Sympathy for Scrooge...

[bridgit]

Dear Spengler:
As a Jew, I do not celebrate Christmas. My children, though, want a Christmas tree and other symbols of the season. I have tried to discourage this, but they seem heartbroken at being left out of the holiday spirit. Should I take a hard line on this issue?
Grinchy at Christmas

Dear Grinchy:
I do not know quite what your religion requires of you. You should consult your own clergy, not me. Permit me to point out, however, that you should not be surprised at your children's dudgeon, for it is unnatural for children to be Jewish. Judaism is an old man's religion. In the whole enterprise of revealed religion, the Jews are the grown-ups, looking down tolerantly (at best) on the children's games of the Gentiles.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/HL16Aa01.html

[The Straight Story]

1. Interesting article, pretty good actually. A kick! (nt)

[cosmik debris]

3. I'm not sure how I feel about it

But it was indeed very interesting. Food for thought.

[radfringe]

2. Holiday spirit is in the heart

not something that's hung on a tree, or whether or not a clerk in the store says happy holidays or merry christmas

yes, it's difficult for the kids who see friends with all the holiday trimmings in their homes.

as far as a tree goes - it's origins are in the winter festivals celebrated by pagans centuries ago.

My partner is jewish, her family are conservative jews. Growing up, they would have a Hanukkah bush. One of those table top type trees, decorated with dreidles and the Star of David. Yes, it could be seen as a "compromise" - however the celebration was about the spirit of the holiday not in the "trimmings".

[BoneDaddy]

4. Is it

that children of other faiths are attracted to Christmas, as the article says, because of the celebration of children, wonder and rebirth or is it because they watch the gentile children get showered with gifts?

My guess is that it is commercialism and gift receiving that holds more sway.

AS for painting an ideal picture of Judaism as the more "mature" faith over Christianity (or any other belief) smacks of religious elitism that every faith seems to suffer, not just judaism.

I mean the article goes on to paint a sympathetic portrait of the Puritans because of religious persecution. Shame they didn't end up in some shallow grave in Massachusettes. Would have saved us alot of bullshit.

[Evoman]

5. Its all about what they see on TV...happy kids getting PRESENTS under a tree.

Jewish children have it rough. I myself celebrate christmas independant of the CHRIST. I tell myself that christmas as it is now is exactly the opposite of what Jesus would want...and that why its so much damn fun, haha! I celebrate christmas because of the profanity of the whole things!

[TRYPHO]

6. What baldershash

My eldest is right next to me and I'm going to ask her if she would rather have Xmas or Chanukkah...

"Chanukah" she says, "coz it lasts longer"

I ask if she misses a Xmas tree and she says

"I've never had one so I don't know how to miss it, but I like the lights when I drive past".

When they see presents on TV they just say that's what they want for Chanukah.

They do (I have 3) go to a Jewish school though, so they don't get the normal British bias thrown at them.

TRYPHO

[Meshuga]

7. That's right!

That's right! Chanukah has 8 nights of lights and fun. The last night has all the candles lit and with all the menorahs on the table in full force it looks pretty cool. I will take that over a Xmas tree any day!

Kids get the 8 gifts for each night. Not bad!

What do our kids lose? Xmas tree and Santa Claus. Big deal!

On Xmas day we have Chinese food and piss off whoever works at the movie theaters by showing up to watch a show. :evilgrin:

Not all gentiles in the world celebrate Xmas like the article suggests. That's ethnocentric talk! Remember that there are other religions and cultures other than the Chritian who don't celebrate Christmas.

Kids are kids with or without Xmas.

Mine go to Jewish school also and learn that it's okay to be a member of a minority group.