explain me Christmas

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we don't celebrate it on Iacon

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 8 December 2003 14:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Linus to thread!

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 8 December 2003 14:49 (twenty-one years ago)

It's when everyone celebrates the day on which Jesus wasn't really born.

― NA (Nick A.), Monday, 8 December 2003 15:00 (twenty-one years ago)

You can't say he definitely wasn't born on (the equivalent of) December 25th. There's a 1 in 365 chance that it's his birthday. These are much better odds than you'd get for most other Christian claims being true.

― Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Monday, 8 December 2003 15:28 (twenty-one years ago)

the sheep wouldn't be on the hillside in the middle of winter.

― MarkH (MarkH), Monday, 8 December 2003 15:29 (twenty-one years ago)

so what's with all this exchangement of things you and the other person didn't really want?

also is it insane to prefer the idea of spending Christmas alone with your ex than with family - many of whom you haven't seen for at least 6 months?

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 8 December 2003 15:30 (twenty-one years ago)

the sheep wouldn't be on the hillside in the middle of winter.

apart from this one
http://www.flying-pig.co.uk/album/images/ski.jpg

― ken c, Monday, 8 December 2003 15:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Christmas is a time when Ken gives his relations cardboard skiing sheep and they pretend that cardboard skiing sheep are Just What They've Always Wanted.

― MarkH (MarkH), Monday, 8 December 2003 15:37 (twenty-one years ago)

for a second i actually thought that would be a cool present

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 8 December 2003 15:38 (twenty-one years ago)

stevem is lying. it was actually a split-second.

― MarkH (MarkH), Monday, 8 December 2003 15:39 (twenty-one years ago)

aw i was gonna buy you all a sheep as well.

ken's christmas list

stevem

alex in nyc

eyeball kicks

~~mark h~~

― ken c, Monday, 8 December 2003 15:39 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/graphics/santacrs.jpg

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Monday, 8 December 2003 15:45 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.rc.net/hartford/stpaul/images/angels.JPG

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 15:50 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.tshirthell.com/images/wrap_jesus_cu_big.gif

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Where did you get that Alex?

That is all wrong. Jesus died on Good Friday. He was born on Christmas.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:05 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.leuschner.onlinehome.de/fun/bilder/FSK16_2/santa_down.jpg

― Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, obviously, Aja. But do you know what *dates* they were?

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:13 (twenty-one years ago)

They were years apart. Also, Christmas is in December and Good Friday is in April (or sometimes late March).

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:19 (twenty-one years ago)

And Chris's photo goes without comment?!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:27 (twenty-one years ago)

It's gross. Is that what you wanted to hear Ned?

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:30 (twenty-one years ago)

No, WHAT DATES were they on. I know when we celebrate Easter and Christmas, but historians reckon Jesus was born in September, and by definition he didn't die on a range of dates from mid March to late April. You really are a literalist, Aja.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Holidays are ridiculous.

― Spinktor the Unmerciful (mawill5), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:44 (twenty-one years ago)

and by definition he didn't die on a range of dates from mid March to late April.

However, the Bible and secondary sources are pretty specific that he died close to Passover. And Passover has definitely been in late March or early April (following the lunar calendar not the solar hence why it moves) for several thousand years at this point so good Friday/Easter is probably fairly reliable in date.

― THAT Kate (kate), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I go to Catholic school so that is what I am taught.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:49 (twenty-one years ago)

I got in an argument with a Jewish friend about Christmas the other week. I grew up in a Buddhist family, but we did Christmas anyway because my mom just always loved Christmas -- and really, you can do 95 percent of the modern version of Christmas (tree, presents, Santa, Rudolph, etc.) without bothering much about the Christian stuff. Plus also, of course, Christmas is just the Christian appropriation of midwinter pagan celebrations and it's got nothing to do with whatever day Christ was actually born. So anyway, my argument was that Christmas, at least as practiced in the U.S., is not really a Christian holiday, it's an American cultural holiday, and therefore is up for grabs to anyone who chooses to celebrate it. (Fundamentalist types would tend to agree with this -- that's why they're constantly yammering on about putting the Christ back in Christmas, etc.) My Jewish friend, who grew up decidedly not celebrating Christmas felt very different; even though she's not much of a practicing Jew, she thinks it would be a betrayal of her heritage for her to do anything Christmas-related. Which I understand, but my own feeling is that Christmas is too important to entrust to the Christians.

