Comments on: Are you disturbed? : Advent Reflections Day 15 (third Sunday) http://www.swingingfromthevine.com/2007/12/16/are-you-disturbed-advent-reflections-day-16/ digging deep, stretching up, reaching out Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:35:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Mak http://www.swingingfromthevine.com/2007/12/16/are-you-disturbed-advent-reflections-day-16/comment-page-1/#comment-1707 Mak Tue, 01 Jan 2008 06:41:02 +0000 http://www.swingingfromthevine.com/2007/12/17/are-you-disturbed-advent-reflections-day-16/#comment-1707 oh I agree that banning would be sort of silly. And I personally would like to see diverse symbols of the season and think it's reverse discrimination to suggest otherwise. But, for example, the city of Fort Collins can just as easily just have lights and snowflakes and I'd be fine with that - leaving the religious symbols for religious places. I WOULD be opposed to removing ALL decorations from public places - that would be depressing if nothing else. oh I agree that banning would be sort of silly. And I personally would like to see diverse symbols of the season and think it’s reverse discrimination to suggest otherwise. But, for example, the city of Fort Collins can just as easily just have lights and snowflakes and I’d be fine with that - leaving the religious symbols for religious places. I WOULD be opposed to removing ALL decorations from public places - that would be depressing if nothing else.

]]> By: michael http://www.swingingfromthevine.com/2007/12/16/are-you-disturbed-advent-reflections-day-16/comment-page-1/#comment-1704 michael Tue, 01 Jan 2008 05:49:59 +0000 http://www.swingingfromthevine.com/2007/12/17/are-you-disturbed-advent-reflections-day-16/#comment-1704 I hear what you are saying Makeesha. Personally, I celebrate xmas not so much as holy Christian holiday but as an enjoyable cultural event to have more opportunity ot express love and gratitude to others. I also just like the traditions, and even the silly sledding sings and the like. I suppose that is, in part, because I understand that Christmas is a symbolic day to recognize the magnificence of the incarnation but not as the real day of course. Rather, that was more likely the fulfilment of the Feast of Tabernacles--in that God came to 'tabernacle' with us. He took on human flesh, living in the tent of a human body. However, with that said, I think the bigger issue here, is not so much Christians pushing their symbols of faith but having the right to express one's faith (especially if they choose to do it in their front yard). And, after all, more than 95% of people, secular or believers are going to celebrate Christmas in one form or another. It shouldn't be so shocking then to have a star of some other aspect of the "Christ"mas story. We are not, after all, wanting to have a wholly non religious State, as one might expect in a communist country and such. It doesn't have to be overt but outright banning it seems dubious at best too. Personally, if it wasn't for my kids, I doubt I'd even have any xmas decorations in my home but maybe some white lights. I like to keep such displays in the grandeur and glory of historical cathedrals and the like but that's just me.... I hear what you are saying Makeesha. Personally, I celebrate xmas not so much as holy Christian holiday but as an enjoyable cultural event to have more opportunity ot express love and gratitude to others. I also just like the traditions, and even the silly sledding sings and the like. I suppose that is, in part, because I understand that Christmas is a symbolic day to recognize the magnificence of the incarnation but not as the real day of course. Rather, that was more likely the fulfilment of the Feast of Tabernacles–in that God came to ‘tabernacle’ with us. He took on human flesh, living in the tent of a human body.

However, with that said, I think the bigger issue here, is not so much Christians pushing their symbols of faith but having the right to express one’s faith (especially if they choose to do it in their front yard). And, after all, more than 95% of people, secular or believers are going to celebrate Christmas in one form or another. It shouldn’t be so shocking then to have a star of some other aspect of the “Christ”mas story. We are not, after all, wanting to have a wholly non religious State, as one might expect in a communist country and such. It doesn’t have to be overt but outright banning it seems dubious at best too.

Personally, if it wasn’t for my kids, I doubt I’d even have any xmas decorations in my home but maybe some white lights. I like to keep such displays in the grandeur and glory of historical cathedrals and the like but that’s just me….

]]>