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 The group American Atheists has placed this billboard in New York City's Times Square.
December 21st, 2013
10:22 AM ET
Why atheists should quit the 'War on Christmas’Opinion by Chris Stedman, special to CNN
In recent years, one organization, American Atheists, has claimed the mantle of prime atheist promoter of the tired “War on Christmas” narrative. This year, they ushered in the season with an electronic billboard in New York City’s Times Square carrying the message: “Who needs Christ during Christmas? Nobody.” The word "Christ" is crossed out, just in case their message wasn't clear enough. The American Atheists maintain that their latest entry in the annual “War on Christmas” saga is a message to other atheists that they are not alone. In a recent Fox News appearance, American Atheists President Dave Silverman said, “The point that we’re trying to make is that there’s a whole bunch of people out there for whom religion is the worst part of Christmas, but they go to church anyways, and we’re here to tell them they don’t have to.” While that intention is important and admirable, very few people—atheist or theist—seem to interpret the message as welcoming to anyone. Many of the responses I’ve seen have been vitriolic and disturbingly anti-atheist. Which raises the question: If the goal truly is to reach isolated atheists, why does the advertisement read as a dig at Christians? A better billboard for American Atheists’s stated aim might read: “Don’t celebrate Christmas? You’re not alone.” As atheists become more visible in our society, the entire “War on Christmas” back-and-forth feels ugly and unnecessary. Worse still, it seems to do little more than offer ammunition to those claiming atheists are just mean-spirited grinches. Bill O’Reilly—one of the major “War on Christmas” soldiers—made that clear when he and I discussed the “War on Christmas” a couple of weeks ago. Let’s not kid ourselves: There is no war on Christmas. We live in a culture that privileges stories of conflict, so it’s understandable that this narrative would gain traction—with or without billboards. Much of this narrative is a manifestation of religious fears about our increasingly secular society, and it reflects widespread anxieties about atheists and religious differences. But it doesn’t reflect reality. Rather, as religious diversity in the U.S. has become more recognizable, Americans have largely broadened their approach to this time of year. According to new data from the Public Religion Research Institute, the percentage of Americans who prefer the inclusive “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” has now exceeded the percentage that prefers “Merry Christmas.” It’s not that Christmas is under attack; instead, our society is becoming better at embracing its religious diversity and challenging the notion that a single majority religion should dominate public expressions of belief. So why does the “War on Christmas” narrative persist? Based on how much play they give it each December, the “War on Christmas” narrative seems to be good for Fox News ratings. And American Atheists has openly admitted that it is good for their pocketbooks, as their talk show appearances bring in a swell of donations. Consider this from a recent profile of Silverman: “Silverman’s notorious anti-Christmas billboards and subsequent TV appearances have breathed new life into American Atheists and are often followed by an uptick in subscribers and donations. ... According to Silverman, the primary objective of the billboards is to get invitations to talk shows.” In other words: American Atheists and Fox News - alongside conservatives like Sarah Palin - seem to have discovered a mutually beneficial relationship. But does this relationship benefit atheists more broadly? Does it accurately represent the sentiments of nontheists in this country? Does it improve atheist-theist relations? Does it lessen the widespread stigma and distrust that exists between atheists and theists, which enables atheist marginalization across the U.S.? Does it invite Christians to think critically about religious privilege? Many atheists, myself included, suspect that there are more effective approaches to tackling these important issues. To start, atheists can build positive relationships with believers to humanize our communities and educate one another about our differences. That’s something that billboards, for all of their flash and fundraising capabilities, likely won’t accomplish. Atheists face real marginalization in the U.S., and it should be robustly challenged. But we also have good tidings and great joy to offer—important contributions to the public square that are currently being drowned out by attention-grabbing billboards claiming “nobody” needs Christ in Christmas. In the spirit of generosity, compassion, and kindness so often associated with this time of year, let’s ditch the billboards and build relationships of goodwill. Chris Stedman is the Assistant Humanist Chaplain at Harvard University, Coordinator of Humanist Life for the Yale Humanist Community, and author of "Faitheist: How an Atheist Found Common Ground with the Religious." You can follow him on Twitter at @ChrisDStedman. The views expressed in this column belong to Stedman. soundoff (5,210 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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(CNN) - The “War on Christmas:” what — or who—is it good for?
