Commercialism Only Adds to Joy of the Holidays

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Christianity, like all of the major religions, is a strange brew. The idea of original sin and redemption by the arising Christ make a strange kind of belief, I suppose, but is this really how it all works? Dr. Ghate may be an atheist, but I think I'm more an agnostic. I believe no religion has it right, there are no "holy" books, and that if we don't all kill each other, in the name of religion most likely, we may someday actually discover the truth. And if we don't, so what? What's so wrong about the idea that it may all be so mysterious and unbelievable, or simple, that we'll never be able to understand it? In fact, that to me is what all these thousands of religions are trying to do, make sense out of the unexplainable, the inexplicable. With what we know so far, it simply cannot be done. So in the mean time... Merry Christmas!

william of GA 3:39PM December 20, 2009

Merry Christmas Onkar, and thank you for the article and A Big Thank You to Ayn Rand for her gift to us all of the integrated philosophy of Objectivism (if you want to learn read her nonfiction) and for the artful expression of Objectivism via her fiction Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. Objectivism has improved all areas of my life and I am grateful. Objectivism is the Philosophy which could save the world and become the dominant philosophy.
Happy Solstice Eve Everybody!

Karl Meisenbach of TX 1:56PM December 20, 2009

Thank you Dr Ghate for sharing your perspective of the benevolent spirit of mankind in celebrating Christmas (and life) with your excellent essay. Merry Christmas!

Jasmine of NC 9:44AM December 20, 2009

Thanks for the insightful commentary on the holiday Mr Ghate.

Eric of TX 9:33AM December 20, 2009

Thank you Dr. Ghate. Apologists for the Christian essence of Christmas will no doubt say, "but your just exagerrating, it is Christianity that is really the basis for all the good will, benevolence, and happiness." Yet, on a daily basis I hear comments from people, as I did the other day at work such as, "I no longer partake in the commercialism of Christmas: no tree, lights, or presents now that my kids are over not little anymore, it's just too much stress" etc..
I totally agree that it is the ethics of duty and the psychologically poisonous consequences of thinking that you have to "buy the perfect gift" or "put on the perfect dinner" and "make everybody happy" and "not forget anyone on your card list" that turn the joyous celebration of earthly pleasure into stressful misery for many. Though the above are not Christian duties, it is the same mentality that says, "you must to go to midnight mass" (what if you'd rather socialize with friends instead of listen to a droning priest?), or that you must accept that you are fundamentally evil (a sinner) and that your salvation is gained through the dutiful acceptance of the slaughter of a perfect being, whose sacrifice saves you from damnation.
Just think about that for a minute. The birth of a baby, something that everyone who has witnessed encapsulates the joy of earthly existence, in the twisted context of Christian belief, is only to be celebrated because that baby grows to a man that is supposed to be slaughtered. That is death worship! Pass the eggnog, an extra helping of creamy whipped butter saturated mashed potatoes and gravy; and I'm looking foreward to playing with my new toys.

Andrew Brannan 7:40AM December 20, 2009

In this Christian society, it is too often that people are taught to feel guilt for the best within them--for the pride of ability, the exhilaration of profit, the joy of sex. Thank you, Dr. Ghate, for reminding us that this life and this world are all we've got, and that they are precious. I hope readers will use the perspective provided in this article and take a moment to think about what's really important.

Sam T of NC 4:03AM December 20, 2009

Scripture of all faiths established the new category of making a living. It put people in the business of selling "forgiveness of sin and saving of souls." Kings were to give gifts to the little "religious King of Kings." Costly gifts were mandatory.. Gold was specifically mentioned. Much of the gold ever mined is found in churches, tied up as altars, vessels, and on garments. But see the contradiction. Believers are told to scorn gathering money here. Instead they are to give to the poor. But monks take vows of poverty, so believers are to give assets to them. What a racket. Ayn Rand was a fake atheist. She wrote soft porn involving jackhammers with the female watching a male operate it. She advances a philosophy of extreme selfishness. As naive readers become better educated, they often scold themselves for having been fooled by her. As for Christmas gifts, many are made in cheap labor nations by children. For example, those fancy black and white soccer balls are handsewn by little kids in Pakistan. It is very hard on the hands. I used a photo of this once, to oppose putting a soccer field near a residential area. Look at tags on many gifts and see how many are from Taiwan, Sri Lanka, etc.

auradawn veirs of CA 3:08AM December 20, 2009