81% Celebrate Christmas As A Religious Holiday

[lpast]

More Americans than ever say they celebrate the upcoming holiday of Christmas as a religious one.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 88% of American Adults say they celebrate Christmas, and 81% of this group celebrate it as a religious holiday. Just 16% of those celebrants regard it as a secular holiday.


The tide is finally turning and people are once again realizing what Christmas is...I believe this HUGE change in public opinon is because Americans finally realize the handful that attack christmas is for a personal agenda and it has absolutely no bearing on taking anyones rights or infringeing on anyones rights....


81% Celebrate Christmas As A Religious Holiday - Rasmussen Reports™

 

[misterman]

More Americans than ever say they celebrate the upcoming holiday of Christmas as a religious one.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 88% of American Adults say they celebrate Christmas, and 81% of this group celebrate it as a religious holiday. Just 16% of those celebrants regard it as a secular holiday.


The tide is finally turning and people are once again realizing what Christmas is...I believe this HUGE change in public opinon is because Americans finally realize the handful that attack christmas is for a personal agenda and it has absolutely no bearing on taking anyones rights or infringeing on anyones rights....

Who "attacks" Christmas? Example please.

 

[lpast]

Who "attacks" Christmas? Example please.

ACLU and your welcome

 

[misterman]

ACLU and your welcome

Lie.

ACLU often defends Christians and their right to celebrate Christmas.

It also defends the right of other religions to be free of coercion, including when that involves Christians using government power to promote their religion over others.

And that wasn't an example, it was a typical uninformed, overbroad, lame response. If you've to nothing better than this, don't waste my time.

 

[misterman]

P.S. ACLU's statement about this:

The American Civil Liberties Union takes seriously its commitment to defending the First Amendment of the United States Constitution by not only working to ensure that "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion" but, just as importantly, by helping to guarantee that there be no "prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The ACLU is often better known for its work preventing the government from promoting and funding selected religious activities, but that is only half our charge. By ensuring that the government refrains from promoting religion or any particular faith, the ACLU helps ensure that freedom of religion and belief remains an important principle of our democracy.

For some, however, misrepresenting the ACLU when it comes to religion has become a holiday tradition akin to making eggnog and decking the halls with holly. Invariably during the run-up to Christmas, the ACLU is annually and wrongfully disparaged for waging a mythical "War on Christmas." In fact, the ACLU zealously defends the right of both non-believers to practice no religion at all and religious believers, including Christians, to practice their religion freely. And the ACLU’s zeal certainly does not take a vacation during the holidays.

Christmas displays, for example – things like nativity displays – are perfectly acceptable at homes and churches. Religious expression – during the holidays and throughout the year – is a valued part of the First Amendment rights guaranteed all citizens. But government should never be in the business of endorsing things like religious displays. Religion is best served when the government plays no role in promoting any particular holiday or any individual religious tradition. That job is best suited for individuals, families and religious communities. For when that decision is left in their hands, and kept out of the hands of the government, those who decide to are truly free to celebrate the religious holiday of their choice.

Christmas and the ACLU | American Civil Liberties Union

The site also has a long list of cases where the ACLU defended Christians.

 

[smb]

ACLU and your welcome

That is not an example. That is an organization. Please provide examples of people attacking Christmas. Please try and be specific.

Also your claim that the tide is somhow turning is not supported by your link. The Rasmussen poll does not give any context to this poll. Is the percentage an increase? Or a decrease? Also asking people if Christmas is a religious holiday is akin to asking them if the Indianapolis 500 is a race. Of course Christmas is a religious holiday. A more important question is how many people think Christmas should be the only holiday in December. Or, more to the point, how many people believe there is a concerted effort to destroy Christmas. The only thing more reliable than the sun rising in the east is that every year religious conservatives will trot out the War on Christmas. This is a tired act. Please move on.

 

[Thrilla]

Who "attacks" Christmas? Example please.

I don't know that i would characterize the treatment of Christmas as an "attack" as much as the employment of PC.

the way I see it, some folks seem to think that if you say "Christmas" you disenfranchise other people who either don't celebrate it or celebrate other holidays... they prefer to use the all inclusive "holiday" term.
when they see groups deem Christmas things, like nativity scenes, "offensive" ...they necessarily get a bit defensive.

personally, I don't care what other people think or say... I just keep on celebrating Christmas like I do every year... as a religious holiday.
I don't get upset when i see the word " Hanukkah", I don't get offended at seeing a menorah.. or any symbol or tribute to any other religious holiday that falls during the holiday season... I don't feel disenfranchised at all.
I don't get offended at seeing a nativity scene on public land.. or a menorah ,for that matter.
I don't think i've ever met a Jew who got offended at Christmas stuff or feel they are disenfranchised.. at least not to my face anyways.
the only ones, as i see it, that get "offended" are members of the secular left and atheists.. and even then, "offended" might not be the best term to utilize on the whole.

meh, on a scale of 1 to 10, the "war on Christmas" stuff comes in at a 1, maybe 1.5, for me .:lol:

 

[lpast]

Attack I agree was the wrong terminology...Im not running around google and posting ACLU going after Xmas in schools and even individuals.