I've never felt persecuted by a Christian because I don't believe what they do. However, I'm routinely attacked as an agnostic by atheists for not having as much faith as they do in the nonexistence of a higher power. I really do believe atheists are just miserable and argumentative children that like to spread their misery on everyone else. Atheism seems to be not so much a belief as it is an excuse to act like a self-absorbed child..
I believe people that label specific characteristics to broad diverse groups are lazy thinkers.
Stereotypes are a good thing. All wolves may not like deer meat, but a deer is smart for running when he sees one.
But heck, don't take my word for it, look at the atheists in this thread. They use atheism the same way religious nuts use their religion. The true zealots can be below average in every other aspect of their life, and yet somehow feel superior by feeling part of some secret club of "chosen by god" that they can hang over the heads of superior men. Atheists do the same thing. You can be some shelf-stocker at Walmart making $8 dollars an hour and living in a sh**ty basement apartment with no woman and no friends, but on the internet you are somehow intellectually superior to people that believe in sky fairies or heaven/hell. Religion to some and atheism to most seem to be a way for below average people to feel better about themselves.
The atheists on this blog are representative of all atheists? You are defending bigotry? Wow.
Calling a person who is openly a bigot a 'bigot' has no affect. Sorry, I'm not cowed by the PC-police like you liberals are. Find a different hook.
You're no agnostic, your blindness is a dead giveaway.
I don't think you can tell people what they believe. Don't think it works like that kid.
Really? A few posts above you assert atheists believe in magic. You are not only a black flag religie, you're a hypocrite. Forgive me if that is redundant.
You really sound like a bigot Christian posing as an agnostic. Just another liar for Jesus.
It is another person with Black flag ethics.
Routinely? Have you considered a new set of acquaintances?
Your comment is foolish. (Oooh. I "attacked" you!)
Just like theists, you think that debating ideas is an attack on someone.
Atheists are speaking up because their position is the most reasonable, and for too long it had not been well represented in public discussion. They knew they'd bring out the crazy crew, and they've been proven correct in that regard.
Beliefs matter, & debating them heatedly is going to happen. The difference is that now atheists are out in force, & it's difficult for theists to see their poor arguments demolished regularly in public.
I'll bet those "attacks" you suffer are people telling you why the agnostic position fails. How awful it must be to endure such a thing!
The billboard went too far. It comes across as a personal jab at Christians. Atheists have the entire range of rational thought to support our positions, we can do better than this. It's reasonable for atheist organizations to advertise to attract new members or to spread the idea of basing your life and your values on logic and common sense. But we're not going to accomplish those goals by talking smack.
As far as the "war on Christmas" is concerned though, give me a break. Christians in America are free to celebrate Christmas however they want in their homes and churches. Do you really need a nativity scene at the courthouse? Are you really offended if someone says "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"? It seems to me that commercialization is the biggest threat to the religious component of Christmas, and Christians themselves are responsible for the vast majority of it.
Are YOU really offended if someone says merry Christmas to instead of happy holidays? This is supposed to be the season of goodwill and good intent. Must people really haggle over what it's called? Can we all assume anything like this said is not meant to offend anyone? I agree with you, but it goes both ways.
It IS a personal jab at Christians. Do you really believe they meant it in any other way? Bet you won't see a Billboard with Mohammad marked out!
That's because Christians are passive and atheists are cowards. Nobody is going to put a billboard up attacking Islam with their name and address attached to the order. Islam doesn't put up with that kind of bullsh**. Even I, a nonbeliever, have to respect that a little.
Respect that?! Yep. That's my opinion of atheism. You want to kill someone? Well there's no sky daddy to put you in hell for it, so as long as your atheist friends are on your side, then go for it, right? Atheism is abhorrent.
Bacon,
You better do your homework better. This same group put up billboards against Islam in an Islamic neighborhood.
One, you've just described yourself as a coward.
Two, you've regurgitated common theist nonsense about atheists being afraid of murderous fanatics, as if that somehow makes a point.
And three, you're factually mistaken; atheists HAVE put up a billboard about Islam, and it was in their neighborhood!
All religions are fair game. All tell false stories. None provide anything that isn't already available.
The real cowards are those who won't take the time to be informed.
In the long view, I respect what religion has brought mankind. Man essentially found a way to hypnotize themselves into being a more effective species by uniting under a spell. That led to great advancements in art and eventually science. Even accounting for all the killing, I believe it was net, very positive. The Protestant ethic of delayed gratification propelled us further.
Now, however, much of Christianity is obsessed with the negative. Focused on other people's "sin", instead of the positives of love and kindness. They ride the coat tails of the scientific revolution, and attack science at the same time time. If they keep this up, they will fade. Maybe they will catch themselves in time to avoid extinction.
I am an Atheist, I don't believe there is a god. I celebrate Christmas or at least the season or the day. This holiday is not only for devout Christians, it is for anyone who enjoys the spirit of giving and receiving tokens of love and affection from family and friends. I will wish people merry Christmas or happy holidays or merry Yule or happy solstice. No one culture owns Christmas.
Poky you hit it right on the head! Christians celebrate Christmas for what they believe in. If you don't believe then celebrate it how you want, but don't bash someone else for their belief. All Atheists have done over the past few years is wage war against Christians. I don't care if you believe in Buddha, Mohammed or that we evolved from Apes, I really don't. I do care about the continued attack on me as a Christian.
Exactly. Thank you.
The American Atheists organization really needs to take a step back and assess what they are all about. I grew up in a Christian home but my dad was an atheist. He maintained is staunch disbelief to his dying day. But guess what, because we had a loving home, we still celebrated all the Christian holidays, he woke us up for Sunday services, paid for our Christian education and did everything a good Christian father would have done for us. Our family firmly believes that our dad has a place in heaven because he led such a good life. I believe there is a place in heaven for anyone who leads a just life, regardless of whether they were given the gift of faith or not.
I can say with absolute certainty that my dad never felt marginalized due to his non belief. He was man who stood by his own beliefs and it really didn't matter to him what others did or did not believe. Maybe it's time the American Atheists did the same. If you don't want to celebrate Christmas, then don't. But let us have our Holy day in peace. That is, after all, Christ's main message to us: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
Lol. A war on Christian privilige. I worked retail, and I have the same opinion here as I did when Christians complained about any supposed pagan x mas sign they saw. You call your holiday what you want, and let others do the same. That goes for Christians, and it goes just as much for athiests.
Thinking people know religion is phony. Whatever good there is in it, can be had without it. For mankind to move forward.
this delusion must end.
Even Andrew Flew, an adamant atheist changed his mind late in life with the evidence of DNA. He didn't believe in any religion, his faith was deism, but believed that DNA was so complex, it could not happen by accident and that there had to be a creator.
God and Jesus do not believe in atheists!
Atheist only defines a disbelief in a god or gods...everyone is an Atheist to a certain degree.
no, they'd be an agnostic.
Agnostic defines knowledge not belief. I am an Agnostic Atheist-I do not know for certain there is no god, I simply see no evidence to give me reason to believe.
Are Christians agnostic about Zeus?
Try again. As TP points out you are all atheists with regard to deities that are not your own. My position just goes one god further.
I assume all of you atheists will be working on Christmas Day? Ohhhh wait.
Wait for what?
I am an atheist and will be working Christmas. But also I don't think that atheists need a silly billboard to "remind them that they aren't alone." I am in the bible belt and am very much not alone even though I try to never bring it up, because it's rude. Politics and religion discussion both.
I am a Christian and will not be working Christmas. But also I don't think that Christians need a silly billboard to "remind them that they aren't alone." I am in NYC and am very much not alone even though I try to never bring it up, because it's rude. Politics and religion discussion both.
Why would you as.sume that? It is a state holiday declared predominantly secular by the courts. I would imagine that many atheists, Christians and others are, however, working in medical, law enforcement and other vital fields.
It's called snark...I wasn't being literal.
It's a state holiday, where's the snark?
The snark relates to the comment, not the holiday. If you cannot see it, that's ok.
If it were a scheduled work day, yes(Though, it's not in this case.). It's not like it's any different than any other day of the year, other than people saying "Thank God you're open.", which is hilarious, as your worship of your God is why many stores are closed(even though many of you just use it to give/get gifts and skip on the God part of the day.).
I could care less if you celebrate Christmas..just stop trying to shove your religion down my throat by telling me that I have to say it. We did celebrate Winter Solstice, as it leads us back to longer days and the warmer part of the year. We also gave our kid Yule gifts. Why? Because it wouldn't be fair for everyone elses kids to get a gift, while our kid goes without. Kids deserve love every day and presents the same as the rest of the kids. I even got a really expensie gift this year...a video she made of pictures of our family together over the years..it cost her time and patience which are valuable commodities, along with love which is priceless. It's odd that she didn't ask why Baby Jesus didn't bring her an X-Box 1 or PS-4 and was just happy with spending time with our family and getting some extra stuff just..because.
This includes the PC police and especially that President. A "Holiday Tree" really? REALLY?!?
No such thing as a christmmas tree in the bible, that is a pagan tradition.
Pagan is offensive...if I were a panty wad liberal, I would demand censorship.
How is Pagan offensive? They're not stepping in to every aspect of life and trying to dictate equal rights of others.
Modern day use suggests a negative connotation. It is how the word evolved over time.
So you're a panty wad conservative? Nice.
"Holiday tree"? You've been reading too many bogus chain emails. On the White House website, they very clearly refer to "the official White House Christmas tree".
Dan is operating on the presumption that a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth, in addition to the maxim "A lie is never a lie if you believe it's the truth."
Lies and the lying liars who tell them...
You are kidding, right. This is not a serious discussion as it's been on Faux News. I thought this was CNN, but I gather recycling stories from Faux is what CNN is all about these days. But if you want to copy Faux News then I will be watching and reading less and less of CNN.
On a lighter note, Christmas doesn't exist. It's Buy-mas Buy this Buy that spend spend spend, and atheists nor Christians are to fault. Corporate leaders and capitalism and consumerism is at fault for that. Those, like me, who have no money feel guilty I cannot buy anything. And guilt is no way to feel for the holiday season.
Wow! you just come off as bitter and angry
News flash, Rodbin. Rating for Fox News this past week were 4.75 times that of CNN.
But you keep shouting in your shrinking bubble.
I am a Christian and I don't have enough for presents. However, I believe the reason of the season is to celebrate the true meaning of my faith. No one should feel guilty at Christmas, it negates the true meaning of the holiday. And yes, it has become too commercialized. No one has to feel guilty for not having money to buy gifts. I would rather call and talk to those I love who are not nearby, and if I had the money, I would be spending it with my family and friends. Not to open gifts, but because I love them. Love is the gift of Christmas, it is priceless, timeless, and it is the greatest gift you can give to anyone. Whether or not you believe in Christ, God, or not, it is a time you can get together with loved ones and friends. Sometimes just a smile to a stranger, and a wish for a Happy Holidays (in case Christmas offends them) is all that we really need. I hope you have a Happy Holidays.
Wow, that was said well. I don't get offended when one says Merry Christmas, it is almost ingrained in all of us regardless of belief. My husband works retail and see's the excessive commercialism every day, that comes with greed. We celebrate the holiday as a time to get together with family and a day of reflection.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Happy Holidays to you also.
Would you be offended if someone greeted you with Happy Hanukah? I certainly would not be.
I wouldn't. When I got coworkers cards – if they were not Christians, I gave Happy Holidays, or Season Greetings cards, and Hanuka cards. Why would I be offended by any one who gave me a sincere greeting? I would be honored.
Another example of how liberals think freedom of speech applies only to them.
Oh so christians going on about abortion, gay rights, birth control, women's rights, etc throughout the year is fine but the one time they have someone in their face, they get to scream persecution?
So your argument is that two wrongs make a right? Not very bright, are you?
That would be the point: Your side cannot seem to discuss a topic without insults and 'getting in one's face'.
Yea, it's all about the liberals and Obama. Because liberals want to ruin Xmas for the GOTea and make your children cry when they cannot get gifts. Jesus is dead, get used to it.
Another angry Xtheist.
Don't like Christmas? Celebrate Yule instead. Celebrate winter solstice instead. Don't celebrate at all. This is really so oppressive to athiests to have people willingly participate to celebrate a holiday? I think not.
o but it is...drama all the time with the gays and Xtheists.
If you were born prior to the 70s, you would know why religion is more important now to Christians than ever before. Our society has become a cesspool. Technology, overabundance, and the breakdown of family values has turned our younger generations into self absorbed, narcissistic, spoiled brats who think their beliefs are the only ones that matter. But, it isn't their fault, their parents raised them to believe this. In this country we have the right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion. I don't care if you express your beliefs through words, don't bother others who want to express their religion through prayer. Now get off your smart phones and learn to interact with others, learn some respect, and start treating each other with respect. While you are doing that, I will be praying that we won't ever have to live in a society where ALL the people don't believe in something GREATER than themselves.
