This is why I can't celebrate Christmas.

[WritersBlock]

I won the Civics award my senior year in high school, even though the teacher was a football coach who wouldn't have recognised the Bill of Rights if it had bitten him in the ass.

I grew up believing in Jesus, the founding principles of the United States of America, and hope.

That was a long, long time ago. Thirty years ago.

Now my country, my United States of America, is several years beyond an attack on a sovereign country that didn't threaten us. We torture prisoners of the "War on Terror." We ignore the 4th Amendment, and the 1st Amendment only seems to count if one is a so-called "Christian" and spouting the established status quo.

And now it's Christmas, and we're expected to celebrate.

I'm sorry; I can't.

I don't think the Iraqi orphans are celebrating it, and I don't think the Jesus I grew up believing in is celebrating it.

Maybe I grew up believing in the wrong Jesus. I dunno. All I know if that I won't be celebrating Christmas this year.

[havocmom]

1. From what I have observed lately, you are not alone.

People are not in normal holiday mode this year. Thinking the collective subconscious has made a breakthrough. There is confusion and anger seething now, but we may be able to turn that to good action and start repairing some damage.

I will hope, anyway.

[polichick]

2. "The Kingdom of Heaven is Within"

Here's a piece I came across one day and kept because it puts things together in such a useful way.

imo and experience, when we look outside ourselves for the answers we're always subject to the manipulations and agendas of others. It's probably not that you believed in the "wrong Jesus" but more that Jesus has been used as a poster boy by evil-doers with dangerous intentions.

Just like the kingdom of heaven, Christmas is within ~ you can celebrate that whenever you want!


(I grew up Christian but long ago decided that the core truths of all the wisdom teachers are similar, and we'd do better to drop the religion and embrace those truths.)

<http://darrenmeade.zaadz.com/blog/2006/7/the_kingdom_of_heaven_is_within>

[ixion]

3. You're not alone...

it's been getting progressively more difficult to get in the 'holiday spirit' over the course of the past 7 years. This year, I didn't make it. Not even a little. I simply can't rejoice a savage collective that is this new 'Murika.

[CrispyQ]

4. I lost faith in God & Christianity when I was nine, in a Sunday school class.

The Big Bang theory had recently come out. Our Sunday school teacher asked us what could reconcile the Big Bang with the Creation Theory which caused that influx of hydrogen, which caused the Big Bang? Well, GOD did, she said. GOD caused that influx of hydrogen & therefore creation of the universe.

I asked who created GOD. It seemed a natural question to me. If GOD instrumented the Big Bang via an influx of hydrogen, then someone could have created GOD. I was sent to the preacher's office for a lecture on faith.

It didn't take. A week later I told my mother that I was not going to continue to go to Sunday school class. I would go to church, with my grandmother, who adored me & where I learned to sing harmony, but I would not go to Sunday school.

The best thing I ever got from church was learning to sing harmony.

[donsu]

8. me too! sang in the church choir - we all sat behind the preacher

and got to gaze upon the congregation. and they upon us. being small I was always in the front row of everything. I learned to plow on through embarrassing times. my mother, in a mean moment, gave me a Dutch cut hairdo. I lived through that. now, in old age, I'm living through no front teeth.

sitting in the choir gave me a 'this is me, take it or leave it' attitude.

[CrispyQ]

12. In our church, the entire congregation sang.

You could belt it out & if you hit the wrong note, it didn't matter. No one knew who hit that wrong note. Also, there was a joyousness that everyone sang & so no recriminations for the wrong note hit.

It was truly, the best of a clearly defined situation.

[ronnykmarshall]

36. I love doing that.

Sang your ass off. God don't care if you sound like your pulling a boot out of a mud hole. Sang it! God will just look down and say "this is why I made Barbra Striesand".

[truedelphi]

32. You are the second person this year who told me they went to

The office (in the other case, it was the principle's office) for asking about who would ahve creted God.

