Why is Christmas a federal holiday and not Ramadan or Yom Kippur?

Question

Why is Christmas a federal holiday and not Ramadan or Yom Kippur?

Answer 1

I was born in America and am an old lady and I never heard about Ramadan until after 9/11.

Yom Kippur is celebrated by the Jewish and is a religious holiday, and Christmas is celebrated by Catholics and Christians of most denominations and is a religious holiday. Jews however have a honika tree to help celebrate Christmas. Stores wanted to sell their wares so took advantage of the holiday.

Christmas is both a religious and a secular holiday. Maybe the federal government wanted that day off, for heavens sakes they do take a lot of days off so probably had to call their vacation something, right? So I'm not so sure Christmas is a federal holiday.

Answer 2

Because America was founded by people who came from a country that, at the time, had a majority Christian population.



If those people had come from the Middle East, your question would have been, "Why is Ramadan or Yom Kippur a federal holiday and not Christmas?"

Answer 3

Christians don't have a holiday like Ramadan or Yom Kippur. Research.

Answer 4

Why is Christmas a federal holiday and not Ramadan or Yom Kippur?



Because it's ONE day not a month.

Because it falls on the same date every year.



We are already paying for 10 holidays a year and it gets expensive, and they do it on YOUR dime!

Answer 5

It's tradition for one (and not a harmful one), and the majority of Americans today are Christian. I'm an atheist, but I don't think there's anything wrong with Christmas being a federal holiday. Ramadan and Yom Kippur are also on a different day/month each year because their practitioners have different calendars, so having it as a federal holiday would be difficult.

Answer 6

As with a lot of American History- the majority matters and the minorities do not. When congress was making up holidays, the majority of Congress and their constituents were members of some christian sect or another.

Other religions exist in america (and always have) - and even those who do not want any religion, but their beliefs and cultures do not vote in the numbers that christians did.

It is a form of repression and suppression for the majority to drown out the voices of others. Happens every day, doesn't it?

Do you ever hear jewish/spanish, indian music on the intercom at a store? NOPE

Do you ever hear conversation about the ridiculousness and uselessness of religions? NOPE

Do you know that the fastest growing group in America is the "unchurched"? Nope - The majority wants that to remain a secret-not an option.

Also Catholics are marginalized because public prayers (that we all pay for) don't start with a sign of the cross or end in the trinity.

I am an atheist and do not celebrate anything but eating and giving presents. I enjoy it with no BS thrown in..

Answer 7

Christians don't have a holiday like Ramadan or Yom Kippur. Research.

Answer 8

Christmas is a secular holiday and Ramadan and Yom Kippur are not.



Addendum: All you people have to do is look it up. Christmas has been a Federal holiday since 1885. It's a Federal holiday because it is a secular holiday, or you can prove me wrong and point to the verse in the Bible that mentions Santa Claus.

Answer 9

the 25th of December marks the winter solstice which is a major event in most religions not just Christianity, almost every Christmas tradition is in some way borrowed from other faiths. Most historians and many many Christian church's actually place the birth of Jesus in January. Now as far as Yom Kippur goes, any Jewish person is free to stay home from work or school to observe the holiday and most do. Ramadan if your not familiar is the Muslim equivalent to lent, its not a one day deal, its many many days of fasting and reflection, again many Muslims do not go to work on major Islamic holidays...I get what your asking but still

Answer 10

Christmas is in winter, which breaks up the monotony for pagan farmers.

Ramadan and Yom Kippur are nice, too, but only one holiday was needed.

Think of those without a holiday at all - atheists and flying spaghetti monsterists.

Answer 11

Because Christmas is mainly a holiday of celebration. Even by Christian standards it is of celebrating the birth of Christ even though Christians know that December 25th isn't his true birthdate. Ramadan and Yom Kippur aren't holidays of celebration, they are for repentance and fasting and they last for days and weeks. Hanukkah is a closer comparison to Christmas.

Answer 12

The reason is this... All federal gov. Essentially rule the world privately but simply BEHIND closed doors, this very same group uses things like Christmas, and Easter, Halloween and has incorporated some old pagan practices into these holidays almost as a form of spiritual pollution and marketing off of us little people. Any holiday that involves buying junk, buying more junk to wrap it in, junk to decorate your house, and junk to eat... Is a holiday that has been altered/created to feed off of those who give into it. Which is the Feds favorite activity... Among other sinister things... The way I see it, any holiday in which there is no longer any spiritual practice involved... Becomes a feeding for the wolves, so the other holidays you refer to probably still involve traditions that hold spiritual meaning. Whereas candy and pr dents do not.

