I might get in trouble

I don't care what people say. Just have a problem with being told what to say. To each his own really and I think being forced to accept anything one way or another is BS. You're into what you're into, simple as that. Personally, I think people should be left alone to worship, praise, chant-to or sacrifice gummy bears to whatever creature-figure or god they want. Just do your own thing as long as it isn't at the expense of someone else.

What gets me going are these guys like that schmuck (sure there are a few out there but some lawyer from california was on TV a while back raisin a big hoot so Im naming him) who had such a problem with saying "under god" in the pledge of allegiance. Who really cares? If you don't want to say it, you don't have to. Don't sit there and waste valuable resources and tax dollars on something so small as a two-word selection just because you have the right to. Just cause you can raise a big fuss doesn't mean you have to. You aren't special and the simple fact that you, by-your-little-lonesome, are going out and working for a personal goal just totally defeats everything you are "fighting" for.

Thats my rant I suppose, Im done.

Well I want to wish everyone who celebrates it a happy Easter. And for those that don't, have a good day. For me, I am working today, so I'm missing out on the family dinner today.

And thehoofbite, I won't get too far into this because I don't want to start an arguement, but I do not stand for the pledge of allegiance. Nor do I say it, for the exact reason that they have 'under god' in the pledge. I actually got in trouble because I wouldn't stand during the pledge. I told the teacher that I had my own beliefs and would not stand for the pledge. She said if I didn't stand I would be removed from the classroom. I refused to stand and out into the hall I went every morning, so I wouldn't offend other students by not standing. (By the way, by my not standing, I meant I sit quietly in my seat. I didn't say anything, or do anything else to disturb anyone.) Eventually news spread throughout the school that I was being kicked out of class during the pledge and other people around the school began sitting. My teacher came to me and told me I was starting a rebelion. I told her that I had no control over what others did and still refused to stand. I told her, it is not in the student handbook. There is no school rule that requires me to stand, therefore I should not be getting in trouble for this. She said it wasn't a rule but it was still expected. I then told her, if its not printed in this book, I will not stand. Technically, by law I don't have to stand, so she was denying me my right to sit. I was denied freedom of speech by being made to sit outside.

And we've totally gotten off track. This thread is not here for arguing religion and patriotism. It is simply a discussion on the holidays and what to say. I just wanted to see what other people say during the holidays. I'm sorry if by posting this, I created an arguement. I don't want this getting out of control.

HAPPY FESTIVUS everyone :) thought i'd throw in my 2 cents

also happy easter to all those who celebrate it im working from 12 - 6:30 so no family dinner for me but i do have a lil get together going on later tonite

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by minotaur

As far as what constitutes a religion, I believe the concept of religion was originally created as a moral compass, a set of rules to be followed before the advent of the legal system.

---

That's exactly what I think as well, so we must not be too far apart in our beliefs :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by minotaur

Thanks for your insight SarahMB but your posts seem to assume that all people of the standard religions are intolerant and I think that needs to be judged on an individual basis.

---

I'm not sure where you got that from my posts, as it's not true in the least. I think religions are intolerant, but most followers ignore the teachings that are distasteful to them. I think most humans have good intentions towards other humans, no matter what religion they belong to.
Which is why I always smile and say thank you when someone says 'bless you' when I sneeze. I've also been known to say Merry Christmas in return to the same greeting! I just think that's polite.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SarahMB

Why? Should religions that have a history of bloody intolerance be tolerated?

---

And yet the Catholic is still the largest religious body in the world.

I am in no way religious so I must admit I find the way people take offense to "Happy Holidays" amusing. As well as all the other mini movements that have happened, for instance, turning Halloween into "Fall Festival"... ridiculous...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by darkangel

I am in no way religious so I must admit I find the way people take offense to "Happy Holidays" amusing. As well as all the other mini movements that have happened, for instance, turning Halloween into "Fall Festival"... ridiculous...

---

The funny thing about that is, hallowe'en is actually an old old pagan holiday, it's not christian at all. But it can be argued so are all the other major holidays .

I don't think it should be anybody's business what I choose to tell them at christmas, just like it isn't mine to tell them what to say. I usually say happy holidays because though I celebrate christmas, it's for the family aspect. I don't have a problem with the teachings of christ but I don't follow them. I say happy holidays to just wish whoever a good whatever they celebrate - doesn't matter to me who they pray to when they celebrate!
If someone else is going to get mad at me for saying "happy holidays".... I think they've lost the idea of christmas, and are not thinking in the mindset that a modern church should have. But I'm not one to lead churches :P

I'm an atheist raised by atheists, and I still say "Merry Christmas". *shrug* I think people should just take whatever seasonal greeting is offered in the spirit of goodwill in which it is intended. Insisting that the speaker conform to the receiver's particular religous mindset is just stupid and narrow-minded. There are millions of belief systems in the world; you can't expect that everyone you meet will agree with yours. Live and let live. In my experience, the most zealous believers seem to be the most unhappy...always finding fault with everything and everyone around them. Just be happy and practice tolerance. :-)

Halloween may be an old pagan holiday, but it's hardly that now. Come on, little kids getting dressed up and getting candy? I don't understand. With as many pagan influences as the are around us it seems such a pointless target.

:clap: well said Jo!!! And Happy Belly Button Lint Day to you too! (i didn't know you were a bellybuttonist too! :P) Oh and one more thing....LOVE your avatar....that's my mom..totally. :D