A weird world we live in --when a kid's mind is expected to NOT be operating with normal curiosity.

[acmavm]

5. You're blaming Jesus? He has NOTHING to do with this.

[WritersBlock]

6. Where did I say I was blaming Jesus?

I believe I said I don't think he'd be celebrating, either.

[acmavm]

16. Yes you are. Today is the day that WE are supposed ot celebrate the

birth of the gentlest, kindest, most spiritual man who ever walked this Earth. A man who ended his life on a cross. Nailed to a cross by the very people he came to save. By save I mean he gave us ALL the simple rules that, if we all followed (no matter what religion), would truly mean equality, justice, and peace on Earth. A man who reached out to everyone and condemned no one. He died a lonely, painful, slow death because he was labeled a traitor. He died a traitor's death. And he was a traitor. He condemned the barbarity and unhumanity of the Romans, the crass greed and power hunger of the Sannhedrin. For that he had to die. He followed no unjust and corrupt earthly king. And for that he can truly be called a traitor. What a glorious, wonderful, marvelous traitor.

You don't feel any kinship to Jesus? You don't see the connection of all of us here and Jesus' label as a traitor? Do you not think that the powers that be would kill us all if the could? They're already on the road to enslaving us all. Maybe they wouldn't hang us 'traitors' on crosses like the Romans did to Jesus, but they would eliminate us all the same.

The one sin that is unforgivable is dispair. We are here to fight, to persevere, and to die if need be for what is right and true. For justice. For the poor. For the sick. For the lame. For the defenseless. For the aged. And he showed us the way. He showed us that the ultimate dignity is to stay true to yourself and what you believe no matter the cost. And that is the greatest gift that anyone can give to another.

It's not up to Jesus to celebrate today. It's up to us. We need to stay true to the ideals and the principals that he laid out for us.

[TreasonousBastard]

17. Can we have an A-MEN! Times of...

despair are precisely when we MUST celebrate, at least inwardly, or what we believe means nothing.

[ronnykmarshall]

38. A-MEN!

That was beautiful.

I don't really consider myself a "Christian" but I do believe that Jesus Christ walked this earth and was wonderful man.

[shadowknows69]

20. A) I'm not supposed to celebrate anything I don't want

B)Your precious Jesus more than likely never even existed and
C) If he did exist according to his "Good Book" it's almost certain he was born in the spring time.

[acmavm]

21. Yeah, we all know that its all about you.

[shadowknows69]

26. Yeah, well in a supposedly "freedom of/from religion" country

it is about individual rights, and as a NON christian having this state sanctioned RELIGIOUS holiday waved in front of my face every year is offensive. Particulary as the OP states in light of the state of the world.

[ronnykmarshall]

39. You're just a ray of sunshine ain't ya?

[Dawggie]

27. That's all very nice for the Christians about, but what of those

of us who do not share your belief?

I'm all for good will to all men and peace, but I cannot wrap it up in the same texts or beliefs as you do.

Does this mean that you should disdain my beliefs or me yours? Not for me.




Peace and good will to you from a heathen. :)

[acmavm]

50. We are not allowed to disdain anybody's beliefs. We are not to look down

on anyone, we are not to harm anyone. If we see someone in pain, if we see hunger, if we see injustice, we are to act and speak out.

We are all the children of God (so I believe). I just believe that we see him differently. And I think that the message of Jesus has been changed to suit the self-interests of many different sects, many different people. But I know, I KNOW, that these words are true:

"'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.'"

Jesus meant this message for ALL PEOPLES.

[druidity33]

87. I'll take Matthew

I'm a pagan, but i've read the bible (OT and new). Matthew is by far the most affecting portion. If i'm to believe what's in Matthew then Jesus was a righteous dude!

As for the rest of the book... meh, i find more kinship to the Bhagavad Ghita and the beliefs of Wicca than anyhting else.

