ENTIRE country should shut down on Christmas Day

[Bungalove]

Originally Posted by snj90

No.. read the previous post I made just before this one. I'm an agnostic, so I don't celebrate Jesus's birth. But I do celebrate Christmas. As a secular holiday, in the spirit of the many winter solstice celebrations around the world. There's no reason Jewish-Americans can't or shouldn't do the same. Plus, it's obviously a big part of American culture and tradition, so that's all the more reason to celebrate Christmas. We could all use a little more national togetherness and less divisiveness.

Nope, sorry. The whole basis of celebrating Christmas is the birth of Jesus. All of the other foofaraw only came about in the last couple of hundred years since Charles Dickens wildly popularized the Victorian concept of Christmas, which is still idealized today. Before that Christmas was a pretty simple, spartan celebration in the home with a church service as well. I enjoy my neighbors' lights and decorations, and I buy presents and cards for my Christian friends, but as a Jew, I don't "celebrate" Christmas.

[Bungalove]

Originally Posted by snj90

Have I not been quite clear that I don't recognize Jesus as a god?

And, no, if you're an American, I want you to be attuned to our common culture. I'm happy that America is a great place for Jewish-Americans. I hope we always are. Of course, you can celebrate Jewish holidays. But there's no contradiction between doing that and celebrating Christmas as well.

Gee, thanks. We're so grateful you let us live here.

[CaseyB]

Guys, this is not the Religion forum. I'm closing the thread.