Calling non-Christians?

Christmas is nothing to do with either Christianity or Islam but it does have it's origins in the midwinter festival and many other basically pagan rites but since much of it is a celebration of nature rather than religion everyone should be able to enjoy it and be happy together despite religion!

The ancient European pagans celebrated the midwinter festival and a number of other festivals long before Christianity ever existed!

Babylonians celebrated the feast of the Son of Isis with gluttonous eating and drinking, and gift giving and the goddess of fertility, love, and war.

The Romans held a festival on 25 December called “Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, celebrating their own god Sol Invictas – PAGAN!

The Persian god Mithras, the Syrian sun god Elah Gabal, the German Sol, the Greek Helios and the Mesopotamian Shamash. But also Saturnalia, honouring Saturn, the God of Agriculture. The law courts and schools were closed. No public business could be transacted an this is where the holidays originated - ALL PAGAN!

Wax tapers were given by the more humble to their superiors. The origin of the Christmas candle - PAGAN!

In Rome groups of costumed went from house to house entertaining their people. And this was where the carolling Christmas tradition originated PAGAN!

Statues of the Mother and lover or Mother and son were paraded through the streets not only in Italy but also in Africa, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany and Bulgaria. Thus, the symbolism of the Heavenly Virgin and the infant child paraded on a yearly basis are not of Christian origin. They stem from the Mother-goddess religion, which is very ancient ENTIRELY PAGAN!

Scandinavian countries celebrated Yule honouring Thor – PAGAN!

In Germania (not Germany) they celebrated midwinter night followed by 12 wild nights of eating and drinking. The 12 days of Christmas PAGAN!

The church under Pope Julius I declared that Christ’s birth would be celebrated on December 25 in 350 AD in order to try to hijack the PAGAN festivals but it was largely ignored. Christians did not really celebrate Christmas until 378 but it was then dropped in 381 and not resurrected until 400.

The Christmas tree stems from pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the Winter Solstice, which included the use of holly boughs ivy and other foliage as an adaptation of pagan tree worship. Holly and ivy represented male and female. Mistletoe was considered a sacred plant, and the custom of kissing under the mistletoe began as a fertility ritual - all PAGAN!

Santa Claus came from the Dutch “Sinterklaas” and was a tall figure riding a white horse through the air and usually accompanied by Black Peter, an elf who punished disobedient children. Also the origin of the reindeer, sleigh and the elves ALL PAGAN!

The modern red coated Santa was brought about by coca cola!

AMERICA ACTUALLY BANNED CHRISTMAS several times and is the originator of the expression “Happy Holidays” which came about because of the pagan origins of Christmas to include all religions and traditions!

The Venerable Bede, an early Christian writer pointed out that the Christian church absorbed Pagan practices when it found the population unwilling to give up the festivals. Thus a lot of what Christians now see as Christians practices are in fact pagan!

Christmas is the time of year christians strive to prove just how pagan they have become

There is no question that can be asked of something that does not exist!

Another holiday. Another chance for family get-together, Another chance for fun with people you're fond of.

Lots of bright Christmas paper wrapping up parcels. But no horrible expensive battery toys. All the wee ones i know get most of their thrills out of tearing off the wrapping most of all. And the older ones are pretty easily satisfied too.

My sisters and sisters-in-law shutting themselves up in the kitche, torturing themselves while slaving over a hot stove....

well, frankly I find the idea of Christmas, Easter Day, any holiday, just one of those things we must have - a break from regular unfantastic working days. Holiday and merriment. Supermarkets and department stores are bang on the money - we need them in our lives. In moderation. But unlike what the shops would have us believe, there is no need to spend any money extra (except extra food for a bigger crowd) if you just want a bit of fun - because real fun is free.

I wouldn't ask God any questions full stop.

Also to atheists who say God is just a myth, I can only say that i never saw anything wrong with myths. A bit of fiction makes the daily round much more interesting as far as i'm concerned. To people who believe in God - fair enough, whatever works.

About your vicar.

From a Christian point of view, Christmas day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. And it is the children's holiday above all, as I see it.

The vicars I knew (I'm an Anglican with an awful lot of modifications on the church's teachings) didn't ask God questions that I remember. And the type of reflections that went into their Christmas services were to just think how grand family and children and friends are without cluttering everything up with lots of expensiveness and bother.

What does Christmas mean to you: If you're going for a more "holy" answer, talk about the birth of a savior and a new king and all that jazz. If you're really not wanting to impress the church goers then just say spending time with family, friends and being thankful for everything and just spreading the Christmas holiday cheer!

Along the lines for a question to ask God, that's a tough perdiciment. Personally, I would ask him why he allows so much suffering in this world if he's supposed to be the one to save us?

Happy early holidays!

Cheers.

I like the spirit of christmas but it should last 365 days a year

secondly I would ask god why the f**k am I talking to myself.

1. Xmas means absolutely nothing to me. Why would I celebrate the birth of an ordinary man who may or may not have existed over 2,000 years ago\?

2. god is a myth perpetuated by people with only half a brain

Christmas means the exchanging of gifts with our loved ones.

I would ask God: Why don't you exist?