Should there be a law forbidding Atheists from celebrating Jesus's birthday?
966957
What good do laws do?
731821
You have an awesome point!!  It's ridiculous how you can't say Merry Christmas anymore because then you could get fired.  It's just crazy.  We wouldn't have this holiday if it weren't for Christ's birthday!  Of course it is a MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Jeez.  This country was founded on Christian beliefs, why now are we going to change it?  Because people are getting offended because of a lifestyle they have chosen?  I think not!  Get over it.\n\nGood question!
195443
Jehovah's Witnesses only celebrate one day a year, the day of Jesus Christ's death. Why? Because this is the ONLY celebration that true Christians are commanded to observe. On these days, we do have special arrangements for going into our field ministry at certain times, but other than that these "holidays" as celebrated by the country or the world is viewed as nothing more than another ordinary day. \n\nHolidays such as Christmas, Halloween, and others have strong roots and origins from pagan, false religious worship. As such, we have no share in these god-dishonoring events. Our heavenly father is well aware from where these celebrations and customs began, and would not be pleased by our taking part in them. These holidays can be viewed in this way: suppose you see a lollipop in a trash heap. Would you pick up that lollipop and eat it? Definitely not. In the same way, the lollipop may still seem sweet as the celebrating of such holidays may seem good and "sweet" to many, but consider where it came from. It came from the trash, from the dirty false religious ideals and practices that are out of harmony with Bible truth.
502463
I have some of the answers; I will go through your list:\nChristmas- Not only the JW but many other denominations are against the commercialization of Christmas. Many people know that the celebration of Christmas on December 25 was just a catholic means to fool the pagans into using their celebrations of the winter equinox as a religious event. True Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus every day. The Bible doesn’t say exactly when Jesus was born, but if you have ever been to Israel you know that the shepherds are not watching there flocks by night all seated on the ground. Any shepherd worth his salt has his sheep in a shelter and he is home in front of a good fire as winter in Israel can get very cold.\nHalloween- This one should be obvious. Christians or even JW don’t allow for the celebrating of demons. \nMother’s day and Father’s Day- This is just basics, the commandments say we should honor our Father and Mother… That means all the time not one just a special day.\nBirthday- Here is where the JW’s get a little strange; in a birthday celebration for King Herod a young girl pleases him with her dance. He gives his word that she can have anything she wanted. What she wanted was the head of john the Baptist on a platter. Herod granted this wish. So the beheading of John the Baptist has been associated with birthdays so the JW’s do nothing to celebrate birthdays.
1034228
The secularist wish the majority of this land who are Bible believers of some sort would sit down and shut up and quit voting for sure. They want a country like France which has freedom from religion rather that freedom OF religion. The North East of this country is in the majority of this same opinion. In many of our schools girls wearing a head covering is forbidden and most force many fundamentalist to give up their rules about modesty to participate in Physical education classes.\n\n   But then on the other side of the equation any "fundamentalist" do not know that Christmas and Easter celebrations were not national holidays until after the Civil War and most deniominations preached against these papish holidays until then. The holidays  still shouldn't be nationalized  since they promote Roman Catholic Christianity and traditions above true biblical Christianity. Yet Christians are all up at arms about removing, Christmas trees, crosses, or crucifixes, and  Roman Catholic renditions of the ten commandments from public property. The Roman Catholic ten commandments remove the 2nd commandment and split the 10th commandment into 2 commandments to make it ten. Since these monuments are seldom read most don't even know the difference. The one in front of the Nueces County  Sherrif's department in Corpus Christi even has the Papel symbol on it and was put there by the Lion's Club. \n\n   All of this is a violation of the establishment clause of the United States Constitution which says government is not to hinder or promote any religion meaning denominations or sects . Wish I had the funds to challenge these things in the Supreme Court when I was persecuted for not participating in these things in public schools funded by all taxpayers believers and unbelievers alike.\n\n   The right of the individual to celebrate any religion of his choice I applaud even on public property just so my tax dollars are not being used to promote or to persecute anyone for what they believe. Let the teachers decorate thier desk and the students theirs funding it themselvesand let freedom ring! Pass out tracts in the halls as long as it is an individual doing so and not the governments endorsing it! Let the students preach on the sidewalks during breaks from class. Give equal time to all individuals!
217856
The only person I celebrate is Jesus at Christmas time, and show honor and respect at Easter. More than once I've had people mad at me for not celebrating pagan holidays. Sorry, don't do idols or false gods.
922345
If it helps, I am a liberal and do not think Christmas should be about anything other than God and Jesus (well, maybe Mary).  Let's respect religious holidays for the distinct and beautiful experiences that they are, whether we observe them or not.
907278
Jehovah's Witnesses believe strongly in God Jehovah and in his Son Jesus Christ.\n\nRegarding birthday celebrations, bible students are encouraged to consider:\n: 0% of faithful biblical Jews celebrated birthdays\n: 0% of first century Christians celebrated birthdays\n: 100% of birthdays celebrated in the bible were by debauched enemies of God (See Mark 6:17-29; Gen 40:19-22) \n\nBible historians (M'Clintock, Strong, and others) have noted that faithful Jews of the bible did not celebrate birthdays, and that ancient pagan birthday celebrations were at least partially intended to honor the patron gods of the particular day.\n\nBy comparison with such paganisms, the bible does not even tell us the birthdates of Jesus or ANY of his apostles!\n\n\nJehovah's Witnesses practice strict political and nationalistic neutrality, so they do not celebrate nationalistic holidays such as Independence Day and Memorial Day.\n\nOther holidays derive from false religion, and so are incompatible with pure worship as adulterating interfaith. For example, Easter derives from the pagan god Oestre and celebrates "rebirth" and "fertility" instead of commemorating Christ's Last Supper and death as Jesus commanded:\n(Luke 22:1-22) [Jesus] dispatched Peter and John, saying: “Go and get the passover ready for us to eat.” ...14 At length when the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them: “I have greatly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it again until it becomes fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” ... Keep doing this in remembrance of me.”\n\nSeemingly innocuous holidays may have only a tangential connection with false worship, such as Mother's Day and Father's Day (although arguably derived from ancestor worship). Understated observance of these is not generally considered interfaith by Jehovah's Witnesses, but it is too easily misunderstood in some cultures.\n\nSince such celebrations are not required in true worship, and can easily become a distraction, so Jehovah's Witnesses focus their attention elsewhere. In particular, they are focussed on the preaching work which *IS* a requirement for Christians:\n\n(Luke 10:1-17) [Jesus] the Lord designated seventy others and sent them forth by twos in advance of him into every city and place to which he himself was going to come. 2 Then he began to say to them: “The harvest, indeed, is great, but the workers are few. Therefore beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.\n\nLearn more:\nhttp://watchtower.org/e/20050101a/article_01.htm\nhttp://watchtower.org/library/rq/article_11.htm\nhttp://watchtower.org/library/w/2000/12/15/article_01.htm
1111037
I absolutely agree with Julia...they were wise enough in life to have found the way to live good lives in the sight of God, why should we not celebrate them? Get rid of Martin Luther King Day, President's Day and the such if we shouldn't celebrate the Religious Holy
18987
The bible doesn't say that Jesus' birthday was on Dec 25.
480762
Excellent question!  Especially since my father is a used car salesman.  haha.\n\nAnyways, I know that certain people will not celebrate things like Christmas and Easter because they are not in the Bible, and the reason for this I believe is two-fold.  First of all, the Bible actually prescribes a very specific list of holidays that it requires.  These are the Jewish holidays, such as Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Shavuot, among some others.  Within this law it is stated that no one may add nor take away from the Law.\n\nTherefore, a strict interpretation might seem to indicate that these holidays, AND ONLY THESE HOLIDAYS should be celebrated, at least as RELIGIOUS holidays.\n\nHowever, Jews do celebrate some other holidays besides these because they are believed to be "within the spirit" of the Law.  For example, the Bible teaches that one should rejoice in the great things that God does in history.  So, Hanukkah celebrates a miracle that God performed for the Jewish people, and is considered to be acceptable to celebrate.  But it never is given the high status of the holidays which the Bible specifically describes.\n\nOn the part of Christians, I think it is noteworthy that Jesus seemed to accept the holiday of Hanukkah, even though it was post-Old Testament.  His disciples celebrated it, and Jesus told them to do so.  \n\nMost Christians however do not make this connection though I think, because they are not familiar with Jewish custom, and do not realize that Jesus was referring to Hanukkah when he mentions it.  (I'll get you a verse if you'd like, just ask and I can look it up).\n\nSo some Christians think that no holiday should be celebrated if it is not in the Law.  Christmas and Easter and Birthdays are not mentioned therein.\n\nOthers would say that birthdays are ok because they are not religious.\n\nOthers would say that Christmas and Easter are not permissible because they derive from non-Christian holidays that they believe embraced ideas contrary to their faith.\n\nThere are many things which have become custom and the people tend to assume it is biblical, when really, it is not necessarily.  Even the idea of getting married in a church or place of worship is not mentioned, and yet many would say firmly that a marriage done in a courthouse is not a marriage "in the eyes of God."\n\nI don't know why they would hold this view except that they must be ignorant of what is in their scriptures and what is not.
882753
Of course it is, but so is Christmas. December 25 has always been a pagan holiday. Early Christians did not celebrate birthdays only pagans did and John the Baptist lost his head during  Herod's birthday celebration. Santa Claus, gift giving and all the yule tide traditions are very pagan in origin. \n\nChristianity today is very much engulfed in pagan traditions. \n\nAs a pagan myself I think it is ironic that Christians keep our holy days when the bible condemns them.
928294
WoW! It's unbelievable how some get so angry over this question.! I don't actually care what it's called; winterval or otherwise. I know it's not popular, but...here goes anyway.....\nDecember 25th, according to the Bible, (which is the ultimate and true word, on this subject and all others,) This date, has Pagan origins, and was declared to be Christ's birthday, by humans. The truth, which as Christians, we should be seeking, is that Christ was actually born in the Fall of the year, (Feast of Trumpets and Feast of Tabernacles Holy Days, are the time of the year when Christ was actually born.) Dec. 25th is the date that Mary was Immaculately conceived, BTW)\nMost people dont want to hear this; it's too hard to change some beliefs. BUT God does tell us to worship in Spirit and in Truth...soooo.... I guess it will be offensive to some! That's the way the Christmas cookie crumbles!\nThese facts about Jesus' real birthday have absolutely nothing to do with being politically correct...They were Biblical and true, before all this nonsense about stuff like that. \nAnyone who seeks the truth about Jesus' birthday, can read it in the Bible; those of us who know that December 25th is not His birthday, have already proved it to ourselves, and find comfort in knowing the truth that Christ has allowed us to know. \nIt's not about taking away a "religious" holiday....It's fine with me if people celebrate Dec 25th, no matter what it's called...but....in reality, since it's not Christ's birthday, it's just a tradition, a fun one perhaps, once you get thru all the hassles involved with shopping, the greed of the merchants, the expectations of what you're going to receive, the stress, not to mention the bills and the cookies that didn't turn out, and the commercialism! \nSo...call it anything...doesn't matter anyway...and I hate to be a party pooper..but Christ doesn't belong in it to begin with...\nWhy not just call it a WinterFest, and be done with it ? That's all it is, anyway!!!
30622
The state I live in was founded by a group of people (The Pilgrims) who wanted the right to have religious freedom. I knew a few Muslim families when I was growing up. They were a hard working, law abiding, kind and generous people. It is unfair to judge a religious group based on what a very small percent of them are doing. Having said that, I will say this about the controversy this past December in regards to Christmas. It comes across as not wanting to offend other peoples religious beliefs but, at the same time, it appears to be heading in the direction of denying Christians their rights. The controversy this past December about changing the name of the Christmas Tree to Holiday Tree is one example. Department stores who sell Christmas gifts, toys, and decorations telling their employees they can not say Merry Christmas only Happy Holidays is another example. As an example (no offense meant toward anyone): If one of my children's teachers said to my child Happy Hanakah or Happy Kwanza, I would interpret it as a sign of good will, not a reason to hire a lawyer and sue.
48237
Applying to Americans suggests enforcement through seclular law. One of the foundations of the US was a separation of church and state to preserve religious freedom. Today there are numerous religions within the US and all must be protected under the constitution. People who are atheists deserve equal protection as well.\n\nSecular laws can only enforce certain actions such as making people recite prayers but they can never enforce belief.\n\n\nBTW I'm not Christian and I really didn't intend originaly to post here but decided to any. My purpose for jumping into this question relates to your answer to Kissie101's question "Can I be a Christian and not believe in God". \n\nhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AimLrui_HsTJrOhvkDI.FJnsy6IX?qid=1006012205244\n\nI was very impressed with your answer in its thoughtfulness and compassion for Kissie after so many rude comments from others. I was pretty pissed off at that point and about to write a nasty response to all of them. My impression is that kissie101 is very young and her question was sincere. you handled it well.\n\nRegards,\n\nRascal
347222
nope. Easter is a religious holiday. The 1st Amendment prevents the State from recognizing one religion over another.
637883
God doesn't hold the patent to those i'm afraid.\n\nMany atheists are moral & ethical people, so get off cloud 9.\n\nI can do whatever I want, but you know what, I choose not to.  Not out of fear, or god's retribution, but because I don't want to do harmful things.  Isn't that better, I'm not doing it for some distant reward, but simply because I want to.