Most liked posts in thread: Happy Winter...... Event???????

I think most people are as reasonable as you and realize that things like this are more from a lack of perspective and being familiar with only ones own beliefs and not as a blatant insult nor an endorsement of their beliefs as superior to others. I'm Christian so maybe I'm callous to how it would offend some to be bombarded with Christmas related things when they're Jewish, Muslim, or follow some other beliefs but I know when I've been in environments where the Muslim beliefs are predominant I sure wasn't feeling terribly upset at a lack of nativity scenes.

 

I look at it the same way as when someone is making a xerox copy on a Cannon copier. I think "Christmas Party" is growing into a generic term. Personally I don't participate in any of the so called holiday activities as I feel that they have moved too far away from their spirit and to close to the commercial bottom line.

Being a lapsed Jew (is there such a thing?) I had to draw the line when the local Synagogue was charging $200+ for the good seats during the high holidays. It was especially amusing a few years ago when my company in the spirit of inclusion and for the fear of offending any one group has set up a Christmas, Hanuka and Kwanzaa display in the lunch room. As I set there eating my lunch I watched a black, I mean African-American, employee walk up to the side by side displays, point at a menorah and excitedly pronounce: "So that what Kwanzaa looks like!"

 

Ahh, the time of year that I break out the Hanukkah Rocks CD by The Leevee's.

How can one not tap a toe to such ditties as How Do You Spell Channukkahh, Nun Gimmel Heh Shin and Goyim Friends.

http://www.lala.com/#song/360569466645869322/The_LeeVees/How_Do_You_Spell_Channukkahh

My take is similar to goaljnky's. Christmas Party is a generic term now.

Back when I used to work for the railroad in a 24/7/365 department I was always the first to sign up for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day shifts. That was one of only 2 days a year the RR totally shut down all the lines and the only calls came from a few people that had trouble getting VPN access from home.

I to am a lapsed Jew, the cost of going to Synagogue turned me off. You would think that would have a better plan when they tell you that the your demographic is the hardest to attract (Over 35, never married, no kids) But yet they wanted $2K for a seat in the back and $1K to for the annual building fund. Then you get harangued at the Yom kipper sermon to give even more. But I digress...

I came to the realization long ago that unless one lives in a Jewish enclave such as Pikesville in Baltimore, certain areas of Brooklyn and Queens or Englewood, New Jersey then one is bombarded with all thing goyish.

 

I don't subscribe to any of the main stream religeons. I find the whole 'my god is better than your god' thing totally asinine

When I got clean and started attending 12 step meetings I found a spiritual system that works for me. I think this phrase pretty much wraps me up "Religion is for those that don't want to go to hell, recovery is for those that have been there and don't want to go back'

I *think* I get a feel of how Jewish and Islamic people feel in this country. Christianity is so seeped in the culture that it is just *assumed* that your part of it. And that you know all the club handshakes and catchphrases.

I use christmas as a time to celebrate family and leave the birth of the big J to the rest of em'.

Anyway I digress.....While I don't mind people having christmas parties and the like I just feel no connection to them

 

Actually, I also found my spirituality during some visits to the 12 step process: "I believe in a higher power as it applies to me". When I combined that with some light reading of The Old Testament and the fact that some of the OGJ's like Abraham, Joeb, Moses, etc. had their covenants directly with god without interference of earthly appointed priests... well, the need for religious organization was no longer there.

Of course it could also be that I spend my early formative years growing up in the good old USSR where all religious views and practices were suppressed. :idea:

 

Just for the record, god is a woman.

Mark

 

Now it all makes sense.

 

I think smug acceptance is called for here

 

Ahh, the old Dishwalla Song, Counting Blue Cars.

I'm actually of the belief it's really all the same God (Jewish, Muslim, and Christian at least) and that there's a strong possibility that there are other Gods. The Bible specifically forbids worshiping other Gods. I also don't believe in hell since while God is always portrayed as being in heaven, Satan/Lucifer/et al are always portrayed as being on Earth, ergo Hell must be where we are now or more of a state of mind. Long story short there's no wrong beliefs, so long as you really follow whatever your beliefs are.

 

What if you believe that flying airplanes into buildings is your Gods work?

I understand where your coming from, and try to live my life that way, but that statement does open a whole other can of worms.

Mark

 

This country was founded in large part by people seeking religous freedom, 1492 they came seeking a place to worship god as they saw fit, 1776 our founding fathers thought it important enough to include God in our constitution and bill of rights, not one nation under Jesus, Allah,or Budda, but one nation under God.
So to each of you, May you all find this a wonderful season no matter what your beliefs, personally mine is Christ so Merry Christmas to all....

 

To you to docv, and a Happy New Year to all. Unless of course you use a different calender, in which case a belated one.

Mark

 

Wait.. christmas has anything to do with religion?

I'm a fan of celebrating xmas instead anyway...

 

After Chanakkah I'm a fan of Chis Moose.

 

Company Memo

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 1, 2009
RE: Gala Christmas Party
I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23rd, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols... feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00 PM. Exchanges of gifts among employees can be done at that time; however, no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pockets. This gathering is only for employees!
Our CEO will make a special announcement at that time!
Merry Christmas to you and your family,
Patty
Company Memo
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 2, 2009
RE: Gala Holiday Party
In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on, we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians and to those still celebrating Reconciliation Day. There will be no Christmas tree and no Christmas carols will be sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment.
Happy now?
Happy Holidays to you and your family,
Patty
Company Memo
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 3, 2009
RE: Holiday Party
Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table, you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only", you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this?
Somebody?
And sorry, but forget about the gift exchange, no gifts are allowed since the union members feel that $10.00 is too much money and the executives believe $10.00 is a little chintzy.
REMEMBER: NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.
Company Memo
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
To: All Employees
DATE: October 4, 2009
RE: Generic Holiday Party
What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20th begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party or else package everything for you to take it home in little foil doggy baggy. Will that work?
Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from the dessert buffet, and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms.
Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with Gay men, each group will have their own table. Yes, there will be flower arrangement for the Gay men's table.
To the person asking permission to cross dress, the Grill House asks that no cross-dressing be allowed, apparently because of concerns about confusion in the restrooms. Sorry.
We will have booster seats for short people.
Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet.
I am sorry to report that we cannot control the amount of salt used in the food. The Grill House suggests that people with high blood pressure taste a bite first.
There will be fresh "low sugar" fruits as dessert for diabetics, but the restaurant cannot supply "no sugar" desserts. Sorry!
Did I miss anything?!?!?
Patty
Company Memo
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All F*%^ing Employees
DATE: October 5, 2009
RE: The F*%^ing Holiday Party
I've had it with you vegetarian pricks!!! We're going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it, and you'll get your f*%^ing salad bar, including organic tomatoes. But you know, tomatoes have feelings, too. They scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right NOW!
The rest of you f*%^ing wierdos can kiss my *ss. I hope you all have a rotten holiday!
Drive drunk and die,
The B*tch from H*ll!!!
Company Memo
FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director
DATE: October 6, 2009
RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party
I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery and I'll continue to forward your cards to her.
In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.
Happy Holidays! Joan

 

:lol::lol: