War on Christmas

[Cosmopoles]

Just an example. How about a protestant version of it. The point is that its a religiously tolerant country.

Surely the founding of the US as a country without an established Christian church makes it a country founded on secular rather than Christian principles.

[Acadzia]

Don't declare War on Christmas! I love Christmas!

[Chetssaland]

Just an example. How about a protestant version of it. The point is that its a religiously tolerant country.

Surely the founding of the US as a country without an established Christian church makes it a country founded on secular rather than Christian principles.

No, not really. They weren't trying to make a theocracy. At that time Christianity was a huge part of life. Almost all the founders were Christians, if not all of them. They didn't want to force their beliefs on everyone, which is obviously a good thing. If you want a little hint, just look at the whole taking an oath system. An oath, at that time at least, was a promise to God.

[Wilgrove]

Just an example. How about a protestant version of it. The point is that its a religiously tolerant country.

Surely the founding of the US as a country without an established Christian church makes it a country founded on secular rather than Christian principles.

No, not really. They weren't trying to make a theocracy. At that time Christianity was a huge part of life. Almost all the founders were Christians, if not all of them. They didn't want to force their beliefs on everyone, which is obviously a good thing. If you want a little hint, just look at the whole taking an oath system. An oath, at that time at least, was a promise to God.

Our Constitution, nor our Bill of Rights name any Gods.

There's also the Treaty of Tripoli.

[Tagmatium]

No, not really. They weren't trying to make a theocracy. At that time Christianity was a huge part of life. Almost all the founders were Christians, if not all of them. They didn't want to force their beliefs on everyone, which is obviously a good thing. If you want a little hint, just look at the whole taking an oath system. An oath, at that time at least, was a promise to God.

At that period, it was essentially taken for granted that someone was Christian. That was true up until probably the middle of the 20th century, if not later, for a lot of the Western world.

[Acadzia]

"Christianity, with its doctrine of humility, of forgiveness, of love, is incompatible with the state, with its haughtiness, its violence, its punishment and its wars."

I think Tolstoy might argue there are no Christian nations.

[Cosmopoles]

No, not really. They weren't trying to make a theocracy. At that time Christianity was a huge part of life. Almost all the founders were Christians, if not all of them. They didn't want to force their beliefs on everyone, which is obviously a good thing. If you want a little hint, just look at the whole taking an oath system. An oath, at that time at least, was a promise to God.

An oath is not a promise to an exclusively Christian God though. Don't forget about all those Deist founding fathers as well.

[Berzerkirs]

And I thought this was an RP...

*sighs*

Merry Christmas, lads and lasses.

[Chetssaland]

No, not really. They weren't trying to make a theocracy. At that time Christianity was a huge part of life. Almost all the founders were Christians, if not all of them. They didn't want to force their beliefs on everyone, which is obviously a good thing. If you want a little hint, just look at the whole taking an oath system. An oath, at that time at least, was a promise to God.

An oath is not a promise to an exclusively Christian God though. Don't forget about all those Deist founding fathers as well.

Noah Webster 1828 dictionary.

A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. The appeal to God in an oath, implies that the person imprecates his vengeance and renounces his favor if the declaration is false, or if the declaration is a promise, the person invokes the vengeance of God if he should fail to fulfill it. A false oath is called perjury.

[Cosmopoles]

Noah Webster 1828 dictionary.

A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. The appeal to God in an oath, implies that the person imprecates his vengeance and renounces his favor if the declaration is false, or if the declaration is a promise, the person invokes the vengeance of God if he should fail to fulfill it. A false oath is called perjury.

I wasn't aware the Christians had claimed exclusive rights for communion with God. The Jews will be most upset.

[Call to power]

*wants* (fuck this image limiting bullshit)

I can't say I've ever encountered this war in the real world maybe my forming of race riots around December time saves Christmas

I hate Christmas.

your just saying that because you never get anything

No it was not.

lets be honest here America was either funded by ultra-radical Christians escaping "liberal" persecution or convicts

your choice

[Warp Dwellers]

No, not really. They weren't trying to make a theocracy. At that time Christianity was a huge part of life. Almost all the founders were Christians, if not all of them. They didn't want to force their beliefs on everyone, which is obviously a good thing. If you want a little hint, just look at the whole taking an oath system. An oath, at that time at least, was a promise to God.

An oath is not a promise to an exclusively Christian God though. Don't forget about all those Deist founding fathers as well.

Noah Webster 1828 dictionary.

A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. The appeal to God in an oath, implies that the person imprecates his vengeance and renounces his favor if the declaration is false, or if the declaration is a promise, the person invokes the vengeance of God if he should fail to fulfill it. A false oath is called perjury.

Wait... America was founded in 1828? We had our bicentenial a bit early, didn't we?

[Chetssaland]

No, not really. They weren't trying to make a theocracy. At that time Christianity was a huge part of life. Almost all the founders were Christians, if not all of them. They didn't want to force their beliefs on everyone, which is obviously a good thing. If you want a little hint, just look at the whole taking an oath system. An oath, at that time at least, was a promise to God.

An oath is not a promise to an exclusively Christian God though. Don't forget about all those Deist founding fathers as well.

Noah Webster 1828 dictionary.

A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. The appeal to God in an oath, implies that the person imprecates his vengeance and renounces his favor if the declaration is false, or if the declaration is a promise, the person invokes the vengeance of God if he should fail to fulfill it. A false oath is called perjury.

Wait... America was founded in 1828? We had our bicentenial a bit early, didn't we?

That was the first American dictionary. Those are the definitions that would have been used by the writers of the constitution. Sorry.

[Timurid Empire]

Christmas is Evil. Does THIS look innocent to you?



