My info is that we are not allowed to wish anyone "Merry Christmas" anymore--especially if we live in California. If I make the mistake of wishing you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS , which I am right now--please
do not turn me in to the Christmas police

No worry EdBee mum is the word. So, so very sad! California is such a liberal state. Christmas being outlawed in this country is a travesty! It breaks my heart! In related news. A town in Colorado did not allow Christmas themed songs or signs with the words "Merry Christmas" in the Holiday Parade. Parade

I bet though that the towns Mayor takes the day of Christmas and city hall is shut down. What a hypocrite!!!! It is also ironic though that Christmas remains a Federal Holiday.

Also last year a Colorado school did not allow any Christmas themed songs in the childrens Christmas Program (or as they decided to call it Holiday Program) For instance references to Christmas were changed to Winter.

Hi there everyone...being a "Canucker", i don't quite get the drift of the chat as since i was a toddler and am now a "baby boomer", December 25th has always been a special day with families.
I think i have missed something here in the dialogue????
Anyway i would like to complement Scarlett in the efforts to spread the colour and spirit of Christmas in her post signature!!! It is really "nifty". and in the Spirit of Christmas i will sign of with "joyful cheers" to all.


<- <-me out and about shopping!!
I am relatively new into posting in this forum but enjoy the wealth of info and the spirit of the members!!!!!!!!!

The liberal left and civil rights advocates are changing the way Christian Symbols and Christmas is allowed to be displayed and viewed in this country. So as not to offend anyone of other faiths. But in the meantime Christians are being discrimanated against.



Thank you so much georgia I am just trying to spread Some Christmas Cheer! Just to let u know I was born in Newfoundland. So want to go back someday! Merry Christmas, Scarlett

EDIT: Point taken Koan

Happy Kwanzaa! & Happy Hanukkah! May Your Season Be Bright!

Since we're not spreading any Holiday/Holyday Joy or Greetings anymore...

Don't forget to not wish a "Happy Hanukkah" to our Jewish friends and neighbors!
(Starts at sundown this evening through the 17th)

I know what y'all are thinking. "Oh brother, here she is, it's her again!" But, y'all know me, I can't pass this up! LOL


All of this makes me furious. Did y'all notice that while we grant one right to one person or one group, everyone else's is taken away? There is no winning, not that this is a game by any means. It has always bothered me that people use XMAS rather than CHRISTMAS. One person told me the X was used to abbreviate but last I remembered elementary school English, X is not related to C. Another one told me that X represented the cross. Well, this would be cruel if you ask me. Christmas is the holiday to remember Christ's BIRTH, not DEATH.
It bothers me, regardless of the excuse but far be it from me to take away someone else's right.
And, in a nutshell, the ACLU MAKES ME SICK!!! (Enough said)
This politically correct CRAP has to stop, too. I have lots of friends of every race, religion, and creed. NOT ONE OF THEM is offended when someone wishes them "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas". And that is the way it should be. I am white but if someone came up to me and said "Happy Kwanzaa" I would reply with "Happy Kwanzaa to you, too" with a smile.
Since my kids were in elementary school here in Fort Worth, Texas, it has always been "Winter Break", not "Christmas Vacation". That's fine. Whatever people do with that time off has no bearing on what you call it. I'm not offended by that term. But to raise hell and create havoc over someone wishing you a Merry Christmas is ridiculous. What is wrong with people? If I were in Saudi Arabia or some other Muslim country, I'd have NO problem wishing someone a "Happy Eid" or as they say "Eid Mubarak". If I was in Israel, I'd have NO problem wishing someone "Happy Hanukkah". Quite frankly, I'd have NO problem with anyone wishing me any of those things right here in the old USA.
Get a life people. Use your efforts to feed and clothe the homeless for crying out loud.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!

~67~

No complaints from me ~67~ I so love (and always seem to agree with) your soapbox rants.

Then it's true. You are a great mind, like myself, lol.
But I'd never think you'd disagree with me anyway...

Merry Christmas!

Yeah that Xmas CRAP people use makes me sick!