An attack on Christmas is the guy a couple of years ago an avowed atheist who lived in a gated community with a clubhouse took the association to court for putting up a christmas tree in the clubhouse...he said it offended him...and breeched his rights not to have anything religious flaunted in his face...he brought it to court and lost and the homeowners association made him an offer and bought his house to get him out of the neighborhood.
Aside from that everyone knows christmas has been gone after in the last decade or two strictly for personal agendas....
Im personally not an overly religious man...but when i was growing up EVERYONE liked christmas...whether they were christian or not...

 

[roguenuke]

Actually, this is worded a little wrong.

It is only 81% of those who actually celebrate Christmas, which is 88% of the population, who celebrate it as a religious holiday.

So that would mean that approximately 71% of the population, as a whole, celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday.

My family celebrates Christmas, but not as a religious holiday. I like holidays and celebrating things in general, and use many different traditions in our celebration of Christmas. But my children will be raised with the belief that the main point of Christmas is giving and getting together with family. They will learn that other people celebrate Christmas for several different reasons, including why Christians celebrate it (my mom will probably be more than willing to help with instilling this). They will be free to choose for themselves how they wish to celebrate the season or if they want to at all, but they will also be taught to respect how others choose to celebrate or not during this season.

 

[smb]

Attack I agree was the wrong terminology...Im not running around google and posting ACLU going after Xmas in schools and even individuals.

An attack on Christmas is the guy a couple of years ago an avowed atheist who lived in a gated community with a clubhouse took the association to court for putting up a christmas tree in the clubhouse...he said it offended him...and breeched his rights not to have anything religious flaunted in his face...he brought it to court and lost and the homeowners association made him an offer and bought his house to get him out of the neighborhood.
Aside from that everyone knows christmas has been gone after in the last decade or two strictly for personal agendas....
Im personally not an overly religious man...but when i was growing up EVERYONE liked christmas...whether they were christian or not...

So let me get this straight. You are now backing away from the claim that people are attacking Christmas? Progress...amazing.

Second, your big "example" is a failed law suit by a private citizen with no links to the actual story? I find your "proof" wanting to say the least. You also cannot be "bothered" to prove your claims? And you claim the "everyone knows" Christmas has been gone after in the past two decades? Really...I don't "know" that. This is a prime example of what is wrong with the conservative movement. They make these grandiose claims based on pencil thin evidence and extrapolate into a massive generalization based on "common sense." Common sense I might add which is neither common nor sensical.

 

[ChuckBerry]

P.S. ACLU's statement about this:



Christmas and the ACLU | American Civil Liberties Union

The site also has a long list of cases where the ACLU defended Christians.

Translation: the public square must be atheist. You can be religious behind closed doors.

 

[TacticalEvilDan]

Well, I sure am glad this is in Breaking News, because I had no freaking clue that so many of us observed Christmas in this way, but now I do!

I'm sure the next thread will read something like, "CIA Probe Reveals Pope is Catholic."

Will wonders never cease?

 

[TacticalEvilDan]

"NIH releases study linking masturbation to orgasm."

 

[TacticalEvilDan]

"First Lady: Singing in the rain gets me wet."

 

[Kal'Stang]

So let me get this straight. You are now backing away from the claim that people are attacking Christmas? Progress...amazing.

Second, your big "example" is a failed law suit by a private citizen with no links to the actual story? I find your "proof" wanting to say the least. You also cannot be "bothered" to prove your claims? And you claim the "everyone knows" Christmas has been gone after in the past two decades? Really...I don't "know" that. This is a prime example of what is wrong with the conservative movement. They make these grandiose claims based on pencil thin evidence and extrapolate into a massive generalization based on "common sense." Common sense I might add which is neither common nor sensical.

Oh look, another post attacking the "conservative" base when the topic has nothing to do with conservatism....or any other political party at that.

As for the OP, yes people are attacking Christmas. Anytime any group wants to get rid of X-mas decorations from any public place it is an attack on Christmas. Anytime that a teacher is not allowed to say "Merry Christmas" it is an attack on Christmas. Now you can say that I'm useing the wrong word or that I'm overreacting or that I'm using hyperbole, but just remember, what you consider an attack and what I consider an attack may be two different things.

Nativity scene in Texas under attack

The following pic gotten from Freedom from Religion website...



And this was just a quick search.

 

[Crosscheck]

I agree with Ipast. Can't offer anyone a link showing an actual case of someone attacking Christmas but I do know that the word Christmas is removed from schools and many businesses. So instead they use words such as Holiday Season or Winter Celebration.

I am far from religious but I like the American Christmas tradition. Trying to call a Christmas tree a holiday tree is like using astericks for letters in profanity. Who in the heck do they think they are fooling? We all know its a Christmas tree and we know what that word is they are trying to sneak by.

 

[lpast]

Actually, this is worded a little wrong.

It is only 81% of those who actually celebrate Christmas, which is 88% of the population, who celebrate it as a religious holiday.

