Atheists Celebrating Christmas

[cael]

I'm an atheist and you can pry Christmas from my cold, dead, Satanic hands. I love Christmas and always did, but I feel I can still love it and be an atheist. If someone has a problem with that... good for them. I don't think it's disingenuous for me to love Christmas, it's a wonderful tradition and fun time of year. (let me also say I'm Unitarian Universalist, and I know I'm not the only atheist in my congregation.)

[Tennesseer]

When I'm eating my Thanksgiving turkey dinner and pecan pie dessert with friends and family, the pilgrims and native Americans sharing a meal together are not the focus of my meal.

[thyme4change]

Maybe from now on we will skip Christmas and just celebrate Festivus.  

[Deleted]

Apparently Festivus is celebrated with Pabst Blue Ribbon LOL

"But they will share the Rotunda with the American Atheists, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, the Tallahassee Atheists and South Florida blogger Chaz Stevens who is bringing back the Festivus Pole, a stack of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer cans inspired by an old "Seinfeld" episode."

www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/editorials/fl-editorial-holiday-display-20141209-story.html

[movingforward]

I don't celebrate the birth of Christ (and if I did it would be in the summer since IF Jesus existed at all that is when he would have been born).  Religion actually has zero to do with Christmas. I just consider it a holiday much like Thanksgiving.  It is more of a time for me to recognize and be appreciative of what I have.  Honestly, Christmas Day is just another day to me.  I don't really look at it as celebrating Christmas but rather just celebrating the fact that I get time off, receive a holiday bonus, get to go to parties and eat great food, and sleep late. 

[Green Eyed Lady]

I don't really care why anyone celebrates Christmas...or if they do at all.  I just know that during the season, people smile and nod at you on the streets. People are just nicer and more well-mannered (except at WalMart).   It's a pleasant time of year that seems to bring out the best in people...which is the whole idea, IMO.

[movingforward]

Dec 10, 2014 9:26:11 GMT -5 Green Eyed Lady said:

I don't really care why anyone celebrates Christmas...or if they do at all.  I just know that during the season, people smile and nod at you on the streets. People are just nicer and more well-mannered (except at WalMart).   It's a pleasant time of year that seems to bring out the best in people...which is the whole idea, IMO.

Really?  Where do you live - LOL?  People don't seem nicer or more well-mannered to me, just the opposite.  About 15 - 20 yrs ago I would have agreed with you, but now it seems people are way more stressed out around the holidays.  I am not sure if they are worried about money, finding the latest and greatest gift for their kids, or what...

[Green Eyed Lady]

Sorry you don't have the same experience.  I'm just relating mine.  I'm sure it's different everywhere but since I don't live everywhere, I can only say how it is where I am.  I don't live in or near a big city.  Perhaps people are less "hurried" here.  I don't know.  I just know it's very pleasant and I love it!

[movingforward]

Dec 10, 2014 9:47:52 GMT -5 Ryan said:

* Quoted text removed as post quoted has been removed. - mmhmm, Administrator

Yes, because Christians are never hypocrites

[Tennesseer]

Dec 10, 2014 9:47:52 GMT -5 Ryan said:

* Quoted text removed as post quoted has been removed. - mmhmm, Administrator

I bet you told your kids since the time of their birth, along with all the neighborhood children and their classmates, that there is no Santa Claus.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

The majority of Christmas traditions are pagan and existed long before Jesus walked the earth. Early Christians glommed Jesus onto December 25th because they realized they'd have a lot easier time converting people if they merged their beliefs with ones that were already established.

Christmas tree = pagan

yule log = pagan

Not sure about how far back certain folk tales about Santa pre-date but he certainly isn't a Christian concept.  I don't get how being atheist means I can't enjoy Santa.

I would think that the opposite would be true if we're going to talk about who should be allowed to celebrate what in theory. Celebrating Santa would be putting him above Jesus and that's a no no.

DH said I am a hypocrite for putting up the nativity every year. If we want to get into technicalities then he's probably right. I put it up because my grandmother/mother always put one up and I enjoy the tradition. My set is a combination of pieces from my grandmothers and mothers so putting it up makes me think of them.

If someone wants to be offended by that they can kiss my ass. They don't have to come to my house and look at it. It's for me to enjoy/appreciate not them.

[Virgil Showlion]

Dec 10, 2014 8:00:17 GMT -5 skubikky said:

Dec 10, 2014 7:09:02 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Christmas has nothing to do with Christ, and never has. Q.E.D.