It takes Christ out of Christmas!

It has nothing to do with shortening the word!

Have a Good Christmas everyone!

Well said CGM3!
Yes I do blieve it is true. It is done so Christ is taken out of Christmas A beautiful word such as Christmas should never be shortened anyway. IMHO

When it is Christmas I think of John Lennon...and the song Happy Christmas (War is Over) lyrics by Lennon/Ono.
This incredible man is no longer with us but he left us with his ideas and music that will never be forgotten such as the aforementioned song. A tremendous legacy.

As the first chorus goes....I don't think it can be said any better and by an artist who had profound respect for all cultures. It goes like this....

"A very Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and for poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight.


And the Closing Chorus.........

"War is over, if you want it
War is over now
Happy Christmas"


I believe this most talented musician says it all in this song.
I hope that this song spreads good thoughts and karma as most truly he would want.
I play this song repeatedly over the season as it simply is so inciteful.

Have a good one, one and all!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here I just got to show the Christmas strip from clan of the cats:

Wonderful, isn't it?

Oh, and concerning xmas: Wikipedia - Xmas

Thank You.

Great post Scarlett!!!!!!!! A week to the magical, wonderous day!!! Thanx for keeping the site upbeat with your creative ingenuity and taking the time to let others like myself know what is out there!!!!!!!!!
You are a valuable contributor and make the site very appealing, especially to a member such as myself who is generally bogged down in work!!!!
Have a great day!!!!!!!!

You do the same.

yo, TA...i'm usin' your soapbox!!

first..thanx, mr alpha..i was trying to figure out how to explain "xmas"..i had totally forgotten about wikipedia! i use xmas often, as i knew the "x" was "christ".

i am completely and TOTALLY sickened by what's happening here in this country in regards to religion. it is not about other religions, tho...it's about separating church from state. and taking it way too far. even as our forefathers wrote the declaration of independence, even as they adopted our constitution...they believed what they were doing was giving people the right to worship God the way they CHOSE....NOT taking AWAY the right to worship at all. our constitution was ALL about catholics, protestants, jews, quakers, amish, etc. having the right to worship without fear of retribution. it never intended to take the right to worship AT ALL away!!

as for the ACLU..it actually IS a worthy establishment. it was begun to fight against racial discrimination. it's there to help you defend your civil rights, no matter WHAT race, religion, etc. you are. many of these civil rights have NOTHING to do with religion...we just don't hear about those as much, it seems. and all they're doing is following the letter of the laws. had our forefathers had enough foreSIGHT to reword "separate church from state", NONE of this would be happening, and they'd be defending your right to worship as you will, instead.

however, just as other laws have been changed, so can this one. and i truly believe that one of the main reasons bush was reelected was his strong belief in God..as well as his stand against abortion which, again, was embraced by the christian people of this country. we as a people, as ONE, need to ALL get on our soapboxes...and get GOD back into this COUNTRY. i don't care how one chooses to call him....God, Father, Jehovah, Emmanuel, Lord, etc...freedom of religion is much more important than NO religion. i, for one, see the Good Lord abandoning this country in small ways...as we abandon Him. this country has thrived due to its allegiance to God...and as that fades, so shall our prosperity.

but what REALLY irritates me, is that everyone wants to celebrate christmas. if you're not going to celebrate it for what it IS..which is CHRISTmas...then, i say, you don't have the right to celebrate it at all. after all, if it is NOT the birth of CHRIST we're celebrating, then, please, tell me what it is we ARE???? is that not slightly hypocritical, to want the holiday, but not the meaning?

those of us who believe in the freedom of religion need to speak OUT...we need to let our representatives and our senators know HOW we feel. and we need to do it in numbers. it's not too late...but too late IS coming.

to those of you who celebrate CHRISTmas...have a VERY merry and blessed one.

to those who don't... !!!

