What I'd like to discuss is Christmas, in regards to the government's recognition of it as a national holiday.
You most likely know that Christmas is a Christian holiday which celebrates the birth of Jesus. However, the Lemon Test (established by the Supreme Court resulting from Lemon v. Kurtzman) clearly states that when the government takes any type of action it must meet three requirements: its actions must be of a secular legislative purpose, must not have the primary effect of either advancing or inhibiting religion, and must not result in "excessive government entanglement" with religion.
My point being, does the government's recognition of Christmas as a national holiday (1870) violate the first point of the Lemon Test? After all, Christmas is definitely not a secular holiday.
I thought this would be an interesting point to discuss. Your views?
Well im a christian so I think Christmas should be celebrated but it would seem that they are breaking the first rule but I enjoy taking christmas break from school
Well im a christian so I think Christmas should be celebrated but it would seem that they are breaking the first rule but I enjoy taking christmas break from school
I'm not questioning the right of Christmas celebrations (or any other religious holiday), but whether or not it is constitutional for the government to recognize it as a national holiday.
It's only recognized as a "religious holiday". For it to be recognized as a national holiday is definitely unconstitutional. After all...the whole nation isn't Christian, yet places such as schools are forced to recognize them and to function from these sorts of holidays. The multiple Jewish and Muslim events are major, yet THEY aren't regarded as national holidays, why should Christmas?
For it to be recognized as a national holiday is definitely unconstitutional.
Aren't there secular aspects of Christmas though? I'm agnostic, and am still able to celebrate Christmas without religion involved. Gift giving, being with family and friends, Christmas music, etc.
I'm christian, but I think the reason the government is allowed to do it is because some people don't recognize it as a religious holiday, just a day when you give gifts.
Technically, it is not a religious holiday depending on which view you look at it from.
The religion from which is was first based? Pretty much non-existent.
The idea of Santa Claus? Some Nordic region fairytale.
The way most people think of Santa looking? Coca-Cola created it.
The whole Jesus spin is barely even recognized. That, and it was added just to make a Christian holiday in winter. Because, you know...Jesus would actually of had to be born in summer for the tale to work correctly.
Technically, it is not a religious holiday depending on which view you look at it from.
That's what makes this such a slippery slope of a subject. On one side, many people view Christmas as a very religious holiday and buy into the Jesus story, go to Christmas sermons, etc.
On the other side, Christmas can be celebrated without religion involved at all. For many families it's become a secular tradition, and even if they aren't Christian they celebrate anyway.
That's really what I was trying to get at, but if anyone has anything else they'd like to discuss regarding the issue feel free.
Christmas was actually a pagan celebration of the days getting longer again. It would be silly for any nation to recognise a holiday as a national religious festival etc because as was said, we are not all religious.
The way I see it atheists celebrate Christmas, tho just for the presents not the religious reason.
So, if they celebrate it then they cant complain.
Also the Jewish holiday is also a national holiday.
Athiests will celebrate anything that gives a day off and a chance to party. And like I said, its not an exclusive day to christians. Theres plenty of religions that count 25th december as a special day.
In fact theres plenty of holidays, such as easter, that were from old religions and ways of life like paganisim.
I dont like "christmas" being known only as a day to celebrate christian faith.
According to this list, it is in fact a federal holiday.
well if you read what it said in that link it being a federal holiday just means this:
Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) establishes the following public holidays for Federal employees.
In other words it just means federal employees get those days off. People get out from school for the Holidays starting a week before Christmas, and is not recognized as Christmas break. So why does it matter if they want to let people off from work on that day?
I was going to come in here and mention how other then the name and the incorrect bit of Jesus's birthday Christmas has nothing really to do with Christianity but looks like this was covered.
Athiests will celebrate anything that gives a day off and a chance to party.
