Not long now

couldn't agree more. I feel sorry for November, always the bridesmaid and all that. Oh sure it gets bonfire night but that's dwindling every year thanks to the antics of every teenage nobrot with a lighter. Now it's just used as a runway to the flights of fancy that are Decmeber and its inaccurate birthday of some lazy chippie from Nazareth... "Come on Son, I know you've got a lot to talk about but you still can't handle dove tails yet and you're nearly seventeen" "ALRIGHT DAD! there's more to life than friggin' timber you know, anyway I'm still on my fag break and that sawdust makes me itch. All that wood and nails will be the death of me one of these days!" Come on November! at least we can prove that Guy Fawkes existed! AND we get to burn stuff, and we do 't have to spend our entire life savings on a new playstation for some little twat we only meet twice a year and thinks gratitude is the opposite of longitude but can't be bothered with geography so just hand the present over and go and get pissed with the rest of them! ALRIGHT!! Christmas, It's one great meal and three days off that costs you about a grand. Ho, Ho, Ho.

This is just an observation, right. We in this country live in a multi-religious society, and naturally all religions should be treated equally. So I always find it interesting that we make jokes about Jesus like the one above, which will undoubtedly offend many Christians (but it's OK because we're a free society and freedom of speech is our birthright), but we never do the same thing to the Prophet Muhammad. How come? I suppose it must be because Christianity is just asking to be ridiculed and that other religion is sensible, rational and logical and there's no scope for mockery there. Yes, that must be the answer. My point is, if we aren't prepared to do it to all, is it fair to do it to any? Ah I hear you say, but Christianity is the religion I was born into, the one I know most about. It wouldn't be fair to do it to the others of which I have such little knowledge. Yeah, yeah, yeah, believe that if it makes you feel better, but if you're honest you know as well as I do what the real explanation is.

bloody hell!!!!!!!! its crimbo come early at work, its the same bloody here. blummin' 'eck

bah humbug!

i second that one christmas comes but once a year no it bloody doesnt. not if you work in any kinda shop it dont. wee put the crimbob decs up two weeks ago. and people are buyin the stuff now. oh my crimbo lord

"To perceive Christmas through its wrapping becomes more difficult with every year." Elwyn Brooks White

I treat all religions equally I'll have you know. They're ALL BOLLOCKS.

OK then point me to specific things you have written against any religion other than Christianity. Specifically against THAT religion, you know, the one everyone is soooooooo scared to mock. You can't do it can you. You think you're a tough guy speaking out against religion, huh? Poppycock. You're kidding yourself pal. Bigtime.

*clutches handbag*

Hey guys I was way out of line just now. I spoke out of turn. I've been under a lot of pressure lately and it all just exploded thru my words. No offence meant, I just hit some bad keys there. Every word I withdraw. I can't believe I wrote that garbage. You probably are a tough guy. It is my fervent prayer I have not upset you thru my intemperacy. God bless you Sir, one day I hope to buy you a drink and we will laugh about this.

I think the phrase 'They're all bollocks' when used in reference to religion actually includes ALL religions including the one you seem to be frightened to name. I'm no 'tough guy', ropey39, or is it 17? I also don't see myself as 'speaking out against religion', I just happen to think all religions are BOLLOCKS and I'm sure if you're that interested you will be able to find me saying much the same thing about all religions in past threads.

That's fine by me. Like I say I spoke out of turn. Your explanation resolves all outstanding matters between us. I will be more circumspect in future. As you may have surmised I have some personal mental health issues I need to address.

I don't get the quote . Is it saying we should use polythene bags instead of decorative wrapping paper ?

I'm reading Peter Ackroyd's biogrpahy of Dickens at the moment and discovered in there that untill the 1840s Christmas was a one day holiday when kids got one small present from their parent. It was no big deal. Dickens and his ilk did loads to sentimentalise it - he did so as part of his campaign for radical reform (see the Chimes) - but it really is yet another modern invention. We should refuse to have anything to do with it until Dec 1st at the earliest and boycott shops who put up decorations or any indication of Christmas before then. Get Ethical is the place to go for all your Christmas needs! See it's easy to look both ways at once.

Xmas" does not begin with the Roman letter X. It begins with the Greek letter "chi," which was used in medieval manuscripts as an abbreviation for the word "Christ" (xus=christus, etc.) Sorry.

*gasps*

> We should refuse to have anything to do with it until Dec 1st at the earliest and boycott shops who put up decorations or any indication of Christmas before then. < So that makes at least two of us Tony. I have always refused to 'do' Christmas until December but the retail industry starts earlier every year. My first sighting this year was in late October in Chelmsford High St.

Is that a religion I've overlooked Andrea?

Closely affiliated to the 'clasps handbag' brigade, Missus.

Oh right, so that would be the 'International Church Of Retail Therapy For Women', then.

Card carrying member and proud of it. Oh sorry... solidarity not called for then? Damn