LAist: What Christmas is All About

Khalifah

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:45:36 -0800

Seasons Greetings to you all. I have read all your post and I agree with most you and your content. I, a Muslim American of African decent, personally would like to see more of the spiritual side and the reason for this so called season of giving (no disrespect). For the muslim this season is everyday, it is our foundation; it is the third pillar of Islam. Now many believe that Jesus (peace be upon him) was born on December 25th. However, through study I have learned that pagans celebrated their holiday on this day when Christianity came to them. This is something you can research yourself. Santa Claus, Evergreen Trees, decorative lighting, mistletoes, etc. has nothing to do with Jesus(peace be upon him), but is festive and leaves you feeling warm, loved. Many of the holidays recognized in America, and other places with the help of American influence, have some DNA of paganism (Valentines Day, etc.) The spirit of this season is good. Although I am not a practioner of the faith, I support its followers. The ones that actually try to strive to be Christ-Like. To my brother, Mr. Mob. Kwanzaa is cultural; Not Islam. Just like the two other Abrahamic Faiths, Judaism and Christianity, it is a way of life. What you see in the culture of the Arab is not the same for those muslims whose culture is that of the African-American, European-American, or any other country in this world with its own cultural norms. To my Christian friends, Merry Christmas.

Khalifah

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:23:24 -0800

Khalifah

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:19:49 -0800

Caroline

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 22:50:45 -0800

Nevertheless, do not act suprised when people judge you based on the actions of those you have chosen to represent you. By this token, are you sure you want the rest of the world judging you, an American by who Americans voted to lead them? I think not.

Caroline

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 22:42:55 -0800

Ben, for the record, I said non-Christians "such as yourself" and I was referring to people who share your desire to find someone to blame. I am perfectly aware that Christianity isn't the only religion in the world, that is ludicrous. It is, however, the majority religion in this country. I agree with you that it is truly sad that many of Christianity's practitioners, perhaps the loudest and most visible, but certainly not the most numerous, seem to have lost sight of what is truly important about the teachings of Christ. However, let me enlighten you that *my* chosen religious leader (The Rev. Katharine Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church) is a woman who believes, not only that homosexuals have the right to marry, but also to become bishops in our church and have all other rights granted to human beings by God. She disagrees, and I believe most of my fellow Christians disagree, with the narrow-minded opinions of the few you choose to inform you about what being a Christian means. The majority of Christians are not like Jerry Fallwell and Joel Osteen, but religious leaders like that are sensational and sell papers. Your view of Christians is as narrow minded as you seem to think my view of all non-Christians is (even though I clearly meant non-Christians who share your views.) We could all use more tolerance and understanding. Even me. Even you. And celebrating the leader who came up with that idea on the day of his birth shouldn't be so terrible. In any case, we shouldn't be throwing the baby out with the bathwater as you seem to be suggesting.

mr.moto

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 12:08:26 -0800

I'v read backwards through these posts and comments, via a mention on LA Observed. And I agree with you. And it's annoying because imho it's purely political correctness and worry over seeming too--what? being too "mainstream", God forbid?--that results in this ignoring of "what Christmas is all about". It's NOT, as some posters would have it, because "everyone KNOWS that Xmas is Jesus' birthday, stupid" or because of anything else than a political concern about how the newscast looks, and ratings. I watch daily news from the BBC and France2, and I can tell you that even in FRANCE there's more space given on a 30 minute Xmas newscast to the seasonal masses and Pope's speech, etc. than here in L.A.--and does anyone doubt that L.A. has more practising christians(esp. Catholics) than France? Come on! It seems to be cool to mention religion when it's a report on the quaint rituals of spanish-speaking christians, or muslims' observances(I know more about the hadjj, "Eid" and Ramadan than I ever thought possible--and yes, even after years of detailed reporting on what Ramadan is, why it's celebrated and all about Allah, they keep reiterating it again and again. For US consumption. So much for "we got it already".). My point is that this supposed open-mindedness is in fact(perhaps unintentionally) patronising--and the more so to patronise old-fashioned Christians, the VAST majority of whom are--gasp!--normal, non-sex-abusing, uietky pious, non-hate-filled people. That's why you don't hear about them. And ditto re: the "leaders" who supposedly abandoned Chirstianity, per the above poster; there's a majority of believing, practising Christians who don't make a show of it. There's a predominant belief in the media elite of not only LA but NY and many other places(that I get from the LA Times and NY Times, as well as local news)that if you have half a brain and are white/western/well-educated you surely can't believe in God or Jesus Christ without being a fanatic. Of course, Islam and Kwanzaa are "cultural" and therefore okay. It's all fine & dandy--except for the BS pointed out above: there IS a religious, valid dimension and reason for Christmas that still means something to millions. So address it, for pete's sake., without being afraid as they are of looking, um, religious. Jeez.

ben bang

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 13:18:20 -0800

First, you obviously know very little about my beliefs or the beliefs of the many different types of "non-christians" as you so simply put it. Funny how for you there are christians and then there are non-christians. Ahem, you're wearing your simplistic worldview on your sleeve. Say what you will, but your community's leaders do little to emulate christ's teachings. In fact, they seem dead bent on doing the exact opposite of what christ taught. I'm not so simple-minded as you to assume that this represents the will of the christian community on the whole. Nevertheless, do not act suprised when people judge you based on the actions of those you have chosen to represent you. Look at your own house, sister. Except Al Sharpton. None of that shit I said applies to him.

Caroline

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 17:45:02 -0800

Wrong, Ben. *Most* Christians are just people like you trying to live their lives, take care of their families and get along in the world. In my experience, most Christians understand that Jesus taught us to love *everyone* no matter what they believed, who they love and hate, or who they want to marry. It'd be nice if non-Christians like yourself believed that too.

ben bang

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 16:01:25 -0800

blah blah blah. Most christians are shallow and less concerned with christ than they are with gays marrying and material bullshit. Try blaming them.

Will Campbell

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 12:25:18 -0800

Bravo Tony Pierce. Bra. Vo.

Caroline

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 08:37:25 -0800

Thank you very much for this. It has always irked me, that because of a few Christian nut-jobs, the rest of us are made to feel that our beliefs are worthless, wrong, or worse: harmful to others. We certainly see Allah mentioned in the news often enough these days. Even if you don't believe that Jesus Christ was God made man, you have to admit that his teachings of unconditional love and forgiveness changed the world forever - in a good way. That alone is worth mentioning this time of year - it certainly seems sometimes like the world could use the reminder.