I doubt anyone is really suggesting to take the Christ out of Christmas.
Christmas has become such a strong traditional, longstanding celebration for many countries, whether predominantly Christian or not, that it would be very unlikely that it would be 'banned' anytime soon in Australia.

One doesn't have to believe in any religion or God in order to celebrate the holiday season at the end of December. As the author and others have said, it is steeped in the history of the world long before Jesus was supposed to have walked the earth.

It doesn't really matter whether not many people know any of the historical reasons we celebrate this time of year, but is that really that important? If one remembers it because of a bloke called Jesus, or just because we have always celebrated this time of year as a time to return home to spend time with family, and to see the beginning of a new year, then that is ok as far as I am concerned.

Some people's desire to ignore the massive difference that Jesus of Nazareth made to the world (eg by taking the Christ out of Christmas) is ridiculous.

One perspective on this is in 'Where Did religious Freedom Come From?'
http://cpds.apana.org.au/Teams/Articles/ReligionOutOfPolitics.htm#19_12_15

The view that a society's religion does not make a difference is naïve eg see
http://cpds.apana.org.au/Teams/Articles/ReligionOutOfPolitics.htm#24_10_15
http://cpds.apana.org.au/Teams/Articles/PhilosophyReligion.htm

test

Daffy very short on direct responses to specific points. Perhaps she/he could specifically address these (preferably without calling me "pathetic"):

1. Do you agree that if the Nativity, indeed the Christian faith, were "decoupled" from Christmas, the name "CHRISTmas" would no longer be applicable, and should be changed to some obscure, secular, solstice-based appellation? Any suggestions?
2. Do you agree with Andrew Masterson that "the real reason we could never do away with Christmas is commercial"? If so, how would you reconcile this with his heading, "There is more to this season than shopping"?
3. Paul Monk cited several ancient, obscure, solstice-based superstitions, of which he claims "Christmas is only one". How many are currently practised by how many Australians, on a remotely comparable scale or manner to that of Christianity? Probably very few, but just in case, a big "Hi" to all our Soyalangwullian readers.
4. What are the lasting legacies and benefits of any of these obscure superstitions that could compare with the lasting and ongoing benefits of Christianity, such as inspiring countless social reformers (e.g. Wilberforce, Booth, Barnardo); servants to the poor, the sick and the homeless; and pioneers in fields such as health and hospitals, care for the disabled (Helen Keller, Jean Vanier), education, prison reform (Charles Colson), hospice care (Cicely Saunders), and many more?
5. What are the Saturnalian or Junkanoon equivalents of the Red Cross, the Salvo's, Amnesty, World Vision, Opportunity International, Prison Fellowship, Alcoholics Anonymous, Habitat for Humanity, the Flying Doctor Service, and countless others?
6. On what grounds would you dismiss the emphatic affirmations by Napoleon and Einstein (and many other eminent historical figures) of the factual historicity of the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth?
7. How likely is it that a faith based on a falsehood, a fraud or a fabrication would not only survive the most intense persecution imaginable (continuing today in many places), but would survive and thrive over 20 centuries to become the greatest religion in the world today?

Rowing Faster (Rowan Forster).
PS: I've told you my name. What's yours?

Dear Rowan,

<<7. How likely is it that a faith based on a falsehood, a fraud or a fabrication would not only survive the most intense persecution imaginable>>

Faith is an inner state of being, so it is not based on external factors. Unlike mere belief, faith never collapses once the thoughts it happens to incorporate prove incompatible with objective/sensory perception.

Christmas is based on good intentions: Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth, good will toward men.

Contrary, Xmas is based on evil intentions: the materialistic mockery of religion and the desire to empty people's pockets of their hard-earned savings (at best, in some cases even to enslave their futures to debt), so they always struggle to get more money and never have time for the spiritual. It has nothing to do with solstices and everything to do with contempt of God and the attempt to distract and steal away the hearts of His followers.

Christmas is therefore beautiful even if the words of carols fail to correspond with historical facts - while Xmas is ugly, even had the pranks about Santa and his reindeer in the north pole been absolutely correct and scientifically proven.

I've noted at least one person question whether or not Jesus Christ was born at Xmas time. Does anybody know what month of the year Jesus Christ was born in?