EDIT: And Happy Holidays.

[Chetssaland]

Noah Webster 1828 dictionary.

A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. The appeal to God in an oath, implies that the person imprecates his vengeance and renounces his favor if the declaration is false, or if the declaration is a promise, the person invokes the vengeance of God if he should fail to fulfill it. A false oath is called perjury.

I wasn't aware the Christians had claimed exclusive rights for communion with God. The Jews will be most upset.

Umm... what? I said America is tollerant.

[Wilgrove]

No, not really. They weren't trying to make a theocracy. At that time Christianity was a huge part of life. Almost all the founders were Christians, if not all of them. They didn't want to force their beliefs on everyone, which is obviously a good thing. If you want a little hint, just look at the whole taking an oath system. An oath, at that time at least, was a promise to God.

An oath is not a promise to an exclusively Christian God though. Don't forget about all those Deist founding fathers as well.

Noah Webster 1828 dictionary.

A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. The appeal to God in an oath, implies that the person imprecates his vengeance and renounces his favor if the declaration is false, or if the declaration is a promise, the person invokes the vengeance of God if he should fail to fulfill it. A false oath is called perjury.

Wait... America was founded in 1828? We had our bicentenial a bit early, didn't we?

That was the first American dictionary. Those are the definitions that would have been used by the writers of the constitution. Sorry.

1776 =/= 1828

[Warp Dwellers]

No, not really. They weren't trying to make a theocracy. At that time Christianity was a huge part of life. Almost all the founders were Christians, if not all of them. They didn't want to force their beliefs on everyone, which is obviously a good thing. If you want a little hint, just look at the whole taking an oath system. An oath, at that time at least, was a promise to God.

An oath is not a promise to an exclusively Christian God though. Don't forget about all those Deist founding fathers as well.

Noah Webster 1828 dictionary.

A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. The appeal to God in an oath, implies that the person imprecates his vengeance and renounces his favor if the declaration is false, or if the declaration is a promise, the person invokes the vengeance of God if he should fail to fulfill it. A false oath is called perjury.

Wait... America was founded in 1828? We had our bicentenial a bit early, didn't we?

That was the first American dictionary. Those are the definitions that would have been used by the writers of the constitution. Sorry.

And, having been there at the time, you can attest from firsthand experience that no cultural changes occured in the 50-some years between Constitution and dictionary.

[Lord-General Drache]

Will we see a War on Christmas this year? We actually didn't see one last year, at least I didn't. I guess the economic turmoil got people more concern with their jobs, house, and money than whenever or not someone is saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. However, with the Republican Party going further right (and into obscurity), will they raise a stink about this?

I'm surprise they aren't already bitching about The GAP new ad, which basically mentions all the winter holiday (including Solstice), but the Holiday Season has just begun, so we will see.

Of course I'll be the heathen that'll be wishing everyone a Happy Holiday!

I'm willing to accept the Gap ad because it mentions all the major holidays. Most seem to focus on the Christian aspect and sometimes throw in Hannukah to seem more appealing. However, I personally could do without all the religious trappings and crap around this time of year. I know that putting up a tree no longer has religious significance, but is done because it's rather pretty. I like giving and receiving gifts and don't mind an excuse for that. I just get utterly sick and tired of the "jesus is the reason for the season!" dren, and come to think of it, I almost never hear a word about the purported miracle of some oil burning.

Yeah, I know, I can definitely be seen as a total Scrooge, and I'm fine with that. I like this time of year for the cold weather, the songs, and the freedom from school I get.

[Chetssaland]

No, not really. They weren't trying to make a theocracy. At that time Christianity was a huge part of life. Almost all the founders were Christians, if not all of them. They didn't want to force their beliefs on everyone, which is obviously a good thing. If you want a little hint, just look at the whole taking an oath system. An oath, at that time at least, was a promise to God.

An oath is not a promise to an exclusively Christian God though. Don't forget about all those Deist founding fathers as well.

Noah Webster 1828 dictionary.

A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. The appeal to God in an oath, implies that the person imprecates his vengeance and renounces his favor if the declaration is false, or if the declaration is a promise, the person invokes the vengeance of God if he should fail to fulfill it. A false oath is called perjury.

Wait... America was founded in 1828? We had our bicentenial a bit early, didn't we?

That was the first American dictionary. Those are the definitions that would have been used by the writers of the constitution. Sorry.

And, having been there at the time, you can attest from firsthand experience that no cultural changes occured in the 50-some years between Constitution and dictionary.

Let's just use common sense here. There's no way that the founders didn't mean what it says in the 1828 version. But since I know there is no convincing any of you which I knew in the first place, I would like to end there (I'll probably be back. I can't resist arguing)

[Cosmopoles]

Umm... what? I said America is tollerant.

You also implied that because an oath is made to God, it must be a Christian concept. Its not.

[Saint Jade IV]

This whole idea of a war on Christmas is beyond me. In our multiracial, multicultural world, it makes sense for businesses to demonstrate at least nominally inclusive practices to promote themselves to as wide a potential customer base as possible.

Where government institutions exist, it is not appropriate for those institutions that are meant to serve the needs of the community to demonstrate preference for the beliefs of a small subset of that community. Whether that be at the local, state or federal level.

[Call to power]

This whole idea of a war on Christmas is beyond me.

Happy Holidays is a full syllable longer and as such is an affront to the season of gluttony

[Buffett and Colbert]

Don't declare War on Christmas! I love Christmas!

Me too.

[New Mitanni]

And I'll be saying "Merry Christmas"!

I now go out of my way to say "Merry Christmas." Especially in locations that use HH instead.

[Milks Empire]

This nation was founded on Christian beliefs and should stay that way.

Ugh, another dominionist...