Should we celebrate Newton's birthday on Dec. 25th or Jesus?

[Manifestor_of_Light]

This is a reaction to the proposal to celebrate Galileo instead of Columbus, as Galileo was arguably far more responsible for human progress than Columbus.

In that spirit, I would propose that Isaac Newton, father of the laws of motion & calculus, still used every single day, was responsible for far more human progress than Jesus.
What do you think?

[msongs]

1. one is a myth one was real nt

[Yeshuah Ben Joseph]

3. You don't believe in Newton?

:shrug:

[grantcart]

4. How did you get to be so quick on the reply . . er nevermind.

[JuniperLea]

6. LOL!

Scary, huh? You can easily call him out;)

[joeybee12]

2. FIG Newton or OLIVIA Newton JOHN?

Toughie.

[Naturyl]

5. Both.

Science and spirituality both contribute to a good life.

[stray cat]

7. Its a free country

[Greyhound]

8. For one thing, there is no doubt about Newton's existence.

And I don't see that any factual debate regarding their comparative accomplishments.

Newton observed and defined several natural laws, "Jesus" has a few anecdotal tales that are suspiciously similar to many others of the time.

[KamaAina]

9. Pssst.... Jesus' birthday wasn't on Dec. 25.

It was in March (hence, the "Piscean Age"). Early Christians co-opted the various solstice festivals and made them into "Christmas".

[RKP5637]

13. Yep, +1, n/t

[Dappleganger]

25. Quite true.

[Warren DeMontague]

10. I think we should celebrate Dec. 25th the way it was originally intended.

Wine, fucking, overeating, and more wine. And more fucking.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

17. I like your graphic!!

We had a toga party in high school in Latin class, but didn't celebrate Saturnalia.


Yes, it's true that Mithra, Tammuz, Apollo, Osiris, etc. had birthdays on Dec. 25th, since the Christians stole the characteristics of the gods and slapped them on Jesus.

I read Rudolf Bultmann, who said that everything Jesus did can be explained by modern science (like his healing miracles). Interesting stuff.

[Warren DeMontague]

18. I actually thought this was a pretty interesting read:

http://jesuspuzzle.humanists.net/

This book makes a VERY compelling case that "Jesus", as an actual, historical entity, never existed in the first place.

[dbonds]

11. Other - Mirthra

http://www.religioustolerance.org/xmas_sel.htm

:)

[Obamanaut]

21. Mithra nt

[Davis_X_Machina]

12. Jesus was born in the spring...

...so we can have our cake and eat it too!

[grantcart]

15. Of course you can have your cake and eat it to.

What is really hard to do is "Eat your cake and have it too." lol

[Zax2me]

14. Jesus is losing -

A poll on DU.
What a,uh, surprise...

[frogmarch]

16. Mr. froggie's. He's

always felt so ignored by having a Christmas birthday.

[JackRiddler]

19. Galileo vs. Columbus thread is here...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9301248

The problem with your idea may be, WWND? (What Would Newton Do?)

According to everything I've read about his life (admittedly a pittance), on this poll he'd want you to go with Jesus -- and he'd be ready to enforce it with medieval means.

As for Dec. 24-25, maybe we should go back to celebrating Oh Shit Hooray The Days Are Definitely Getting Longer Again Aren't They Yes Whew That's A Relief I Was Worried There Praise Demeter Day.

[LeftishBrit]

20. Well, Dec 25th actually was Newton's birthday, and it probably wasn't Jesus' birthday

[Motown_Johnny]

22. hell, december 25th is my mother's birthday too... maybe we should all celebrate that

[LostInAnomie]

23. Do I get the day off work for Newton's birthday?

If not, keep it how it is.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

24. Stepson is a xmas baby -- 1973.

Just as good an excuse as any to take the day off.