Religion

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts) Tue Dec 10, 2019, 04:07 PM Dec 2019

Should Muslims Celebrate Christmas?

From the article:

If Christmas is to celebrate the birth of an elite, highly revered Prophet, most Muslims have no problem observing the occasion. If Christmas is to celebrate his message of social justice and reforms, most Muslims have no problem observing the occasion. If Christmas is to celebrate his message to feed the hungry, welcome the immigrants, and love thy neighbor, then the Muslims have no issues celebrating the Christmas.

To read more:

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/askamuslim/2018/12/should-muslims-celebrate-christmas/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Islamic+Wisdom&utm_content=49

I generally find this poster to be quite insightful. Personally, I give the same holiday greetings to others as they initiate with me.

40 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Should Muslims Celebrate Christmas? (Original Post) guillaumeb Dec 2019 OP

... trotsky Dec 2019 #1

You just don't understand Major Nikon Dec 2019 #8

Only if they want to, and can afford it. dchill Dec 2019 #2

If they want to, why not? The Velveteen Ocelot Dec 2019 #3

I celebrated Ramadam with Muslim friends. guillaumeb Dec 2019 #4

Depends on obnoxiousdrunk Dec 2019 #5

True.Very true. guillaumeb Dec 2019 #6

Why not? I'm an atheist and I celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. nt Binkie The Clown Dec 2019 #7

If nothing else he evicted all the snakes from Ireland Major Nikon Dec 2019 #9

Where are all the pre-5th Century snake fossils? edhopper Dec 2019 #11

You just don't understand Major Nikon Dec 2019 #13

I got an "F" in faith. edhopper Dec 2019 #15

My Mother-In-Law is one of those people. bearsfootball516 Dec 2019 #28

St Patrick was actually French. guillaumeb Dec 2019 #10

Who cares who celebrates what? Act_of_Reparation Dec 2019 #12

In my view, the author is speaking about recognizing common values. guillaumeb Dec 2019 #14

That's only half the story. Act_of_Reparation Dec 2019 #17

Some discourage it. guillaumeb Dec 2019 #18

And what do they all have in common? Act_of_Reparation Dec 2019 #19

Obviously, that they are all Abrahamic religions. guillaumeb Dec 2019 #20

A little too specific. Act_of_Reparation Dec 2019 #22

Feel free to continue with your analysis. eom guillaumeb Dec 2019 #24

I would, but I'm too busy celebrating somebody else's holiday. Act_of_Reparation Dec 2019 #25

They're all co-opting the pagan celebrations of Yule and Solstice? n/t trotsky Dec 2019 #21

Except for the nudity and the employer-employee freaky Friday role reversal. Act_of_Reparation Dec 2019 #23

Because as we all know, the baby Jesus was born on Christmas day Major Nikon Dec 2019 #16

Why do Christians celebrate Dec 25 LakeArenal Dec 2019 #26

It roughly corresponds with the solstice. guillaumeb Dec 2019 #27

Santa is Magic. Geez LakeArenal Dec 2019 #29

Thank you. guillaumeb Dec 2019 #30

And by "adopted" you mean stolen/co-opted/assimilated, right? n/t trotsky Dec 2019 #31

Do you always accentuate the negative? guillaumeb Dec 2019 #32

I am using the correct words. trotsky Dec 2019 #33

After I wrote: guillaumeb Dec 2019 #34

Do you think "adopted" is an accurate word to describe what happened? n/t trotsky Dec 2019 #35

It's a word intended to whitewash Major Nikon Dec 2019 #38

Precisely. trotsky Dec 2019 #39

11th Commandment! Major Nikon Dec 2019 #40

Nobody should celebrate any holiday they don't want to. (n/t) forgotmylogin Dec 2019 #36

Agreed. eom guillaumeb Dec 2019 #37

trotsky

(49,533 posts)

1. ...

Reply to guillaumeb (Original post)

Tue Dec 10, 2019, 04:27 PM

Dec 2019

It would be nice if Muslims and Christians honored Jesus and celebrated together the values taught by Jesus-those pertaining to social justice, rights of others, loving thy neighbor, kindness, and loving thy enemy, ‘giving from the left hand so the right hand does not know about it’.

Are those the true teachings of Jesus?