Oy vay Virgil.....I'll light a candle and say a novena for you.

No novenas necessary, nice neighbour.

I've posted several times in the past in response to inquiries about Christmas. This seems like as good a time as any to rehash my response.

"Christmas", a holy day nowhere to be found in the Bible and certainly not observed by Christ or the first-century churches, is the syncretized Roman pagan festival of Saturnalia, which marked the winter solstice on December 25.

Jesus Christ was born in late October (very likely on the Feast of Trumpets), which is provable from scripture in a variety of ways. The typical nativity scene is a contrivance and an anathema to God, who reviles religious icons. Among the most egregious lies is the notion that three wise men (there were more likely dozens or hundreds) visited Christ on the day of his birth (the Magi's visit occurred at least several weeks after Christ's birth).

The western traditions for Christmas are at best nowhere to be found in the Bible, and at worst expressly forbidden by it. Trees set up out of religious significance are reviled as idolatry in many scriptures. The "yule log" almost certainly descends from the pagan practice of sacrificially burning children. "Santa Claus" was a much later addition, but was originally associated with Satan. "Old Nick" and "Old Saint Nick" were at one time euphemisms for Satan. Tree decorating, gift-giving, wreaths, garlands, hot cross buns, and very nearly any other Christmas practice you can name all trace back to pagan religious origins.

In more recent years "Christmas" has of course turned into a mad year-end orgy of consumerism, stress, and suicide, with "Christ" being taken out of Christmas for the notable reason that he was never in it.

It's hard to imagine a more ill-conceived or perverse holiday, except for possibly Easter, and indeed the Catholic Church is to blame for this particular blight. The Puritans were right to revile it.

There are Biblical holy days, but most Christians have no idea what they are, to say nothing of observing them. Orthodox Jews still observe many of them (in a sense), but most sects that do have departed radically from the scriptures, substituting in traditions accumulated over centuries and millennia, which is precisely what Christ admonished the religious leaders of his day not to do.

And ironically it's the atheists that are most concerned about the pagan origins of Christmas. Not for the right reasons, but at least some of them do happen to know what they're talking about when they bash Christmas. It should be the Christians up in arms about the holiday, not the bloody atheists.

If you're a Christian reading this, and your excuse is "Well it's all about what you feel in your heart.", or "Who cares what day Christ was actually born on?", please feel free to PM me and I can send you links to self-directed studies that will change your mind. There's nothing remotely Christian about Christmas. Observing it is neither good nor harmless, regardless of whatever the intent may be.

That's my anti-Christmas rant for this year.

[tloonya]

Dec 9, 2014 18:55:43 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

Things have been a bit slow recently, so I figured I'd stir the pot a little.

I always thought it was a little strange to see many people who identify themselves as atheists or agnostic still celebrating Christmas, or at least do the things with the gift giving, Christmas trees, Christmas parties, stockings, ect.  You would think if you were "truly" atheist or agnostic, you would not celebrate Christmas in any way, shape or form, even preferring to work that day.

Don't get me wrong though, it's a free country, people can do what they want.  It just seems a bit disingenuous to me for an atheist or agnostic to celebrate Christmas.  How do they reconcile their celebratory activities with their religious beliefs (or lack there of in this case)?

Back in Ukraine we had New Year being a most favorite holiday (because of a no political agenda behind it).
We had a Christmas trees that were just called New Year pine. Decorated and all...
So moving to US it is all became just a reminder of a New year celebration in past.
However my people are celebrating every holiday that gives you chance to party    

[Bonny]

Virgil Showlion said:

There are Biblical holy days, but most Christians have no idea what they are, to say nothing of observing them. Orthodox Jews still observe many of them (in a sense), but most sects that do have departed radically from the scriptures, substituting in traditions accumulated over centuries and millennia, which is precisely what Christ admonished the religious leaders of his day not to do.

For clarification purposes here, not are you saying that most Orthodox Jews celebrate traditions that Christ told his followers not to celebrate?

Could you cite a couple of examples to support your statement?

I'm not religious and do not take the Bible literally. I do think it's a fascinating historical, literary and morality document.

[skubikky]

Dec 10, 2014 10:14:38 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Dec 10, 2014 8:00:17 GMT -5 skubikky said:

Oy vay Virgil.....I'll light a candle and say a novena for you.

No novenas necessary, nice neighbour.

I've posted several times in the past in response to inquiries about Christmas. This seems like as good a time as any to rehash my response.

"Christmas", a holy day nowhere to be found in the Bible and certainly not observed by Christ or the first-century churches, is the syncretized Roman pagan festival of Saturnalia, which marked the winter solstice on December 25.

