Christmas Is Bullshit

[whatchamacallit]

I loved christmas when I was a kid, but like most good things, the Corpora-Fascist-State fucked it all up. Now it's little more than a garish reminder of the $$$virus$$$ destroying the world.

Happy Holidays.

[book_worm]

1. Christmas is fine, it's the commercialism that sucks

You can still have a Christmas like you did as a kid if you don't get caught up in the hype.

[elleng]

2. 'Scuse me for being so ....

but I think its rude to head a post in that way.

[silverojo]

36. Bullshit

Sorry, I couldn't resist! :rofl:

[slay]

48. LOL

nice one :rofl:

[gratuitous]

3. Become a conscientious objector

And refuse to be bullied by society's expectations.

[Erin Elizabeth]

82. That's a great way of putting it. We do that.

[DangerousRhythm]

91. Yes!

See my signature picture for a start on that. :rofl:

[chimpymustgo]

4. Christmas is what you make it. I love it.

[Lex]

20. I feel the exact same way. I don't let others or the "Corpora-Fascist-State"

screw it up for me, or for my family.

Some folks are evidently weaklings in the face of external pressure from the media/big box stores/Hallmark etc.

[Telly Savalas]

24. I choose to let the Corpora-Fascist-State screw it up for me

so I can whine about it.

[Lex]

27. LOL. Whining is enjoyable for some

it seems to me.

[specimenfred1984]

44. yeh, like the trampled shoppers, those w/o health insurance, etc...

"Whiners" as you call them.

[spoony]

57. Well we know what not to get you as a gift.

Since you apparently have such an abundance of strawmen that you chose to blow one so half-heartedly.

[blondeatlast]

65. ...

:spray:

[specimenfred1984]

68. Awl, I thought you were going to be handing out gifts

What a huge letdown...LOL.

[Kalyke]

38. Me too.

And I love Halloween, too.

Not a big Thanksgiving fan (I don't like stuffing myself to the gills and I hate the aftermath and what happened to the Native Americans). Valentine's Day is, uh... well... it's OK (yes, I'm female. I'd rather hubby treat me as his Valentine all year long). Easter is my most religious holiday. Birthday's are the best.

Family, however, is the most important aspect of all of this Hallmark, fascist (no need to add the "corpo" to it, since that's what fascist means, anyway), spend to you're blue shit, stuff. Enjoy. Pace yourself. Don't overeat. CHILL. It's all about hugs and kisses and children's laughter.

[OHDEM]

69. I agree!

I have 2 sons - 2 and 4 and I love being able to relive some of my childhood memories with them. It's fun to be Santa!

I do wish they'd hold off on the Christmas stuff until closer to Thanksgiving at least. And the $200 and $300 toys are pretty ridiculous. We do buy a "big" thing for the kids usually, but there are sure a lot of really expensive toys out for young kids right now! Seems a bit obnoxious in this economy.

[BuyingThyme]

5. Puppies are stupid.

[MazeRat7]

6. and ugly too... n/t

[Mari333]

23. puppies are evil

[awoke_in_2003]

74. Puppies are nowhere near as evil...

as this character:

[whatchamacallit]

7. Yes, but oh so cute... n/t

[hlthe2b]

26. Them's fighting words!

Only smoochies for the poochies... So, there!

[Sarah Ibarruri]

8. I couldn't agree more. In my country, Christmas is about children only...

that's the way it used to be here, I understand. Now all adults also need to be given a gift, and everyone suffers great debt. Also, used to be that people only got their own kids gifts (Santa, the 3 Kings, etc.) Now, everyone has to give toys to everyone else's kids too. It's so totally out of hand it's not even funny.

[book_worm]

12. I still think it doesn't have to be that way.

In our family, yes, the children get a gift from most adults but the adults trade names and so they only get one gift from the person who choose their name (of course a wife and husband may also buy a gift for their spouse), but overall we try to keep it light on the commercial aspect (gift giving) and heavy on the togetherness part: family potluck, singing Christmas songs, playing games and watching "It's a Wonderful Life" and those who want to go to church at midnight.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

71. That sounds good, but what about things at work?

There's always some kind of gift exchange. What's the point of that? And gifts you have to give the neighbors, and friends, and so on.

