Why is it when someone speaks against the "conventional custom" they're derided?

[Captain O]

I spoke out against the celebration of Christmas and the thread was locked. I'm sorry if people felt insulted, but I have performed exhaustive research, and have yet to find any Biblical support for the current celebrating of the Christ child's birth. I understand (and approve) of celebrating of his crucifixion, burial and resurrection, but nothing supporting the celeberation of his birth.

Today, it seems to be a knee-jerk reaction by the public at large to elicit sentimental reverence for our fellow human being. This, in and of itself, isn't bad, but it isn't enough to drag the Holy name of Jesus the Christ into being used as an instrument of mass marketing. I personally find this repugnant, and refuse to participate for this reason if for no other. Being kind and following God's word should be a way of life all year, not just a short season.

The Season seems to have a "heretic" reason, as it were.

Does anyone have any other supporting evidence?

[sqlbullet]

The answer to your main question is any number of cognitive bias.

Personally, I am glad of the time of reduced work load and activities with my family.  We will cook together, watch some movies, talk about current events, read from a variety of good books.  What other people do with X-mas is their own business.

[Captain O]

I would apologize, but in my humble opinion, critical thinking should reign over emotionalism. If people enjoy the celebration, that's just fine. When facts come to light,  a critical analysis never hurts. Why should truth be ignored? Isn't that why we rally around the Constitution and the light it shines on all humanity?

Barry Goldwater once said: "Extremism in the pursuit of liberty, is no vice". Shouldn't we treat the pursuit of truth within our faith with equal fervor? Do we really need to "go along to get along" when it comes to Biblical knowledge?

I think not.

[sqlbullet]

By careful analysis and critical thinking, Christianity becomes the modern extension of astrology.  It is the explanation that stands up to critical scrutiny the best.

Knowledge of Christ comes via the Holy Spirit by an emotional response.

[sstewart]

Ah but not total emotion, enlightenment and intellect as well.

[Captain O]

Knowing Christ encompasses the entire being. Knowledge of the empirical is crucial. Theology encompasses a great deal.

[Captain O]

When man interlopes with the reality instituted by God, then reality must be addressed. Man's interference must be ignored and His creation/reality recognized.

Pope Constantine is like any other man, but in a robe. He had no authority to change the date of Christ's birth, but did so to obfuscate the pagan celebrations of the day. Man has no authority unless imbued by God Almighty, no more or less. While I don't like "raining on anyone's parade", I refuse to honor what God, in His infinite wisdom, hasn't.

The birth, burial and resurrection is of far greater import than His birth. It is through these He provided His salvation of all mankind that follow His word.     

[redbaron007]

You are more than welcome to not celebrate the birth. However, for you to say other shouldn't is now just your opinion and like arm pits, everyone has a couple and most stink. 

[sqlbullet]

When man interlopes with the reality instituted by God, then reality must be addressed. Man's interference must be ignored and His creation/reality recognized.

Pope Constantine is like any other man, but in a robe. He had no authority to change the date of Christ's birth, but did so to obfuscate the pagan celebrations of the day. Man has no authority unless imbued by God Almighty, no more or less. While I don't like "raining on anyone's parade", I refuse to honor what God, in His infinite wisdom, hasn't.

The birth, burial and resurrection is of far greater import than His birth. It is through these He provided His salvation of all mankind that follow His word.     

This is not compatible with this:

I would apologize, but in my humble opinion, critical thinking should reign over emotionalism.

Even a cursory application of critical thinking to the subject of the judeo-christian god shows he does not exist.

If god were omnipotent, as that theology teaches, then he is not good, given the suffering in the world.  A truly omnipotent being could achieve his ends without, for instance, having little children suffer from cancer, or starvation, or child rape.  The power to achieve any goal without suffering is clearly a power he either doesn't have (not omnipotent) or doesn't use (not good).

[Captain O]

You are more than welcome to not celebrate the birth. However, for you to say other shouldn't is now just your opinion and like arm pits, everyone has a couple and most stink. 

I never claimed anyone shouldn't celebrate as they feel. I do feel opposed to sociocultural "strong arm tactics" that have been commercially foisted upon society. This is little more than emotional manipulation. I got over it years ago, but people like to engage in forcing others to bow to their will.

This happens on an annual basis.

[Captain O]

When man interlopes with the reality instituted by God, then reality must be addressed. Man's interference must be ignored and His creation/reality recognized.

Pope Constantine is like any other man, but in a robe. He had no authority to change the date of Christ's birth, but did so to obfuscate the pagan celebrations of the day. Man has no authority unless imbued by God Almighty, no more or less. While I don't like "raining on anyone's parade", I refuse to honor what God, in His infinite wisdom, hasn't.