Jesus Christ was born in late October (very likely on the Feast of Trumpets), which is provable from scripture in a variety of ways. The typical nativity scene is a contrivance and an anathema to God, who reviles religious icons. Among the most egregious lies is the notion that three wise men (there were more likely dozens or hundreds) visited Christ on the day of his birth (the Magi's visit occurred at least several weeks after Christ's birth).

The western traditions for Christmas are at best nowhere to be found in the Bible, and at worst expressly forbidden by it. Trees set up out of religious significance are reviled as idolatry in many scriptures. The "yule log" almost certainly descends from the pagan practice of sacrificially burning children. "Santa Claus" was a much later addition, but was originally associated with Satan. "Old Nick" and "Old Saint Nick" were at one time euphemisms for Satan. Tree decorating, gift-giving, wreaths, garlands, hot cross buns, and very nearly any other Christmas practice you can name all trace back to pagan religious origins.

In more recent years "Christmas" has of course turned into a mad year-end orgy of consumerism, stress, and suicide, with "Christ" being taken out of Christmas for the notable reason that he was never in it.

It's hard to imagine a more ill-conceived or perverse holiday, except for possibly Easter, and indeed the Catholic Church is to blame for this particular blight. The Puritans were right to revile it.

There are Biblical holy days, but most Christians have no idea what they are, to say nothing of observing them. Orthodox Jews still observe many of them (in a sense), but most sects that do have departed radically from the scriptures, substituting in traditions accumulated over centuries and millennia, which is precisely what Christ admonished the religious leaders of his day not to do.

And ironically it's the atheists that are most concerned about the pagan origins of Christmas. Not for the right reasons, but at least some of them do happen to know what they're talking about when they bash Christmas. It should be the Christians up in arms about the holiday, not the bloody atheists.

If you're a Christian reading this, and your excuse is "Well it's all about what you feel in your heart.", or "Who cares what day Christ was actually born on?", please feel free to PM me and I can send you links to self-directed studies that will change your mind. There's nothing remotely Christian about Christmas. Observing it is neither good nor harmless, regardless of whatever the intent may be.

That's my anti-Christmas rant for this year.

 I agree that the evolution of Christmas was based on pagan practices.
I don't know where you got the information that for all Christians that it's a "holy day".  It isn't.

The current celebration of Christmas evolved most probably for Christians of the time in response to the pagan practices of those conquered by the Roman Empire.
And yes, from the Bible, the understanding is that Jesus didn't direct his disciples to celebrated his birthday.   The nativity story is described by a number of books but never directs the church to celebrate Jesus' birth in any way.  If the sheep were still in the field in Judea, it would have been earlier in the year, even earlier than October as the winter rains would have began.    The bible does describe his directing them, in addition to many things, to remember him by partaking of holy communion.

The nativity scene is not a religious icon. Not.  A representation, not an icon.    The tree, the yule log, evergreens and other things are ornaments if you will, borrowed from pagan and other cultural beliefs surrounding the season and incorporated into the celebration.  This is significant in much of North America and the colder countries as it is represented of those regions.

Those biblical "holy days" you're so fond of referring to were not observed after the new covenant.   

Are you using an individual's celebration of Christmas to be some moral litmus test to identify who is and who isn't a "true" Christian?
These self-directed studies?  Are they meant to change my mind about Jesus Christ being my Lord and Savior?   Or just that Christmas as we celebrate it in the 21st century, in your opinion, based on your readings(that you would provide reference to) is to be considered bad and harmful?

[skubikky]

Dec 10, 2014 10:52:57 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Virgil Showlion said:

There are Biblical holy days, but most Christians have no idea what they are, to say nothing of observing them. Orthodox Jews still observe many of them (in a sense), but most sects that do have departed radically from the scriptures, substituting in traditions accumulated over centuries and millennia, which is precisely what Christ admonished the religious leaders of his day not to do.

For clarification purposes here, not are you saying that most Orthodox Jews celebrate traditions that Christ told his followers not to celebrate?

Could you cite a couple of examples to support your statement?

I'm not religious and do not take the Bible literally. I do think it's a fascinating historical, literary and morality document.

The Jewish people didn't believe that Jesus was the Messiah so the new covenant did not change their beliefs and how they followed the Old Testament.
Jesus' teaching was not directing those who didn't believe he was the Son of God.

[siralynn]

Why the heck would I choose to work instead of taking a day off? I don't care what the holiday is or the reason behind it - if work gives me the day off, I'm sure as $h!t not coming in that day!

