Evan,
Your post raises some interesting questions that could fill at least 5 or 6 threads. I'm just not sure they're relevant to what I've been wanting to say, but I suppose you thought they were..
I do feel your formulation is (for me) too 'concentrated' for the range of it's content. So I have no clear vision of what you're exactly trying to say here.
Obviously you & I haven't got all day on the forum so it's okay, I understand you wanna make your point 'succint'. (I donno if this word exists in english. I simply mean : giving the essence of an idea. Maybe 'sparse' would be a good traduction)
Also, I'm not sure we use 'pagan' in the same way.
The definition of 'pagan' has always been a very long discussion. You probably know this..
Just so you know, I've used pagan in the sense of "agnostic" or maybe "secular" if you wish. I'd even add : Non-religious.
If this wasn't how you understood me, I apologise for not being clear enough.
English isn't my natural language.
Just to make sure we're still on track here let me just remind you that the point I've been simply raising is that "Merry Christmas" is mainly a social act in it's intent. Some people will react badly to it because they see much more than that. Obviously what they see is their 'personal' reality. A relative one. That, I respect because they are experiencing it and I see it as a truth.
You may find my point of view 'dangerous'. I think the opposite.
If for you "Merry Christmas" is very different than what I genuinely believe it to be in the immediacy of it's intent, fine. If you feel disgust, fine.I'm in no way dismissing this. To the contrary.
I don't need to tell you there's a very REAL difference between what you 'see' or 'understand' from a situation and the reality of the situation itself.
That's why I agree with you on the fact that we all have a responsability -all the time- in our interactions with others.
The question is 'what is responsability'.
I believe responsability is a full acceptance of the results of one's actions. (Even if this may lead to new & different actions)
I have no doubt that there's always some one out there who has reasons to react negatively to something you're saying or doing... That's Inevitable.
A good heart, and clear intentions would be my motto. (But it's not always achievable.)
I don't think you can blame people for wishing other people a Merry Christmas. The best you can do is ask them not to wish YOU a merry Christmas, & tell them why it's important for your personal confort that they don't.
Evan it seems you're extrapolating alot from what I'm saying.
I don't need to get away with anything.
I don't think things have an intrinsic value. Only a relative one.
Merit is not what I'm after.
I may be totally Schizo but in no way related to what you're implying here. [[;)]]
But thanx anyway if you were genuine in your post.I welcome any kind of advice.
Actually, come to think of it, I wonder if your post says more about me or more about you ...
Regards
Charl
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Laurence,
I don't think we're inserting religion here really...
Well... I don't think I am.
Read my posts [:)]
Maybe Evan has a different view on this... I donno.