[onenote]

111. when was christmas only about children in the US?

I'd like to see you back that up.

[Ex Lurker]

9. it's only that way if you let it. Celebrate in your own way and ignore

the commercialism.

[KittyWampus]

10. too bad you allow others to define your reality.

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. ...looks like another request for coal, Santa.

:rofl:

[kiva]

13. And kids love it today.

Maybe it's less about the Corpora-Fascist-State and more about you not being a kid.

[scarface2004]

14. its all about retail sales...

nothing more, nothing less.

[ben_meyers]

15. Somebody didn't get a pony.

nt

[GReedDiamond]

16. Holiday Greetings from Lee Ving...

...and friends aka FEAR

Fuck Christmas

[Forkboy]

77. Great band. Too bad Ving is such a dipshit politically.

x(

[madamesilverspurs]

17. Nah.

Bullshit is what covers ground out at the feedlots. Okay, in Bush's living room, too. And Cheney's.

But nothing that lights up the eyes of babies the way Christmas does can ever be anything but good. Go watch some babies looking at Christmas lights. Can't hurt, can it?

[Speck Tater]

18. It's just another of those annoying days when the post office is closed. nt

[Journeyman]

19. 'Tis a shame you've allowed corporations such control over your life. . .

Don't let them live rent free in your head.

Live your life for yourself, hold your own happiness above corporate greed, and nothing they do can hold power over you or how you choose to face the world.

It's that simple.

[Lex]

21. I guess there are those who can't cope with external pressure at all and

are happy to run away crying and screaming that others/corporations ruined everything for them.

[mondo joe]

79. Same as any fundamentalist or puritan who just can't stop obsessing that someone

is doing something differently.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

22. It's time to get this out....

[hlthe2b]

25. Some celebrate Chrstmas..Most celebrate (worship) GREEDMAS

I have no problem with those who sincerely commemorate the former... We should focus on the latter as the problem...

[likesmountains 52]

28. they only fuck it up if you let them fuck it up for you...

[Vinnie From Indy]

29. Are you declaring that for the whole human race?

There's always Festivus.

[RiverStone]

30. We go far away...

My girlfriend and I head far up in the mountains to a beautiful and natural hotsprings. We share fellowship with other like minded folks, laughs, song, or just silence. The rustic cabin has no TV or phone and not one gift is exchanged. Our celebration is entirely secular - though there is something spiritual about rolling naked in the snow after climbing out of the hottest pool! We just appreciate the moment and how thrilled we are to share it.

We only know it's the holidays because we are not home during them!

peace~:)

[roody]

31. "little more than a garish reminder"

Agreed.

[VOX]

32. Don't let the holiday itself be your whipping boy. Keep Christmas in your own way...

Get your family or circle of friends to agree to turn off the TV, forget all the $$$ aspects, keep the gift-giving/expenses to a minimum.

Use the time to rest and relax, get together with family and friends in non-stressful situations (you 'll probably have to set some ground rules).

I was down on (as opposed to "down with") Christmas for the longest time, but gradually I began to realize that my chafing against the worst aspects of the holidays was really the source of my woes.

If you can hover above the bullshit, and not get sucked into all the garishness and vulgarity, you can actually have a good time!

Cheers -- :toast:

[MadHound]

33. Umm, sounds like that's your hangup

Why are you allowing corporations to run your life, determine your feelings, make you hate Christmas. Don't give corporate America that sort of power.

[flvegan]

34. Christmas isn't bullshit. What's bullshit

is how too many of our "fellow man" celebrate it.

Christmas could be great again. Sadly, it's "celebrated" by idiots all too often.

