Board religious make up........

[Boro in Devon]

So as the majority dont classify themselves as religious. How or why do you celebrate christmas ?

I personally dont like christmas as I dont like the commercialism. I no longer have any family and feel that I have to endure it for the sake of those who celebrate it on religious grounds. I have always volunteered to work between christmas and new year. I have thought of volunteering at christmas to help the community in some way but have been put off due to the number of checks that you have to provide.

 

[VESPA]

So as the majority dont classify themselves as religious. How or why do you celebrate christmas ?

I personally dont like christmas as I dont like the commercialism. I no longer have any family and feel that I have to endure it for the sake of those who celebrate it on religious grounds. I have always volunteered to work between christmas and new year. I have thought of volunteering at christmas to help the community in some way but have been put off due to the number of checks that you have to provide.

 

[NYboro]

So as the majority dont classify themselves as religious. How or why do you celebrate christmas ?

Not Christmas per se - the winter solstice.

 

[VESPA]

Good question there about celebrating Christmas Smog.

 

[FatCat]

Not Christmas per se - the winter solstice.

I think it’s mainly down to the presents!

 

[Ingleby_Flash]

If you're in Spain mate (as I seem to remember you are), today's the only religious holiday - Immaculate Conception Day, if you will (though if the bloke was born on 25th December (yes, yes, I know) surely it should be in March )

Yesterday was Constitution Day, celebrating (in effect) transitioning from Franco's dictatorship to a democracy - they celebrate the date of the referendum that "approved" it .... and you can just see the rabid Brexiteers going "national holiday to celebrate a referendum you say )

You’re right, still here for another ten days, then UK till early Jan, then I’ll have to play the 90 days in 180 game anyway there’s always a fiesta for something, bloody garden centre‘s been shut for three days

 

[Glover_elbow]

I was brought up Catholic but I am now atheist. I do wish this country was far more secular like Scandinavian countries. Its absolutely appalling the things that have been done in the name of religion

 

[buffaloboro]

I'm odd in that I'm atheist but I've lived in Italy and loved the community in the little town around the church. There was a sense of belonging, togetherness, lots of festivals and celebrations. Lots of people knew each other, the town square around the church was the centre of the community. I love the idea of all of that. Just not the baby Jesus and ten commandments stuff.

I do often wonder if a modern religion was started that was mental, or a cult scam how it would do.

Just be kind to each other, help out in your community, don't be a d*ck. All meet up a couple of times a week for a bit of wine and a sing song, sounds great. Just miss the burning in Hell for eternity for being gay or eating meat on Friday.

Most of my enjoyment of being around a religious community has been throughly removed from me after spending quite a while in Texas though.

That's the crux of it for me, it's the sense of the social etc rather than what it stands for.

 

[Jostler]

So as the majority dont classify themselves as religious. How or why do you celebrate christmas ?

I personally dont like christmas as I dont like the commercialism. I no longer have any family and feel that I have to endure it for the sake of those who celebrate it on religious grounds. I have always volunteered to work between christmas and new year. I have thought of volunteering at christmas to help the community in some way but have been put off due to the number of checks that you have to provide.

I definitely treat it as a mid winter festival of light that splits the winter nights.

Having watched a few programs on Middle Ages to Victorian Xmas and the ways they celebrated it along with the celebration of twelfth night got me thinking this way. I definitely like it better as a festival to bring joy to people in the dark and cold days.

 

[swordtrombonefish]

"So as the majority dont classify themselves as religious. How or why do you celebrate christmas ?"

To me it's a time when as a family we get together, exchange gifts and have a shared experience around food, drink and banter and a bit of a sing song. If it falls right we do the Boro pubs and Boxing day match - if not it's a pub, followed by home and cold meat sarnies with the Christmas gravy and some drinks, nibbles and further banter. The die-hards might watch a film or have a few games or cards and a whisky, rum or wine and then it's more or less done and bed beckons.

I love it for that alone - I understand the religious connotations promoted by the 'church' but even as a caholic by upbringing have no affinity with such a notion. I live and let live - those who are happy to believe can do so.

 

[HarryVegas]

Seeing as Christmas itself as a festival was appropriated and adapted by Christianity, as was Easter, from the Pagans I think non-believers can celebrate as much as they like, conscience-free.

 

[SmallTown]

So as the majority dont classify themselves as religious. How or why do you celebrate christmas ?

I’m not a massive fan to be honest but it’s nice to get together with the family during the dark and cold winter months. It’s hard to avoid fake celebrations of Christianity during the holiday (stars on Christmas trees etc...) but I try and keep iconography to a minimum.

 

[atypical_boro]

I used to believe there was a difference between atheist and agnostic but I’m not so sure now.

I was raised CofE but I don’t believe in any organised religion and oppose anyone who tries to force it upon me, especially the school system that still tries to force it on kids mostly.

I believe in “the universe” - that is the science behind it and the mystery, and generally believe that if you do good things for others the universe will reward you, so I suppose “the universe” is my God. But of course the definition of “good” is highly subjective anyway. I don’t do any of the obvious bad stuff like rape and murder. <Takes bow>

 

[HarryVegas]

I used to believe there was a difference between atheist and agnostic but I’m not so sure now.

I was raised CofE but I don’t believe in any organised religion and oppose anyone who tries to force it upon me, especially the school system that still tries to force it on kids mostly.

I believe in “the universe” - that is the science behind it and the mystery, and generally believe that if you do good things for others the universe will reward you, so I suppose “the universe” is my God. But of course the definition of “good” is highly subjective anyway. I don’t do any of the obvious bad stuff like rape and murder. <Takes bow>

I really wish I could believe in the universe rewarding good behaviour, and sometimes I do indulge in such thoughts myself. Unfortunately, all the evidence points to such beliefs being a comfortable luxury we can afford to allow ourselves, living as we do in a rich country still benefitting from the lifestyles bought by our long-gone empire.

Sadly, kindness to others and selflessness can still see you starve in a poor country, and history is full of such tales. Ireland 160 years ago was home to many devout, pious and kindly souls who starved to death on the streets, at least partly because of our aforementioned empire and our awful governance.

*Edit* Having said all that, I do still believe in kindness and 'paying it forward'. I have been helped in difficult times by others and if you can possibly give without knowledge of who you're benefitting, it's just the right and decent thing to do.

 

[atypical_boro]

I really wish I could believe in the universe rewarding good behaviour, and sometimes I do indulge in such thoughts myself. Unfortunately, all the evidence points to such beliefs being a comfortable luxury we can afford to allow ourselves, living as we do in a rich country still benefitting from the lifestyles bought by our long-gone empire.

Sadly, kindness to others and selflessness can still see you starve in a poor country, and history is full of such tales. The people of Ireland 160 years ago was home to many devout, pious and kindly souls who starved to death on the streets, at least partly because of our aforementioned empire and our awful governance.

Yeah, I’m speaking very generally. A rule of thumb but certainly not without an enormous amount of exceptions. “Luck” is still by far the most powerful force in the universe!