I was at a dinner tonight and some carolers were in attendance to serenade us. Besides the usual litany, there were several more discomfiting numbers.

There was one which went something like: "Christmas isn't Christmas without Jesus". Another talked about the generic joys of worship, and the last was "The Lord Bless You And Keep You". Now, the first is arguably a carol of some sort, but the latter 2 can't even use that excuse, and have a tenuous relationship to Christmas at best.

Some might ask why I am fine with other carols, which arguably express similar sentiments (in spirit, even if not to the letter). Besides those carols having something to do with Christmas itself, there's also the same reason why the days of the week have no religious significance to any living people. One might also consider the difference between heartily retelling (and listening to) a Homeric tale and slaughtering a heifer for Zeus.

Ah well. This is what happens when you have a church caroling group doing the honours.


I think Christmas has become more religious over the years. This year, City Harvest sponsored a TV special, and at the Christmas party I was at, they said grace. That's one thing, but asking their god to bless the party is another. And after the birthday song they sang: "May the good lord bless you". Gah.

(This is what happens when the organiser invites many members of a religious society from school.)


Someone: I was at one where [someone] says this earnest prayer about blessing the fellowship, etc. --- and man, it was weird.
I was like, the boy KNOWS how much drinking and "fellowship" will be going on tonight, right???

Me: mass orgy ah

Someone: Not that bad. But still --- hardly holy. *eyeroll*
"fellowship" is churchspeak for social interaction
Basically it's a catch-all term for chatting --- gossip ;) --- "testimony", etc.
It;s churchspeak. like 'sharing'
We shd go to church together one day. You'd need me to translate for you.

Me: you'd need me to debunk the BS for you =D

Someone: No really, as an anthropological expedition.
No need you to debunk lah. It's usually pretty easy to tear apart the sermon as it goes along.