As for why I celebrate Christmas even though I don't believe in any gods....same reasons all the others have said. Appreciating family, enjoying some treats and presents, taking some much-needed down time at the end of the year, etc.

I don't even mind traditionally religious Christmas carols. Some of them are really beautiful, and I don't have to "believe" in the lyrics to enjoy the music.

I have some Jewish family members, and I like Hanukkah too, because I usually get invited over for latkes, and latkes are delicious.

[Angel!]

Dec 9, 2014 19:31:36 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

But what do you tell your kids when they inevitably ask "why do we celebrate Christmas?" Surely you don't say you're kind of celebrating a Christian holiday, but we're not Christians.

Haven't caught up on the thread, but I would say because it's fun & it is family tradition. To me it is a secular holiday like Halloween or Valentine's day or St Patrick's day. Those started due to religion, but doesn't have that meaning for most anymore.

And now I will catch up on the thread....

[Bonny]

Dec 10, 2014 11:00:56 GMT -5 skubikky said:

Dec 10, 2014 10:52:57 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Virgil Showlion said:

For clarification purposes here, not are you saying that most Orthodox Jews celebrate traditions that Christ told his followers not to celebrate?

Could you cite a couple of examples to support your statement?

I'm not religious and do not take the Bible literally. I do think it's a fascinating historical, literary and morality document.

The Jewish people didn't believe that Jesus was the Messiah so the new covenant did not change their beliefs and how they followed the Old Testament.
Jesus' teaching was not directing those who didn't believe he was the Son of God.

I know that. And Muslims believe that Jesus was another Prophet but not the son of God. (BTW I always felt that was an odd definition. Aren't we all the daughters and sons of God? ).

My question was directed to Virgil because his statement implies that Christians are to turn away from the traditional customs and celebrations. I always thought they were supposed to turn away from the corruption but build upon the traditions. But I'm no scholar.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Thanks to this thread I now have dozens of creepy Elf on the Shelfs staring at me from a Bed Bath and Beyond banner at the top of my screen.

[Virgil Showlion]

Dec 10, 2014 10:52:57 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Virgil Showlion said:

There are Biblical holy days, but most Christians have no idea what they are, to say nothing of observing them. Orthodox Jews still observe many of them (in a sense), but most sects that do have departed radically from the scriptures, substituting in traditions accumulated over centuries and millennia, which is precisely what Christ admonished the religious leaders of his day not to do.

For clarification purposes here, not are you saying that most Orthodox Jews celebrate traditions that Christ told his followers not to celebrate?

Could you cite a couple of examples to support your statement?

I'm not religious and do not take the Bible literally. I do think it's a fascinating historical, literary and morality document.

I can't give a blanket explanation for "most Orthodox Jews", since different sects have added different ceremonial elements. And while there are some examples of sects modifying dates, which is an example of doing something forbidden, most of the radical departure has come in the form of burdensome new requirements conceived in Rabbinic tradition.

The term "radical" is justified when one looks at the sheer volume of what has been added. To the 22 books of the Old Testament (roughly the size of a large paperback novel), most Orthodox Jewish sects add the tractates of the Talmud, which fills roughly 8 double-wide binders. These are exhaustive, exegetic guidelines for Jewish life, conceived in Rabbinic tradition, that need not apply to Christians.

It's not so much that Christ specifically forbid Jews--and mankind generally--from observing Jewish law (although the New Testament does have a great deal of condemnation for men adding doctrines and calling them "scripture", requiring its observance), it's that observing this mountain of laws isn't necessary, and requiring it of people is akin to heaping huge burdens onto their shoulders. Not only does the additional weight beleaguer the spirit, it often drowns out the more important points of the underlying law, which was Christ's primary grievance with the Pharisees and Sadducees in the First Century.

Hence my statement about Orthodox Jews observing the Biblical holy days "in a sense". Indeed they observe them, but if you look at how they observe them, 90% or more of what they do during those observances is of no use whatsoever to Christians. Hopefully this explanation makes that a bit clearer.

[Green Eyed Lady]

IM' just sayin', Virgil....hundreds of wisemen are not going to fit on my mantle.  I'm sticking with three.

[Virgil Showlion]

Dec 10, 2014 10:53:33 GMT -5 skubikky said:

Dec 10, 2014 10:14:38 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

No novenas necessary, nice neighbour.

I've posted several times in the past in response to inquiries about Christmas. This seems like as good a time as any to rehash my response.

