What do we call the year end party (1 Viewer)

[emixa]

I took my licks earlier this year.

He took his licks......

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

LOL I understand.

 

[Mark L.]

I could care less in who what or why you believe in what you believe, just dont affect my life with it and push your agenda or beliefs on me.

Amen!

I personally wont attend, just because of the simple fact that I dont want to be around people that bitch about the word Christmas because it offends them. Well people bitching about Christianity offends me since it was one of the main basis on what our Country was founded on. I could care less in who what or why you believe in what you believe, just dont affect my life with it and push your agenda or beliefs on me.

Honestly, I think you may be getting worked up over nothing. John stated that he called the party what he did because that's what it has been called every year for the past 7-8 years. Unless I missed it, I haven't seen anyone NOT want to call it a Christmas party. That is kind of why I said to make the poll. We may be surprised and find out everyone wants to call it that. I'd hate for you to miss out on the party thinking people there don't like Christmas when in fact everyone there does. Like I said, it's called the Christmas party in the Volunteer Program and Holiday party in the stickied thread. Don't let the name keep you from having a good time with a good group of people. Even if 2-3 has different views than you.

I dont know that I agree with all of this, I think it is completely ok to be offended when people want to push Christ out of our Christmas events. Like others have noted there has been quite enough of that for centuries, and sadly they still arent done pushing us out. I do however agree that we should have a poll. Though I would be sad if this club was so completely anti Christian.

I dont personally think that we should be attacking John no matter the reason for why the thread got moved. He moved it and even explained why. So harassing him about it isnt in anyone's best interest.

I think the mistake was him pointing out specifically that the name was to accommodate other faiths.

Edit: OK never mind. I just looked at the Volunteer Program and it has been changed from Christmas Party to Holiday Party. Wasn't like that the other day. Sorry.

This I find very interesting...

I think I am gonna start the poll.

I agree that people can get offended. I didn't mean for it to sound like I was against what was being said. I'm seeing Christmas being used less and less every year and don't like it. I was just giving John the benefit of the doubt thinking he just kept on with the name that was always used.

With that said, I voted to call it Christmas Party. What gets me is that whenever I attend a "Holiday" party there's presents, a christmas tree, Christmas decorations, etc. They are everything about Christmas but the actual word Christmas. I don't get it. If it was truly a party to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years then decorate accordingly.

 

[emixa]

so i would love the object to reflect those 3 holidays: a turkey with a tree up its ********* blowing a party favor and a drink in hand.

 

[Jamie9169]

We, being Christians, in this country are expected to change everything we say and do as to not offend the other people, non believers. They say for us not to push our beliefs down their throats. I say right back at you. Why should you be able to push your non belief down our throats and not give Christians the same respect? It is not just Christmas it is way more than that, the words God and Christ are offensive nowadays and are to be hidden away and only used on Sunday in Church. Worrying way to much about offending others is one of the problems that has taken this country down this rocky road we are traveling now. I know I will get flamed over this but that's okay. Core values ladies and gentlemen. Core values.

 

[The Reef Whisperer]

I would bet that if you asked 100 school age kids what Christmas was about 75% would say its the day I get presents and couldnt tell you anything about the symbolism of the holiday.

That is because politicians and schools have taken God out of the classroom!

 

[The Reef Whisperer]

We, being Christians, in this country are expected to change everything we say and do as to not offend the other people, non believers. They say for us not to push our beliefs down their throats. I say right back at you. Why should you be able to push your non belief down our throats and not give Christians the same respect? It is not just Christmas it is way more than that, the words God and Christ are offensive nowadays and are to be hidden away and only used on Sunday in Church. Worrying way to much about offending others is one of the problems that has taken this country down this rocky road we are traveling now. I know I will get flamed over this but that's okay. Core values ladies and gentlemen. Core values.

+1 - Majority feel the same way! Most are just too afraid to say it!

 

[AquaNerd]

posted this in the other discussion...

i know i'm ruffling feathers again by saying this, but this is really a pointless discussion. marsh is an aquarium club who has an end of the year party on an annual basis. there are people here of christian and non-christian backgrounds. this club already has issues with participation, or the lack thereof, and in order to be most accommodating to everyone, the name of the party should remain at "holiday party" instead of "christmas party".

referring to the months surrounding christmas as "the holidays" is not about catering to those crying about the various religions invading their everyday lives, rather the american culture as a whole responding to the fact that many different religious organizations and anti-religious individuals exist in this country. it gets wildly popularized by fox news that some unknown force in the government is acting in a way to destroy christmas and the christian religion in general, but c'mon guys, do you really believe everything you see on fox news?

this country is founded on freedom and was designed to be completely free of religious persecution. and as christians, one would assume that you guys would be very understanding of that and not try to enforce your own religious values on others who do not share the same views. forcing the secular society to inject christ into a very secular holiday would in fact be imposing your religious views on those who do not wish to partake. sure, christians use the holiday to celebrate the birth of christ, but it's obviously not the only religious holiday taking place around this time. hanukkah has been around far longer than christianity and is celebrated by far more people.

the point is, for the american society to follow what it was intended to (e.g. freedom), there needs to be a secularized theme to this time of year. this country was founded on religious values, but at the same time it was founded on religious freedoms. that's why prayer was taken out of school. that's why there is a separation of church and state.

