Post by jiyang35 on Nov 16, 2011 21:48:17 GMT -5
Celebrated by countless Americans, Thanksgiving and Christmas are without a doubt, two of the most special days of the year. Originally established as holidays to acknowledge a good harvest season, to rejoice after hard work, and to commemorate the birth of Jesus, many currently fail to uphold the original intentions of these so called “American” holidays. Instead, these once sacred days of the utmost importance have changed to satisfy the changing social ideologies of Americans. Related to ideas of The Crucible and the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, the very pious society of Puritans that formerly established this very nation, has now developed into a capitalistic and materialistic world.
By today’s standards, the onslaught of commotion and anticipation for these holidays represent something much different. Although many Americans claim to possess the true spirit of the holidays by decorating their front lawns and putting forth a warm attitude, they essentially lack the knowledge to why they are even doing so. They ultimately participate in order to follow suit with everyone else. Even worse is the breakdown of the family itself. These holidays are meant to promote family bonding but with the ever growing sense of individualism, the urge to spend time with relatives has greatly declined. Replacing this ideals are the popular Thanksgiving football games and the ever so famous “Black Friday”.
“Black Friday” itself greatly embodies the secular aspect of society, making it greatly recognized. During these economic shopping days, individuals go out of their way to purchase as many items as they can. They lavish themselves in commercial goods and are willing to do anything to acquire these so called necessary products at the cheapest price. Within recent years, “Black Friday” has even become a highly controversial topic. Beginning with the Wal-Mart worker from New York who was trampled to death by over-aggressive customers, to the shootings and other acts of violence due to shopping disputes, many have worried about the extent to which Americans will strive for material possessions (Tahmincioglu). Some men and women even set up camp outside stores waiting hours or even days just to be first in line. In doing so, they disregard Thanksgiving as a whole and only look forward to what they will have purchased by the day’s end.
In regards to Christmas, “Black Friday” is widely viewed as the first opportunity to go shopping. By the statement itself, it is obvious that Christmas has become a holiday of gift-giving rather than religious observance. In today’s world, few can even explain why Christmas is even a holiday, but often times, these individuals still await and take part in the holiday as it is a means of free tangible goods. Businesses and companies all over the nation have even recognized this extensive secular shift. They pay millions of dollars to advertise their merchandise and reel as many unsuspecting customers as possible. These ads litter the media and truthfully in today’s world, there is no escape from it.
Unmistakably, the nation established by our founding fathers, has since greatly changed. In a country once ruled strictly and solely by religion, this has now deteriorated into a secular and capitalistic society. Bargains and publicized sales have replaced our ancestral holy days and now dominate the lifestyle of countless Americans. Material goods are used to judge the lives of others and people find pride in obtaining these possessions. At such a momentous rate, it may not be long before religion becomes completely obsolete.
Words: 576
Source:
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34064610/ns/business-holiday_retail/t/cloud-trampling-hangs-over-black-friday/#.TsRWhvIlpI4
By today’s standards, the onslaught of commotion and anticipation for these holidays represent something much different. Although many Americans claim to possess the true spirit of the holidays by decorating their front lawns and putting forth a warm attitude, they essentially lack the knowledge to why they are even doing so. They ultimately participate in order to follow suit with everyone else. Even worse is the breakdown of the family itself. These holidays are meant to promote family bonding but with the ever growing sense of individualism, the urge to spend time with relatives has greatly declined. Replacing this ideals are the popular Thanksgiving football games and the ever so famous “Black Friday”.
“Black Friday” itself greatly embodies the secular aspect of society, making it greatly recognized. During these economic shopping days, individuals go out of their way to purchase as many items as they can. They lavish themselves in commercial goods and are willing to do anything to acquire these so called necessary products at the cheapest price. Within recent years, “Black Friday” has even become a highly controversial topic. Beginning with the Wal-Mart worker from New York who was trampled to death by over-aggressive customers, to the shootings and other acts of violence due to shopping disputes, many have worried about the extent to which Americans will strive for material possessions (Tahmincioglu). Some men and women even set up camp outside stores waiting hours or even days just to be first in line. In doing so, they disregard Thanksgiving as a whole and only look forward to what they will have purchased by the day’s end.
In regards to Christmas, “Black Friday” is widely viewed as the first opportunity to go shopping. By the statement itself, it is obvious that Christmas has become a holiday of gift-giving rather than religious observance. In today’s world, few can even explain why Christmas is even a holiday, but often times, these individuals still await and take part in the holiday as it is a means of free tangible goods. Businesses and companies all over the nation have even recognized this extensive secular shift. They pay millions of dollars to advertise their merchandise and reel as many unsuspecting customers as possible. These ads litter the media and truthfully in today’s world, there is no escape from it.
Unmistakably, the nation established by our founding fathers, has since greatly changed. In a country once ruled strictly and solely by religion, this has now deteriorated into a secular and capitalistic society. Bargains and publicized sales have replaced our ancestral holy days and now dominate the lifestyle of countless Americans. Material goods are used to judge the lives of others and people find pride in obtaining these possessions. At such a momentous rate, it may not be long before religion becomes completely obsolete.
Words: 576
Source:
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34064610/ns/business-holiday_retail/t/cloud-trampling-hangs-over-black-friday/#.TsRWhvIlpI4