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?
Christian countries promote Christianity, they laws may say that all religions are equal, but it's a fact that Christianity in such country is more equal than the others.
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.
Millions of people is hardly nonexistant.
The idea of Santa Claus? Some Nordic region fairytale.
St. Nicholas was a real man who made toys for the poor and distributed them on Christmas. He actually dressed in brown not red. Hence St. Nicolas day as celebrated by Catholics.
The way most people think of Santa looking? Coca-Cola created it.
Pretty much.
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.
I thought it was Spring. Why would it have had to be Summer?
Well, my public school system takes off on Jewish, Muslim, and Christian holidays...Not too many Muslim ones though...Not too many Muslims in my area, anyway. No mosques for two towns...
Athiests will celebrate anything that gives a day off and a chance to party.
I've never heard that stereotype...
Is it hurting anyone? No, so just leave it alone, this is exactly like God in the Pledge, its not hurting anyone.
If an exception to the law is allowed once, it may be allowed again and again; until the the constitution is thrown away. The Establishment Clause guarantees one of the most essential freedoms, and if the government recognizes one religious holiday above the rest, what's to stop them from creating a "Church of the United States" in the future?
Christian countries promote Christianity, they laws may say that all religions are equal, but it's a fact that Christianity in such country is more equal than the others.
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than the others." - Animal Farm (George Orwell, 1945)
what's to stop them from creating a "Church of the United States" in the future?
Atheists and the Constitution. They recognize it as a holiday that many of their employees celebrate, and if very few to none of them celebrate any other holidays then whats the point in giving them up to a week off for a holiday they most likely don't celebrate?
I understand the argument that it's enhancing religion. But if Christmas were not a national holiday, I wouldn't doubt if more half the population would request work off. And they couldn't deny your request if you cited the work off request for religious purposes. It would be a disaster for business to not have Christmas to be a national holiday.
Athiests will celebrate anything that gives a day off and a chance to party.
I've never heard that stereotype...
Its not a stereotype. Ask any athiest. Me"do you celebrate christmas?" Athiest"yes" Me"why?" Athiest"uh... dunno, presents and party and drink etc..." Me"So not for god then?" Athiest"of course not, what does god have to do with presents and partying!" Me"Amen to that, lets get drunk, and wheres my prezzie?"
atheists celebrate Christmas, tho just for the presents not the religious reason.
Its not a stereotype. Ask any athiest.
Me"do you celebrate christmas?" Athiest"yes" Me"why?" Athiest"uh... dunno, presents and party and drink etc..." Me"So not for god then?" Athiest"of course not, what does god have to do with presents and partying!" Me"Amen to that, lets get drunk, and wheres my prezzie?"
I celebrate Christmas to be with my family.
And Christmas isn't really a Christian holiday anymore. A lot of people celebrate it, even if they aren't religious. Same with Easter to. Some people make a huge religious deal out of it, but most don't. Besides, Christmas wasn't even originally a Christian holiday. Pagans to Christians to Everyone.
Some people make a huge religious deal out of it, but most don't. Besides, Christmas wasn't even originally a Christian holiday. Pagans to Christians to Everyone.
I mean it does celebrate the birth of the most influential man in human history, kinda deserves to be a big deal you know?
Buuut to avoid that argument it is, and i doubt it ever will not be.
