General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTo My Pagan, Atheist, Jewish and Christian Friends:
Happy Holidays everyone. No matter what you believe I wish you all a time of good cheer, love, family, friendship and joy. This is a season of hope and wonder, of helping others and lifting spirits, of selflessness and giving, of hopeful possibilities and new beginnings.
To my Christian friends, this is the holiday which marks the birth of a savior. A being who brings light and love to the world. His birth brought about the possibility of redemption from sin and a new way to look upon your fellow man. The birth of Christ represents faith, hope and love. I wish you all a season filled with these wonderful things.
To my Pagan friends, happy Yule, Winter Solstice or Saturnalia. This time of year represents the end of a season of darkness and the return of life giving light. It is a time marked with reflection upon the year gone by and the hopes of the year yet to come. Many of the traditions celebrated by Pagans are carried on today in the form of Christmas trees, holly, candles and feasts. I wish you all a season filled with new possibilities, light and hope.
To my Jewish friends, Hanukkah is a holiday of light, hope and miracle, a time to join together with family and friends and enjoy food, games, music and prayer. It is a time to show light, not for those inside your homes, but to those outside. I wish you all a season of miracles, light, good food. I hope you win all the gelt in the pot with your superior dreidel skills and that your oil lasts for 8 days and nights.
To my non-religious friends, this is a time to join together and celebrate life and the individual ability to choose to be a better person. We have the added benefit of being free to pick and choose from other traditions those things which we enjoy most and those which allow us to experience the best that the entire human experience has to offer. Not being bound to a dogma or denomination gives us the freedom to enjoy any of them or none at all. I wish you all a season of happiness and freedom to seek your own path of goodwill towards people and yourselves.
To all my friends and family, know this; I love each and every one of you regardless of who you are or which path you choose to take. My life is changed by knowing you. i strive to be a better person and treat others with compassion, kindness and respect and I am self aware enough to know I often fail at this goal. My hope is that each of you, and I, can recognize the innate goodness that exists in each of us and, regardless of which faith or belief system we choose, we will strive to treat each other a little better, a little kinder and a little more like companions in this journey and less like combatants.
(I know I missed dozens of different faiths and beliefs so let me take this opportunity to paraphrase a pretty good American author; Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night!)
Mortos
(2,390 posts)The very first reply was:
"Very well written... Merry CHRISTmas to and yours!"
I think she may have missed the point.
tavalon
(27,985 posts)You are quite educated on the big three at this time of year. Thanks from this Pagan and Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Wait Wut
(8,492 posts)What a beautiful wish for us all.
Skidmore
(37,364 posts)Well stated and wished. Borrowing.
liberal_at_heart
(12,081 posts)nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Alittleliberal
(528 posts)Could never understand why ones religion mattered during the holidays.
seabeckind
(1,957 posts)If the person who authored this thing or any of those who passed it on
truly understood the meaning of it and the tolerance that it espouses...
they wouldn't have to point out the differences. They wouldn't be noticed.
F' em for their pretend. And the horse they rode in on.
Hekate
(90,714 posts)seabeckind
(1,957 posts)By specifying all those qualities in the way they are specified, the implication is that I am none of those things but in all their condescension at this time of year they are willing to overlook my obvious lack of morality.
If I am insulted by these people 11 months out of the year by calling for equality and justice,
reACTIONary
(5,770 posts)seabeckind
(1,957 posts)My Fundie Aunt sends us greetings
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4217873
onpatrol98
(1,989 posts)Their first line...
Happy Holidays everyone. No matter what you believe I wish you all a time of good cheer, love, family, friendship and joy.
------------------------------------------
I think the poster truly understands the meaning of it and the tolerance that it espouses. A tiny part of the proof is in all the well wishes and good feelings it provoked in other DUers.
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For the most part, I think you get back some of what you put out into the world. So, here's wishing good cheer, love, family, friendship and joy back at the poster...if at all possible. If he/she is not the author, I'm glad they shared the sentiment.
seabeckind
(1,957 posts)I've gotten a few of those left-handed things so I'm a little twitchy. I wanted to scream: If our differences don't matter, why did you have to list them all?
I think the only sentiment this season should be:
May you enjoy happiness during his holiday season and throughout the year.
reACTIONary
(5,770 posts)...why did you have to list them all?
In interpersonal communication its called "reflective listening". It demonstrates to the other that you have heard and understood what is being said, especially those things that are important to the other. Differences are usually the important points. Having been listened to and having been understood, the other is more inclined and more able to listen to and to understand you, and is more inclined to accept and acknowledge commonalities.
Your fundi aunt's missive is not an example of this, and is quite different from the OP in intention and tone. Her missive as a parody, not a sincere reflection, and was not meant in a spirit of tolerance and togetherness.
Mortos
(2,390 posts)Whatever you believe, or don't believe, I wish you happiness at this time of year. I thought that was pretty clear. Which part is intolerant?
Response to seabeckind (Reply #8)
Mortos This message was self-deleted by its author.
Response to seabeckind (Reply #8)
Mortos This message was self-deleted by its author.
Mortos
(2,390 posts)busterbrown
(8,515 posts)He is of the Jewish Faith...However my Christian girl friend put up a artificial tree this year which had a Manger scene given to her by her mother and Jebby got so excited when he first saw it that he peed all over it... Jebby!! bad boy!!!
Hekate
(90,714 posts)Call it what you will, but be of good cheer.
I have a UU (Unitarian) essay my sister sent me last night that I'm thinking of posting here later today if I have time. Did you know Charles Dickens was one of ours? Not too surprising when you consider how universal and non-preachy his message remains.
tavalon
(27,985 posts)I'm going to start attending UU. They are the coolest of cool. And they have groups representing darn near everyone, even atheists. You would think something that espouses everything would actually be espousing nothing, but that so isn't UU. I have loved the sermons every time I've had the pleasure of attending. I was raised southern Baptist. I'm so glad I got over it.
eridani
(51,907 posts)I have a friend who pushed to get that one started.
reACTIONary
(5,770 posts)... T.J., of founding father fame. What's a t-p "patriot" to do?
Hekate
(90,714 posts)sarge43
(28,941 posts)May the returning light warm and guide us all.
Happy Holidays, everyone.
kysrsoze
(6,022 posts)haele
(12,660 posts)I don't think anyone can ever have a problem with someone wishing them the next year will be better than this past one was. Whether it was a wonderful year or a gawdawful year.
Haele
tavalon
(27,985 posts)Last year, about this time, my husband ended our marriage. This year, my dog has cancer and won't likely see the summer. So, I'm staking it all on 2015. Well, maybe not "all", but it's nice to look forward to a time when it will be easier. I know it will come and a wish of your sort works right into that.
onpatrol98
(1,989 posts)Happy Holidays To You!!!
Nikia
(11,411 posts)Thanks for posting this.
seabeckind
(1,957 posts)I am truly sorry.
Best wishes during this season. Be well.
reACTIONary
(5,770 posts)... here is an article about Muslim celebrations of Xmas.