A calendar without Christmas?

hiddensurfer17 said:Well, such countries do exist, certainly. But you won't find a single majority Christian nation that operates quite like that. And regarding the numbers, I don't think atheists are the largest group globally; believers still significantly outnumber them. As for how atheists might behave toward people of faith in North Korea... well, it's probably best not to go there. Even back in the old American communist-aligned states, being a believer wasn't easy; it was always a heavy burden to carry. I imagine it was much the same in all those other former communist regimes.

I mean, what exactly made celebrating Christmas such a "burden" under the old regime?
Was it because people actually celebrated quietly within their own families instead of parading around churches just to perform piety for show? I wonder if true believers ever actually cared what atheists thought of them in the first place. Or maybe it was only those who were just being "declarative" about their faith—those poor souls that the old state wouldn't let be seen as believers under the public eye like they can be now.

copperhound122 said:I mean, what exactly made celebrating Christmas such a "burden" under the old regime?
Was it because people actually celebrated quietly within their own families instead of parading around churches just to perform piety for show? I wonder if true believers ever actually cared what atheists thought of them in the first place. Or maybe it was only those who were just being "declarative" about their faith—those poor souls that the old state wouldn't let be seen as believers under the public eye like they can be now.

I don't think we should generalize too much, but there's no denying that for many, it was an obstacle to getting hired or moving up the career ladder. There were times when people were practically being monitored for things like baptizing a child or similar rituals. All of that started to erode toward the end of that system, but during those first two or three decades, it was definitely a factor. You might try to deny it, but that’s just how it was.
And why are you so preoccupied with these "performative" believers? Why do they bother you so much? That type of person has always existed and always will. At the end of the day, people have the right to express themselves however they choose—even if that means putting on an act in church. They're only doing it to their own detriment, not yours.

Kevin Sullivan6 said:During the winter solstice, people all across America will be celebrating the Invincible Sun, rather than engaging in that Middle Eastern religious mambo-jumbo.

The winter solstice is actually December 21st, not the 25th, but whatever—I get your point, haha.

Richard Wilson4 said:Whoa, you didn't hold back there... 😁

I'm not exactly a fan of the new Pope, but I know everyone's gonna be losing their minds once he shows up. 🙂

Oh, I'll be "foaming at the mouth" when he arrives, and I'm definitely not one of those people from the old country.
Around here, there's this massive assumption that Christianity and Communism are total opposites, mostly because being both wasn't exactly encouraged back in the day. But honestly? They're so similar it's almost obvious they were designed by the same architect.
That said, if I actually started listing all the ways they overlap, I might end up hurting some religious feelings, and that’s not my goal...

Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating. Look, it’s on the calendar somewhere, I suppose.

Yeah, who would’ve thought we’d actually see miracles happen , but things are finally moving on December 25th. 😁

Merry Christmas!