Mike,
not perceived as combat - just discussion. Something I appreciate - thanks.
Anywho, yes, I am implying that culture and custom are a form of brainwashing. Not in the bad sense of brainwashing. Maybe "conditioning" would be a more apt term. Xmas, Easter, July 4th, Thanksgiving, etc., are all custom and culture. Things or days that we have grown up with are are basically ingrained in our brains. We are conditioned to not only accept and go along with them but also to enjoy them. I am in no way implying there is anything wrong with them. I just feel that on this particular subject of Xmas, tooooo many folks do not know what they are celebrating and are just participating in the custom. I liken it to Ascension and Assumption. Ask your average Christian, especially Catholic, and they will not/do not know what both are, when they are celebrated or what the difference between the two is/was. And then you have Easter. We live in what could be considered the most Christian country in the world but do not have a formally recognized national holiday. Tour Europe and you'll find a two week period (week leading up to Good Friday and Week after Easter Monday) of celebration with national, federal holidays (read as days off work) to celebrate. I've always found that confusing.
I do not believe in afterlife, reincarnation or Heaven and Hell. I think (my beliefs only) we live and choose to live out of instinct, much the same as every other animal, insect etc on Earth. Greedy, self-centered and being nice is a product of the way we are raised - which for many of us heathens (
) may have had a religious background - my upbringing did. I don't begrudge anyone their celebration, religious or otherwise and if you (not you, but anyone, you know what I mean) want to believe that your niceness, adherrence to the good and such, is founded in your religious belief then congratulations. I am not trying to be sarcastic here, but sincere in that you know (believe if you will) what your principles are founded on. Similar to Americans knowing the principles and the history this Country was founded on, which many do not - we did not gain our independence on July 4th 1776- that's the day we proclaimed our independence - and it was achieved a few years later. But how many of our countrymen actually know that? July 4th is celebrated because it is what is ingrained. But that's a different subject.
I was actually raised Church of England (predominantly Catholic for those that don't know) and got my American citizenship 17 years ago. I, like you am an American with a different heritage so I too have a problem with lumping everyone together - all Mexicans are lazy, all blacks are criminals, all whites are religious nuts and all "browns" are terrorists. We all know that these are all just plain wrong as is saying all Christians are Bible bangers and all Atheists are anti-American. So if the majority want Christmas on 25 December to celebrate the birth of the Saviour, then I'm all for it. Religious belief aside, my history lessons, like Caymen's, suggest the date is wrong - but it wins the customary/cultural vote of the masses.
And, your last point and question. Yes, I did accept and give gifts. Yes I do sometimes feel a little hypocritical doing it. I do it out of custom, just like you said really. And, I enjoy buying my wife gifts. Christmas gives me another reason to do so without her thinking I spend too much money. It makes me feel good to give her something, with or without reason, and besides, I am supporting her and her faith. Oh my, I am a traitor to the Atheists too, I married a Christian
Out of respect, I have attempted to capitalize items here that "need" to be. I always do. If I missed any, no offense intended. And thanks to most for the civility and discussion. I like it. Beats the poop out of union and political discussions. Way too heated.