― spittle (spittle), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Dude, it's Winter Consumerfest. Call it Saturnalia and be done with it. (Unless, of course, being Jewish, your friend hates the Romans, too, what with Masada and all that.)

― THAT Kate (kate), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:51 (twenty-one years ago)

My feelings exactly. (I don't know how she feels about Romans, tho...)

― spittle (spittle), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:52 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, that's why i don't feel much about Christmas i guess. it has no real meaning for me. my family are not miles away so to see them does not require much effort (tho this can be a bad thing really as 'not much effort' turns out to be just that). on the selfish side, i haven't done very well in pressies since i was about 12 either - maybe that's what this is really all about. me never getting the Lego Space Monorail i so desperately craved...

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:52 (twenty-one years ago)

i went to catholic school too, they threw me out.

― Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Whatever, its all about the stockings.

― Spinktor the Unmerciful (mawill5), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, I hate Xmas because I am a wooly Guardian-reading liberal and I hate consumerism.

― THAT Kate (kate), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:53 (twenty-one years ago)

your a mean one....

― Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, keep your christmas negativity on that side of the Atlantic. Im getting a new computer monitor, therefore christmas rules.

― Spinktor the Unmerciful (mawill5), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Our computer teacher is Jewish.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Aja, presumably you already know not to believe anything you learn in Catholic School, right?

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Mark, stop baiting and I'll buy you a drink. Just be nice, it's christmas.

― Vicky (Vicky), Monday, 8 December 2003 16:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Hehe, I am being nice to *people*, but since when did I have to be nice to organised religion*?

*and especially their influence on vulnerable young minds.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:00 (twenty-one years ago)

i think people should just buy presents for themselves at Christmas. everyone would be much happier.

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Hehe, I am being nice to *people*,

Are you impling that I'm not a person?

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:03 (twenty-one years ago)

No, he's implying that Roman Catholocism is not a person. HOW CAN YOU BE SO MEAN TO CHRIST? CHRIST IS A PERSON TOO, BARRY!

― THAT Kate (kate), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:04 (twenty-one years ago)

was

― ken c, Monday, 8 December 2003 17:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Still is, if yer Catholic.

― THAT Kate (kate), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:05 (twenty-one years ago)

We are in the presences of Christ. Everyone at my school is at Mass right now.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Really? Just out of interest, what are you doing sitting at a computer then?

(I also went to a Catholic school - I can't remember it being that dogmatic apart from one RE teacher who used to burst into tears if you talked about abortions for too long).

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:09 (twenty-one years ago)

I wish I could have gone to Catholic school so I could wear those cute outfits.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Harlot.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Sarah, you don't have to go to the school to wear the outfit.

― NA (Nick A.), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:12 (twenty-one years ago)

ally and felicity to thread

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:14 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah those wool sweaters are really fun to wear in september.

― Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Just out of interest, what are you doing sitting at a computer then?

I'm sick and my mom insisted I stay home and rest.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Why does your mum never come on ILE any more? (and I wasn't being mean to you, btw)

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:16 (twenty-one years ago)

She posted on the san francisco c/d thread and that was a couple days ago I think. And how would that be mean?

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:19 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.xmasresistance.org/pix/xmas-resistance-sticker.gif

― spittle (spittle), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I mean I wasn't being mean to you before (when you accused me of being mean to you)! It's obviously true what they say about kids these days and their attention span...

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:26 (twenty-one years ago)

It's obviously true what they say about kids these days and their attention span...

What do they say?

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Aja didn't actually accuse you of being mean to her, I accused you of baiting. So it's your attention span that needs looking at.

― Vicky (Vicky), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Vicky:

Hehe, I am being nice to *people*
Are you impling that I'm not a person?

-- Aja (AsiaKitty200...), December 8th, 2003 5:03 PM. (aja) (later)

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:31 (twenty-one years ago)

I was just asking.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:32 (twenty-one years ago)

That's not her saying you're mean, that's her not understanding you, and wanting you to clear it up.

Anyway, I'm off to the freaky trigger thing, so see you later, can't wait ;0)

― Vicky (Vicky), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:33 (twenty-one years ago)

I actually think I understood what he meant. I'm not stupid. It's pretty obvious what he meant by that.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I didn't think he was being mean there, but I guess I much be naive.

― Vicky (Vicky), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:36 (twenty-one years ago)

He was.

Hehe, I am being nice to *people*

He was impling I'm not a person so he was being mean to me.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:41 (twenty-one years ago)

You are a person, just not a little girl named Aja.