"spoiled brats who think their beliefs are the only ones that matter"
You mean christians? Seriously, it is christians who use their beliefs to try to dictate what others should do with their bodies; what others should say; who people are allowed to love. Yet the vast majority of christians don't even follow the book.
Amen. And I was born in 1955. The Greatest Generation is/was a lot of people with PTSD, closet EVERYTHING, violent and abusive in many ways to their children because that is how they acted out. At Home. Behind closed doors – and that is where they would let it rip justifying it thru Jesus.
Christianity causes great suffering, just as Islam does. Many religions/beliefs cause great suffering – trying to cram it down someone's throat that it is the only way. Celebrate your Faith – but not at my expense and not trying to save me. I will joyously celebrate what is most important to me that causes no suffering to anyone.
How has Christianity caused you great suffering? You were free not to go to a church. There is no mandatory national religion, and you are free to be an atheist. Your disappointment in religion is your own. For others religion brings comfort. (BTW I'm an atheist but not a hateful one).
No, you have this wrong, I don't care what choices you or anyone else makes about their life. I do well to live my life. And I don't agree with Christians who try to force their beliefs on anyone. You can wear tattoos, pierce your body, snort coke and practice hoodoo for all I care. That would be your choice. But by the same token, if you expect respect, you have to give respect. That is my point. People need to treat each other with respect. It goes both ways. And anybody who is a true Christian knows it is not their job to judge. I am talking about a mutual respect for others who are different from you. I accept this, can you?
I was born prior to the 70s.
If you took a look at the data you would know that murder, theft and teen pregnancy are all down. The streets on New York are safer than in decades and life expectancy is way up over 50 and 100 years ago. We have less racism and a greater appreciation of diversity. Women are no longer as likely to be trapped in abusive marriages. Our rivers are largely cleaner than 40 years ago, and cities have more breathable air. Certainly, some problems have increased ... the world isn't perfect. But if you continue to look at the world through a glass half empty filter you are going to see what you expect to see.
Well said.
That half glass empty doesn't hold water for those being slaughtered in the Sudan. Do I need to continue on?
As opposed to what happened in Germany in WWII, or horrorslike the plage? There have always been bad things happening intheworld, but global life expectancy is up and murder is down...particularlyover 1000 years agoin both cases.
Mayor Rudy Giuliani cleaned up New York City. A lot of people hated him, but he got it cleaned up. Now they have a mayor who wants to limit soda – how will he do that?
lestalk
" I will be praying "
In other words, I will complain about many things, and then pray, otherwise known as doing nothing.
No, actually I will thank God for my blessings, I will pray for those who are less fortunate and I also pray for the guidance I need to make me a better person. Everyday, I need to work on myself. I pray for my son, my family, those who are in pain,and those who are suffering. Those are the things that I pray for.
NELBERT NAILED IT.
Nonsense.
If you'd learned anything, you'd know we need less religion, not more.
And where do all you believers get this silly thing about believing in "something greater" than yourself!? And a "higher power"!
My goodness, it's so naive. But ever so humble.
December 25th is the day of the year when the days start getting longer again. This was a big deal to ancient people. It signaled that a new year was starting. December 25th was celebrated long before Jesus lived. Christians just co-opted the holiday for their own use. Christians should be worried about what has happened to "their" holiday, but not from atheists or pagans. Christmas isn't about Jesus anymore. It is about making a buck. White Santa was invented by Coca Cola to sell soda. Christmas is about spending money, not Jesus. Funny that you never hear "sincere Christians" complaining about that though.
The solstice is on the 21st.
Yet again, untrue claims. http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/santa/cocacola.asp
Hi Charles – I am a "sincere Christian" and I am complaining about it..all the time...
If you don't lik Christmas, then call it Yule, Fred, winter solstice, or whatever else you want. Don't refer to it as Christmas. Otherwise quit whining about Christians that do celebrate actual Christmas.
If you don't like a holiday that by name itself is alluding directly to Christ, why would you keep calling it that? Celebrate your winter holiday as you want and let Christians do likewise.
