Those who voted YES had this to say:
• "The love of money is the root of all evil" that I have come across the Bible or heard many times. Ironically, still we can't live without money. Christmas is essentially related to Christians but in the broader context, it has become a universal phenomenon, which means Christmas is a winter festival indulged by all. Even a religious person can be materialistic as well. Having luxurious life and living in content is best thing a person can do to puruse his/her religios quest. "A beggar would rather choose a bread than the Bible". If someone decides to spend Christmas over a bottle of alcohol, so be it. That could be his/her ultimate happiness. You never know his/her heart could be pure than someone praying in the church. Too radical to some people but that's how life is all about. By this, I don't despise religious people, not at all. The only grudge I have in our Naga society is making almost a pariah of sections of people who refuse to do anything with Church. Church alone does not provide religious solace. There are various ways to find peace of mind. So, this Christmas I intend to celebrate the birth of Christ over a wintry glass of scotch thanking the Almighty God for preserving my life yet again as I traversed my life journey, and for all the blessings all through the year. Cheers!!! Call me a nominal Christian, cheers to that too.
• Yes, to a great extent though we can't generalize, because there are a lot of sensible and faithful Christians too.
• Nagas in general have a tendency of overdoing things. Unfortunately Christmas is one of those.
• To be very frank this phenomena is not, only limited to Nagas. Irrespective of religious affiliations those blessed with material prosperity often use festivals as occasions to show case their wealth and material prosperity barring exceptions. I remember reading a feature in Nagaland Post or Morung about a Young promising Naga doctor who unfortunately became disadvantaged owing to an accident while pursuing his studies. The point I wish to make is, let us use our festivals to cheer those who slightly stand disadvantaged as compared to us. This will not rob the spirit of the festival as far as self or family is concerned but rather through sharing happiness we bring joy to those who need our company and support. By sharing we build wealth - wealth of understanding, belongingness, respect and appreciation and lastly we promote social goodwill. Together we can bring joy and happiness and this is what I believe, is the divine meaning and spirit behind all festivals. Let this Christmas bring springs of joy to one and all. I believe to materialize the true spirit of festival we need to look beyond ourselves in our small little ways and means. MERRY CHRISTMAS; JOYOUS CHRISTMAS.
• Nagas have a cherished way of indigenous way, style and fabric of living ethics, ethos and standards.
• Money, fashion, car, houses etc have become gods of Nagas
• Sad but its true that we are lured more into the materialistic ways of celebrating Christmas, rather than celebrating Christmas with Christ in our hearts.
• Look at the expenses of our Naga families during Christmas. Also look at the attendance in Churches. We spend lavishly but do we attend church and say a meaningful prayer for our fellow being?
• It is our duty to witness Christ through celebrating in this way. Thanks.
• Yes, because we can be more mature and more responsible in our affirmation of faith, while safeguarding our self from the onslaught of mono-culturalization through the MNCs.
• They have lost sense of reasoning in front of money that is coming freely to them by way of extortion or theft of govt funds
Those who voted NO had this to say:
• We Naga very sadly still need to go and see what is really happening in other part of the world. Do we really earn the money which we are going to spent on Christmas? People working 12 to 16 hour a day into 7 and earn Rs. 45 per day. Do I really earn for my single dress? Then where are this money came. Thank God we are still getting because of self determination paper of 1927 (Simon Commission). Its time to create not only spent poor people money of Indians.
• There's nothing wrong in indulging oneself in "materialistic ways" during festivities. It has been a tradition for generations and depending upon the infrastructure of the present generation, we have every moral and human right to celebrate the X-Mas season. So, let the Bells ring!!
Those who voted Others had this to say:
• Look around folks, and you’ll realize Pope’s right! How else do we justify the Christmas shopping rush. Of course it’s a time to celebrate and we keep our hard earned money for it but there are better ways to spent it than to throw it off on expensive clothes and accessories, lavish decorations and exclusive king-sized parties. Why not remember those out in the streets with no roof above their heads instead of pilling more ‘roofs’ on ourselves. Christmas is about merry making in our Lords name. We have forgotten the latter and exaggerated the former. On a lighter note, how can we help it when Christmas Bazaars joyfully confuse us!
• I don't quite understand the question? I understand the content but I am not sure what the questionnaire is trying to get across.
