On Tue, 20 Dec 2005 12:41:37 -0800, Karl S
wrote:

And a Merry Christmas to you as well!

Some would say "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays", but if there
was no Christmas I really don't think there would be any widely popular
holidays in December at all. So much for a season of them.

Where's the ad RW mentioned? Maybe my browser blocked it. I sure don't
see it.

The ad was for a Website pushing a book. It's at:

http://www.outrageousmastery.com/

For a book that seems to be about Christian prayer power, all I see is
testimonials from the kind of people who ask for things only for
themselves and their immediate families, mostly money, with a side
glance at health.

You might want to learn the history of some other religions.

The solstice has been celebrated in many countries for many religions.
I think it would have been more appropriate to have put the
crucifixion and resurrection at the winter solstice and the birth
thing at Easter. The church probably would have, but for the Gospels
mentioning the whole crucifixion coming around Passover. It may be
when Christians celebrate the birth of Christ, but I've not seen a
single Biblical scholar agree that he was born at this season. Not
that that matters to a religious holiday. Or even an ordinary
birthday. If you want to celebrate your birthday on the first of
October, go for it. Regardless of what your birth certificate says.
That will become your de facto birthday, except in legal matters, like
your driver's license and when you can collect social security.

Were it not for Christmas, we'd be celebrating a Druidic or Mithran or
Wiccan holiday then, if not one to the old Roman gods.

I have tried go to Happy Holidays to everyone except family many years
ago as a greeting. I have no idea what religion some of the people I
know are and simply hope that if I goof and wish a Jewish or Wiccan or
agnostic or atheist friend a Merry Christmas, they'll take it in a
forgiving spirit (or say, "I always knew she wasn't sharp enough to
notice."). But I'm aware that I'll be closer to the mark if I go with
Happy Holidays. One of which is New Year's Day. Not exactly a
Christian holiday the last I heard.

Cyli
r.bc: vixen. Minnow goddess. Speaker to squirrels.
Often taunted by trout. Almost entirely harmless.

http://www.visi.com/~cyli
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