The birth, burial and resurrection is of far greater import than His birth. It is through these He provided His salvation of all mankind that follow His word.     

This is not compatible with this:

I would apologize, but in my humble opinion, critical thinking should reign over emotionalism.

Even a cursory application of critical thinking to the subject of the judeo-christian god shows he does not exist.

If god were omnipotent, as that theology teaches, then he is not good, given the suffering in the world.  A truly omnipotent being could achieve his ends without, for instance, having little children suffer from cancer, or starvation, or child rape.  The power to achieve any goal without suffering is clearly a power he either doesn't have (not omnipotent) or doesn't use (not good).

On the contrary. As His creation, He honors us with free moral agency. He permits things to happen so that we, as His children can react accordingly. We can choose to react negatively or positively. God permitted Satan to do everything to Job, save for taking his life. In the end, Job turned his back on his circumstances an praised the Almighty God. As a result, God restored everything to Job many times over.

If you look at His creation and the divine structure, it is foolish to deny His existence. Empirical data establishes his existence. The possibility of this planet "accidentally" being in the proper position to support living things is even more than astronomic, it is nearly impossible.

No, my friends, suffering in this world does not come from God, it is there to further glorify Him. (Look in the back of the book, God wins and Satan loses). 

[sqlbullet]

Again...Omnipotent.

That would include the ability to construct a universe in which free moral agency was respected without suffering.  In point of fact, he could have just skipped the evil people, not allowing them to exist.

And, this doesn't address cancer, or the noxious little worm that incubates in human eyeballs.

Look, you want to choose to believe in god, that is fine with me.  I make that choice.  But don't try to justify your arbitrary decision as in some way supported by empirical fact.  It is not.

In fact, He says it can't be, as the purpose of this life is to live by faith.  Empirical fact would provide evidence which would replace faith with a sure knowledge.  Ergo, if there is actual evidence of god, then he doesn't exist because he has decreed there can be no evidence of god.

[redbaron007]

You are more than welcome to not celebrate the birth. However, for you to say other shouldn't is now just your opinion and like arm pits, everyone has a couple and most stink. 

I never claimed anyone shouldn't celebrate as they feel. I do feel opposed to sociocultural "strong arm tactics" that have been commercially foisted upon society. This is little more than emotional manipulation. I got over it years ago, but people like to engage in forcing others to bow to their will.

This happens on an annual basis.

Dude, that's life.....many want to control others; just like you are trying to control socialcutlure activities. 

[Captain O]

You are more than welcome to not celebrate the birth. However, for you to say other shouldn't is now just your opinion and like arm pits, everyone has a couple and most stink. 

I never claimed anyone shouldn't celebrate as they feel. I do feel opposed to sociocultural "strong arm tactics" that have been commercially foisted upon society. This is little more than emotional manipulation. I got over it years ago, but people like to engage in forcing others to bow to their will.

This happens on an annual basis.

Dude, that's life.....many want to control others; just like you are trying to control socialcutlure activities.

I don't know this "Dude" of whom you speak. There's nothing wrong with capitalism. Turning a profit is fine, but I don't think the name of God should be made profane in a similar manner when Jesus cleared the temple. No, turning a profit in the name of Jesus' is repugnant.

But it happens every year.

[redbaron007]

You are more than welcome to not celebrate the birth. However, for you to say other shouldn't is now just your opinion and like arm pits, everyone has a couple and most stink. 

I never claimed anyone shouldn't celebrate as they feel. I do feel opposed to sociocultural "strong arm tactics" that have been commercially foisted upon society. This is little more than emotional manipulation. I got over it years ago, but people like to engage in forcing others to bow to their will.

This happens on an annual basis.

Dude, that's life.....many want to control others; just like you are trying to control socialcutlure activities.

I don't know this "Dude" of whom you speak. There's nothing wrong with capitalism. Turning a profit is fine, but I don't think the name of God should be made profane in a similar manner when Jesus cleared the temple. No, turning a profit in the name of Jesus' is repugnant.

But it happens every year.

To clarify, "dude" in this case is referencing you; but to be respectful, something I was amiss earlier,  I'll refer to you as Mr. Dude or Captain O...whichever fits my feelings at the time. 

Again, your predisposition for the celebration of Christ's birth is causing your frustration. With this said, you should be irate about every religious holiday; for the culture/society, it's all about money. It's always been about the money. Since the beginning of time, many have used these events to capitalize on gaining more money/gold/furs/water etc.