120 replies to this topic

[Balefont]

Okay, sorry, I was getting the feeling we were talking past each other.

Edited by Balefont, 12 December 2012 - 07:09 AM.

[Tears of Lys]

Galactus, on 12 December 2012 - 04:01 AM, said:

Yule/Jul just means "Party". Specifically it denoted the time in december-february that had a lot of important feasts.

I'm feeling more and more into this "Yule" celebration of which you speak.  Any party that extends from December to February, I'm IN ON.

[Happy Ent]

Galactus, on 11 December 2012 - 03:36 PM, said:

The correct answer is obviously "God Jul".

This always strikes me as bland. To my Danish ears, “god” is something to put in front of “weekend” or “rejse”.

In Danish, jul is “glædelig”.

“Glædelig jul og godt nytår.”

[Ravenhair]

This thread came to mind yesterday when my daughter's school sent home information about their annual holiday choral concert.  It is called "Customs and Celebrations."  Children of a variety of religions attend the school; they sing Hanukah songs, Christmas carols (but interestingly not religious ones), and Kwanzaa songs.  I like that the school is trying to be all-inclusive.  

As for the greeting, if I know a person celebrates Christmas, then I say "Merry Christmas."  If I know they celebrate Hanukah, I will say "Happy Hanukah."  If I have no freaking idea, then the generic "Happy Holidays" is safest.

[Mya Stone]

This thread is not nearly as fun as the Santa thread of years past.

[Xray the Enforcer]

You're Welcome Darlin'

[Mya Stone]

Xray the Enforcer, on 12 December 2012 - 12:53 PM, said:

You're Welcome Darlin'

I love you XRay!

[Xray the Enforcer]

Mya Stone, on 12 December 2012 - 01:08 PM, said:

I love you XRay!

We all need a visit from the Ghosts of Crazy Boarders Past.

[Elder Sister]

Elder Sister, on 11 December 2012 - 05:49 PM, said:

This thread needs some holiday cheer.

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=V-wJS-w6p1Y

Am I the only person on this board that appreciates this awesome video?

You guys need to learn what Christmas is all about.

Edited by Elder Sister, 12 December 2012 - 01:42 PM.

[Cora Stark]

I say happy holidays around this time since I dont know what holiday someone may be celebrating. I wouldn't want to assume that they are celebrating christmas and offend.
I have a cousin that is Jewish and everytime my grandmother is making invitations for her christmas party my cousin and my uncle tell her that they won't be attending.
My mother is a Jehovah's witness and she doesnt even say happy holidays or anything.
I don't believe in any religion because I think its just a way to divide humanity. But I don't look down upon anybodies beliefs.

Edited by Cora Stark, 12 December 2012 - 03:08 PM.

[Xray the Enforcer]

Elder Sister, on 12 December 2012 - 01:40 PM, said:

Am I the only person on this board that appreciates this awesome video?

Unclean!

[Minaku]

I happily play this Christmas song (NSFW language):

http://youtu.be/2rECGTM-gfk

Edit: Oh goddamn, they bleeped the profanity out.  That's the whole fucking point of The Dan Band.

Edited by Minaku, 12 December 2012 - 05:30 PM.

[Sturn]

Rubies & Jade, on 11 December 2012 - 06:14 AM, said:

There is no "war on Christmas"... its a ridiculous concept and a manufactured news story.

Sounds like the War on Women.

[Castel]

Sturn, on 12 December 2012 - 06:59 PM, said:

Sounds like the War on Women.

Wut? Both sides use dramatic names and labels but that doesn't mean that they're all equal.

Edited by Castel, 12 December 2012 - 07:04 PM.

[Sci-2]

Castel, on 12 December 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

Wut? Both sides use dramatic names and labels but that doesn't mean that they're all equal.

Yeah, I don't see the equivalency either. War on Women refers to legislation that limits reproductive freedom [and I suppose opposition to equal pay legislation]. What legislation is there attacking Christmas?

eta 2: left out words in the bracket explaining the specific legislation.

Edited by sciborg2, 12 December 2012 - 10:32 PM.

[Horza]

So glad no one down here gives a shit about this particular bit of culture war stupidity.

[Triskele]

Penn Jillette has a take on the matter that I was happy to have watched.




I have to watch myself.  I don't think it's good to like certain things just for spite.  I'm what most people would probably describe as an atheist who was raised Lutheran.  My family still celebrates Christmas, and I love Christmas.  The whole "War on Christmas" thing was one of the most obvious charades I've ever seen, and there's a part of me that wants to tip my hat to the perpetrators for their breathtakingly easy retrieval of scared, old people's money.  But then I pause to realize that they are scared, old people, and it's fucked up to play on their fears and superstitions, and it harms our community.

I don't really think that "Merry Christmas" versus "Happy Holidays" is an either/or question.  Most people that say either to you are simply exchanging pleasantries, and if the exchange of pleasantries is now a problem then we are all kinds of fucked.

So Happy Holidays and a very Merry Christmas to all of you from your humble narrator.

Edited by Triskele, 12 December 2012 - 10:29 PM.

[Zerrex]

May come off negatively but I don't really throw around either that openly. I don't walk down the streets offering my good will to others. That being said, whenever someone gives a seasonal greeting, I usually just bounce it right back, since I assume that's what they're comfortable with. That, or they just don't care what one they use, so it saves me from picking.

But honestly, I'd like to think we're all mature / accepting enough that a simple extension of kindness should be taken exactly as that, regardless of what sort of underlying themes it may have. If someone goes out of the way to say "Merry Christmas" to you, and you get offended, you're ultimately saying that you are upset that someone took time out of their own life to wish you well.

It's really petty, if you ask me.

[Triskele]

Xray the Enforcer, on 12 December 2012 - 01:29 PM, said:

We all need a visit from the Ghosts of Crazy Boarders Past.

OK - I have absolutely no authority here, but are you about to start doling out titles like "of X-Mas Past," "of X-Mas Present," and "of X-Mas Future?"  And all of the auxillary roles that just might fit in w/ said titles?  I mean....I wasn't asking for a title or anything like that.  Just wondering.

[MinDonner]

Zerrex, on 13 December 2012 - 02:37 AM, said:

If someone goes out of the way to say "Merry Christmas" to you, and you get offended, you're ultimately saying that you are upset that someone took time out of their own life to wish you well.

It's really petty, if you ask me.

What's really petty? NO-ONE DOES THIS. This is what the whole thread has been trying to say.