You Can't Steal My Christmas!

[Maximus84]

Poem by Sharon Steege


I don't know who they are
Saying I can't greet the crowd
The way that I want to
Can't say CHRISTMAS out loud.


I walk into a business place
See things that I rather not see
But dare I not say CHRISTMAS
And ask for a "holiday" tree.


What happened to freedom of speech
And living in the land of the free
How can they take my CHRISTMAS money
But can't say MERRY CHRISTMAS to me.


Men and women have given their lives
So we could still go free
I wonder how they would feel
At saying " HOLIDAY " TREE.





Come on AMERICA let's wake up
Don't let our freedom escape
If they get by with doing this
What else will they take.


This is starting to get out of hand,
And I've begun to keep track
Well I've just about had enough
I'M TAKING CHRISTMAS BACK.


So MERRY CHRISTMAS AMERICA!
I hope this gets all over the net
If we all stand united and take freedom back
'Twill be our best CHRISTMAS YET!!!'

Cute poem.

[Maximus84]

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[03cavPA]

That's what I said to everybody I bought stuff from today. They didn't seem to mind ............................

Some of them said, "happy holidays" and I replied with "Merry Christmas".

[fredjacksonsan]

Why is this an issue? I say Merry Christmas to a guy I work with, and he says Happy Hannukah back to me and we both smile....that's the way it should be. Celebrate the season the way you like, and respect it if others celebrate differently.

[ericn1300]

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

Why is this an issue? I say Merry Christmas to a guy I work with, and he says Happy Hannukah back to me and we both smile....that's the way it should be. Celebrate the season the way you like, and respect it if others celebrate differently.

It's only an issue because the evangalist want it to be, the rest of us are glad to wish "good will to men and peace on earth" but not them there in your face wingnuts who want center stage this time of year.

[Maximus84]

Originally Posted by ericn1300

It's only an issue because the evangalist want it to be, the rest of us are glad to wish "good will to men and peace on earth" but not them there in your face wingnuts who want center stage this time of year.

Nice spin,but try again! If you read the paper,or watch the news(Cant read?),...for instance in WA state,its morons who want to stir things up,in this case eithiests,who placed a placard next to the Nativity scene at the state capital,stating that ALL religion is hate mongering trash.Why do you only see them have some sort of stance this time of year? Not any other time? Because they want publicity. Why not just state what they believe w/o attacking other beliefs? By the way,Christmas is a federal holiday! You want recognition,petition Congress for your own holiday!

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by Maximus84

Nice spin,but try again! If you read the paper,or watch the news(Cant read?),...for instance in WA state,its morons who want to stir things up,in this case eithiests,

Sweet baby Jesus, Maximus, if you are going to accuse someone of being illiterate, then at least learn how to spell. It's atheists.

I have noticed that some Christians adopt a somewhat intolerant 'in your face' attitude and claim their religious rights are being infringed upon by others. IMO this is nonsense and poems like this only serves to incite hatred amongst the gullible with an approach that goes against the tolerance and acceptance that Christianity often preaches.

[VR43000GT]

While I am not condoning nor unaccepting of the poem, I am sick of being trampled on as a Christian. Everytime I read a thread it has something to do with Christians doing something wrong in their eyes. As Ben Stein put it:

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary, Sunday, 12/18/05.

Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart:

I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important? I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife.

Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are.

If this is what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.

Next confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu.

If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period.

I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.

But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina)

Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.

And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing?


And while I am sure there will be response to this with people making reasons on why this does not make sense or that this does not apply, it does apply to me. I see all these explaining and pity threads about atheist yet I rarely see anybody attacking them. However, when we introduce something about our religion we go under attack seemingly. All in all (check my other posts if you need further evidence) I wish that we could just believe what we want and they what they want without disputing or people who believe in nothing to leave it alone. I am so sick of people trying to come up with their explanations of why Christianity is so bad. I have never spoken ill of atheist yet I continue to see people who believe in nothing try and take us down a notch. And frankly, if you do not believe in anything, why would you care in the first place? Quite a rant I know, but just something to think about...just get along regardless.

[Maximus84]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

Sweet baby Jesus, Maximus, if you are going to accuse someone of being illiterate, then at least learn how to spell. It's atheists.

I have noticed that some Christians adopt a somewhat intolerant 'in your face' attitude and claim their religious rights are being infringed upon by others. IMO this is nonsense and poems like this only serves to incite hatred amongst the gullible with an approach that goes against the tolerance and acceptance that Christianity often preaches.

1st- I know how to spell,but as I've pointed out elsewhere on this forum,I type with one,sometimes 2 fingers...another reason I copy/paste... and sometimes I dont feel like going back to fix things.So,if you see that once in awhile,get over it.You know what I'm talking about.You think one word in one paragraph proves I'm illiterate? And you know why I asked if they could read--it was current events I was referring to.You knew that but you wanted to get your shot in just the same.Thats also why you used Jesus in your dumb attempt in that response. Cant you be a moderator who is moderate in his totally unnecessary response? 'Don't look like it,do it? Oops,theres my illiteracy again! 2nd- There will always be some bad apples in a very large barrel.This country is by far,predominately 'Christian',yet you hardly ever/never hear of them going to the extremes as other groups,right?