"social justice" - like telling people what the rules are regarding how severely they can beat their slaves? (Luke 12:47)

"rights of others" - such as endorsing the idea that people can be bought and sold? (Matthew 18:25)

"loving thy neighbor/enemy" - except those who do not wish to submit to Jesus (Luke 19:27)

Ugh.

Major Nikon

(36,900 posts)

8. You just don't understand

Reply to trotsky (Reply #1)

Tue Dec 10, 2019, 07:28 PM

Dec 2019

The bible is only to be taken literally when it comes to the good shit. All the literal bad shit must be metaphoricalized into good shit because of reasons and parables.

dchill

(40,478 posts)

2. Only if they want to, and can afford it.

Reply to guillaumeb (Original post)

Tue Dec 10, 2019, 04:29 PM

Dec 2019

The Velveteen Ocelot

(120,883 posts)

3. If they want to, why not?

Reply to guillaumeb (Original post)

Tue Dec 10, 2019, 04:35 PM

Dec 2019

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)

4. I celebrated Ramadam with Muslim friends.

Reply to The Velveteen Ocelot (Reply #3)

Tue Dec 10, 2019, 04:37 PM

Dec 2019

Celebrate the hope, and ignore the suggestions to overspend.

obnoxiousdrunk

(3,042 posts)

5. Depends on

Reply to guillaumeb (Original post)

Tue Dec 10, 2019, 05:03 PM

Dec 2019

what part of the world they are in.

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)

6. True.Very true.

Reply to obnoxiousdrunk (Reply #5)

Tue Dec 10, 2019, 05:09 PM

Dec 2019

Binkie The Clown

(7,911 posts)

7. Why not? I'm an atheist and I celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. nt

Reply to guillaumeb (Original post)

Tue Dec 10, 2019, 05:15 PM

Dec 2019

Major Nikon

(36,900 posts)

9. If nothing else he evicted all the snakes from Ireland

Reply to Binkie The Clown (Reply #7)

Tue Dec 10, 2019, 07:32 PM

Dec 2019

That alone is worth raising a pint in his honor.

edhopper

(34,836 posts)

11. Where are all the pre-5th Century snake fossils?

Reply to Major Nikon (Reply #9)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 10:26 AM

Dec 2019

This story is no less silly than the bulk of Christian myth.

Major Nikon

(36,900 posts)

13. You just don't understand

Reply to edhopper (Reply #11)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 10:33 AM

Dec 2019

Jesus did the hocus pocus thing and made all those fossils disappear as a test of your faith (you failed, btw).

edhopper

(34,836 posts)

15. I got an "F" in faith.

Reply to Major Nikon (Reply #13)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 10:40 AM

Dec 2019

But a "B+" in critical thinking.

bearsfootball516

(6,510 posts)

28. My Mother-In-Law is one of those people.

Reply to Major Nikon (Reply #13)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 03:01 PM

Dec 2019

She doesn't believe dinosaurs existed. She thinks fossils were put there by the devil to trick people.

How my wife escaped it, I have no idea.

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)

10. St Patrick was actually French.

Reply to Binkie The Clown (Reply #7)

Tue Dec 10, 2019, 07:46 PM

Dec 2019

So my father told me. But we still celebrate his day with a drink

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)

12. Who cares who celebrates what?

Reply to guillaumeb (Original post)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 10:30 AM

Dec 2019

Why does this person feel they have to justify celebrating Christmas?

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)

14. In my view, the author is speaking about recognizing common values.

Reply to Act_of_Reparation (Reply #12)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 10:36 AM

Dec 2019

And applying it to Christian traditions.

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)

17. That's only half the story.

Reply to guillaumeb (Reply #14)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 11:12 AM

Dec 2019

From the article:

As we approach Christmas, Muslims are often asked if they celebrate Christmas. Some Muslims even question themselves whether they are allowed to wish “Merry Christmas” to their Christian friends and colleagues. Some equate the secular celebrations with Christianity.

Several years ago, as I was hanging Christmas lights over my garage, one of my relatives baffled me when she asked, “Are you a Christian now?”

Yes, the author points to what he sees as similarities between the respective traditions, but it's obvious he's only doing this because partaking in another religion's celebration—even if only the secular traditions of that celebration—is taboo.

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)

18. Some discourage it.

Reply to Act_of_Reparation (Reply #17)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 11:15 AM

Dec 2019

And some Christians deny that Islam shares the same root as Judaism and Christianity.