(some day i AM gonna find a smiley blowing raspberries!!)

merry CHRISTmas, all!!

damgud

Very well said, damgud! But I must say that there are times, especially here lately, that I wonder if ACLU stands for "Anti Christian" instead.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Everytime we have to change something or omit something so we don't offend one person or one group because they have rights, the rest of us are having a right taken away. I don't see a winning solution here really.
But I never thought I'd see the day that wishing someone a Merry Christmas would send this country into anarchy. That leaves us with "Happy December" perhaps. Or does that offend someone too? Geez!

~67~

P.S. Very well usage of the soapbox my dear friend, lol!

I am very sorry and concerned that all of this is taking place in the land of our neighbour to the south. I believe that though we are 2 seperate countries the fundamentals of life are very much the same and this includes religion.
Our country has always considered the cross section of peoples that occupy our land as a "Mosaic" and that this enriched our country with all aspects of different cultures giving us a foundation upon which to grow and build a strong nation.I agree with everyone being able to practice his/her religion as it is one of the freedoms that our country espouses.
I certainly hope that the powers that be in our land of the Maple Leaf do not decide to take a political stand in the 21st century, in a manner that will see the foundation of our country begin to crack and crumble.
I believe that politicians become so buriied in their politics that they "cannot see the forest for the trees" and like to stand on Their soapbox and Dictate their ideology as that is not how our forefathers envisioned our nationhood.
Dictatorship is not in the definition of democracy and I truly hope that this attitude that everyone is describing is "nipped in the bud". And the sooner the better.
As neighbouring countries it is of vital concern to someone like myself as I do not want to see this concept of religious practice propagated in the North.
This time of year is one of festive beliefs that is supposed to bring friends and family together in a celebration of life and the birth of a child that many of us grew up to respect and believe in.
On that note I wish one and all a blessed and merriest of seasons.
And a 2005 that will see religious practice as it was in centuries past.

i'll keep this one short. ta, it wasn't all that long ago that we all thought aclu stood for anti-white. when all it seemed to do was file suits dealing with racial discrimination. however, i called them once to deal with a very simple arrest...my son was pulled over for a tail light, and was in jail within 15 minutes. a friend, who shall remain anonymous, since he works for the "other side" set me up with a member of the aclu, a suit was filed against our city for "violation of civil rights" and not only were the charges against my son immediately dropped, but all moneys returned.

please keep in mind that i am NOT a "my kid didn't do it" kind of parent, either...when our daughter, at 14, was caught shoplifting, she STAYED in jail for several days. she is now 25...and, until just recently, none of our kids were arrested again. they KNOW they take responsibility for their actions.

so, yes, i agree, while it does seem that aclu is synonymous with anti-christian...it's the times, not the organization.

merry CHRISTmas!

damgud

I do not celebrate christmas, but i sure like the days off

Regardless of the fact that I personally do not celebrate it, doesnt mean we should not wish anyone a

Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays!!

Also since I was away for Chanukah, I am sorry that I never wished a :

Happy Chanukah!!


As for the Xmas, Wikipedia has an interesting point:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas

Also I remember reading at one point that there is debate on when Christ was actually born and found this info. Makes for some interesting reads:

http://www.carm.org/questions/christmas.htm

http://www.holidays.net/christmas/story.htm

Regardless of what anyone personally believes, all that matters is that everyone has a :

Happy, safe, and healthy Holiday Season!!!

In my belief, all holidays are times that help people gather with their friends and family. It is not to say that I am not religous, or promote a 'safer' (read: non-offensive) season. We should be thankful that those who are off for the holidays that you spend the time however way that is important to you.

I will mention that I prefer to work on holidays. My wife and I do not have any kids, and I would prefer those familys that do, to be off for the holidays.

this one i WILL keep short...if you research most church holidays, you'll find that most of them were set by agreements between the acting pope and some "pagan" group. easter is, too...however, the actual date of easter was given in the original bible..but is now (get this) the first sunday, after the first full moon, after the first day of spring. has to do with a fertility goddess, and the moon goddess, i believe!

merry CHRISTmas!

Interesting stuff..thanks !

My $.02:

This country IS based on freedom of religion, but it is also based on separation of church and state. Christmas is of course a Christian religious holiday, and a very good case could be made for non-separation if the government seemed to be favoring Christianity because of Christmas celebrations and activities. Many people are unsure of where the line should be drawn and so they over-compensate to be sure not to offend those with differing beliefs. As an atheist myself, I don't really care what other people believe as long as they don't try to push it my way. ( I have tossed SO many Watch Towers in the trash!) I do however take Christmas as a time to try to spread happiness among my fellow beings, because even though I don't believe in the root origin of it I still agree with the overall spirit!

And so I say to you all, no matter what your beliefs, have a

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and a

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

About Christmas holifays


The western world is confused

When we want (western people) we are fanciful. I am atheistic, but I understand that I am in a world where the Christianity has a transcendental importance. Most of celebrations of our calendar have Christian origin but it doesn’t matter. When I say Merry Christmas to anyone it does not imply for me a religious connotation, but wishes of peace and happiness.
We have considerations for the susceptibilities of others.
While western people discuss on words that do not affect our life for anything (it is only an obsession), our world is threatened.

During part of my life I have lived in Morocco and I know on which I speak. The Muslim culture (religion and culture are together for them) is closed and intransigent. We, western people, can live among them but without making manifestation of our beliefs. Unfortunately, as a result of the bad management of their governors and from the well-being of Europe, many African come clandestinely in Europe. Mainly, of Moroccan origin. And they want to bring his culture and its way of life. They do not want to live with our laws but with theirs.

Western governments mustn’t be inactive before this. If the Muslims come to live to the West they must respect our laws and our liberties. For example, we can’t allow either “chador” or women submission.
These aren’ t only words but trues menaces to our freedom.
In any case, I am afraid that the problem comes from its religion.

Gentlemen of chat. We are joined by more things than separated by others. We must resist firmly.

I’m sorry not to write better in English. I hope that you understand to me.

I understand perfectly what you are trying to get across. I must agree with you in many aspects. It seems, in my experience, that many Muslims from around the world find our western world to be full of sin and shame. They feel they would be on our level if they adhere to our laws and culture. They want others to either take their side or feel sorry for them because, in their minds, they have suffered for generations on account of the western world, primarily the USA and Britain. Palestinians feel this way very much so. I've been around them almost my entire life and know their beliefs all too well. I've been fortunate to have met people from all over the world and have talked to them extensively. The stronger their beliefs are in their own lands, the stronger they feel here. It is no surprise to me that Bin Laden is able to hide out where he is. No amount of money will shake these people into turning him in. I am pleasantly surprised by Pakistan's government in the highly risky stand they have taken. They've accomplished a lot but they could never bring Bin Laden in either. All of Bin Laden's men will give their lives for him and what he stands for. So it doesn't matter how many of them are found. I studied Islam for 4 1/2 years. Nothing will shake them or stop them but their final demise. And only then will they see there are NOT 72 virgins awaiting them.

However, this is the holiday season and although I am not atheist, I do agree with you, jrod. When we wish others "Merry Christmas", we are not insisting they go to church or bow down and pray. We are basically wishing that they enjoy the time with friends and family, to be safe, to be happy and joyous, and to feast among loved ones. It is our way to spread cheer, not to spread religion.

For one and all, I intend to spread cheer, especially at this time in our world.
Merry Christmas!
~67~

I think it is a sad thing that I have to be careful not to offend someone just by expressing my wish and hope for them to "Have A Merry Christmas". Well.. if I wish a Merry Christmas to someone, and they are offended.. that offends ME. I would never want to offend someone. But from where I am standing that is the other one's problem if they are offended.. not my problem. If someone can't accept my heartfelt wishes for them in the Spirit that they are given.. well then I am sorry for you. And just because another person is offended.. that does not mean that you can take away MY right to "Have A Merry Christmas" That violates me in the same way that the someone who does feel offended feels. Well... I guess misery loves company.. The offended person wants to drag me down too. But I am not susceptible to the misery that belongs to the offended person.