Answer 13

It isn't here is an explanation. Read it carefully. December 25

During Reformation and up until the middle of the 1800s, Christmas was often not celebrated because partying and merry making was seen as unchristian. From about 1840, celebrating Christmas became more widespread. December 25 was declared a federal holiday in the United States in 1870.



As you can see it is the date that is declared a national holiday.

Answer 14

President Obama and his predecessors GW Bush and Bill Clinton took the time to host celebrations for Kwanza, Ramadan, and Yom Kippur at the White House. You can see pictures if you go to whitehouse.gov and spend some time exploring.

Answer 15

Christmas is a Good thing. Ramadan is a Good thing. Yom Kipur is a Good

thing. Each has there place. However Since the US was founded on

Christian Principles. And Since the Birth of Christ has been traditionally

a celebrated holiday. It has its rightful place in being the Holiday it is.



The others, Have specific meaning to those that are followers. And

if you will take note. They are supported by the factions that believe

in them.

Answer 16

Because it's on the law books as a time off.



Whereas Ramadhan and Yom Kippur come under "minority religious holidays".

Answer 17

Christmas celebrates the birth of Santa Claus who is everybodys friend, Ramadan and Yom KIppur are religious festivals and only apply to certain people

Answer 18

Because people are ~inconsiderate~.



Islam is like a huge religion and has a large following, so it isn't accurate to say "because they're a small percentage".



It's happening because people do not want to take the time to respect religions other than Christianity.



Yom Kippur should definitely be a federal holiday and people shouldn't have to work. It's just callous that it's not. People aren't able to observe their religious holidays and that's not fair. You also shouldn't schedule certain things on Ramadan in light of the fact that people are fasting.

Answer 19

This country can barely keep up with the changes as we grow in races, religions, etc. We are a young country compared to others. Predominantly Christian for quite a while. Other religions increasing with time. However, keep in mind we have citizens taking prayer out of school, they want "in God we Trust" off of money, etc. So, there is one huge problem. Some people want a more "complete" separation of church and state. That would include any religious holidays.

Answer 20

Because Ramadan or Yom Kippur are fake holidays

Answer 21

In December 1999, the U.S. District Court, in the case Ganulin vs. United States, denied the charge that Christmas Day's federal status violated the Establishment Clause of the Constitution, ruling that "the Christmas holiday has become largely secularized"

Answer 22

Because a HUGE percentage of the population is Christian Religions. Pretty hard to not give a day off when it affects a huge part of the country. Ramadan would effect a very small minority of people. They can request it off, it would make no sense to make it a federal holiday. In area with large Jewish populations many state and local offices and school systems have Chanukah as a day off.

Answer 23

Ramadan and Yom Kippur or not only religious events that are not 'federal holidays'... There is also Diwali, and many hindustani religious days..

Answer 24

Tradition, that is it. It may change in the future, but that is what we have for now. In my company, we have some "floating: holidays", so that means that people can choose 3 days to take off based on whatever motivates them (besides a more standard 10 holidays, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Labor Day, Memorial Day, etc).

Answer 25

This is a Christian country, besides these days Christmas is a big promo by the retail stores, its when they make most of their money.



I never heard of Ramadan trees or Yom Kippur wreaths and gifting.

Answer 26

Yom Kippur and Ramadan didn't build this country. Christianity did. 'Merica

Answer 27

Well my country was founded Christianity as a common belief structure and common moral as well as ethical beliefs in accordance to the Christian sect were made apart of our country's structure over the years however whoremongers as well as greedy self righteous individuals have spun things to their needs and profitability. The television and internet has caused more harm from those that control it than any war this country has been involved in for any political reason. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Fools rush in where eagles dare

Answer 28

Muslims do not celebrate Holidays during Ramadan, Ramadan is actually one month of FASTING. At the end of Ramadan, they celebrate ONE day called Eid or Eid-ul-Fitr meaning (festivity to break the FAST).It is observed as merriment and thanksgiving marking the end of the FAST of Ramadan. like a Christmas Eid should be a federal holiday.

