A question to the Muslims on the forum.

[tbourner]

I think it has become far too material now, I think a lot of people need reminding what it's actually about.

 

People definitely worship Santa more than anything else!!

 

I have to say though the 'new' meaning of Christmas seems to be about getting together with family and loved ones, sharing gifts is supposed to be a sign of that love, having a sit down proper meal together which doesn't happen very often any more, and just chillaxing with your homies. Not a bad reason IMO.

[Soop Dogg]

Thanks, Adnan. I was brought up in a Christian household (when my parents retired they became missionaries and worked in Africa for a while before taking up roles for their organisation within the UK), and haven't really had a great deal of contact with Muslims. I guess many of us have over the last few years developed (maybe even subconsciously) an aversion to anything related to Islam because of how it's followers are portrayed in the media.

 

You posts above however, are so well put together, showing so much consideration and respect for the beliefs of followers of other faiths, that they have made me think very differently about you as a person and what Muslims really think.

 

The media has much to answer for.

[adnanshah247]

Thanks, Adnan. I was brought up in a Christian household (when my parents retired they became missionaries and worked in Africa for a while before taking up roles for their organisation within the UK), and haven't really had a great deal of contact with Muslims. I guess many of us have over the last few years developed (maybe even subconsciously) an aversion to anything related to Islam because of how it's followers are portrayed in the media.

 

You posts above however, are so well put together, showing so much consideration and respect for the beliefs of followers of other faiths, that they have made me think very differently about you as a person and what Muslims really think.

 

The media has much to answer for.

 

Thank you so much for that. To put it simply Islam is a religion based on peace, and we are ordered to respect all. Anybody who is 'a nutter' so to speak doesnt speak for the majority. The media has given us a bad name but people are beginning to see and learn and essentially humanity is coming through. We are a very kind and nuturing religion and i hope many more can see this.

 

I wish you all a happy christmas and great new year

 

Peace out

[CJ]

People definitely worship Santa more than anything else!!

 

I have to say though the 'new' meaning of Christmas seems to be about getting together with family and loved ones, sharing gifts is supposed to be a sign of that love, having a sit down proper meal together which doesn't happen very often any more, and just chillaxing with your homies. Not a bad reason IMO.

 

Good post

[Sharpie]

Thanks Adnan

[marc_p]

You posts above however, are so well put together, showing so much consideration and respect for the beliefs of followers of other faiths, that they have made me think very differently about you as a person and what Muslims really think.

 

The media has much to answer for.

 

Trust me, Adnan is one of the nicest people you could meet, always got time to help out.

 

The main problem you mentioned about media portrayal of 'those nutters' as Adnan put it:d is that the negative actions of minoritys can change the overall impression of the majority.

 

So when you read about these ridiculous stories of pointless discrimination lawsuits and terrorists, remember that this is the minority. It's like picking up a paper and seeing that 2 white men raped a woman, then assuming that all white men are rapists.

 

I think someone tried to cover this on here a while ago, but they seemed to word it......well they couldn't have worded it worse TBH, but if you look at the Nazi's for example, they were a minority yet we branded the whole of Germany with the same brush when most Germans were completely against what they did.

 

I hope that make's sense anyway.

[Max Headroom]

Jesus was born in April!

[marc_p]

Jesus was born in April!

 

TBH it's all speculation, we may never know the actual date, I know that the 25th of December is actually for an old Roman Festival though and it all got mixed up and then it was Jesus's birthday, basically a 2000 year game of Chinese Whispers.

[Septic]

Good post Adnan The major issue with Christmas is that, at its core its actually a pagan ritual as opposed to a Christian one as you guys have already mentioned. Its an amalgamation of a number of festivals during the winter solstice such as Saturnalia, Sol Invinctus and Yule.

 

Adnan summed it up pretty well; I did partake in Secret Santa at work though; imagine me saying that I don't believe in Xmas so I won't be getting you guys gifts!

[Max Headroom]

TBH it's all speculation, we may never know the actual date, I know that the 25th of December is actually for an old Roman Festival though and it all got mixed up and then it was Jesus's birthday, basically a 2000 year game of Chinese Whispers.

 

From something I found

 

"Roman Pagan Religion: Attis was a son of the virgin Nana. His birth was celebrated on DEC-25. He was sacrificed as an adult in order to bring salvation to mankind. He died about MAR-25, after being crucified on a tree, and descended for three days into the underworld. On Sunday, he arose, "as the solar deity for the new season." His followers tied an image of Attis to a tree on "Black Friday," and carried him in a procession to the temple. His body was symbolically eaten by his followers in the form of bread. Worship of Attis began in Rome circa 200 BC"

 

 

Early christian groups celebrated either Jan 6th, Apr 21st or May 1st as JCs birthday.

[CJ]

From something I found

 

"Roman Pagan Religion: Attis was a son of the virgin Nana. His birth was celebrated on DEC-25. He was sacrificed as an adult in order to bring salvation to mankind. He died about MAR-25, after being crucified on a tree, and descended for three days into the underworld. On Sunday, he arose, "as the solar deity for the new season." His followers tied an image of Attis to a tree on "Black Friday," and carried him in a procession to the temple. His body was symbolically eaten by his followers in the form of bread. Worship of Attis began in Rome circa 200 BC"

 

That's an interesting post.

[Josh]

From something I found

 

"Roman Pagan Religion: Attis was a son of the virgin Nana. His birth was celebrated on DEC-25. He was sacrificed as an adult in order to bring salvation to mankind. He died about MAR-25, after being crucified on a tree, and descended for three days into the underworld. On Sunday, he arose, "as the solar deity for the new season." His followers tied an image of Attis to a tree on "Black Friday," and carried him in a procession to the temple. His body was symbolically eaten by his followers in the form of bread. Worship of Attis began in Rome circa 200 BC"

 

 

Early christian groups celebrated either Jan 6th, Apr 21st or May 1st as JCs birthday.

 

So the whole of Christianity is a rip-off? Who cares anyway?! I get presents

 

 

 

I didn't realise that. I'm not religious at all but I see Christmas as a time to get together with family and generally have a good time

[Terminator]

As an Athiest, I don't believe it matters what faith you follow, as long as kindness and caring is at the heart of a faith/way of life you can't go wrong, I think Bishop Desmond Tutu summed it up quite well, "we are made for goodness" The traits of goodness not exclusive to those who follow a religious belief, but should be at the core of being human. Unfortunately most Christian festivals have long been taken over by commercialism so the loving caring aspects have been over taken by the desire for possessions.

[Tony]

Me and Septic have the same way of answering questions. you ask we answer, yet if you offend we will tell you,

 

Simples!

 

I would like to add that due to Jesus (Hazrat Esa) and Moses (Hazrat Musa) Jews, Christians and Muslims and interallated. We believe in the same people but different definitions of them. these differences have led to different paths to which all three believe they are correct. Each to their own and i respect each ones faith. Many times i have heard people curse at Muslims God or Jews God or Christians God, but they forget that all 3 religions believe in the same God but believe in different ways in which his guidance was brought down, Jews God via Moses, Christians God via Jesus and Muslims God via Muhammed (SAW).

 

I for one have huge i mean unbelieveable respect for christians which if anybody wants to know the reason why ill post but otherwise i wont.

 

Very informative, and i for one would like to know why you have respect for christians?

[garethr]

...I would like to add that due to Jesus (Hazrat Esa) and Moses (Hazrat Musa) Jews, Christians and Muslims are interrelated. We believe in the same people but different definitions of them. these differences have led to different paths to which all three believe they are correct. Each to their own and I respect each one's faith. Many times I have heard people curse at Muslims' God or Jews' God or Christians' God, but they forget that all 3 religions believe in the same God but believe in different ways in which his guidance was brought down, Jews God via Moses, Christians God via Jesus and Muslims God via Muhammed (SAW)...

 

And there you see what is so stupid about the whole Jewish vs Christian vs Islam nonsense (not to mention the sects within each religion)... it's all different interpretations of the same thing.

 

Historically, as I understand it, Islam, as the last on the scene so to speak, acknowledged this in the status it accorded to Jews and Christians in Muslim-governed states.

[Havard]

Interesting thread and some great answers and opinions without it boiling over into a racial debate.

 

FWIW I always thought that people who didn't celebrate Christmas were just trying to avoid buying me presents..!!

 

H.

[RICHARDA]

[Wez]

I for one have huge i mean unbelieveable respect for christians which if anybody wants to know the reason why ill post but otherwise i wont.

 

Some great posts matey, I would like to know why you have huge respect too

[Paul]

Interesting thread and some great answers and opinions without it boiling over into a racial debate.

 

Who mentioned a racial debate ? ;)

[Havard]

Who mentioned a racial debate ? ;)

 

Took you 55 minutes to sniff that out. There must be lead pipes messing with your radar..!!

 

H.

[Paul]

It's Christmas, I blame the delay on the drink

[marc_p]

FWIW I always thought that people who didn't celebrate Christmas were just trying to avoid buying me presents..!!

 

No, that's just people in general, irrespective of beliefs:d

[Swampy442]

Im off to celebrate Sol Invictus, stuff the Christmas bollox! Always good to read a thread like this that has no agenda, cheers for the input guys

[RedM]

Question for the believers.

 

When you stopped believing in Father Christmas why did you carry on believing in God?

[Max Headroom]

Question for the believers.

 

When you stopped believing in Father Christmas why did you carry on believing in God?

 

Do you?