So that would mean that approximately 71% of the population, as a whole, celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday.

My family celebrates Christmas, but not as a religious holiday. I like holidays and celebrating things in general, and use many different traditions in our celebration of Christmas. But my children will be raised with the belief that the main point of Christmas is giving and getting together with family. They will learn that other people celebrate Christmas for several different reasons, including why Christians celebrate it (my mom will probably be more than willing to help with instilling this). They will be free to choose for themselves how they wish to celebrate the season or if they want to at all, but they will also be taught to respect how others choose to celebrate or not during this season.

Thats pretty much with us also...my family was roman catholics...but my mother and father neither were overly religious...Christmas didnt take on a religious thing with us...it was more a family time and fun time and eat like a pig time and regret it later thing...
I honestly dont remember anyone I knew making it so religious a thing that it could be an affront to anyone else...

 

[Temporal]

Just because they say it's a religious holiday does not mean they're religious, anymore than someone who says they are Christian but doesn't go to Church or practice its major tennets.

 

[lpast]

So let me get this straight. You are now backing away from the claim that people are attacking Christmas? Progress...amazing.

Second, your big "example" is a failed law suit by a private citizen with no links to the actual story? I find your "proof" wanting to say the least. You also cannot be "bothered" to prove your claims? And you claim the "everyone knows" Christmas has been gone after in the past two decades? Really...I don't "know" that. This is a prime example of what is wrong with the conservative movement. They make these grandiose claims based on pencil thin evidence and extrapolate into a massive generalization based on "common sense." Common sense I might add which is neither common nor sensical.

You find it "AMAZING" that someone can be honest enough to reword something they wrote and acknowledge they made an error in speech ? I find that attitude amazing....and I stand by that christmas has been the brunt of many attempts to change it by different groups and indviduals...they wanted the word Christmas Holidays erased from school calendars...they wanted it Called the Holiday Tree not the Christmas tree...nativity scenes have been cause for lawsuits...just who you think your kidding man ? some people are just more honest than others...actually now that i think about it...I retract my SECOND statement...it has been attacked..

 

[Simon W. Moon]

Translation: the public square must be atheist. You can be religious behind closed doors.

Or in public if you're not a part of the govt. At least afaict. Ymmv, of course.

 

[TacticalEvilDan]

As for the OP, yes people are attacking Christmas. Anytime any group wants to get rid of X-mas decorations from any public place it is an attack on Christmas. Anytime that a teacher is not allowed to say "Merry Christmas" it is an attack on Christmas. Now you can say that I'm useing the wrong word or that I'm overreacting or that I'm using hyperbole, but just remember, what you consider an attack and what I consider an attack may be two different things.

Do they want to get rid of Christmas decorations to make room for Hanukkah decorations? Is the teacher told not to say Merry Christmas because the only acceptable holiday greeting is Happy Quanza?

It's not an attack on Christmas. It's an attack on even the vague appearance of an entanglement between government and religion.

 

[Thrilla]

Translation: the public square must be atheist. You can be religious behind closed doors.

well, I see a problem here.... mainly one of ignoring the whole of the first amendment.

I don't find it as simple as "this is a religious symbol, therefore it's outlawed on public land".. I don't think atheism should be enforced to the nth degree by the government either.

I don't find that a nativity scene ( or other Christmas symbol ), in a public square, necessarily equates to government endorsement of Christianity...
I do believe that such things, that surround specific holidays, are fine..... i'm also fine with a menorah being on display for Hannukah.. or some form of blank monument denoting atheism ( not sure what kind of symbol atheists would have to celebrate Christmas, if any)

now when we get into having the 10 commandments hanging in a courthouse... well yeah, I can see the establishment clause coming it effect.. as their is a certain permanency to the display and it absolutely comes off as the court supporting Christianity on an established basis.

 

[SirNegroIII]

Translation: the public square must be atheist. You can be religious behind closed doors.

No. You can be religious however openly you want. You're just not supposed to put up a nativity scene in front of the state house or any other government establishment. Seems pretty fair to me.

And of course people celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. That doesn't mean they don't get caught up in the consumerism. I guarantee that almost none of these people look forward to telling the story of Jesus every Christmas.

 

[Thrilla]

No. You can be religious however openly you want. You're just not supposed to put up a nativity scene in front of the state house or any other government establishment. Seems pretty fair to me.

And of course people celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. That doesn't mean they don't get caught up in the consumerism. I guarantee that almost none of these people look forward to telling the story of Jesus every Christmas.

.. that's a pretty hefty guarantee there dude... and one that is most likely false.

 

[Kal'Stang]

Do they want to get rid of Christmas decorations to make room for Hanukkah decorations? Is the teacher told not to say Merry Christmas because the only acceptable holiday greeting is Happy Quanza?

It's not an attack on Christmas. It's an attack on even the vague appearance of an entanglement between government and religion.

I call BS. Thier goal is not to avoid the "vague appearance of an entanglement between government and religion." Thier goal is to get rid of religion period.