Answer 29

America

Answer 30

Ramadan is a whole month.

The holiday is called Eid.

Some states, like New York, have begun considering Eid to be a holiday students get off :)

Answer 31

Because the number of "Americans" that currently celebrate the top 3 National holidays is,



Independence Day = 79%



Thanksgiving Day = 87%



Christmas Day or Eve = 90% - 95%



When you get those kind of numbers, you can have a holiday.

Answer 32

This depends on situation in a country. A Christmas holiday will be mote prominent in a country largely inhabited by Christians.

Answer 33

Welp, considering most of our presidents were Christian, it's not surprising Christmas is a federal holiday. But there may be other reasons of course, that was just the only one i could think of.

Answer 34

Christians dominated the Colonies, and today there are an estimated 280 million Christian Americans. Christmas seems appropriate as a National Holiday.

Answer 35

i'd say because unlike those other 2 holidays Christmas has evolved to the point where it really isn't a religious holiday to everyone. Most people celebrate Christmas because it revolves around giving and kindness to everyone.

Answer 36

Cristmas is a drinking party designed to get the poor indoors one night a year so they dont freeze, that night, and give them gifts to alleviate guilt.





Since the queen of England wanted to make it more festive and decorative to alleviate more guilt, the practices you see were steadily added.

Her Ideas were adopted. Many myths legends and fables were added to create "magic"

Except Santa, of course, and his counterpart, Crampus. The department stores brought his likeness and the ideas that you HAVE to bestow gifts on people.

Rudolph really did go to the island of misfit toys, and Santa may have saved the dolly for next year ?.



Jesus was born september 29th.

Emmanuel, GOD with us was at the time of His Conception.

We celebrate that December 25th.

He is where the Spirit of Christmas comes from.

All the other stuff is made up and aligned with decisions made by governments.

There are many documentaries about it.

You do not have to believe what you read on yah-hoo.



You can believe the presents come from mommy and daddy

and kindness, love and goodwill, but retail seems to be cheaper than the goodwill sometimes. Go figure, But of course there's John 14: 12-17



The other religions you mention did not have a similar situation

Making people petition their leaders to declare a celebration with paid time in the dead of winter.

They evidently do not think and believe that way anyway.

They benefit from the "After Xmas sales"

and deny Christ and His Conception Birth, Resurrection, etc.

Unless they waffle, and receive the benefits and pay lipservice, hahahaha, no I don't REALLY know.



But you can ask a question specifically asking them to answer ?

You can learn by reading replies of theirs and we can all take a paid day for that.

We can celebrate with cactus cooler to counteract the inflammation.

But not the inflation.

See thats useful imparting of info, 'IS TOO !

Answer 37

Same reason why Christmas isn't celebrated in Israel or Iraq. Because the US is a primarily Christian Country, you've got some Muslims, Jews and Atheists here and there. But let's face it, there are more Christians in the USA than almost anywhere else.

Answer 38

I don't give a damn about Christmas, Ramadan or Yom Kippur!

Answer 39

cuz the majority of americas govt is christian and us was colonized by christians, so that influence persists. thats the explanation but i dont think ramadan and yom kippur shouldnt be federal holidays. they should be recognized and respected. ramadan lasts a month tho, so idk how work concessions/holidays can be adjusted for an entire month. but eid should be a day off for muslims for sure! also any other big celebrations from islam and other non christian religions.

Answer 40

In part because Christmas despite its name is a secular Holiday and not a religious one , a combination of pagan and Roman celebrations. More than one Christian religious group has tried to suppress the celebrations.

Answer 41

Because we are a Christian nation and have been from the start. Thank GOD for when we are no longer in control the world will no longer exist . Have you read the Bible? Jesus will return for us. whites make up only 14% of the worlds population and have invented everything. and feed and police the whole earth come on. if this country falls into the hands of any other belief it will become a **** hole like the place that the belief came from. and if its so good in that place get out of our country and take Obama with you.

Answer 42

Wait, what is Ramadan or Yom Kippur??? I have no idea, but the names make me hungry. Yom yom yom kippur:)

Answer 43

77% of Americans Identify as Christian. it used to be over 90% in the 1980's before the Third World invasion..

Why is Christmas not a holiday in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Muslin nations ?