No, I get to call it what it is...like you I have the right to celebrate it for whatever meaning I wish to put to it. It is a stat holiday for almost everyone and not just christians. Maybe you need to learn that the respect you demand really is a two way street.
No you don't get respect whining about the name of a Holiday that you have no obligation to participate in. You're just Nitpicky feeling put – upon whiner. Boohoo. Quit yer blubbering.
Of course we have an obligation....it is a STAT holiday and we spend money at this time of year also...it's not just christians that do. The holiday is based on whatever meaning one puts to it, not just christians. Stop your persecution complex and grow up.
Don't you understand? TrurthPrevails is dropping the knowledge here on CNN. Without him, we'd all be lost.
When are you going to cry these self righteous tears about kwanza, eid and hannucka and any other religious holiday that you don't have to celebrate if you don't want to?
And..so what if you also spend money ? What's your point? You call your holiday what you want and let Christians do the same. You want tolerance, so give it to believers too.
Ah children with their imaginary friends getting all offended because reality hurts them. When Jews and Muslims, etc start to impose on every aspect of life in a Secular country, they too will get called out but right now the only ones doing that are the whiny christians.
Enjoy the holiday and be respectful...by not being respectful, you help bury your dying belief system.
Ah children with their imaginary friends getting all offended because reality hurts them. When Jews and Muslims, etc start to impose on every aspect of life in a Secular country, they too will get called out but right now the only ones doing that are the whiny christians.
Enjoy the holiday and be respectful...by not being respectful, you help bury your dying belief system.
No. i get offended by put upon whiners that cry about the name Christmas as if it personally really affects their lives in some way. Yeah, it really doesn't, and if you don't want t to call it that, then don't. you call it what you want and let Christians do likewise.
I just LOVE comment fights on the internet... Don't you?
I take it you don't use the word Easter for the spring holiday and have other names for the names of the week and month's named for gods? Otherwise you have accepted that one may name and take part in a date named for a god without celebrating that god.
I wish we could just eliminate Christmas. Let the religious folks observe it in their churches. Everybody that I know speaks of how stressful it is and how much it costs. Between the saturation of Christmas movies on TV and Christmas music on the radio (which is intended to get people in the shopping spirit), I am totally burnt out and sick of Christmas by Dec. 25th.
It's just that there are a lot of Christians. I'm sure in India there are folks kvetching about Hindu holidays.
Peace on Earth, Goodwill Towards All, everybody! Merry Christmas and belated Happy Chanukah! Humanity is all we have on this Earth, try to learn to love it.
I like Christmas. I think there neds to be more moderation, however, and I'm not sure the right answer. Festivals and celebrations are usually shared community events and the focus on the individual family unit today puts a lot of responsibility on individual households who try to recreate a Christmas image that belonged 100+ years ago to households with fleets of servants and homes where the women didn't work.
I would argue the problem isn't Christmas but a society that doesn't provide us the opportunity to celebrate it in synch with our lives. We need smaller houses to pay for, clean and decorate, and more time to do it. We need more community and less reliance on the individual. We need less stuff and more time with family and friends.
One of the strangest things ai see is women who buy presents for every friend and coworker! I have made it very clear all my life that presents only go to first degree relatives and people I will actually see Christmas Day. The people I have convinced to follow my lead have all told me what a relief it was. No one is offended not to get a gift from a friend or coworker. Would you be? If you've made it a tradition just be open next year and saay you aren't doing it. Joke that of course you don't mind getting gifts, and thank people grasciously when you do get them. You don't have to join the madness. Christmas can be fun.
If I ever see my own evidence of a war on Christmas, I'll let you know.
Thank you...I'll be looking out for it to. Meanwhile I'm soon off to decorate a tree with my atheist relatives.
Your putting your atheist relatives up on a tree?
Lol...maybe I need a bigger tree.
Christians should quit waging war on everyone's lifestyles.
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Christianity is built upon a LIE ...
................ because ....................
..... http://www.GodIsImaginary.com ...
... and thank goodness because he ...
............. emanates from the .............
...................... http://www.EvilBible.com
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Jesus is the king of Christmas.
No BABIES are ! No Bible needed for morals !
Research shows babies have a moral compass: Children want to see wrongdoing punished at 8 months old
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/12/research_shows_babies_have_a_moral_compass_children_want_to_see_wrongdoing.html
MerryCchristmas and Happy New Year !