I am one that does not celebrate it. The traditions of Yule are much the same as Christmas, but I try to make a clear distinction of not involving anything religious in what and how I celebrate. But it is a part of my past... I can't deny the memories I have of celebrating it with family and friends in years past. This has caused a dilemma in my mind this year.
I am a spiritual person.I acknowledging that Buddha was a spiritual leader and can learn from his teachings, but I have a difficult time with the varying teachings about Jesus from the many versions of the Christian Bible. Yes, he was a spiritual leader and taught joy and peace but I feel many churches today have gone far from those things. So much so, that I want to make a point about their obvious contradictions.
So tomorrow I will wish those that celebrate the holiday a Merry Christmas and will try really hard to bite my tongue and not roll my eyes to those who say it back to me.
At least I'm glad that [major bank] gives me the day off!
4 comments:
My dear husband has turned into an anti-Christian: a fanatical and mean-spirited anti-theist. I don't like it, and I don't know what to do about it. Can you give me some advice.
Cubby: I pick my battles. When it is justified I can be mean-spirited and an extreme anti-theist if I'm dealing with a mean-spirited zealot. But the ordinary people who are well meaning I am more gentle.
I think you should decide what you believe first and stick with that.
If I were an athiest I would not celebrate any religious holiday in way, form or fashion. So then you have to decide to what extreme: like St. Valentine's Day or St. Patrick's day.
I am a Pagan because I am very connected with the earth and nature and recognize that there has always been a "higher power" or God (or Goddess) in every culture of the world so I'm not an athiest. I just look for the good in all. In my opinion most organized religions are not living their basic teachings so I will not identify with any set organized religion. And I'm OK with that. The gay church in Dallas has a Solstice service at their church, but that is still too organized for my liking.
You need to come to peace with your spiritual side if you have one. Or embrace your atheism.
Well this Big Jew Down Under hopes that the Buddha and his/her teachings embrace you and give you the peace you so clearly deserve.
Love your blog and thoroughly enjoy your writing.
Shalom
Damien
2CWDU
Having worked in customer service/retail most of my life and in NY and the DC Area, I was very challenged on greeting people.
Unless I knew specifically, I went with HH and never had a problem with that being a "war." People who live in a diverse area seem to better understand the complexities simple greetings can entail. As for what people would say back to me, 99% of the time it was a mirror of my greeting. The assumption was that if I say Merry Christmas then I must be christian too. When I worked in a 99% Jewish community (GapKids) I would often say Happy Han...(can't spell it) and had it said to me - the nice Irish catholic boy. ;)
I think when a person becomes like Larry's husband, then they really are just the same as those they dislike.
As for sexy goatee'd pagans, I completely agree and would simply reply to incorrect greetings with a "thank you but I celebrate the earth and nature and higher power."
Christmas decorations for me don't really have religions connotations anymore - they're shinny, pretty and give me the change to show my style! All very GAY and just like antiques, will always be a part of me.
In conclusion, as long as a man completes his greeting with - wanna come back to my place? He can start it any way he wants!
Post a Comment