The Spirit of Christmas

It seems like Christmas has been overdone. It has become a nonchristian celebration when only a handful of people go to church, most people don't even think about why they're celebrating, and they are worshipping their gifts more than God. It's become much too commercialized. Buisnesses have over time ruined the outlook on Christmas to the point that Christianity has for the most part pushed out of it. How many people do you think wake up on Christmas Day and think "I'll read the Bible today and glorify the Lord," "I should pray before I start the day," or "I am going to thank the Lord for giving his only Son for me today." Kids around the globe immediately wake up their parents and open all their presents! Why are they all so excited? If their father mentioned the birth of Christ and said they should pray and read the Bible, some of them would probably say "Daddy, can't we just have fun, it's Christmas after all, and I want to try out my new toys." We are all- not just kids- too distracted by presents, gifts, and giving, which over time has become known as the "spirit of Christmas," but it is NOT important compared to celebrating Christ! I know you've heard it everywhere, and everyone seems fixed only on what they are giving and getting, but that's not what Christmas is about! It's all about Jesus, and celebrating the day he was born. Duh! "Christ" mas! The spirit of giving is very important, but it should not climax at Christmas and disappear. You can't just say "I've done my giving for this year" once Christmas is over. That defeats the purpose! It should inspire a spirit of giving not for one day but for the entire year!
Also, Christmas originated from Christianity, yet how important is Easter in American culture? Easter is a more important Christian holiday in my opinion and at the least equal to the birth of Christ to most Christians, compared to Christmas? Do we light candles every week in anticipation? Do we buy enormous gifts for everyone we know? No. On the other hand, I am glad to see that the "spirit" of Easter has been kept to Christianity and the resurrection of Christ, and that is not quite as commercialized, although the Easter bunny thing has made it a major holiday. I am also glad to see that most Christians do go to church on Easter. Easter has been kept a Christian holiday, but it is not considered as important as Christmas to most people. I just wish that people would realize the true meaning of Christmas. It's not getting, it's not even giving. It's the birth of Christ.
Finally, why do people prepare for Christmas for weeks and then throw everything away and move on the day after? It bothers me that some people actually complain if you leave your Christmas decorations up! People assume that you're just too lazy to take them down. You should not just celebrate Christmas for one day! I think it's great that some people leave their decorations up. I am not, however, excusing people that still have decorations up in late January. That probably is laziness. However, you should leave your decorations up for, at the very least, a few days, so that you might be reminded of the Christmas you just enjoyed.
Merry Christmas!

Creation vs Evolution

Modern human knowledge tells us of a past created by nature, by chance events over billions of years. Scientists tell us we come from a single cell formed on Earth as it cooled and water formed. The Bible tells us we were formed by the hands of God. You cannot possibly believe it happened either way. History tells us we, humans, were not created in an instant, but over years, through records of archaelogical digs, etc. But how can you possibly believe it happened with no influence at all? I believe God works through science. I believe every miracle is a combination of science and divine influence from God. If you looked deeper, you might discover an explanation to every miracle, but it is formed by a chance event. Who makes it happen? Christians who believe the Bible is a complete truth are right in one sense, but wrong in another. The Bible contains no lies, but it cannot be interpreted easily. In Genesis God creates the world in a week, but, as it has been stated before, who is to say how God sees a week? Likewise, you cannot judge anything in the Bible to not have the influence of time. If the people mentioned in the Bible told you their story, you can bet it would be different than the Bible portrays it. The Gospels prove this. Here you have four different stories, of the same story. The true story is likely a combination of the four, and different from even that. I had a teacher in seventh grade that needed to explain evolution to the class. I found her opening statements on the subject disturbing. She said that "If you are Christian and don't believe in evolution, that's fine, but I have to teach it anyway." The first thing I have a problem with is the idea that no Christian can believe in evolution. I am aware that some parts may not be completely agreeable, but in general I believe in evolution, in the general sense that over time species change. I don't know all the details, so I cannot criticize or praise Darwin's ideas really. The second thing that bothered me was that she assumed Christians wouldn't want to learn about evolution! That is a horrible view to be put on Christians! We must be open to new ideas at all times, and at least listen to them. How can you say an idea is wrong because it opposes Christianity if you do not know what the idea is? You must first learn what is stated, and then decide whether or not it is true.
So, in summary, I, a United Methodist (although I am not sure I represent their ideas in saying this), believe in both science and religion. The two go hand in hand for me. You cannot dismiss God, and you cannot dismiss facts, although God may. I believe science was the hand of God in creating this world.

Philosophy

This blog is for my thoughts. Comments are appreciated; I like to know what other people think. If you choose to post anonymously please leave some sort of signature that I might recognize who you are. I won't be posting very often, for two reasons: I don't think about things like this but so often, and I want to give you time to understand each post fully, although I hope that won't be a problem. I think about different topics all the time, although not always in the same way people normally do. I seek to achieve a deeper understanding of the world through my thoughts. I hope you enjoy this.