Answer 44

It is not a federal holiday, but a means to increase holiday spending, like Mothers Day, Valentines Day, and Nude Day.

Answer 45

It's American tradition. Why doesn't Saudi have Christmas holidays or any other Mid East country. We were founded on Christian values. Humanity.

Answer 46

Look at these retards "Christmas is jesus birthday" and "Christianity built America not the jews".



Excuse me! Christianity is a RIPOFF of judaism and Jesus was NOT born on December 25 there is absolutely no scripture that says when he was born. Christmas is a PAGAN holiday and it is mentioned in jeremiah

Answer 47

Cultural

Answer 48

They should me. I'm an agnostic and I'm still outraged that these aren't federal holidays like Christmas.

Answer 49

Because Christianity makes up a big part of America and you don't have to celebrate it remember that you are endowed by ur creator if u believe in a creator to have religious freedom etc. Or its just your birth right to free religion

Answer 50

Because there is a cultural aspect as well as a religious one. Many of our Christmas customs have nothing to do with religion- there were no pine trees covered in lights and ornaments when Christ was born!

Answer 51

Christmas is a Federal holiday, because in spite of what you may or may not have heard, the US is a Christian nation; founded upon Christian principles.

Answer 52

Because it's a large part of American culture and is very secular btw, unlike those other holidays which are ONLY about religion.

Answer 53

Why is Christmas not a holiday in Saudi Arabia.

Answer 54

Well Im not religious but we celebrate christmas. It's more cultural than religious. Also christians built this country, not jews. Why should the majority of americans celebrate their religion? such a proposal seems ludicrous

Answer 55

Muslims are not the majority and if parents want to take kids out of school for it I am sure the school would allow

them to get the days off for it.

Why make it a federal holiday when commonsense can be used?

Answer 56

Because the USofA is a nation built on Christian beliefs. By law, most employers allow folk time off to recognize their own religious holidays.

Answer 57

Because this is America, a country which was founded on Christianity. If you don't like it, then leave

Answer 58

we have religious freedom, and prevalence of a belief or idea doesn't mean it is true. the idea of no-one showing-up for work is enough to give everyone a holiday. there is no way to tell if everyone goes to church on sundays or religious holidays.

so, are you supposed to judge if people deserve to have a religious holiday based on whether they deserve it or not?

in my company, we get about 5-holidays per year plus sick days and personal days and vacation time. if we do not show up to work, and do not call-in, then we are written-up for missing scheduled duty time.



apparently, the current holidays are based on the sheer numbers of peoples who want them to be holidays. unless congress passes them into law as holidays.

you and i are free to observe our life and its holidays as we like.

Answer 59

Although not federal holidays, workers can ask for special days off for religious reasons.

Answer 60

Because America is a Christian Nation. Always has been, but I still don't get holiday pay for it, in my union.

Answer 61

Christian bias in gov + it's only one day + at this point, it's not really a Christian holiday but just a day where everyone celebrates.

Answer 62

Christmas---a Christian time---84% of USA citizens

Ramadan---a Muslim time---1.5% of USA citizens

Yom Kippur---a Jewish time---1.65% of USA citizens

NEED I SAY MORE ?

Answer 63

America was founded as a Christian country. All religions are welcome and they are free to practice their religion and celebration here. But we celebrate Christian Holidays as a nation. If you don't want to celebrate them you don't have to. As a country we do not have recognize foreign holidays



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Answer 64

The funny thing is the Christians wanna go around complaining about the Christ being taken out of Christmas. Like it's ever gonna just be called "Mas". :-P

Answer 65

It's all about gift giving and goodwill. I think basically it's a holiday we all can be into.

Answer 66

Hey Jesus was a Jew, Christianity is a continuation of Judaism, and it's a Semitic religion.

Answer 67

More than likely because the majority of Americans are Christians and celebrate Christmas.

Answer 68

It's for a different religion

Answer 69

The US is still a mostly Christian nation. If enough Muslim and Jewish citizens push and vote to make these holidays federal, it could very likely happen.

Answer 70

The U.S. public was primarily Christians when it was declared. The influx of Jews in Masses didn't start until after WWI to the start of WWII. After WWI Muslim migration to the U.S. were limited because slavery was still practiced in the Middle East, North Africa, & Sub Sahara Africa After WWII. Peasants & Slaves didn't have the means nor can they freely Migrate across oceans in masses. Most Muslim's in the U.S. are primarily converts. Migrations of Muslims in significant huge numbers were in the 60s or 70s in the era of human rights & asylum seekers.