"Christmas", a holy day nowhere to be found in the Bible and certainly not observed by Christ or the first-century churches, is the syncretized Roman pagan festival of Saturnalia, which marked the winter solstice on December 25.

Jesus Christ was born in late October (very likely on the Feast of Trumpets), which is provable from scripture in a variety of ways. The typical nativity scene is a contrivance and an anathema to God, who reviles religious icons. Among the most egregious lies is the notion that three wise men (there were more likely dozens or hundreds) visited Christ on the day of his birth (the Magi's visit occurred at least several weeks after Christ's birth).

The western traditions for Christmas are at best nowhere to be found in the Bible, and at worst expressly forbidden by it. Trees set up out of religious significance are reviled as idolatry in many scriptures. The "yule log" almost certainly descends from the pagan practice of sacrificially burning children. "Santa Claus" was a much later addition, but was originally associated with Satan. "Old Nick" and "Old Saint Nick" were at one time euphemisms for Satan. Tree decorating, gift-giving, wreaths, garlands, hot cross buns, and very nearly any other Christmas practice you can name all trace back to pagan religious origins.

In more recent years "Christmas" has of course turned into a mad year-end orgy of consumerism, stress, and suicide, with "Christ" being taken out of Christmas for the notable reason that he was never in it.

It's hard to imagine a more ill-conceived or perverse holiday, except for possibly Easter, and indeed the Catholic Church is to blame for this particular blight. The Puritans were right to revile it.

There are Biblical holy days, but most Christians have no idea what they are, to say nothing of observing them. Orthodox Jews still observe many of them (in a sense), but most sects that do have departed radically from the scriptures, substituting in traditions accumulated over centuries and millennia, which is precisely what Christ admonished the religious leaders of his day not to do.

And ironically it's the atheists that are most concerned about the pagan origins of Christmas. Not for the right reasons, but at least some of them do happen to know what they're talking about when they bash Christmas. It should be the Christians up in arms about the holiday, not the bloody atheists.

If you're a Christian reading this, and your excuse is "Well it's all about what you feel in your heart.", or "Who cares what day Christ was actually born on?", please feel free to PM me and I can send you links to self-directed studies that will change your mind. There's nothing remotely Christian about Christmas. Observing it is neither good nor harmless, regardless of whatever the intent may be.

That's my anti-Christmas rant for this year.

...

Those biblical "holy days" you're so fond of referring to were not observed after the new covenant.   

...

They most certainly were.

Not only that, but the Bible clearly indicates the Biblical holy days will be celebrated upon and after Christ's return.

As for the rest of your post, I either agree with it or it's something we'll have to discuss on one of the religious boards.

[Angel!]

Dec 10, 2014 11:19:45 GMT -5 Ryan said:

* Quoted text removed as posts quoted have been removed. - mmhmm, Administrator

But, that is not actually what I am celebrating.  Just like hiding jellybeans around the house is in no way a celebration of jesus for me either. Honestly I've never seen the connection between easter & a bunny that gives out candy.  Are the easter traditions also stolen pagan traditions?

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Are the easter traditions also stolen pagan traditions?

www.factmonster.com/spot/easterintro1.html

I knew eggs were an ancient symbol of fertility but didn't know the rest. Learn something new every day.

[Virgil Showlion]

Dec 10, 2014 12:13:10 GMT -5 Angel! said:

Dec 10, 2014 11:19:45 GMT -5 Ryan said:

I figured I might as well take the opportunity to call atheists hypocrites since they love to use it on Christians whenever they get the chance.  Seemed like the perfect opportunity...celebrating the birth of the Savior and all.  

But, that is not actually what I am celebrating.  Just like hiding jellybeans around the house is in no way a celebration of jesus for me either. Honestly I've never seen the connection between easter & a bunny that gives out candy.  Are the easter traditions also stolen pagan traditions?

"Easter" is the anglicized version of "Ishtar", a pagan goddess of fertility.

Hopefully that answers your question about rabbits, eggs, etc.

[Ryan]

Dec 10, 2014 12:13:10 GMT -5 Angel! said:

Dec 10, 2014 11:19:45 GMT -5 Ryan said:

I figured I might as well take the opportunity to call atheists hypocrites since they love to use it on Christians whenever they get the chance.  Seemed like the perfect opportunity...celebrating the birth of the Savior and all.  

But, that is not actually what I am celebrating.  Just like hiding jellybeans around the house is in no way a celebration of jesus for me either. Honestly I've never seen the connection between easter & a bunny that gives out candy.  Are the easter traditions also stolen pagan traditions?