I hope I am understood. It was tricky trying to expain while not using the word YOU LOL


And so I say..To One And All!!!.. I would like to wish you A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year... And if it offends anyone out there. It is OK... you do not have to accept my hopes for you. Keep it to yourself if you are offended... because it doesn't really matter to me if you are offended.

Peace Love and Hope to Everyone for the New Year. :wub

VERY WELL SAID!!!!

And by the way, Pandy.......

and here's a from me and so you know that you are so and . You don't have to take from anyone. So, take some and find a to fix you dinner. Stay inside so you're not . Let take care of the people. Sit back and relax, or listen to some . Just don't forget to after the big feast on Saturday. Merry Christmas my dear friend!



~67~

Thanks for the little hearts popping out of my head TexasAngel67.. hehehe TYTYTY

You are so very welcome, Pandy.

Boy Oh Boy......

sounds like you guys have some dumb laws over there when it comes to wishing ppl
Merry Christmas.

Who the hell would want to live in Colorado with an idiot Mayor like that.

I can't believe you can't wish ppl something that has been done for hundreds of years. If I lived in Colorado I'd be saying to the so called Mayor -
"go F#%K yourself mate"
I will wish what I like, to whom I like, when I like.

What happened to your great democratic right ?????

Anyway, I would like to wish ........
(in no order of favoritism)

scarlett
TexasAngel67
phawgg
JEservices
KoanYorel
jrod52al
Tweener
Grinler
Pandy
nmdamgud
georgia
cowsgonemadd3
Mr Alpha
raw
jgweed
tg1911

.......and many others here who I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet but look forward to next year........

Merry Christmas & A Sensational New Year

You are the guys I have had conversations with since I joined BC not so long ago.
You have helped me in many ways, some more than others, and, as I learn from you guys, and others here, maybe one day I will be able to help you too.

This, to me, is not only what Christmas is about but is what I strive to achieve in my life every day.

I think TexasAngel67 sums it up nicely......


Thank you ~67~.



Merry Christmas One & All

Nigel

P.S. While you northeners are I will be spending my Christmas day on our local beach in 40deg sunshine, eating & drinking Christmas cheer.....
and Oh yes,
I will "throw a prawn on the barbie" for you.........

Boy, I crack myself up sometimes

Thank you very much, Nigel. Back at ya! And you're very welcome as well.
This country is so complicated. It seems to me that those who are offended by anything or anyone are the ones with more rights. Regardless of the number of people. That hardly seems logical.
I'd welcome ANYONE who is offended by receiving a "Merry Christmas" to please step forward and make your case. Just who are these people anyway?
In a country where homelessness and poverty and crime are as close as in our own backyards yet nobody is raising a stink about that. Instead, they are raising hell about something as trite as someone wishing them well. Amazing!
Anyway, thanks JackTheHaack for your 2 cents. Enjoy your drinks and prawns!

~67~

ya gotta LOVE this bunch!! thanx to one and all who have put the merry
CHRISTmas wish here, for one and all to read!

i am so aggravated over being "politically correct"...it seems to me that ever since that expression came into being, as well as the logic behind it...our rights of "freedom of speech" have been seriously compromised..which is it? do i have "freedom of speech"? or must i be "politically correct"? one of those things that makes us go hhhmmmmmmmmmm!!!

well, this season, i'm not only striving to BE politically incorrect...i'm taking every opportunity i can to be "politically obnoxious"!! and you know what? since the constitution grants me the rights of free speech, AND freedom of religion, I CAN DO THAT!!!!!

CHRISTmas is about celebrating the birth of CHRIST...to many of us, the Saviour of the world...and it sure needs saving. when wishing someone ANY kind of peace and happiness becomes "incorrect"...something's wrong. whatever happened to the fact that, no matter WHAT religious beliefs reigned, the peace of the CHRISTmas season..and especially CHRISTmas day, were felt world wide? IS there ANY other holiday that prompted "cease fires" in wars...even in vietnam????

as to the muslim/christian wars...they date back WAY before america was even discovered..anyone ever study the crusades?????