Answer 71

Everyone celebrates what is sometimes called Christmas, even those among us who know of it's true Pagan Origins.

http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/the_wheel_of_the_year/solstice_and_equinox_dates_2010_to_2020.asp

Some of us even still refer to it as Yuletide without knowing the true origins and meaning of the word Yule.

Answer 72

GIVE IT TIME ... IF, corrupt politicians and people think they make it a PAID TIME OFF " Holiday " for a MONTH ... they'll become a so called , " Holiday " even tho it would be BS / CRAP as most all " Holidays " are !!!

Answer 73

It's a tradition ,

Answer 74

Majority of Amercan are christians. Thats why. Politics

Answer 75

Because Jews & Muslims do not celebrate Saturnalia...



(If you actually READ the Holy Bible, you will learn that Jesus was born in September, not on or about the Winter Solstice...)

Answer 76

Personal issues of Govt.

Answer 77

BECAUSE we celebrate our Lord's birthday. He was not born on Dec.25

but we celebrate it because we love Him and want to honor him with the

fact that He WAS born, lived a perfect life and was without sin.

Answer 78

Tradition mostly. Are you actually suggesting that we "shut down the government" for a couple of extra holidays? I thought "shutting down the government" was bad to liberals, so you must be racist.

Answer 79

Because America is a predominantly Christian country; and long may we continue to be.

Answer 80

Discrimination?

Answer 81

Because america was founded on christianity. Not islam

Answer 82

Christmas is not a federal holiday, nor is easter. they are religious holidays........

Answer 83

Now, now... don't you know there is a war on Christmas?

Answer 84

because America was founded by Europeans!

Answer 85

Get rid of all of the religious holidays

Answer 86

Do you support all the other religious holidays from around the world?

Answer 87

Christmas celebrates the winter solstice.

Answer 88

I do not know, but I can say this, I don't celebrate anything anymore.

Answer 89

More presents

Answer 90

Because other countries celebrate their customs and we celebrate ours...that simple! God Bless America

Answer 91

Christmas is in winter

Answer 92

Cause no one respect Muslims and the jewish public schools gets off from

Answer 93

Do those guys play on the New England Patriots?

Answer 94

Because we are a Christian nation

Answer 95

There are far more Christians than any other group.

Answer 96

Because this is America

Answer 97

Because America is predominantly Catholic

Answer 98

Because.

Answer 99

Phil, what is Ramadan?

Answer 100

You seem to forget and it's rarely taught but we are a CHRISTIAN nation and don't you forget it.

Answer 101

Because Ramadan would be the celebration of new bombs.

Answer 102

Christians believe their square peg can be shoved into any hole.

BOHICA.

Answer 103

Another liberal asks a question to which they already know the answer. Sigh!!!

Answer 104

He's good

Answer 105

yes

Answer 106

Don't know sorry

Answer 107

WHO REALLY CARE ABOUT PAGAN HOLIDAYS THEY ALL IS BASED UPON FALSITY BS. RIGHT? SO WHY DO YOU CARE ABOUT HOLIDAYS?

Answer 108

because chritmas is for peace and happieness not for blowing up buildings or for hording money

Answer 109

Because they dont believe in Christ

Answer 110

Because americans are mainly christian :D

Answer 111

Christmas is jesus' birthday.

Answer 112

becuase its not really a religous thing anymore

Answer 113

Don't know, it shoud be

Answer 114

ramadan is a month long.

Answer 115

Christian majority in the government.

Answer 116

It depend on country you live in....

Answer 117

that's a very good question.

Answer 118

because the usa was built upon christian values

Answer 119

More Christian ppl

Answer 120

bacause the us is a mesesd up country

Answer 121

yea

Answer 122

because when they fashioned the constitution ; the members or the leaders were mostly Christian!

Answer 123

it need not be, when are you people gonna stop caring about other cultures

Answer 124

most are christians

Answer 125

because its the birth of Jesus Christ sir

Answer 126

rdgs

Answer 127

Because its CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

Answer 128

and the Buddha s birthday ?

Answer 129

on the law

Answer 130

POPULARITY

Answer 131

Ummm Duh They don't have Santa