 

[The Reef Whisperer]

My reply:

I understand what you are saying but at the end of the day... most Christian's are thinking... just because minority of American's find this offensive... WOULD GOD APPROVE. Just because a minority of civilization would want to jump off of a bridge... those who don't shouldn't have to suffer the consequences. What happened to what majority thought? The law has always been majority rules. That is why we vote! That was also very visible when congress voted on keeping "IN GOD WE TRUST" on the dollar bill. Even Jesus didn't force his teachings on others but God did say that the unforgivable sin was to deny him. Taking the true meaning from Christmas is a form of denying God!

 

[AquaNerd]

Even Jesus didn't force his teachings on others but God did say that the unforgivable sin was to deny him. Taking the true meaning from Christmas is a form of denying God!

to deny god would be to forcibly prevent someone from worshiping him (e.g. religious persecution), not changing the name of a holiday to reflect the secular nature of this country. nobody is denying anyone the right to worship god.

 

[The Reef Whisperer]

I remember when I was a kid, the word Merry Christmas was every where! When we would say it to each other, we knew that it was not meant for gifts but of the birth of Christ! I remember hearing "GOD BLESS YOU" a lot back then.

Now it is Happy Holidays! It is not a mixture of holidays. For Thanksgiving... we say Happy Thanksgiving... and for New Years... it is Happy New Years. Christmas is the only holiday that has changed. Why? Because Christmas' original meaning was defensive to those nonbelievers of Christ!

People can believe what they want but continuing making excuses isn't going to fix the problem. I do not try to walk on other religion's holidays and even am a firm believer that they have just as much right as I do to believe in what ever they wish. Just do not tread on my rights! There are devil worshipers that have made Halloween their Christmas. I celebrate the holiday as a event of enjoying the spookiness but I don't ask them to change the name of the day! I just say Happy Halloween and go on my merry way!

This is going to be the last I say about it because the whole subject makes me upset. When people have to stand in front of their maker and answer for their way of thinking... that is going to be between God and yourself.

 

[oldmantran]

I'd go to a Hannukkah Party if I was ever invited to one. Heck, I bet I'd have a blast at a Ramadan Party too. And I wouldn't even want to change the name of it.

Who's hosting?

 

[steveb]

Rather than continue the arguments on the merits of calling it Christmas party or a holiday party maybe we Christian members (and anyone who would not be offended) should get together somewhere and have a Christmas party celebrating the birth of Christ. Rather than having a gift exchange we could gather together eat a light potluck meal, read a few versus from the Bible say a prayer or two, bring things that the poor would need this time of year and then go deliver those items to Star of Hope (or some other charity) or to those in need personally.

Just a thought.

 

[oldmantran]

i thought you were gonna stay out of it, steve.

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

Rather than continue the arguments on the merits of calling it Christmas party or a holiday party maybe we Christian members (and anyone who would not be offended) should get together somewhere and have a Christmas party celebrating the birth of Christ. Rather than having a gift exchange we could gather together eat a light potluck meal, read a few versus from the Bible say a prayer or two, bring things that the poor would need this time of year and then go deliver those items to Star of Hope (or some other charity) or to those in need personally.

Just a thought.

Thats a very nice thought.

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

i thought you were gonna stay out of it, steve.

He tried, a lot. lol

 

[The Reef Whisperer]

I said I wasn't going to say anything but:

Christmas -

Christ - The son of God

Mas - More

To me that means more of the son of Christ!

I am not a Bible Scholar or have a Masters in any subject but even a person of my education can figure this one out!

 

[Scott]

Point of clarification... I never said the 22 complaints were about the use of the word "Christmas" They were about the posts being in a sticky thread that people were subscribed to for event updates. That was the only reason for moving the discussion. I did not move it because of the debate itself and I am one of the last people to prevent a debate; debates are what get things done. Moving it to the lounge was just because at the time I went to move it that is where I felt it was the best fit. I'm certainly not perfect and don't believe I've ever claimed to be.

I also apologize to those that were offended by my humor post. No offense was intended and obviously I'm not perfect; It truly was a re post of a posting I found on another forum that hit my funny bone.

Unfortunately I end up in the middle of all of these things and I always try and remain as neutral as possible but I will state that I truly have no dog in this fight. By that I mean I don't care what the party is called. Growing up in the north it was always Holiday Party for me so I've never given it a second thought. I fully believe in the power of the vote and will always follow the will of the members regarding anything we do.

Hopefully we get a great turn out this year and I truly hope we can put this behind us and have a good time on the 10th.

Regards,

John DeVeaux

John, I couldn't decide which post to put this in so I am putting it in both.

I owe you an apology for my asinine comments to you concerning your actions.

You have always had nothing but the best interests of the club in mind and I know that. I was out of line. I had an apology typed up but I would rather do it in person. You know I appreciate your work and I will see you on the 10th.

 

[oldmantran]

Heard on the radio this morning that Gov. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island will call this year's tree a Holiday Tree. It doesn't look any different though as years before.

 

[Tnconcept]

Last time I checked this is AMERICA!!!!! Its Christmas Folks!