The ChangingMinds Blog!

ChangingMinds Blog! > Blog Archive > 25-Dec-06

Monday 25-December-06

A Christmas blog

It's Christmas day and I'm sherried, turkeyed and presented out. The tradition of excess at the turn of the season has left me bloated, burping and wondering what it all means.

Don't worry, I'm not going to go off on a pious rant, though I have been having dangerously religious thoughts of late.

I grew up in the Anglican tradition, including being a choirboy for several years, memories of which include starched ruffs, giggles, games and disapproving old ladies who sang in wobbly voices just behind us. Christmas was a time of excitement, cold churches and carols, which I loved to sing because they had nicer tunes than many of the dirges we sung on other occasions.

I don't remember when, but, like Santa, the Biblical stories one day got just too surreal and I lapsed into a rational scepticism. The conflict between and within religions also made me doubt the motives of religious elders. And what is this thing about worship? Why does God, Allah, Christ or whoever want us to tell him (/her/it) that he is great? Surely he knows?

The basic religious messages of peaceful coexistence and mutual support are what it's all about for me. And in all the commercial mores this thought still seeps through, I think, though sadly not as loudly as it could. If I had a Christmas wish, it would be that the world's religious and political leaders should take this message to heart.

So pious or not, who cares, I'd just like add my wishes of peace and goodwill to all. Have a good  'un, as they say, and may your God answer your wishes and prayers.

Your comment on this blog: