Especially, I send season's greetings to Utah's prominent wingnut Sen. Chris Buttars, Bill O'Reilly and others who are seeking an exclusive celebration of the season for their own mythologies, namely Christmas. Good ole Christmas, December 25 specifically originally was the birthdate of the Zoroastrian god-man Mithrais. Many of the ancient God-men were born on the winter solstice, representing re-birth, and common theme among the ancient "pagan" religions.
Even to an atheist such as myself, the idea of celebrating "rebirth" has a certain allure. The idea that the darkest of the long dark nights has ended, and the amount of daylight will progressively increase until the peak of the summer solstice. It is a time of reflection, regarding what was accomplished this year, and what was left undone. It is a time to reflect upon those things that provided meaning and joy during the past year. Belief in deity is not necessary to celebrate the season. Uniting in celebration with others for a season that represents giving, brotherhood, and rebirth should be something that unites not divides. When someone like Senator Buttars comes along and devalues the experience of others wanting an exclusive franchise upon the season, it highlights his own myopic exclusivism and a disregard for others who may think differently.
During this season, as in all seasons, I seek to find the best in people and to promote peaceful coexistence. Because of this, I am giving Sen. Buttars a free pass. He is a victim of childhood indoctrination and most likely intolerant and harsh parents. So I hope Sen. Buttars has a very enjoyable holiday season. When he convenes in January as a Senator and seeks to use the apparatus of the state to impose his beliefs on others, I will speak out against him in the most strongest terms I can. But in the meantime, to everyone, I wish you all an enjoyable holiday season, even Sen. Buttars. And if telling Sen. Buttars, Merry Christmas, will soften his grinchy heart and bring him into the fold of sane humanity, I say to Sen. Buttars, Merry Christmas.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
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8 comments:
Merry Smithmas!
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Susan
http://www.car-insurance-choices.com
As I was born near this solstice, I have always felt it was partly my own celebration too. But I hadn't thought of it as a time of rebirth until now. The thought appeals to me as well. There's room for lots of Happy this month. Not to mention Merry.
All the best to you and yours, Obi wan.
Obi,
IN your Thanksgiving entry, who were you giving thanks to? You said you were thankful for a long list of good things. So it begs the question, if you were so thankful, then to whom?
Just wondering.
The, I'm not sure but I'm pretty sure that Joseph Smith jr. was not born around the solstice.
Susan, thanks for visiting. I'll look forward to getting to know you better.
bekkieann, good to hear from you. Back at you as far as well wishes during the holiday season. Happy solstice.
KD, I am thankful to alot of individuals and for alot of things. That doesn't imply that I give credit to some non-existent supernatural entity. I'd rather give credit to those around me who add to my quality of life.
Best wishes and I hope you have an enjoyable holiday season.
This is an interesting logical question. So, when an atheist says he is thankful for his health, what does that mean? If this atheist can't be thanking anyone and anything for his/her health, is that really just another way of saying "wow, I just got lucky" or "boy am I glad I inherited a favorable gene pool"?
KD, I have like many people been fortunate. I have not got in accidents that might have severed my spinal chord and rendered me paralyzed. Do I thank God for that? To do so, would to suggest this non-existent deity's culpability for the person who does get paralyzed.
Am I thankful I don't have cancer? Yes. Does that mean that God has kept me cancer free? No, nor does it mean God is the reason some people contract that terrible disease.
Taking inventory of those things in my life that give me meaning and happiness and feeling gratitude for my good fortune doesn't mean I am attributing it to God, any more than blaming God for all my misfortunes. It's like blaming an invisible UFO just because it feels good to credit or scapegoat someone.
Yes I quite understand your point. But my point is one of syntax. I think the acts of being "grateful" and "thankful" require a recipient. I think a more accurate word you might use is just feeling "lucky" or "fortunate", which more clearly imply the chance involved, rather than gratitude or thankfulness.
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