― Allyzay, Monday, 8 December 2003 17:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Little girls are people.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:43 (twenty-one years ago)

and i thought Christmas was illogical

― spockm (blueski), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:43 (twenty-one years ago)

and i thought Christmas was illogical

Why, what else isn't logical?

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:46 (twenty-one years ago)

You guys are weird. He was obviously making a distinction between being rude to an individual person (Aja) and a religion. He was saying that Aja shouldn't be insulted by his comments, as they were directed at a more general target and weren't meant to be a personal attack. OK?

― NA (Nick A.), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Whatever. He was being rude to me.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:48 (twenty-one years ago)

I understand that little girls are people. You "missed" my point.

The other Christmas thread is way better than this one, I'm sticking to that one.

― Allyzay, Monday, 8 December 2003 17:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Hang on, Aja, you said you understood!

Right, Aja, this is what I meant:

I didn't mean to be rude to you, and did include you, along with everyone else, in "people". The other thing, i.e. not people, was organised religion, which, as it happens, I have many issues with.

Are you clear now? I apologise for being impatient with you, but I promise you I never meant to be rude.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 8 December 2003 17:58 (twenty-one years ago)

and did include you, along with everyone else, in "people".

No you did not. You singled me out.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:00 (twenty-one years ago)

question: who cares?

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:01 (twenty-one years ago)

I do.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:02 (twenty-one years ago)

No, I specifically didn't single anyone out. Show me how you came to think that.

I am sorry you misunderstood me. I suggested you shouldn't listen to all you learnt in Catholic school because I believe religious organisations have a vested interest in misleading and/or educating with bias and ommissions.

Re-read what I wrote and explain to me how you see this as a diss to you?

Hehe, I am being nice to *people*, but since when did I have to be nice to organised religion*?
-- Markelby (boyincorduro...), December 8th, 2003 5:00 PM. (Mark C) (later)

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Why are you bothering?

― Allyzay, Monday, 8 December 2003 18:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Well there was one point where people didn't think I was a person.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:10 (twenty-one years ago)

"one point"

― Allyzay, Monday, 8 December 2003 18:11 (twenty-one years ago)

none of us are people. i am in fact a goat, and a disgruntled one at that. excuse me.

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:12 (twenty-one years ago)

"one point"

Well I thought he was refering back to that.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:13 (twenty-one years ago)

You're not even a goat, stevem. You're more like a yak.

― Allyzay, Monday, 8 December 2003 18:14 (twenty-one years ago)

No no. You decided I was referring to you as not a person, Aja. Not me, because I didn't.

Hey Ally!

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:15 (twenty-one years ago)

MARK JUST IGNORE IT IT GETS THE LOTION. "Hey Ally" what anyway?

― Allyzay, Monday, 8 December 2003 18:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Just "hey!" in a friendly character-out-of-Friends kinda hey style.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Aja, presumably you already know not to believe anything you learn in Catholic School, right?
-- Markelby (boyincorduro...), December 8th, 2003.

Mark, stop baiting and I'll buy you a drink. Just be nice, it's christmas.
-- Vicky (missvick...), December 8th, 2003

Hehe, I am being nice to *people*, but since when did I have to be nice to organised religion*?
*and especially their influence on vulnerable young minds.

-- Markelby (boyincorduro...), December 8th, 2003.

Maybe it was Vicky that made me think this. She said "stop baiting" and "be nice" after you said something to me.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, it may be, but I was telling her too that I hadn't been mean! Vicky's my ex-girlfriend, so I think she may have been teasing me just a little.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Goats are stupid.

― TOMBOT, Monday, 8 December 2003 18:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Goats' milk makes nasty cheese.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:23 (twenty-one years ago)

My boyfriend makes me laugh.

― Allyzay, Monday, 8 December 2003 18:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Who's your boyfriend?

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Dave Grohl.

― Allyzay, Monday, 8 December 2003 18:31 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.fortunecity.com/bennyhills/pun/190/joker.jpg

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Liar. He is funny but he is also married.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:33 (twenty-one years ago)

What does that have to do with anything Alex?

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:35 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.deism.com/images/brain_am.gif

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:35 (twenty-one years ago)

http://bitchcakes.topcities.com/turbonegro/tomfinger.jpg

― Allyzay, Monday, 8 December 2003 18:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah ok Alex.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 8 December 2003 18:38 (twenty-one years ago)

goats are beautiful creatures. and i feel we learnt what Christmas was about on this thread.....the Tombot picture yes.

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 22 December 2003 12:44 (twenty-one years ago)

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