what i think will be amusing, eventually, is when we ALL meet in Heaven..and find that we all are welcome. the God i believe in is a God of love...and organized religions concentrate entirely too much on HOW to get to Heaven...according to them...if you're not catholic...if you're not jewish...if you're not muslim...etc, etc, etc. God loves ALL of us..no matter what we've done, no matter the color of our skin, no matter what building we worshipped in. do we stop loving OUR children..when they've done wrong? how many parents have watched a child be executed for murder...and loved them anyway? will God do any less? He sent His Son..Jesus..to spread the words of LOVE.....how many times was Jesus questioned about who would NOT get to Heaven...and reply, it is the wish of My Father that ALL will get to Heaven???????

it isn't my job to judge people...whether they're christian, jewish, muslim, atheist, black, white, yellow, straight, gay.....the list goes on and on. i've met..and have friends..in every one of those categories and more. all that is needed to get along is common courtesy...mutual respect...and loving hearts.

and on that note......

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! AND TO ALL: A GREAT NITE!

You all are so smart, clever and wonderful. So happy that we met.



Merry Christmas to One and All!

And on that note.

Please join hoops and yoyo in a sing along.

I so love these guys.

Jingle Bells

Merry Christmas to you too Nigel.. and a Sensational New Year for you too! LOL Thanks!

I write this from Labrador, Northern Canada.
If you really want to know what it is to appreciate giving .... come up here. this is my hometown.
I grew up here, moved away and always return to my roots.
We love life, we love nature, we love one another and we don't except for a few work with a box, and we get around by skiddoo.
My kids still believe in St. Nick and so do I.
When I was a kid Santa came in with a wondrous cover of sealskin, (after religion took hold)
no one down there would understand and we received soap, toothpaste, brushes, oranges, and some small kids toys and "On Dasher and prancer and Vixen Santa would disappear.............and kids with toques, wide eyes and some candies would start to question their cultural upbringing and the new settlers that were trying to tell of these acts of kindness, and why we should believe in them. I must say there were no more than 5 on the palm of the hand that were believers, But I left the village and try to live the best of the 2 worlds with my successors.

And so I will spend wondrous days on the ice and love nature and have mother earth and nature love us all back.
'Keep my culture and my family intact and return each year to evade the corruption of materialism.


Have a good one out there in the spirit of your culture All Members...

Christ's birth has been celebrated for a couple thousand years.
To think God begat a son who was mortal, and taught people things.
Angels appeared and communicated of Joy & Peace on Earth.

That is remarkable, and people should find comfort in some of the fundamental
lessons that spring up from the very simple & humble beginnings.

Be it myth, fact or fantasy. It's been recorded as historical. The idea of blessings is near and dear to my heart. Glad tidings, too.

So please let me take a moment to express my quiet
(and humble in the face of the whole story/reality?)
hope that all of you here at BC are blessed
by that which really is quite
inexplicable.
That a God ... who loved his creation ... acted in such a way that
He, and those parts of Him, did then.

Certainly might still.
Act in ways we do not understand. Out of LOVE...

SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!

PC = NO SANTA?


And on that note, I wish all a happy, safe holiday; and to others a safe Joyous Holyday!!!

~KoanYorel

You mean nobody was offended and/or filing civil lawsuits over playing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"? I'm shocked!

I weep for the future of this country and our children and grandchildren!

``We were told by the principal that night that he had to be sensitive to other religions at the school,'' she said.

What????????

Dressing as Santa may offend others of different religions????????

I just do not know what to say or think about this. I am at a loss for words.

There's no words for such ignorance and stupidity.

BTW - love the quote in your sig, Scarlett.

I agree ~67~.

And Thanks!

I so agree with you guy's.. I'm speachles too. It's hard to belive what few imbeciles can do. Even harder to belive is that so many people are buying it..
I could understand if they wanted to forbide something harmfull to society like rate of crime and killings going on, (what are they doing about that??) but wishing Merry Christmas to friends and family.. What idiot would want to forbide that??

Happy "winter soltice season" to all, especially to the regular posters and to the staff of BC!!!!!!
John

This was written by staff at WIBA-AM radio in Madison, WI.