Portland, Tennessee Blog

I think people shouldn't get so caught up in what everyone else is saying or doing. You have to answer for your own beliefs and actions, no one else...just YOU. So why do we have such a fit about what everyone else does. Do we have to answer for those people...NOPE! Just worry about what's in your heart and stop trying to stick your nose in others business.

It should be as you want it. This whole political correct (mumbo jumbo stuff)is so getting out of hand. Let your judgement and beliefs tell you what is the right thing to say or not say. For only you will live with what is or not is. You like Merry Christmas, say"Merry Christmas". " Happy Holidays" and so forth and so on. Please people, use the common sense that has eluded this great nation for so long. Stand up and do what you think. Yes what you think. Crazy as that may sound, its your right.

There's no Biblical proof of December 25th or 3 wisemen so i think it's funny when Christians act as if it's this big sacred day. I also find it funny how many people pack the church on Easter Sunday and Christmas like's it's a free pass for the rest of the year or like you're commanded to go to church on Christmas Day. God could care less if we went to church on Christmas Day, I believe, because we don't know when Jesus was born so it's just another day of the week. The buying and selling doesn't really bother me unless I'm in line because like MG said, capitalism is in everything we do now and I mean everything. But no, Nativity scenes should not be allowed on government property because Church is to be seperated from State. A Santa Claus or something neutral I'm fine with but I know where it could go if we allow everyone to put spiritual relics up on government property. The Jesus is the Reason for the Season thing is only a half truth. The winter holiday is a paegan ritual, originally.

Should it be Christmas for the Christians or Happy Holidays for everyone?

It IS Christmas for the Christians. It is Happy Holidays to general populations at this time of year because more than one holiday is happening (New Years, for instance). It is not inappropriate to say Merry Christmas, unless your motivation is to shame another person of differnt faith. Jesus is Lord, not a whip or chain.

Are you bothered by the commercialism?

Why should people be more bothered about commercialism now than at any other time? Our society is based upon purchasing, selling and acquiring goods and services.

Is X-mas an insult to Christians?

NO. Although some would suggest so. X was originally put on advertisements, not to take Christ out of Christmas, but because space was limited.

Are nativity scenes on appropriate on government property?

No. But, ONLY because of two things. First, to allow such scenes from one faith would mean that we should do so for all. The lawns of all government places would be littered year-round with all kinds of stuff, some maybe offensive. Secondly, the generally accepted nativity scene today is not at all similar to the actual birth of Christ. If you are trying to depict the birth of Christ, then you would show a cave setting, with NO wisemen. Remember,they arrived two years after the birth at Jesus' home. It seems the real purpose is to depict tradition or folklore, sometimes not based on truth, so an argument could be made that you are actually attempting to proselytize to a belief and not depict an event.

Is Santa Claus and the rest of the secular imagery a distraction?

Maybe. But so is the Easter bunny, Halloween witches, flags, Baywatch girls, Britney Spears, and all country music videos. Okay... I just threw that in for fun.

It is Merry Christmas, just as it's Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanza, etc. I say Merry Christmas to everyone. When I send Christmas cards out to friends who celebrate otherwise, I still use the same cards and am certain to write Happy Hannukah or the appropriate celebration on them. Christmas shouldn't be altered to suit, but instead one should take the time to acknowledge the other celebrations as well. As it is said, Jesus is the Reason for the Season, regardless which you celebrate. Therefore, it will always be Merry CHRISTmas to my family and I!!