Nonetheless, may the spirit of the season warm you. Blessings to you and your kin.

:)

[acmavm]

88. There are many books. And there's wisdom to be found in them. May

you and yours have a great 2008. I hope you all find the inner peace we all crave. I wish that for all of us.

But that doesn't mean the we shouldn't go out the and kick the living hell out of the republicans and toss their worthless crooked asses in the trash bin of history.

[redwitch]

86. "The Rebel Jesus" Jackson Brown

All the streets are filled with laughter and light
And the music of the season
And the merchants windows are all bright
With the faces of the children
And the families hurrying to their homes
As the sky darkens and freezes
Theyll be gathering around the hearths and tales
Giving thanks for all gods graces
And the birth of the rebel jesus

Well they call him by the prince of peace
And they call him by the savior
And they pray to him upon the seas
And in every bold endeavor
As they fill his churches with their pride and gold
And their faith in him increases
But theyve turned the nature that I worshipped in
From a temple to a robbers den
In the words of the rebel jesus

We guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when christmas comes
We give to our relations
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if any one of us should interfere
In the business of why they are poor
They get the same as the rebel jesus

But please forgive me if I seem
To take the tone of judgement
For Ive no wish to come between
This day and your enjoyment
In this life of hardship and of earthly toil
We have need for anything that frees us
So I bid you pleasure
And I bid you cheer
From a heathen and a pagan
On the side of the rebel jesus.

[knitter4democracy]

28. I'm not okay with us Christians imposing our faith on others around here.

I know it's our feast day, our holiday, and it feels sometimes like some posters take delight in dragging our faith in the mud. I've felt that myself recently, but here's the thing: our Savior may not be theirs. Many people here have been hurt in the name of faith, and many have followed a different faith path. Let's leave them in peace and know that ultimately their decisions are not up to us. :hug:

Oh, and the unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, btw. Despair's allowed, and our faith says that He is with us in that time of darkness and never leaves us alone. :)

[shadowknows69]

33. What is "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" exactly?

Is there a definitive set of words you have to say? Does this allow for discrepencies between different translations of the Bible?

[knitter4democracy]

58. Jesus's words aren't clear. It's been interpreted differently by different churches.

It's an odd verse, actually. Some take it to mean using the Lord's name in vain, while others believe it to be something more serious but don't exactly define it.

[shadowknows69]

64. So anyone who has uttered "God Damnit!" is doomed?

If that's really unforgivable I think your God might be kind of lonely come judgment day.

[acmavm]

83. No. People make up a lot of 'rules' that they say we have to obey or we're

lost. And they do this because they want the upper hand, the want to use the message of the man for their own selfish ends. Do you really think that Pat Robertson or that whacko Dobson or Fred Phelps, or even Billy Graham have the right to judge who is good and who is bad? The minute they open their mouths and try to tell you this man is doomed, this person is a sinner, this person is beyond redemption than they are putting their hypocrisy and ugliness on display for all the world to see. Because we were explicitly told 'judge not, lest ye be judged'. It doesn't get any clearer than that. That means we don't judge a person by their religion, we don't judge by their 'personal' lifestyle, we don't judge who is good or bad.

Don't get confused. I'm not saying that we can't figure out the difference between Dennis Rader and Mother Theresa. That's a no-brainer. But as for me telling you that you're a bad person because of something in your life that doesn't affect anyone else but you, that is none of my business, and it puts me in the wrong,and I am going against the message and lessons of acceptance taught to us by Jesus. Christ shielded the adulterous woman, he preached about the Good Samaritan, and the prodigal son. Who are any of us to judge?

[knitter4democracy]

94. Ha ha, no. Some think so, but most don't.

It doesn't go with the rest of the Gospels, so most interpret blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as a much darker, definite thing. I've heard some theologians say that verse, since it sticks out so oddly from other stuff Jesus said, must be a later addition.

