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In reply to the discussion: Real, confident atheists don't think it's offensive to say "Merry Christmas." We think it's adorable [View all]LiberalLovinLug
(14,168 posts)And it seems you have no argument with the premise of it being loosely interpreted. Only that I should include other religions in that charge. Fine. I don't give any other religion any quarter. If you ask me, every organized religion is a man-made invention by a few clever men. Feeding the God part of the brain to control the confused masses. Islam is one of the worst, of course, at different interpretations of their own holy book, by various groups of clever men.
I was brought up in a very strict Christian house. I do not speak without first hand knowledge. The deprograming took many years. I can never say I am 100% atheist as I'll always have a never say never attitude. So I'll always be agnostic to some degree. But most of my extended family are still die hard fundies. I play along to get along. I don't have angry arguments with my older parents anymore. I went to Christmas Eve church with them. It was fine. I say Merry Christmas. Its fine. I am forced, yes forced, to have Christmas musak playing everywhere but that's fine. I even like a lot of Christmas music. I just interpret it a different way than my family. Its one time of year when humans can have the opportunity to be nice to each other, even strangers. See how that feels for at least a brief time each year. Reminding us that we actually CAN get along if we try. Its a great holiday for that reason. I'm all for it.
Just keep the rest of the mind numbing 364 days of cult worship away from me.