Wishing you a Merry Quanza, Hanukkah, Christmas, etc.: Why These Institutions?
During this time of the year, there are many types of religious festivities around the world. The four most celebrated in America is Kwanza, Islam, Hanukkah, the biggest of them all, Christmas. In this discussion, I did not consider the institutions' size, wishes to one another, and even nonmembers. If you are a practicing member of one of these faiths, why do you practice your faith? Do you/should you condemn other religions?
It’s the season when great deeds are witnessed near and far. In preparation for the holidays, food banks have accumulated many food items ready for distribution during the season. Donations pour from everywhere to organizations like the Salvation Army. Total strangers pick up restaurants, grocery stores, and shopping tabs for people. Some organizations and individuals may decide to build or renovate houses for people. The holiday season is when companies and individuals award promotions and or offer generous bonuses to their employees. Children, in particular, love the season of gifts - parents and well-wishers buy and exchange gifts. In developing countries like Nigeria, the season is the perfect period to return to one’s village, searching for a soul-mate. To some people, visiting families or loved ones at this time could be described as an obligation. A person can even feel the spirit of love and goodwill hanging in the air.
Unfortunately, every coin has two sides. Yes, you will also witness or hear stories of elevated stress levels, high blood pressure, dissolutions of relationships, divorces, or even death during this time. The season is the period of high vehicular fatalities and road mishaps. There is an increase in police arrests for road and restaurant/bar misdeeds, domestic violence, and even police shootings. As I write, many migrants are freezing at some border crossing during the season of love and goodwill!
How astonishing when we talked of feeling the spirit of love and good wishes hanging in the air a moment ago? What is the purpose of this period?
Since these are religious festivals, one will assume they have a lot to do with the Creator of all things, God. Again what is the purpose of the events, and why do we celebrate them as we do? Often our celebrations have little or nothing to do with the Creator. Little because adherents seek to enjoy themselves, commensurate with one another, meet new friends, eat and drink and have a good time during the celebrations. Nothing because we all know and agree that God is a spirit. And as such does not eat, drink, dance, or need any earthly things.
The festivities are for human consumption. Religion and religious practices are among the parts of a culture like foods, music, dancing, worship practices, etc. These are established by and belong only to the people who founded them. While people can copy some of the things that they like about culture, in no circumstance should they disrespect the culture if they can’t enjoy certain aspects of it. Then, what is the fuss about the superiority of one religious culture to others? There should be no such distinction. Spiritualty, i.e., God-seeking, is universal and cultural. So the act of supplanting, adulterating, degrading a religious culture is not of God.
Many Black Americans and Jews do not celebrate Christmas. And many Christians and Moslems do not celebrate Kwanza or Hanukkah. Do they hate Christmas? No, or that should not happen. The only reason is that Christmas is not their culture; it is not for them. Also, Christians believe Hanukkah, Kwanza, or Islam is not for them. Then how do you explain the claim that one religion is superior to others or that the one you ascribe to is the only one acceptable by God? You can see that there is no truth in that claim! Call it what it is: a way to project power and domination. As all peoples must try to live together as one human family, they should accept all cultures. Is any culture perfect? No!
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If the festivals are celebrated as intended then there shouldn't be any problems with anyone respecting someone from celebrating them, as they are all based on love, care, hope and reaching out. We should all share our faith with love and leave it to God to do the work in the hearers life. It is not our job to convert anyone, as we our powerless to do it. Our job is simply to share what our faith means to us and why and certainly not to judge someone for not agreeing with us. If we can't leave it with our God to strive with the hearer, then we don't have much of a faith in our God!
I agree with you. Who are we to judge? We are simply passing through this earth. Our demands, expectations, and thinking about these festivities and institutions show that they have nothing to do with the Maker of all things, God, who made the rain fall on, the sun shine on, and the plants produce equally for, all peoples.
Thanks my friend.
Cal
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Well said, Cal! Happy Holidays!
Jeff🙏
Thanks Jef. Happy new year.
You're very welcome and the same to you, Cal!