Hi y'all - Aha! an argument at last, albeit devoid of foundation. >Your assertion that Christmas is "entirely a religious holiday" is patently absurd
If it is absurd, why is it officially called "Christmas Day." How can christmas day be described any other way than religious? If it is secular, why not give it a secular name and choose a day other than "Jesus' Birthday?" > Taking time off work to visit family or participate in family traditions Does this have to be performed on a religious holiday? Aren't there 364 other possibilties? I contend that by voluntarily participating, one not only condones but encourages the pernicious practice. <Your understanding of church-state separation disallows the closing of government offices on days that have religious significance. My understanding does not necessarily disallow it. How can you possibly affirm that a mandatory closing down of the Government, requiring compliance from most other businesses, on a Christian holiday, is not promoting a religion? A clear breach of the first Amendment! Please clarify how your understanding does not disallow it. < So, your Christmas rituals I submit that I do not have Christmas rituals. I try to live out the day as I would normally - eating out, shopping, lustful gazes at the opposite sex. The wall that the Government erects in the name of Christianity tries to prevent me. If you can suggest a simpler normality on that special day, I'll be happy to hear it. Don't tell me to turn on the TV or radio. Perhaps I should hide in the closet - but that wouldn't be normal. Nevertheless - I'll be happy to share the brandy with you in a suitable location. On Sep 1, 1:35 pm, Aaron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Well, Clogtowner, I think you've carefully chosen a definition of > "observe" that fits your bias. Your assertion that Christmas is > "entirely a religious holiday" is patently absurd. Taking time off > work to visit family or participate in family traditions does not make > anyone a "hypocritical" atheist. The mere disbelief in gods requires > nothing of us, so there's nothing to be hypocritical about! One can > be dishonest, perhaps, by pretending to believe, but not hypocritical. > > We can be hypocritical about other things, though - political and > economic beliefs, for example. That's what you're really talking > about. Your understanding of church-state separation disallows the > closing of government offices on days that have religious > significance. My understanding does not necessarily disallow it. > Your economic and social beliefs prefer businesses that stay open on > religious holidays. Not so much with me. > > So, your Christmas rituals are consistent with your political, social > and economic beliefs. Mine are, too. We just have (slightly) > different beliefs about those things. Logically speaking, atheism has > nothing to do with it. Even religious people could share our > political positions. > > If you want to talk politics, though, we have to bring out the brandy. > > Aaron --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Memphis Freethought Alliance" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/memphisfreethoughtalliance?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