[Terran]

61. strangest post in this thread

Whatever are you getting at? That some people are too dumb to celebrate Xmas 'properly'? Man, could you sound any more elitist?

[Stinky The Clown]

35. You must be a real fucking wussie. Wutsamatta, can't you thnk and do for yourself?

And don't tell me what I should think. If YOU don't like Christmas, fine. Go do something else.

If you're too easily manipulated, or too stupid to resist, then maybe you need to just lock yourself in your room and stay quiet for all of December.

[whatchamacallit]

40. That must be it

Thanks for proving me wrong with your kind display of christmas spirit:eyes:

[Warren DeMontague]

53. Right. Like not giving candy to someone who lights a bag of dogshit on your porch

is "not displaying the Halloween spirit".

You write an grousy, bitchy OP like "Christmas is Bullshit", and you expect a thread full of sweetness and light in response? Give me a fucking break. :eyes:, yourself.

[specimenfred1984]

47. Online calling people "wussies"?

Is that what you call the "Christmas spirit"? Sounds like you're another God-lover.

[Stinky The Clown]

75. And you would be misinterpreting those sounds you hear

I just like Christmas.

I like 4th of July, too.

And my birthday.

But not you.

[TypeKast]

37. money holiday

It's about giving presents and getting presents.

[JeffR]

39. "I'm not going to let this commercial dog ruin my Christmas!"

[WildEyedLiberal]

41. So volunteer at a soup kitchen

This OP is so typical of that certain segment of the left that revels in the self-righteousness of their own pessimism, declaring that the world is so unjust and cruel and wicked that it is beyond repair, thus creating a convenient excuse to sit around bitching and moaning and not actually lifting a finger to change anything.

You don't like the corporatism and gluttonous conspicuous consumerism that has hijacked Christmas? So don't buy anything. Make or build a gift for your friends and family. You want to capture the spirit of the season? DO SOMETHING SELFLESS! Donate toys so a poor kid can have a decent Christmas. Work for a food drive so families can eat. Work at a soup kitchen. Volunteer at a homeless shelter. Letting the "corpora-fascist-state" turn you into a miserly grinch is hardly the way to protest the commercialization of Christmas.

[DS1]

117. Wish I could Recommend this post

:applause:

[jmondine]

42. Are you saying that the left is waging a War on Bullshit?!?

[jmondine]

43. Merry Bullshit to All...

And God crap us, everyone.

[Rhiannon12866]

45. I'm in your corner...

I also loved Christmas as a kid, and it was still okay when my Dad was still living. He loved the holidays. I don't have much family to speak of, but spent the last three holidays with someone I loved. But this year I'll be on my own, my little dog and me. It may be simpler and inexpensive, no shopping to speak of, no cooking this year, but it sucks. ;(

[slay]

46. It is indeed

It's a made up "holiday" that celebrates (some would say forces upon us) either an unprovable belief by christians, or it's a consumer capitalist rip off. Either way it blows. It also allows us to escape the ongoing national nightmare in a strange fury of adults playing make-believe. Ho ho ho. I understand the pretty thought behind the whole thing, but it's not for me. I also understand that it makes some people very happy and in a world like ours currently is, which can be horribly cruel at times, some people need christmas. So hey christmas people - enjoy! :) :evilgrin:

[HuckleB]

49. Hogwash.

"Good old days" nonsense is boring.

[Winnipegosis]

50. Everything is big.

Money makes the world go 'round.

Grow up.

[Duppers]

51. great quote....

The only gift is giving to the poor; all else is exchange.

- Thiruvalluvar

[Chulanowa]

52. I haven't bothered with "Christmas" in years

I still show up at the grandparent's and help then cook (and htne devour) dinner, but that's a family thing, and I'd do it on Tuesdays, if they asked. :shrug:

I do my little thing, and let the Chri$tians have their two-month shopping spree / persecution complex.

[Festivito]

54. Oh, pshaw. Be in the world not of it.

Especially not of its worst parts.

I hope your Christmas has its merry parts that are merry indeed.