[rasputin1952]

62. Without getting into all of the theological aspects...

it comes down to, in the most basic of terms...Is that when you know the right thing to do, and you don't do it for fear of the repercussions. It is essentially chickening out when you know you should act.

[acmavm]

53. You seem to have dispair and doubt mixed up. And I'm not pushing

anything. I am saying that we cannot blame Jesus for weaknesses. He understands because he was afraid for a minute too. But then he showed us the way to defeat our fears. He showed us that there is dignity and amazing strenth in peaceful resistance. And he showed us how to be true not only to our believes, but to ourselves and our fellow man.

[knitter4democracy]

59. I agree with you.

I think if you re-read your post from another point of view, though, you could see that it was a bit pushy on the faith stuff. I've found that the better way here is just to explain but not argue. Starting an argument gets many here upset.

[fightthegoodfightnow]

29. What a Crock

"One sin is unforgivable'?

NO Sin is unforgiveable.

[acmavm]

52. Dispair is. Dispair is the surrender of faith. Faith in good, faith in right, faith

in justice, and faith in salvation (however you may see it).

[fightthegoodfightnow]

71. Fine

........but no sin is unforgivable.

[scarface2004]

40. today is jimmy buffets birthday

have some margaritas

[Pastiche423]

48. I did not realize that!

:party: Happy B'Day Jimmy! :party:

[acmavm]

51. I don't drink. And I don't mock the beliefs of others.

[Yael]

43. Thank you for this post.

God bless

[acmavm]

55. You are so very welcome. Let me thank you for your acceptance.

[EnviroBat]

98. Thanks for this acmavm...

I took this time to reflect upon my personal beliefs and my own relationship with Jesus. Ultimately it seems to be about heart. I avoided every aspect of the commercialism of this holiday this year, and I feel like a better person for it.

Thanks, some of us get it...

:hi:

[FlyingSquirrel]

49. WWJD?

Would Jesus be insistent that everyone celebrate his birthday?

Or would he himself be shocked and repulsed at what it had been turned into? Think, driving the merchants out of the temple.

Would he be insistent that everyone should either celebrate it or shut their mouths?

Or would he prefer that they speak the truth of what they were feeling about it, in the context of how it had been turned into a consumerist holiday without regard for the damage that such consumerism did to the rest of the world, in terms of both the physical damage and the damage that results when people are more concerned with worldly goods than the suffering of their brothers and sisters?

Are you really defending his name, or are you defending something he himself would not defend?

[acmavm]

54. Where in the hell did you ever get the twisted idea that I think crass

commercialism is the way to celebrate Christmas?

[Ghost in the Machine]

57. WAS JESUS CHRIST A DEMIGOD?

WAS JESUS CHRIST A DEMIGOD?

He was a demigod created to become the great king of the Jews, the messiah. Throughout Christian history, people have wondered about the virgin birth -- but the answer is now clear: Jesus was a "Son of God, son of man" simply because he was half alien and half human!

We find evidence for this belief directly in the Gospels; the early Christians wrote it themselves. Consider this story (Luke 1:26-32,34-35,38): "... the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee... And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying.... And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God." She is thus visited by a superhuman being who tells her she is somehow special or chosen, and she is afraid. The story goes on to reveal the visitation's shocking purpose. "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest.... Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing that I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Mary agrees to submit to Yahweh as his handmaid, which in that time meant a concubine! She will be impregnated with godly sperm in order to produce the king of Israel!

On the night of Christ's birth some strange phenomena are observed, further confirming his superhuman origin. The famous "star of Bethlehem," for example, is said to have led the wise men to the infant Jesus, stopping over the place where he lay; no actual star of course could do this, so we must conclude that it was in fact a UFO. Other bright lights and shining clouds in the sky are described in two of the apocryphal books (Protevangelion and 1 Infancy), as well as a state of suspended animation in the village during Mary's labor. We also find the story of the shepherds, who see an angel descend from the sky in a brilliant glow of light to proclaim the birth of the messiah.