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)

19. And what do they all have in common?

Reply to guillaumeb (Reply #18)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 11:19 AM

Dec 2019

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)

20. Obviously, that they are all Abrahamic religions.

Reply to Act_of_Reparation (Reply #19)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 11:21 AM

Dec 2019

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)

22. A little too specific.

Reply to guillaumeb (Reply #20)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 02:29 PM

Dec 2019

I wouldn't isolate this sort of behavior to just the Abrahamic religions.

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)

24. Feel free to continue with your analysis. eom

Reply to Act_of_Reparation (Reply #22)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 02:37 PM

Dec 2019

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)

25. I would, but I'm too busy celebrating somebody else's holiday.

Reply to guillaumeb (Reply #24)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 02:38 PM

Dec 2019

Luckily, none of my friends or family give a shit.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)

21. They're all co-opting the pagan celebrations of Yule and Solstice? n/t

Reply to Act_of_Reparation (Reply #19)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 12:31 PM

Dec 2019

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)

23. Except for the nudity and the employer-employee freaky Friday role reversal.

Reply to trotsky (Reply #21)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 02:33 PM

Dec 2019

Major Nikon

(36,900 posts)

16. Because as we all know, the baby Jesus was born on Christmas day

Reply to Act_of_Reparation (Reply #12)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 10:45 AM

Dec 2019

LakeArenal

(29,808 posts)

26. Why do Christians celebrate Dec 25

Reply to guillaumeb (Original post)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 02:54 PM

Dec 2019

When it’s not the supposed actual date of June.

Egads. That tree and gift giving shit has nothing to do with Jesus. I would hope he’d be embarrassed by the whole thing in his name.

But I don’t believe any religion and I celebrate the Solstice. It’s just I can’t get a day off for that. So I say Merry Christmas.

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)

27. It roughly corresponds with the solstice.

Reply to LakeArenal (Reply #26)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 02:57 PM

Dec 2019

And informed Christians know that many pre-Christian holidays were "adopted" by the early Christians.

Plus, how could Santa drive that sleigh in June?

LakeArenal

(29,808 posts)

29. Santa is Magic. Geez

Reply to guillaumeb (Reply #27)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 03:01 PM

Dec 2019

And how very tribal to assume only kids with snow get Christmas presents in Dec.

I don’t know guillaumb, you are usually so thorough in your posts!!?

PS— kidding...😉

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)

30. Thank you.

Reply to LakeArenal (Reply #29)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 03:05 PM

Dec 2019

And yes, Santa often delivers presents in a canoe.

As proof:

trotsky

(49,533 posts)

31. And by "adopted" you mean stolen/co-opted/assimilated, right? n/t

Reply to guillaumeb (Reply #27)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 03:06 PM

Dec 2019

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)

32. Do you always accentuate the negative?

Reply to trotsky (Reply #31)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 03:07 PM

Dec 2019

That is so sad.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)

33. I am using the correct words.

Reply to guillaumeb (Reply #32)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 03:11 PM

Dec 2019

It does no one any good to whitewash the history of your religion, g.

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)

34. After I wrote:

Reply to trotsky (Reply #33)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 03:14 PM

Dec 2019

And informed Christians know that many pre-Christian holidays were "adopted" by the early Christians.

You now accuse me of whitewashing history. Great job of misreading, or mis-framing. You choose.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)

35. Do you think "adopted" is an accurate word to describe what happened? n/t

Reply to guillaumeb (Reply #34)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 03:18 PM

Dec 2019

Major Nikon

(36,900 posts)

38. It's a word intended to whitewash

Reply to trotsky (Reply #35)

Wed Dec 11, 2019, 11:55 PM

Dec 2019

Christian missionaries stole pagan Yule holiday celebrations by claiming they were Christian. The tactic was specifically intended to compel pagans to abandon their beliefs. At first it was done on the condition of trade. Later they would torture and kill people for retaining their heretical beliefs.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)

39. Precisely.

Reply to Major Nikon (Reply #38)

Thu Dec 12, 2019, 08:07 AM

Dec 2019

Cold-hearted Christians who would rather gloss over the less-than-admirable bits of their religion's history tend to use words like that to soften the impact.

Anyway, the real crime here is me pointing that out, apparently.