[Blarch]

55. I agree.

[timtom]

56. In many respects the Jehovah's Witnesses have it right

(Please, don't start a whole flame session about how annoying they are.)

They are against pledging the flag.
They are against holidays, such as Easter and Christmas.
They are against military service.

And, they have the courage of their convictions.

(I am not a JW, nor have I even remotely considered becoming one. I still regard them as an extreme cult.)

[Cults4Bush]

58. Yule, the Original... except no substitutes :) n/t

[BoneDaddy]

59. Nothing like throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Christmas isn't bullshit but it's current surface expression is. Christmas, in my family, is still kept in a spirit of love, friendship and time spent with one another in a meaningful fashion. We have never bought into the commercialism.

[Terran]

60. Christmas is what you make of it.

Apparently you don't know how to make anything of it.

[Pastiche423]

80. What are agnostics and atheists to make of it?

Didcha know? Not all people are xtrians?

But then, I suppose we are suppose to sit down and shut up about the wastefulness that is known as xmas, since according to many on this thread, we are a xtrian nation!

On Decemer 25th, I will be imagining...

[Forkboy]

83. You just answered your own question.

You're making of it what you wish.

[Pastiche423]

87. I always knew the answer

I was asking the poster I replied to.

[Forkboy]

88. And peace to you, too.

[Erin Elizabeth]

84. I know loads of agnostics and atheists who enjoy Christmas.

In fact, I'm married to one. And another one is my teen child. They love the holiday season. In fact, you have to try REALLY hard to get any sort of religious meaning in it! It's very secular nowdays. Extremely secular. Has almost nothing to do with Baby Jesus. So enjoy! How? Well, you could eat a whole roll of Toll House cookie dough, make snow angels, sing Jingle Bells at the top of your lungs, give people hugs, drink hot toddies. Get drunk, put candy canes up your nose. Start babbling about Santa. Cry, puke, wake up in your puke. Oh sorry past Christmases were visiting me for a second. :rofl:

[Pastiche423]

86. Good for you

:eyes:

[Terran]

89. It's barely even about religion for me

I'm not a Christian, nor a pagan, but I can still appreciate that it's a holy time for those people who believe, and I'm happy for them. I enjoy the beauty and the fellowship and the food and the good times, that's all. And inside I also commemorate the passing of my part of the world from the gathering darkness to the gathering light. Christmas puts me in touch with that, and I like that. I feel sorry for people who feel they have to reject all that merely because they reject the Christian mythos.

[Pastiche423]

90. What, exactly, am I rejecting?

[Terran]

95. Well, if you don't know that, I don't think telling you will help.

It's a feeling, that's all. If you honestly have no idea what I'm talking about, what I described in the post above, then I don't think I can explain further. And clearly you don't want to know. Happy new year, anyway.

[Pastiche423]

98. Apparently, you don't know either

[Terran]

103. Ouch...that sounds a bit defensive.

Look, I'm sorry. They're my feelings, so I know what they *feel* like. But as I hope you can imagine, it's not easy to put feelings into words. But honestly, if you have no idea what I'm talkiing about, based on what I wrote three posts ago, that's a real pity. If that inability to understand feelings is what being an atheist is all about, then I'm glad I'm not an atheist.

[Pastiche423]

108. lol - again

How is asking a question "defensive"? lol

Can't back up what you posted, so you attack. Not surprising.

[Terran]

123. Are you a bot or something?

That was the dumbest response I've ever seen. I hope you have a Merry Christmas. I'm out.

[damonm]

118. You said it yourself -

Pretty much everything to do with Christmas, because you reject the Christian mythos.

[mondo joe]

97. For this atheist, it's a day for fun and giving gifts.

It's fun.

[Rebubula]

100. As an atheist...

I enjoy Christmas.

I have been atheist for over 20 years. In that time, I have spent each and every Christmas with my Grandparents (90 and 94) and my mom and little brother (not so little anymore). We have eaten 20 wonderful meals, had amazing conversations and great walks in the woods. Also, we have listened to Carols sung by neighbors and enjoyed each other's company in a way that is impossible to do when work and Life sets in the rest of the year.

