A thought on Christmas commercials before Halloween

[PickelledEggs]

I was in my livingroom the other day and a commercial came on for christmas. At first I thought, "WHAT THE FUCK. WHY ARE THEY ADVERTISING SO EARLY?"
but then It dawned on me: Christmas is a huge holiday for stores.... In fact, the whole reason it's called "black friday" is because that is the day franchises would be able to easily get out of the red in terms profit.

After thinking about that, I realized how important it must be for the people that own our countries to push consumerism and essentially sales for Christmas. Hell. Even Japan is apparently a huge fan of christmas, even though most of them are atheist/ Buddhist.

So given that assumption, wouldn't it be correct to assume that it would be in our leaders' interests to encourage a belief in christianity? to ensure the best consumerism?

I'm sure there is more studies as well that show that religious folk are more likely to be persuaded in to buying something in general and not necessarily for christmas.... if someone knows of a reference to that either backing it up or refuting it let me know.

anyway... what are your guys' thoughts on this? Does consumerism play a part in the priority of religion in our countries? if so, how much do you think?

[Hydra009]

After thinking about that, I realized how important it must be for the people that own our countries to push consumerism and essentially sales for Christmas. Hell. Even Japan is apparently a huge fan of christmas, even though most of them are atheist/ Buddhist.

So given that assumption, wouldn't it be correct to assume that it would be in our leaders' interests to encourage a belief in christianity? to ensure the best consumerism?

No, they're only interested in people celebrating Christmas and buying stuff, and you don't have to be religious for that.  In fact, it's in their best interests to make these commercialized holidays appeal to as much of the population as possible rather than a single group.

[PickelledEggs]

No, just they're interested in people celebrating Christmas and buying stuff, and you don't have to be religious for that.  In fact, it's in their best interests to make these holiday sales appeal to as much of the population as possible rather than a single group.

Oh.

Sent from your mom

[Munch]

Yeah I'll agree with Hydra here, holidays like Christmas and Halloween are the biggest time of consumer buying, so they don't really care what your faith is, I mean Halloween is very much a pagan celebration, and all but the most batshit insane Carries mom type of religious parent wouldn't bat an eyelid to letting there kids dress up for candy and razorblades.

In fact I don't even think of Christmas as Christianity anymore, seeing how it's been going on longer then that, from the celebration of saturnalia (although getting drunk and having an orgy on December 25th might be awkward in some household)

[SGOS]

It's pushed by merchants because they want to make money.  Many merchants are not even Christians.  Many Christians claim Christmas has become too commercialized, but they still love it and shop like everyone else.  But they bemoan the fact that commercialization emphasizes the wrong focus, which should be the celebration of the birth of Christ.  They bemoan this so that their belief can be noted in God's notebook, and they want you to know the love God and Jesus.  Merchants don't care, they have just found a gimmick that makes a shitload of money.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

No, they're only interested in people celebrating Christmas and buying stuff, and you don't have to be religious for that.  In fact, it's in their best interests to make these commercialized holidays appeal to as much of the population as possible rather than a single group.

"Happy Holidays!" is another sign that the War on Christmas is still raging.

:hehe:

[_Xenu_]

Commercialism took over Xmas a long time ago and I would actually prefer it as a low key religious holiday more like Easter. The constant, aggressive advertising makes me want to scream: Its like being in a swing state during a presidential election.

[Mermaid]

No, they're only interested in people celebrating Christmas and buying stuff, and you don't have to be religious for that.  In fact, it's in their best interests to make these commercialized holidays appeal to as much of the population as possible rather than a single group.

TRUTH. We saw a "Christmas Superstore" yesterday that was, and I am not exaggerating, the size of a Home Depot.
I have not yet seen my first Christmas commercial, but have to remind myself that a significant percentage of our nation's economy relies on Christmas sales when I see those unbelievably puerile Pier One commercials. They should start up pretty soon.

This one makes me want to commit a homicide:
http://www.ispot.tv/ad/77Bl/pier-1-imports-penguin-in-smooshed-in-a-cupcake

Maybe that means I have no soul. Honestly, I do understand the excitement since I grew up with happy memories of Christmas and family. But I GREW UP. IT IS OVER NOW.

It never even occurred to me to opt out until I met my husband. Not having to buy things that people don't need with money I don't have makes a big difference to my stress level. Nobody gives a shit. It's quite liberating. We don't skip Christmas because we are atheists. We skip it because it makes absolutely no sense for a middle aged childless couple to buy each other presents. We both have huge families that would be mostly hard to buy for.

[Mike Cl]

I was in my livingroom the other day and a commercial came on for christmas. At first I thought, "WHAT THE FUCK. WHY ARE THEY ADVERTISING SO EARLY?"

Pickle--I am astounded!!!  Why this hatred for Christmas?  Why start the War on Christmas so early?????  I don't have a choice, I will have to report you to Bill O'Really!  That is harsh, I know, but I don't have any other choice.

[AllPurposeAtheist]

(although getting drunk and having an orgy on December 25th might be awkward in some household)

Ahh..the good old days when grandpa and grandma and uncle Dan and aunt Mildred and mom and dad would gather the kids around, pass the bottle, get naked, fuck like rabbits till the wee hours and some fat dude got stuck in the chimney and the grownups would say, OH CRAP! The kids are still awake!

[Johan]

anyway... what are your guys' thoughts on this? Does consumerism play a part in the priority of religion in our countries? if so, how much do you think?

I don't think so. Christmas is only a christian holiday in the strictest of technical sense. In practical terms its a secular as you can get and that is exactly as Macy's wants it to be.

Try explaining to someone that the reason you don't celebrate christmas is because you're not a christian. Don't say its because you're atheist, say its because you're not a christian and see what happens. Ninety nine out of a hundred times they'll say neither am I and look at you like you're speaking martian. Christianity has about as much to do with christmas today as nascar has to do with running moonshine.

[Atheon]

If I were dictator of the world, there would be no Christmas ads until December 1.

[Johan]

If I were dictator of the world, there would be no christmas ads.

[aitm]

The commercialization of the holiday was started by xians for the specific purpose of making money. The escalation has been two-fold, away from christianity and more mainstream secular and over commercialized as it HAS become such a make or break for many businesses. A perfect analogy is to raise a dragon and realize you can't control it anymore, all you can do is continue to feed it so it takes care of you.

IF somehow tomorrow the holiday was "lawed" into being first and foremost about the "reason for the season" and stores ordered to close for 12 days, the first to cry would be the same ones screaming at the "war against.."  The downfall would be staggering...I think.

[Desdinova]

I prefer Festivus.  The Airing of Grievances is my favorite part.  Festivus for the rest of us!