Source: Eric Stetson 16 Nov 1995

[acmavm]

61. I don't know but I do know that there are still miracles and mysteries and

I know the power of the comfort of Jesus. It's not like a Billy Graham extravaganza. In fact, we are told not to beat our breast in public, not to make a display of our 'piety'. I know it's not in money. I posted this before. I'll post this again. Here is what I know to be the truth. And please notice he condemns no one. He just shows us the way to live. (P.S. He does not say anything about any 'religion' or sect.)

"'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.'"

[fightthegoodfightnow]

72. Forgiveness?

You write: 'We need to stay true to the ideals and the principals that he laid out for us."

You mean forgiveness?

When you say one sin is unforgiveable, you are denying Christ.

[acmavm]

80. NO. When you give into dispair you are denying the message. You are

denying the strength, you are denying the love.

[fightthegoodfightnow]

85. Of Course Denying the Message is a Sin

.......but it is not unforgivable.

[shance]

75. I think you may have misunderstood his intent. Its about the HYPOCRISY.

Its not about Jesus, and yet in another way it is.

However what it really is about, at least what I understood it to mean, was with regards to the the breathtaking hypocrisy and disregard for the slaughter (that is the antithesis of Jesus as you know) that is occuring in our name and will attempted to be blamed on us while those who have profitted from this war, who have passed these laws trying to strip every freedom we have, will try and run to safety when the chickens finally come home to roost.

I thoroughly understand what WB is saying.

I've experienced it, observed it and lived it myself.

[Zhade]

91. Not that he was born this day. If he existed at all. Which hasn't been proven.

NT!

[RebelSansCause]

92. well you assume that christ exists...

and, the romans were not wrong to execute jesus (if he did exist). it is much the same way that we look back and condemn the athenians for the execution of Socrates, whereas under athenian law and according to the foundation of that city, well who are we to say they were wrong?

[knitter4democracy]

13. Re-read the post, please.

It's actually quite in keeping with traditional Christian faith. Many throughout Christian history haven't celebrated Christmas as an out-of-control feast but instead a time of reflection and work for peace and justice.

[acmavm]

14. Pay close attention. I'm gonna answer this guy.

[havocmom]

18. You can answer him, but gonna be hard to convince anyone he/she doesn't have a valid point.

FACT: Christmas as a mega-celebration is a fairly recent invention and did coincide more with industrialization (and manufacturing on a big scale)than with ANY teachings of Jesus.

Don't hammer those who have seen the need to refrain from all the mass hypnosis pseudo celebrations of the birth of Jesus. The master was also a quiet sort, was he not? Seems he spent a good deal of time in sad reflection of the human condition and what work there was to be done. Reflection on the many things which need work is more in keeping with Jesus' teachings than putting up garish decorations and maxing out credit cards buying stuff most people won't use in 6 months. Reflection is more sacred than wearing yourself out going to events others make you feel obligated to attend and be Merry at. Reflection can be a more honest hymn than words set down by others and sung in unison and by rote.

Reflection on what is wrong and what needs to be addressed seems a more fitting tribute to the master than ANY of the 'celebrations' capitalism has brainwashed so many into believing is the proper way to mark the day.

Reflection is a personal venture and many priests would discourage any pursuit which renders them less influential over the individual. Group think with a handful deciding what the group should think is a dangerous, and ungodly pitfall.

An old gentleman Havocdad had the good fortune to call friend called this time of year the "Oppressor Fest". I'm thinking the kind, traditional, educated man was being keenly clear in his observations over his many decades, and brutal in his honesty.

Celebrate how you wish, but you have no business telling others how they should treat the season. The master may back those of us with the desire for more solitary, introspective traditions and needs.

Not doing it the way the merchants and priests in extravagant churches want us to is NOT an attack on Jesus. The war on Christmas seems a paranoid illusion of those who just can't accept that other people can do things their own way.

