[ouroboros]

bump

[Elsie]

Excellent!

[veronica]

Welcome to -- Charley's world.

Do not fly the flag, do not spend money on loved ones, but be sure to be a real patriot and drop a check to the Holy Land Foundation first chance you get (those poor Palestinians really need your help). Charley's World

[Heisenburger]

I know it’s been secularized, but Christmas really is a religious holiday.

At its heart, Christmas is religious. However, throughout history, it has been celebrated by the vast majority of Europeans in a secular fashion: In Britain, for instance, Christmas was a time of drinking, dancing, and general revelry in the 19th century and before.

[bulldog905]

Good find, as usual Ouroboros.

I, however, am glad that Christmas is such a commercial windfall.

If certain people did not depend so much financially on it, they would have banned the public celebration of Christmas, as a "hate crime" long ago!

[CubicleGuy]

I might seem to have wandered far, but the point is this: Government cannot be responsible for the morals of people.

But if we can't pass laws against things we want our children to believe are immoral, how will we ever be able to convince them that they are immoral???

</totalitarian>

[Hank Kerchief]

It’s far more important for churches, mosques, temples and synagogues to be filled than it is for the malls to be crowded. There’s nothing we can buy that is permanent. It all ends up in the landfill.

There are no answers in stores or government offices to any of the really important questions.

Oh that's right. Guess I'll just quit my job and start feeding and clothing my family with hymns and prayers.

[FormerLib]

...or Jan. 6 among the Orthodox...

Actually, the Old Calendar Orthodox celebrate the Nativity of Christ on January 7th. This is hardly the first time that I've encountered someone who confused the Western Epiphany (also known as Three Kings' Day or 'Little Christmas') with the Orthodox celebration a day later.

Heck, it took me 5 years to convince my mother-in-law who kept calling to wish me "Merry European Christmas!" on Jan 6!

[Tauzero]

"Yes, I know perfectly well that the actual date of Jesus’ birth is unknown and that the early church adopted Dec. 25 (or Jan. 6 among the Orthodox) because it coincided with a pagan festival. So what. "

Ah, now that's the Charley I know.

and "Nothing will take the steam out of one’s faith more than getting involved in the business affairs of the church."

Friendly atheist bump.

[George Frm Br00klyn Park]

"There are no answers in stores or government offices to any of the really important questions."

OB, Unparalleled bottom lines. Peace and love, George.