Happy Newtonmas to all...

[GrumpyGregry]

You can't shift one event and not the other.

Jesus wasnt ever born on 25 December and under the old calendar 25/12 wasnt Christmas...

 

[srw]

Jesus wasnt ever born on 25 December and under the old calendar 25/12 wasnt Christmas...

Christmas was certainly 25th December in 1662, and in 1549, before the adoption of the new calendar.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Christmas was certainly 25th December in 1662, and in 1549, before the adoption of the new calendar.

Fair play. It was an attempt at BS.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

January 7 being 25 December new vs old calendar wise innit?

 

[Falco Frank]

Happy Gravmas

 

[vernon]

I'll drink a few pints of cider to celebrate

I ate four pies to celebrate.

 

[vernon]

I don't notice Ramadan or Divali being the excuse for massive overconsumption (in terms of money, food and alcohol).
Not the fault of christians, but perhaps explains why more people complain about it.

Really?

Alcohol is haram (forbidden) in the Islamic culture and amongst Hindus so you wouldn't expect it to feature heavily if at all.

Ramadan is a period of abstinence so you'd not expect conspicuous consumption. Eid al Fitr at the end of Ramadan is celebrated by pigging out and the exchange of money and gifts within the muslim communities that I am familiar with in Leeds and Bradford. Perhaps it's confined to the Leeds/Bradford conurbation?

Before Diwali night, people clean, renovate, and decorate their homes and offices.[10] On Diwali night, Hindus dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up diyas (lamps and candles) inside and outside their home, participate in family puja (prayers) typically to Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth and prosperity. After puja, fireworks follow,[11] then a family feast including mithai (sweets), and an exchange of gifts between family members and close friends. Deepavali also marks a major shopping period in nations where it is celebrated.[12]

Judging by the fusillade of aerial explosions a minute or two ago, it looks like an aspect of Diwali has been appropriated by the Christians or Jews in my locality.

 

[perplexed]

Why is it socially acceptable that atheists think they can change the name of Christmas but they would never dream of saying I don't believe in Divali or Ramadan so I'll call it something else. so basically you can offend Christians but not Muslims or other religions?. Muslims and other religions respect it so why can't atheists? My Muslim, Hindu and Sikh friends take part and call it Christmas.

Stop calling it something else bcoz you don't believe in it. If you don't believe in it, don't celebrate it... like you don't celebrate Ramadan or Divali. Simples.

Nobody's changing the name of Christmas... and no religion gets a jail free card by way of special pleading in my book. So you're incorrect in your assumption there I'm afraid. They are all equally open to criticism, as is anything else.

Besides, even the link posits that the notion is a little tongue in cheek....

Edit: to add, if I lived somewhere where a different religion held sway, I'd post an alternative if I could find one for whatever date...

 

[winjim]

Here are some more atheists enjoying Christmas.

http://huff.to/1ObYMvG

 

[vernon]

Nobody's changing the name of Christmas... and no religion gets a jail free card by way of special pleading in my book. So you're incorrect in your assumption there I'm afraid. They are all equally open to criticism, as is anything else.

Besides, even the link posits that the notion is a little tongue in cheek....

Edit: to add, if I lived somewhere where a different religion held sway, I'd post an alternative if I could find one for whatever date...

Nah the original post alludes to the masturbatory lexicographical revisionism used by folk similar to recumbent riders renaming bicycles 'upwrongs' and the renaming of fish as sea kittens by Peta. Only fellow practitioners gain satisfaction.

 

[winjim]

Nah the original post alludes to the masturbatory lexicographical revisionism used by folk similar to recumbent riders renaming bicycles 'upwrongs' and the renaming of fish as sea kittens by Peta. Only fellow practitioners gain satisfaction.

Meanwhile everybody else recognises that it's an in joke, tuts, shakes their head and gets on with their day.

 

[vernon]

Meanwhile everybody else recognises that it's an in joke, tuts, shakes their head and gets on with their day.

Everybody else? Really?

I'd rather be a fish eating cyclist enjoying Christmas than a sea kitten avoiding, recumbent riding revisionist nobber.

Merry Christmas.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

I can appreciate the sentiment of the Christmas story without literally believing it and I can enjoy the festival with my loved ones without buying into the rampant commercialism of it.

This.
And I'm happy to celebrate Newton's achievements too.
And there's a time and a place for rampant commercialism too, lots of us have jobs that depend on it.

 

[vernon]

A rose by any other name........

Shakes spear at the voice of reason.

Merry Christmas!

 

[perplexed]

Nah the original post alludes to the masturbatory lexicographical revisionism used by folk similar to recumbent riders renaming bicycles 'upwrongs' and the renaming of fish as sea kittens by Peta. Only fellow practitioners gain satisfaction.

Except it doesn't, but never mind. Still, you're entitled to your opinion...