The greatest gift your God gave me and others is Free Will. To throw that away to go along with the misled masses is a true sacrilege and an affront to the godhead.

[acmavm]

22. Did you even read my answer?

[fightthegoodfightnow]

47. What...........the one that says some sins are unforgivable.......

...........no thanks.

[havocmom]

24. yes

what, I have my own opinion so I must not have read yours?

[ronnykmarshall]

37. Nor Kathy Griffin winning an Emmy!

:silly:

[derby378]

7. What do you mean "we," kemo sabe?

"We" are under occupation who took the White House through deception and through subterfuge. And through his father's friends in the Supreme Court voting the right way.

[donsu]

10. true

nt

[Dave From Canada]

9. Then don't celebrate it. But you shouldn't let a small group's incorrect interpretation of what

Christianity is influence how you celebrate. I wouldn't expect a Muslim to not celebrate Ramadan because of something their government was responsible for. Religion is suppose to be a personal thing, not tied up with what someone else of "similar faith" is or isn't doing. Why should you give them the power/control as to whether or not you celebrate a holiday?

[pacalo]

30. "Incorrect interpretation" of Christianity is the problem, yessiree.

I like your reply. :)

[chemp]

11. 10 replies and no rec's?

I had to change that!

[light catcher]

15. I skipped Christmas this year too

and paid off my credit cards instead. It will be a very happy new year!

[madokie]

19. I'm non-religious now so its just another day for me spiritually

Mind you I still enjoy and participate in the festivities that comes with the day though. the boss* has 4 Christmas trees planted throughout the house and I don't mind. We had a hell of a christmas dinner/party last evening

* my beloved wife of 16 plus years

[Lex]

23. To me Christmas is about my family and sharing time with them.

Not about celebrating my country. :shrug:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

25. For me, the spiritual and artistic aspects are most important

I don't even care whether I get presents or not anymore. I don't listen to "all Christmas" radio stations. I stay out of the stores as much as possible. Self-employed, I don't have office parties to go to.

My celebration has been centered on being a member of a cathedral choir. Between our Lessons and Carols service, Christmas Eve, and now Christmas Day, we've had the equivalent of three Sundays in a row, and I'm tired. But I wouldn't miss it.

There's more to the holiday than the increasingly obnoxious shopping frenzy.

People throughout history have had it much worse than we have and have still found the faith and hope to celebrate.

[IronLionZion]

31. My friend, I am happily celebrating Christmas and look forward to the new year

because I am grateful for all that I have and am more than happy to celebrate the birth of a great, peaceful, kind, and inspirational man. I happen to believe that I have food in my stomach, clothes on my back, a roof over my head, good health, and a better life than most because I was blessed with it by the goodness of Jesus. It's fine if you don't agree.

And 2008 is going to be a banner year for the Dems as we take the white house by a large margin and increase our majorities in congress and state houses and other elected offices across this country. The pendulum is beginning to swing back to the left. A progressive era approaches and it will be wonderful...if we work to make it happen. I want single-payer and a separation of corporation and state in my life time. Bring it.

[sandnsea]

34. Then you completely missed the point

which is to take the time to offer peace and goodwill. I'm sure there's something you can do for those Iraqi orphans. If you haven't, then your attitude might make you FEEL like you care, but without action, it's nothing. Just as faith without works is dead, "righteous indignation" without action is also meaningless.

[ronnykmarshall]

35. My mom and SO just saw a homeless man outside my building

and went out and gave him $20.

It's not much but it beats sitting around feeling guilty about everything in the world.

Just saying.

Flame away.

[Liberty Belle]

42. I gave $20 to a homeless woman yesterday, too.

No old person and crippled person in America should be alone and begging on Christmas Eve.

[ronnykmarshall]

45. Bless you too.

The thing of it was this. This man was not begging or asking for money.

I saw him on the way to the store and I started crying in the car. When I got home I noticed he was gone. My husband and mom told me that they saw him as well and Micheal went out and gave him the money. He said "God bless you and Merry Christmas". I don't care if he went and got a bottle of booze or a sandwich. If he knows that some people care then thats cool with me.

[Liberty Belle]

89. That's exactly how I felt. If her only comfort was to spend the $$ on a bottle,

it's still better than feeling that nobody cares.

I'd just come from the pet store, where I'd bought a couple of toys for my dog for Christmas. I felt instantly guilty for spending money on animals while a woman was cold, lonely and probably hungry. She asked me for a dollar to buy coffee. I gave her twenty and said Merry Christmas. She smiled and had tears in her eyes; I know I did the right thing. She was old and toothless and walked with a cane, and if I had more in my wallet i'd have given more.

[0007]

96. You're number ONE!! Bar none!

[Yael]

44. No flames here

Thanks for sharing that. :pals:

[ronnykmarshall]

46. You're welcome

and Merry Christmas to you.

[Yael]

79. And a merry Christmas to you as well

Be well

[acmavm]

60. How could anyone flame you? What your Mom and SO did was in the very

truest meaning of the day. What they did was give someone a little comfort for a little while. $20 is not a fortune, but to someone who has nothing a few hours comfort, a dollar in one's pocket (even for just a little while) is like being acknowledged as being part of the human race. It's only a temporary thing, but it sure reminds the homeless person that yes, someone does care. Someone did help. They weren't invisible, they weren't such a lowly creature that their very existence should be ignored, that not everyone thinks it's okay to ignore their hardship.

I give to the poor. My 15 year-old son gives to the homeless on the street. We give people rides (which for years I've received lectures on how stupid I am). We buy people food. My oldest daughter is the same way. And we are not doing anything except what we should do. We are not goody-two-shoes bleeding hearts. In fact all three of us can be pain-in-the-ass monsters when we're crossed. But we know that we could find ourselves alone and hungry, homeless. Given the right conditions and the heartless bastards who are running this country we all run that risk. Hell, under the Patriot Act and a couple of Chimpy's signing statements, there just might be a jail cell in all our futures someday.

But while I can I'll do what I want. And while I can I'll try to give a little (and I do mean a little because I don't have a lot). And there's only one reason why I do. Why we do. In celebration of the life of the man who's birthday we celebrate today.

[IronLionZion]

69. Who would flame you?

on here anyway. Good for your mom and SO for actually doing something to help someone. Somewhere, some freeper is wishing you ill for being a liberal. I think your family is doing better than the freepers this Christmas.

[Yael]

41. Dear friend, you didn't grow up believing in the wrong Jesus

As a Christian, I have to believe that he weeps for the people of this planet.

[The Stranger]

56. It is time to move past religious belief systems that seem helpful but actually destroy.

[shadowknows69]

65. Spot on.

[JI7]

63. i don't believe in God but i celebrate Christmas

[JI7]

66. Iraqis celebrate Christmas

[Richardo]

67. Yeah, because up until this year there was never war at Christmas time...

...or injustice
...or corruption
...or civil unrest
...or economic hardship
...or suffering
...or political repression

How can we celebrate THIS year? :cry:

[rockymountaindem]

77. Because *our* era is the most important one of all!!!

Series!!!11!1

[Two Americas]

68. what we can celebrate

Whether it is in politics or religion, leaders can betray us, group membership can cause us to lose sight of the original purpose for the existence of the group.

We have so many arguments about which team we should be loyal to, which leader we should follow.

What we can celebrate is each other and the principles and ideals that we honor; the vision we share for the future and the love we have for one another.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

[IronLionZion]

70. Do you have food to eat? Do you have a roof over your head?

I see you have Internet access so you probably have electricity, maybe even running water and heat. Congrats, you are doing better than a lot of other people in the world. Count your blessings.

