10 Comments
Dec 22, 2023Liked by Étienne Fortier-Dubois

Interesting thanks. I remember years ago being incensed by an article in The Times which lauded the idea that the brighter women around us were giving up on having children because they’d worked out that it was hard work and they’d rather climb the career ladder thanks. As a mum to young children then who was trying to juggle career and children it really made me mad as it completely devalued the contribution to society that parents make in having children. I do agree it should be a personal choice but at least recognise that the rearing of well balanced, humane adults to join society not only has value but provides the platform which enables others not to. Still rankles obvs! 😂

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Dec 26, 2023·edited Dec 26, 2023Liked by Étienne Fortier-Dubois

Christmas as a celebration of life and birth? Very interesting take, I've never thought of it that way. From a deistic perspective, the winter holiday can be interpreted as a spiritual affirmation of life ("God's greatest gift," as the movie It's A Wonderful Life puts it) without going into the whole Jesus or theology nonsense.

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Dec 22, 2023Liked by Étienne Fortier-Dubois

An interesting take. I disagree with the pro-natalist stance but I completely agree that singing Christmas music is fun even for an atheist. I know all the verses to “E we Three Kings” and will happily yodel Alleluia all evening.

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Funny, I wrote something similar that I’m going to share today. Great minds think alike!

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author

Nice, let me know when it's out!

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Also, what language do you speak where Christmas means birth?

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author

French, though admittedly the etymological history from Latin natalis dies to natále to nadal to nael to noël isn't exactly transparent to modern speakers :)

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Dec 24, 2023Liked by Étienne Fortier-Dubois

Encore une fois, Étienne, tu me sauves d’une recherche Google

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Dec 24, 2023Liked by Étienne Fortier-Dubois

En effet, je ne savais pas! Merci!

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Ah ok, yes, I totally wouldn’t have made that connection! Thank you!

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