Religious festivals and celebrations help in bringing families and friends together?

@kiran8 (15348)
Mangalore, India
September 16, 2015 1:42am CST
I always have felt that even if one is not religious, you can celebrate the various festivals and celebrations even if they are religious in nature, because these celebrations are more to do with the culture and tradition of a particular place. Besides bringing families and friends together, these festivities also help us in preserving the customs and passing on to the next generation...what do you say?
10 people like this
11 responses
@Ragnarok8 (196)
• Davao, Philippines
4 Oct 15
it's like a mini reunion. Members of the family from far away land will really give time to come back home so to celebrate the event.
2 people like this
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
5 Oct 15
@Ragnarok8 Yes I agree that festivals bring family and friends together and many a times minor misunderstandings get resolved because you dont want to hold on to past ill feelings during that time ..
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
5 Oct 15
@else34 Very true, since people need to have roots and beliefs , the only way we can get along in life is by respecting each others beliefs and faith .
@else34 (13515)
• New Delhi, India
4 Oct 15
@Ragnarok8,religions and festivals unite.They are invented to unite us.Misunderstanding them causes divisions and strife.I am a Hindu.I have seen how millions assemble to observe festivals on the bank of holy rivers.People with vested interest wrongly interpret religions.And they do so deliberately to serve their own petty interests.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
29 Sep 15
I think so too . It's one way where a family can really bond too.
2 people like this
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
4 Oct 15
@SIMPLYD I agree , all religions teach us to love and care for others and forgive and forget and move o in life is the best policy to adopt !
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@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
29 Sep 15
Very true, it is a lot of fun and many a times minor misunderstanding simply melt away when you come together !
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
29 Sep 15
@kiran8 That is true because since it's a religious activity or festival , one tends to be forgiving to one another .
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471500)
• Switzerland
16 Sep 15
Yes, I completely agree. I have friends that are not Catholic but they celebrate Christmas because it is a tradition.
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@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
16 Sep 15
Yes , even here in India many Hindus keep a Christmas tree and decorate it because the children have friends and also in a multi religious society there is bound to be give and take with others celebrating Diwali and other Hindu festivals..
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@LadyDuck (471500)
• Switzerland
16 Sep 15
@kiran8 I believe that there is nothing wrong in doing this and it makes everybody happy.
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@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
16 Sep 15
@LadyDuck Of course it is nice to have a multi cultural society, I feel it also teaches you to develop respect for others religious beliefs and traditions
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@jrlcentral (2605)
• Roxas, Philippines
29 Sep 15
Festivals were usually celebrated as a way of thanks giving to the deities (Christian or not). True enough these days the celebrations are more of preserving the old culture although the religious aspect should not be put aside. And yes, festivals is one way to bring friends and families together. :)
2 people like this
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
29 Sep 15
Yes with time the significance and relevance too has somewhat changed...However, in these days of busy and stressful lifestyle it brings people together ..
@anushreem (333)
• Mumbai, India
5 Oct 15
Yes, definitely! These festivals have a major role to play in preserving our culture. There are many rituals which are still followed from years.
2 people like this
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
5 Oct 15
Yes absolutely ! Unless the younger generations know about them and take an interest, they would fade out ...
• Bhopal, India
29 Sep 15
Festivals bring family together...Our loved1s together :)
2 people like this
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
5 Oct 15
True, festivals are family time ..
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
20 Oct 15
Yes, the religious celebrations may be for the believers, but we can always join in the fun and learn something new about the culture. For us in Singapore, Thaipusam is a must-watch event. Everyone knows about it, though Indians are not the majority here.
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@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
20 Oct 15
Most religious celebrations are based on the culture and civilization of the place or community ..I was in Malayasia when Thaipusam was celebrated at Batu cave and it was a very thrilling and scary experience for my children to watch the devotees with pins and spikes pierced on their backs ..
@allknowing (136369)
• India
20 Sep 15
With inter caste marriages being on the rise these celebrations have taken on a new meaning.
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@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
20 Sep 15
True, all for the better understanding of other religious beliefs and practices..
@sofssu (23662)
18 Sep 15
I am for celebrations, that is a nice time to get together and also educate children about our faith and values. We always have a lovely time during Christmas .. when we invite our non christian friends and share our joy with them.
2 people like this
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
18 Sep 15
Yes thats how it should be , sharing should be part of life rather than segregate ...We too have a lot of Catholic and Muslim friends here , who invite us over during their festivities .
1 person likes this
@else34 (13515)
• New Delhi, India
23 Sep 15
@kiran,absolutely right.Leave alone festivals like Ganesh Puja and Durga Puja,huge religious gatherings like Kumbh Mela help maintain unity of our nation.
2 people like this
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
23 Sep 15
Yes absolutely ! In my place we have friends among Christians ,Jains, Muslims and Sikhs who all have their own traditions and it is nice to be part of them and they being part of ours ..
1 person likes this
@sherryeb (580)
• Duncan, Arizona
6 Oct 15
I enjoy going to reunions and catching up with family and friends.Festivals are great because they keep customs and cultures alive.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
20 Oct 15
I agree, without festivals and celebrations our life would be drab, it is something to look forward to every year !
1 person likes this