However, if you feel the need to be martyr or just want to wish it would go away...well...go ahead.

The rest of us will have figgy pudding (whatever the heck that is) and enjoy nice moments with the ones that we love.

Just because someone tells you how to act, does not mean that you have to...

[Pastiche423]

102. lol

How am I being a martyr?

[Rebubula]

105. lol

OK...Martyr...not the best choice of words.

I stand by everything else...

Merry Christmas - Atheist Style

[Pastiche423]

109. Seasons greetings

[cherokeeprogressive]

106. Make whatever you want of it.

And who cares, anyway? Crow from every rooftop about the wastefulness that is known as Christmas. That sounds like something that will make you happy. So go for that then. Or maybe dedicate the day to debauchery and fornication. Take a long drive and get away from it all. Hang Jesus Christ in effigy in a tree near your house. Use your imagination.

Just don't expect everyone to feel the same way you do.

[Pastiche423]

110. You said -

"Just don't expect everyone to feel the same way you do."

I can say the exact thing right back to you.

[nini]

112. Many make it a time for family and enjoy it - without church stuff

You really don't have to be a christian to like decorating a tree and enjoy time with those you love, and pass around a couple gifts.

Ultimately - no one has to partake if they don't want to.

[Deja Q]

62. Well, feel happy. The dollar value is dropping, might become worthless. You can have the result.

I don't want the result.

And reality is, most people saying "The dollar is bad, we must become one with nature, blah blah blah" haven't gone to live like Grizzly Adams and are still here so forgive me for being sarcastic. Most people here just talk. One-sided; the usual brainless mob mentality. And it's contagious.

[TexasObserver]

63. The overselling, overstating, over the top treatment of Christmas is bullshit.

Winter solstice celebrations are as old as civilization. It's easy to see why. When you reach that longest day of the year, you're happy as hell that tomorrow the days will start getting longer, the sun will start staying up a little longer each day, and it's life giving warmth is a harbinger of a new spring 90 days hence.

The elements of those ancient celebrations remain with us in the Christmas tree and the Yule log, neither of which has a blessed thing to do with Jesus. Gifts and decorations were also part of ancient celebration.

The problem with Christmas is the over commercialization, the excessive marketing, and the haranguing of those who adamantly claim it's about Baby Jebus. The story told about the birth of Jesus is a quaint story, of course, and not unique. In the Mideast back then, every hero was born of a virgin, the son of God.

[slackmaster]

64. I'm not buying anything with significant material value this year

:hi:

[edhopper]

66. I'm an atheist but

this says it all about what Christmas should mean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKk9rv2hUfA

[blondeatlast]

67. Happy holidays! nt

[datasuspect]

70. i ran over a box of puppies before i plowed into the christian daycare center this morning

after drinking wild turkey all night.

[DS1]

116. Serves those Christians right. They should have taken the puppies in like

true Christians, so you wouldn't have been forced to steer towards their front door.

[sarcasmo]

72. It should be called GREEDMAS.

[Erin Elizabeth]

85. I like to call it AWESOMENESS!

:hi:

[L0oniX]

73. Xmas kills

[Forkboy]

76. Unless you're a kid, in which case it's as awesome as ever.

[mondo joe]

78. You're in charge of your own Christmas. If how others celebrate it ruins it for you, you have

a boundary issue.

[Erin Elizabeth]

81. Divorce Christmas from all the other bullshit and you can like it again.

Seriously. That's what I had to do, and it worked.

There's a book about this: Unplugging the Christmas Machine. Look for it at your library. It's really good. For several years, my husband and I scaled back Christmas to the point that presents were not even a primary focus. They were a tiny, minor side thing, if even that. We focused on spending time together, relaxing, and just enjoying the sights. That's it. We decided to "do" Christmas exactly how WE wanted to do it. As it turns out that means watching a bunch of cheesy Christmas movies, just hanging out, playing board games together, enjoying decorating the tree together, and on Christmas Day, we do skits, tell jokes, stuff like that. It's really nice. Quiet. Awesome.

