

Ok, it might be a rant that has been going on for the last hundered years, but it is still a valid rant! Until things change, I will rant every single freakin year! Moahahahaha!!!

So? Why can't you do that any other day of the year, thennn...? Do we absolutely freakin have to comply with this absurd celebration?
That reply was lame.
Do we need this day as an excuse because we are too lazy to call our relatives every once in a while and see how they are doing?

Moving on:

They do that all the time.

You dear sir, m'am or whatever, are sick. Or just really, really weird.

NEXT!
As if they never ever called for an all-out war in any other situation... Reality check!

If the Gods will ever cut me some slack and let me have kids one day,
Christmas (I even hate that word) will be celebrated, but in a veeery different fashion.

Let's see what we have here then...
No man, you can't do that! Then you are rising yet another generation to parttake in this! It has to stop!
Italian food (didn't quote that part) for Chirstmas sounds nicer than the Swedish variant though. Maybe I'll try to sneak that in this year. People would look at me like I was from another planet.

Rolling over the next victim...

I'll quote you in total because I can feel the blood-preassure rise when I read that! Uuuuaaarrrrghh!!!
I WILL get you started on this! If there is one opportunity for you to rant about this until your fingertips bleed, this is it!

Oh my GOD I am at it now! Let's move along...

Please. Don't. Do. That. Again. Ever! It made me feel sick.
Besides, that was OT.

Whaddawe have here then...
I know! That is why I still manage not to kill myself every year.

I felt like quoting you in full but I won't. Anyhow, It was in every way beautiful.
My advise for you is to take a flight to where ever they don't celebrate this phony holiday and stay away from November until February.
The stress is just not worth putting up with.


Watch me.

Oh, we don't have that in Sweden, thank the Gods. That celebration seems so hypocritical to me it deserves its own thread.
Wont be written by me though.

Turning the page...

Oh, how cute. But giving stuff to the poor and starving is also hypocrisy. The poor countries are poor because we, the richer ones, makes them
poor and keep them that way because otherwise we woulnd't be so disgustingly wealthy.
Still, I get your idea and I somehow encourage such behaviour. Yes, that makes me a hypocite as well. I know. DAMMIT!
But you don't need this crap-holiday as an excuse to do that, you can do it just about any time of the year.

Let's roll this super-heavy tank over the next victim...

Oooh, this must be the most...I am actually at a loss of a direct answer this time. Your reply together with that extraordinary silly avatar of yours I felt like hitting myself in the head with a steel bat just to forget what I was doing for the last eight months.
Go away please.

Pew! Can it get any worse? Let's see...

Hmm, doesn't sound too bad. But that is mostly because what you describe sounds like any day of the year. Doesn't have to be Christmas. *shrugs*
But I must say that the final part of the quote brings me a woeful insight.
Just as much "togetherness" we think we celebrate, we inflict a terrible ammount of loneliness upon the less fortunate, thus inflicting even deeper wounds into the already suffering. Therefore, Chirstmas is counter-productive.

That was that...

(Disclaimer: If you meet me in ATS you will see that I am normally much nicer.
But this time of year brings out the worst in me. Sorry about that. Or, maybe not. Suit yourselves. Ha-ha!)

[edit on 21-11-2008 by Raud]

reply to post by resistancia

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You had something negative to say about everyone who posted in this thread.

I am sorry but I think you are horrid...you big scrooge


res

I beg to differ!

Some got away with agreeing. But those who oppose me will face no mercy.

This is not a discussion, this is an all out RANT.

Take it or leave it, love it or not.

reply to post by Raud

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Nice troll job pal. If you really are that big of a jerk, you will die a sad, lonely old fart.

Well, oopsi-doo! Did I step on your tiny elven toes? I am sorry, as in I am not sorry.

As you might yet not know, this thread is now in the "Rant" forum and therefore there will be nothing but ranting going about.
Anyone not-ranting will be ranted upon until they either break or rant even louder until the entire BTS goes off in a hydrogen blast!!! Rrraaauughhh!!!

reply to post by Raud

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LOL, you're a funny guy.

With all my children and wife to love I have to love Christmas. It is a special time of year for us. Christmas isn't for me at all anymore but for my kids and they cherish it just like I did back when I was a child. I don't care about all the hype or advertising going on. I don't care that the shelves in the stores are filled with Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving. I don't let it go to my head. There's renewal & hope in the Christmas season. There's organizations that spread Christmas to the needy and homeless and give them hope. Children without parents have a twinkle of hope and peace when they wake to see presents for them. I know the traffic and spending that accompanies the Christmas season is hectic and sometimes dreadful. Some spread the stories in the Gospels of Jesus and his birth. There's culture wars of religion going on about Nativity scenes and other biblical setups being public viewed. I say like others on here. Make Christmas your Christmas and celebrate it however you want. If you hate it bad enough then maybe a vacation to an Island somewhere would help. If you're a non-believer of Jesus then celebrate Christmas without him in it. For me & my better half we celebrate it for the kids. We let them know just how well they did that year and that we love them. They don't always get what they want but the smile that lights up their faces when the open up a surprise is priceless memories. Sometimes even the Christmas's that we didn't have much was more special because we had each other. Christmas is whatever you want it to be and I make it special for the kids.

I for one enjoy Christmas. I love too see the looks on my son and daughter's face when they open their gifts. I can not buy them everything they want, but I just love the way their eyes light up when they get their gifts. If that make me a bad person to enjoy Christmas because it makes my kids and me happy then I am a bad person. Christmas is a time for family. So sit back and enjoy Christmas or moan about it I for one will enjoy every Christmas I have with my family.

Good for you, then!

Well, get a hold of this: I do!

As I said before; it is easy to do so when you only need to get off you ass once a year like all famine disappears the rest of the time. It is just to settle one's own feeling of guilt.

Correction: always

Trust me, I'd love to! But I can't afford going away from November 1st to February last every single year.

And also; I hate Christmas carols. Every one of them...

Happy for you, blah blah and so forth...

Action and consequence....action and consequence...

Aah...no.
Man! Two days of ranting about this is freakin tough!
Besides, I am in a pretty good mood right now since I will get off work now and be free for a bloody week!!!
I know the happiness will only last until the subway where more Chrismas propaganda will make me start all over again...

Whaevva.