Here's who I helped this Christmas:
http://www.pittsburghfoodbank.org/

Feel free to join in when your done feeling guilty. There are soup kitchens in most cities. Many churches (who some DUers spend countless hours spewing hatred at) are serving meals to the poor right this very minute. Starving people are getting something hot to eat right this very minute, in your bloody country, with or without you. There are many ways to celebrate.

[Blue-Jay]

73. Then don't. Who cares?

I had a lovely Christmas/Christmas Eve with my family, and I wouldn't trade that for the world. Good food, good company, etc..

If you want to be a grumpy stick-up-ass, go ahead. Congratulations!

[Skittles]

76. I GOT MINE

AND THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS!!!

[Blue-Jay]

78. I love ya, Skittles.

I really do. In fact, you're one of my favorite people here. (when you're not kicking my ass) :D

I don't "got mine". I'm just thankful that I was fortunate enough to spend the past two days with people that I love.

[Skittles]

81. that's cool but

here's the gist of the thread:

http://harpers.org/archive/2007/12/hbc-90002004

[Blue-Jay]

84. I understand, my friend.

I just need to allow myself to have a day or two to be happy to be alive.

Maybe tomorrow I'll find some outrage. Today, I'm loving everybody.

an aside: are you ever going to visit the Chicago area? That would rock!

[shance]

74. B.I.N.G.O.

And thank you for posting this wonderful point.

You upbringing sounds much like mine in terms of the Christian aspect.

From all accounts I've read, Jesus was quite the dissident.

His contempt for the money changers certainly revealed an anti-capitalistic conviction, which is certainly the opposites of the predatory capitalists sucking the life out of the Middle East and our kids being held hostage there these days.

[postulater]

82. I know what you mean

I was particularly grumpy at our family gathering, something wasn't right. You hit it on the head.

[AmBlue]

90. I'm with you, my friend.

My upbringing is much the same and but for the fact that I have small children, I might not have done the holidays this year at all either. I'm angry-- and will be for a long time to come-- that many of those I shared pews with just ten years ago bought into the lies and the filth that this criminal administration has spewed and then remained blind to the pillaging and defamation of so much in this nation that we hold dear. It was and is all so plainly evident. It is devastating to have our most cherished beliefs trampled on and sullied. It is worse yet to feel hope is gone and to surrender to despair.

I flirt with despair almost daily, but my heart won't give up on hope. And what I find hope in most... is US. I still believe that the answers lie within US. Each of us and all of us. We keep waiting for help to arrive, but we are that help. I work every day to push back, to make a difference. I have seen the power of one and I know that we all possess it. We simply must commit to using it. Once the commitment is made, Providence then moves in ways we could never have imagined.

Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. --Nelson Mandela

We simply must rise to the occasion. The alternative is unthinkable, my friend.

[dkf]

93. Today is the only day this year that I really dreamed about having "peace on earth".

The rest of the time all I can think about is how awful George Bush has been and how he has screwed up everything.

But today, I heard John Lennon's "war is over if you want it" and "My Grown Up Christmas Wish" and I cried.

I want so much more for my fellow humans than we have now. I've even forgotten to dream of it.

[glowing]

95. Faith and hope and love have no walls.

[Marrah_G]

97. The holidays are about family and togetherness to me, not politics

Life is to short to spend every second consumed by political troubles. Sometimes it is necessary to just stop and sit down with the ones you love and share a special day-- whatever that day may be called to you.

[JVS]

99. Ok, fine. But if you were in my house and started up with this, you'd be sent to your room.

We're trying to have a good time, captain bringdown.

[DangerDave921]

100. Misguided

Christmas is not a US holiday or a RW holiday. It stands for more than that. It has gone on for hundreds of years in celebration of a spirit of love and giving. The fact that your current president does not partake of those values does not mean you can't still celebrate those values.

I was delighted to be able to give my kids a wonderful joyous christmas yesterday.