Conscientious Objector

I've had enough. I'm sick of it. And I refuse to participate. I don't care what anyone thinks about me saying that either. Call me what you will for not participating in mass consumption, for any "holiday", but especially this one.

Drunk Santa! It's hard for me to see the value (i.e. showing love) in spending money that you don't have on gifts that people don't want. Or even worse, sending cards to people "because it's that time of year." I loathe that, I really do!

It's a scam to make super-consumers out of everyone. To rob us of our dignity and shame us with empty, meaningless stuff. We know better!

If people really cared for one another, we wouldn't be in (pick a mess, any mess) the mess we're in today. Period. And we want to indoctrinate our children with this? Come on! They're already facing a very uncertain future. Why do we want to burden them with this? And don't say it's fun and joyful, it's not, we all know that.

Where are the friendships, family love, and empathy in March or April or when people really need it? Where are the gifts given in conversation and in listening to one another about individual interests or ideas? Why can't we give those kinds of things throughout the year?

I would much rather have a meaningful conversation with someone than receive material "stuff" from them. I would prefer one minute of real conversation over a thousand hours of fake "weather conversation" and forced dinners with people I don't even really know. But we all do it, don't we? We know it's wrong and meaningless, but we do it anyway. Why? Why not be honest and real? What's so shameful or embarrassing about being who we are? I don't get it?

Think about all of the parents that don't really even know their (adult) children. Siblings that are clueless about one another (as in really knowing one another). I tried to communicate to my mother about who I am and what I believe is important in my life before she died. And I continue to talk to my father about it too. It's not easy.

Even here in Europe, the consumer craze in catching on. Germans love their Weinnacht Markts and hot Glühwein (puke). You can see the American influence to consume creeping in and taking over. How long will they last?

I was walking through Real the other day and saw a copy of Bild. It had some German guy on the front page talking about how Hitler was a nice guy. I bought it so I could read that article and saw this ad in it. The Santa drinking an Erdinger (which is good beer) reminded me of how I felt about this time of year. That's why I went on this rant.

Having said all of that, it doesn't mean that I don't love you and miss you, I do. That's why I said all of this, I want to show my love and appreciation in a different and new way. Do you want to join me?

Comments

[byzanicon]

It's a challenge separating the wheat from the chaff - the meaning from the unconscious materialism - this time of year. In a way I want to put up a tree for Isaac with all the lights on it this year because I know he'll look at it in wonder. But a tree doesn't hold much meaning for me anymore because it is such a symbol of materialism. Believe me, I cherish dinners together over conversation any time of the year. Food and conversation with family & friends can be so rejuvenating and fulfilling for me. Add a bottle of really good Malbec and life is even better. Real personal conscious connections are few and far between in this life and it's a real special moment when they do occur.

I look forward to the time when our families can finally get together for food, conversation, and wine. It'll be wonderful for sure!

Also, you will be getting a card from us ... but it won't be anything I picked up off a shelf at Walmart. ;-)

[Quinn Jacobson]

Hi Caron,

You're right, let's talk about the meaning. I don't think people really know what they are celebrating, or why. And maybe it doesn’t even matter.

Traditionally, Christmas is recognized to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ (hence, the "Christ" in Christmas), right?. Or, at least that’s what 95% of Americans think. It's widely accepted that Jesus was born in the spring, not in December, so why December? It's probably because the winter solstice was celebrated on the 25th of December by the ancient Romans. They were pagans, not Christians.

How did Santa Claus and Jesus get hooked up? Well, they say Santa is a hybrid of St. Nicholas of Myra and elements from pagan Nordic and Christian mythology. As far as a Jesus connection, it's a lot like the Easter Bunny and the resurrected Christ. It seems nonsensical to put them together, at least to my mind. Oh, wait, I forgot, follow the money. I get it.

And, one more thing; what about the Christmas tree, where did that come from? Its origins are pre-Christian, originating in the ancient paganism of Europe. The tradition can be definitively dated to 16th century Germany.

This is weird and bizarre stuff we're involved in. All of this conflicting history and religion, and we mix it up with 42" plasma TVs and trampling people to death to get into Wal-Mart to buy them at rock-bottom price. It does sound pagan to me. Worst of all, by participating in this, I believe at any level, we teach our kids that this is perfectly acceptable. I don't think it is.

At the end of the day, my position is that you can’t separate the wheat from the chaff as it relates to this "holiday" (and many others). And that's what concerns me about propagating this kind of thing to our children. We've tried to raise Summer with the idea of substance over symbolism. We're not perfect, and we've fallen for the consumerism and pressure, but we've tried.

It's interesting that you used that quote. I couldn’t agree more. And yes, I would like to "burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" *grin*.

We're looking forward to having some great conversations and wonderful meals with you and your family as well.

Thanks for your thoughts.