Try it!

Turn your back on the other bullshit.

[Breeze54]

92. Christmas is great! The Holidays are Great! - Your beef is with marketeers.

I think. Learn to ignore it.

[SeattleGirl]

93. Not to me, it isn't.

To me, Christmas is spending time with my family and friends, special meals, and yes, presents that I know they will love and appreciate.

I understand the hatred for the uber-commercialism that has engulfed Christmas, but that isn't what I focus on when I think of Christmas.

[lynne]

94. I love my Christmas!! Christmas is what we each make of it.

If your Christmas is lacking, you might want to look in the mirror instead of blaming others.

I hope you are able to make your holiday better this year. Merry Christmas!

[Marrah_G]

96. Ahhhhhhhhhh- It's that time of year again!

[Shakespeare]

99. OFFS. This tired shit again?

Christmas is like government: it's not good or bad, it's what you make of it.

I LOVE the holidays, and use it as a time to do things for those I love (I knit and cook and do other gift-appropriate things). It's a convenient time of year to take time off to visit with far-away friends and family.

I will never understand why so many people can't get past the corporate crap and find something pleasant about the holidays. It's their loss, honestly.

[gatorboy]

101. Santa got me flame bait for Christmas!

Yay!!!!

[L0oniX]

104. A good day to go to Bush Gardens ...that's my plan.

[ACTION BASTARD]

107. Christmas has nothing to do with christ. It's about presents

Don't you see?!

[DS1]

114. and Ham!

/Cartman

[DS1]

113. waaah waaah whaaaahh Corpora-Fascist-State - are you 24?

don't participate if it bothers you that companies are trying to make money. I for one and going to enjoy a nice day inside with the family, you're invited to make some picket signs and get out there and tell the world how wrong they all are.


And thanks for the thread title which makes all the right-wing points for them, asshat

[whatchamacallit]

126. Peace

[proud patriot]

115. bah humbug

:hi:

[sufrommich]

119. Nothing screams "hey everybody,look at me!"

like an I Hate Christmas Post.

[RBInMaine]

120. Now now now, let's not be a Scrooge. Don't forget the millions that go to very good charities, the

smiles of the children, the goodwill and good family times, ... The holiday season is about MUCH more than buying and selling.

[misanthrope]

121. Christmas is about community...

...It's about diurnal, social hominids gathering together to bolster themselves against the chill and darkness of midwinter. The Christian adaptation of it is merely a variant.

It's also a great opportunity to stay in touch with our inner child, an attempt to retain some semblance of the wonder adulthood seeks to wring from us.

Screw the presents. I see it as a way to celebrate each other.

And I revel in the innocent magic that seems rooted in the twinkling of light against the black velvet chill of the winter night.

The smell of food, of burning wood and cinnamon and pine and brisk air still seems a potion of heady reverie.

The sounds of bells, of music injected with sublime elegance and irrational joy, of the voices of those I value gathered in one place, all combine to make a wonderful symphony that sings to my humanity.

Believe me, I have some holiday horror stories that could irrevocably ruin it for me if I chose to dwell on them but I strain against that to make the most of something which, like it or not, is part and parcel of everyone in this culture.

Think of the things you wish others emphasized about the season and focus on that. Don't give in to the forces you despise.

Reclaim it for yourself.

[JVS]

122. since when is your inability to enjoy a holiday a pressing matter for GD discussion?

[terrya]

124. It can also be a time of getting together with friends and family,

We all have differing opinions, obviously.

[roody]

125. Solstice is the reason for the season.

The return of the light is worth a celebration.

[DavidDvorkin]

127. Another example of the "Good Old Days" delusion

Please see my latest blog post on this very subject: http://eyeblister.blogspot.com