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by SL3000gt

I am so sick of people trying to come up with their explanations of why Christianity is so bad. I have never spoken ill of atheist yet I continue to see people who believe in nothing try and take us down a notch. And frankly, if you do not believe in anything, why would you care in the first place?

Is this rhetorical or do you really want an answer?

Freedom of religion is a fundamental principle enshrined (as far as I know) in the Constitution. Atheists also want freedom from religion, which is more difficult to get.

Atheists are also tired of religious people's hostility about their alleged lack of beliefs and subsequent biased assumptions about our morality, state of being, worth as a person and alleged fate of our so-called soul.
So you see, hostility and prejudice work both ways.

Personally, I do not believe in god at all but I love Christmas. I also love the morality and guidance that Christianity provides.
So in the spirit of Christmas, peace brother, goodwill to all and the best of the Christmas season to you and yours.

[Maximus84]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

Is this rhetorical or do you really want an answer?

Freedom of religion is a fundamental principle enshrined (as far as I know) in the Constitution. Atheists also want freedom from religion, which is more difficult to get.

Atheists are also tired of religious people's hostility about their alleged lack of beliefs and subsequent biased assumptions about our morality, state of being, worth as a person and alleged fate of our so-called soul.
So you see, hostility and prejudice work both ways.

Personally, I do not believe in god at all but I love Christmas. I also love the morality and guidance that Christianity provides.
So in the spirit of Christmas, peace brother, goodwill to all and the best of the Christmas season to you and yours.

I think you got it wrong.99% of the population dont care one bit about atheists,in general,so they take whatever shots they can.Especially around Christian holidays,is when you hear about all this crap mostly attacking,not definiing their own beliefs.Why dont we hear a peep the rest of the year? Because,you know youre best shot is attacking Christians,to get publicity

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by Maximus84

I think you got it wrong.99% of the population dont care one bit about atheists,in general,so they take whatever shots they can.

What the hell??

If 99% don't care about atheism, they why the hell does the writer of this poem (and you, it seems) seem so upset and threatened by atheists?
Wow, that remaining 1% must sure be very powerful!!<note sarcasm>

Your point, mathematically makes no sense, as I recall reading that 20% of Americans describe themselves as having 'no religion'.
The remaining religious 80% does not equal the 99% you claim.

Originally Posted by Maximus84

Especially around Christian holidays,is when you hear about all this crap mostly attacking,not definiing their own beliefs.Why dont we hear a peep the rest of the year?

Imho the Christians are developing the peeps, not the atheists. It seems atheists are not doing the attacking, but Christians are claiming they are.
I would say complaints from Christians about being oppressed seem only to emerge around Christmastime.

[Maximus84]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

What the hell??

If 99% don't care about atheism, they why the hell does the writer of this poem (and you, it seems) seem so upset and threatened by atheists?
Wow, that remaining 1% must sure be very powerful!!<note sarcasm>

Your point, mathematically makes no sense, as I recall reading that 20% of Americans describe themselves as having 'no religion'.
The remaining religious 80% does not equal the 99% you claim.


Imho the Christians are developing the peeps, not the atheists. It seems atheists are not doing the attacking, but Christians are claiming they are.
I would say complaints from Christians about being oppressed seem only to emerge around Christmastime.

I didnt take a scientific survey,but its a huge majority that are Christians in this country,& its what this country was founded on. You really want me to look it up? Why do you keep stirring the pot? You know I'm right. I dont really believe placing a sign making statements against Christianity, within a few feet of a Nativity scene,is what you think is freedom of religion,because THAT doesnt follow the guidlines.That is an ATTACK on religion,& not stating your alternative belief. You want your holiday,petition Congress. as for your inaccurate comment,about complaints this time of year,now ,again,you know why.

[CL8]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

Atheists are also tired of religious people's hostility about their alleged lack of beliefs and subsequent biased assumptions about our morality, state of being, worth as a person and alleged fate of our so-called soul.
So you see, hostility and prejudice work both ways.

MagicRat, i'd like to jump in here and clarify the bolded statement if you don't mind. I, and my fellow Christians who take the effort to spread the gospel of salvation through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, do it NOT because of hostility to your worth as a person or soul, we do it out of love. We don't want to see ANY soul end up in a fiery hell in Gods Judgment.
We are ALL sinners and need a Savior, the Christian AND the Atheist.

If you have heard of J. Penn, he is an Atheist Comedian, and below he describes his thoughts about Christians who DONT "proselytize"
I am curious to know if you would agree with what he says about Christians who don't proselytize.
.
Merry Christmas, CL8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHS8adO3hM