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poltr1...is the incessant injection of religion around the holiday. Yes, Jesus' birthday may be the reason for the season, but it was some pope back in the 4th century that decreed that it be celebrated on December 25th. It's purely an arbitrary date.
Last night, I had a conversation with my dad. He seems to think that I'm still Catholic, and dismisses any talk from me that I've left the faith. But after reading messages from Catholics United for the Faith, I get the impression that 99% loyalty is 100% disloyalty. If I can't be Catholic and pro-choice at the same time,as the bumper sticker says, I guess I'm no longer Catholic. Plus, in the last few years, I didn't really feel like I was a part of the church community.
Then there was an online discussion of the greeting "Merry Christmas" versus "Happy Holidays". I get irritated when people wish me a merry Christmas. I want to say "How dare you presume I'm Christian!" or "Thanks, but I don't celebrate the holiday". But I'm polite and respond "Thank you."
And then today, L from Florida sent me a highly religious card, and included a tract. I want to send it back to her, with a note saying "Please don't send me any more religious tracts".
It's as if people have no clue that I'm pagan, or dismiss that aspect altogether. It's December, and the whole world is Christian. Feh.
Last night, I had a conversation with my dad. He seems to think that I'm still Catholic, and dismisses any talk from me that I've left the faith. But after reading messages from Catholics United for the Faith, I get the impression that 99% loyalty is 100% disloyalty. If I can't be Catholic and pro-choice at the same time,as the bumper sticker says, I guess I'm no longer Catholic. Plus, in the last few years, I didn't really feel like I was a part of the church community.
Then there was an online discussion of the greeting "Merry Christmas" versus "Happy Holidays". I get irritated when people wish me a merry Christmas. I want to say "How dare you presume I'm Christian!" or "Thanks, but I don't celebrate the holiday". But I'm polite and respond "Thank you."
And then today, L from Florida sent me a highly religious card, and included a tract. I want to send it back to her, with a note saying "Please don't send me any more religious tracts".
It's as if people have no clue that I'm pagan, or dismiss that aspect altogether. It's December, and the whole world is Christian. Feh.
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Date: 2006-12-22 02:31 am (UTC)I understand this, from having primarily practiced in my lifetime two different non-Christian religions. The best response I've found, if I'm getting really annoyed with it -- and I try not to, with strangers; they don't know me and so can't be expected to understand my reaction -- but with people who should know better, is "Thank you. Blessed be." It's as much a goodwill wish as they're offering (if they're sincere), and they are welcome to accept it or get irritated because someone overlooked their faith.
no subject
Date: 2006-12-22 03:23 am (UTC)Casual "Merry Christmas" wishes are likely to be well meaning.
I was raised Unitarian (sort of ;-) and not Christian. We did celebrate "christmas" but not "Christmas" exactly. Still I am not offended, even as a UU pagan taoist-wannabe, when someone wishes me Merry Christmas. I try to just say something like "thank you, you too" or "Happy Holidays" or sometimes I say "Glad Yule!" But I like "blessed be". Works nicely.
:-) So Hey, Happy Holidays Jim. :-)