From purely an optics perspective, athiests should avoid celebrating on christmas to avoid looking like hypocrites.  You can't be arguing to remove "God" from everything and then choosing Christmas Day to celebrate the "Holidays".  

[Angel!]

Dec 10, 2014 12:47:09 GMT -5 Ryan said:

Dec 10, 2014 12:13:10 GMT -5 Angel! said:

But, that is not actually what I am celebrating.  Just like hiding jellybeans around the house is in no way a celebration of jesus for me either. Honestly I've never seen the connection between easter & a bunny that gives out candy.  Are the easter traditions also stolen pagan traditions?

From purely an optics perspective, athiests should avoid celebrating on christmas to avoid looking like hypocrites.  You can't be arguing to remove "God" from everything and then choosing Christmas Day to celebrate the "Holidays".  

If that is hypocritical, then I think it is also hypocritical for Christians to consider Christmas their holiday & a celebration of Christ when the traditions & the day were all stolen from older pagan holidays.

If you can redefine what the holiday means to you, then so can I. 

[Tiny]

I've kind of skimmed thru the responses... and I didn't see anywhere that people were celebrating Christmas by attending Church or some other required religious happening.

I would think that the people who celebrate Christmas as a Religious Holiday - do all the religious stuff that goes along with it... When I was a kid (grew up Catholic and went to a Catholic grade school) there were the four weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas and you were suppose to go to Church on all those Sundays leading up to Christmas and there were special readings? themes? things you did each week in preparation for Christmas. (I totally could have this wrong... I pretty much attended Mass - even on Saturdays for the first 18 years of my life - and I pretty much 'slept' thru it all - one Mass was pretty much just like any other to me). Then there was the big whoop to do about going to Confession so you could be all sin free on Christmas day.

When I was in gradeschool each kid was required to create a "spiritual bouquet" for the Baby Jesus. We had 10 days of 'acts' or prayers that we were suppose to complete by Christmas.    I did this for the 8 years of grade school  and then did something similiar for the 4 years of High School because I was still involved with the "teen club" sponsered by the Church which met every week year round.   I didn't really have a choice about NOT attending even though I was pretty gosh darn sure I didn't have any morals and was one of those 'evil atheists' by the time I got to 8th grade.   (please note I had never heard the word atheist - I had just read about them in books).  

My family also got all dressed up and attended Mass on Christmas morning as a family.

And then AFTER Christmas there was more Church going and doing leading up to the Epiphany (Twelfth Night).

I'm an athiest and I celebrate Christmas by putting up some secular decorations and then having a traditional 'christmas' dinner with my family. I also attend a bunch of "Christmas" parties that usually involve food and drink and possibly some gift giving. There is no Church going or 'preparing' my soul to meet the Baby Jesus involved.

When the religious start complaining about the non-religious celebrating Christmas I sometiems get confused - because I start thinking their Churches and religious ceremonies are being over run by people partying and drinking... Or maybe they are just complaining about the hordes of "Holy for a Day" people who show for Church and then fade back into the woodwork.

[NancysSummerSip]

Dec 9, 2014 18:55:43 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

Things have been a bit slow recently, so I figured I'd stir the pot a little.

I always thought it was a little strange to see many people who identify themselves as atheists or agnostic still celebrating Christmas, or at least do the things with the gift giving, Christmas trees, Christmas parties, stockings, ect.  You would think if you were "truly" atheist or agnostic, you would not celebrate Christmas in any way, shape or form, even preferring to work that day.

Don't get me wrong though, it's a free country, people can do what they want.  It just seems a bit disingenuous to me for an atheist or agnostic to celebrate Christmas.  How do they reconcile their celebratory activities with their religious beliefs (or lack there of in this case)?

Maybe because they cannot fully let go of a past that is very deeply ingrained in their hearts and minds?

I don't know the statistics on how many atheists and agnostics were raised with religious beliefs as children. Possibly the willingness to go back to acknowledging the existence and meaning of the holidays is an attempt at or an admission of recalling things as they were. Many of us do that in other ways: keeping an old childhood stuffed toy, record album, book or other memento around to look at. Every now and then we take it out, hold it, look at it and remember when it was a daily part of life. We've outgrown its original intention or purpose now, but just having it means that the puzzle pieces that make up our life still fit together, no matter how old we get and no matter how much things change.

Perhaps this is what atheists and agnostics do with Christmas. I don't think it's a good or bad thing. A necessary thing, maybe.