Atheists and Celebrating Christmas...?

[AKL_Megs]

Am I just crazy, or is it not a contradiction for an atheist person to celebrate the "fun" parts of Christmas; the gifts, the dinner, the getting together, etc.? Am I missing something?

(We have a family member who "proclaimed" atheism this year, but they are still making a big deal over Christmas, DH and I think it is a riot. If you don't believe in God, then Christmas doesn't exist, right?)

 

[jrmasm]

Yes, you are missing something. Xmas is about many things.

 

[moburg]

Am I just crazy, or is it not a contradiction for an atheist person to celebrate the "fun" parts of Christmas; the gifts, the dinner, the getting together, etc.? Am I missing something?

(We have a family member who "proclaimed" atheism this year, but they are still making a big deal over Christmas, DH and I think it is a riot. If you don't believe in God, then Christmas doesn't exist, right?)

Yep!

Yes, you are missing something. Xmas is about many things.

Nope!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Yes, you are missing something. Xmas is about many things.

This...

I mean....Does Santa or gifts or Gingerbread men REALLY have anything to do with the "real" meaning?

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Yes, you are missing something. Xmas is about many things.

 

[Jennasis]

Heck, plenty of people who DO believe in Jesus Christ (the reason for the season etc) don't necessarily view/treat the holiday as a religious celebration.

 

[skater]

I'm a conservative spiritual Christian, but if I was an atheist, I would still celebrate the secular parts of the holiday. I like the gift giving, great food, and family togetherness - all fairly secular parts of the celebration.

 

[skater]

Heck, plenty of people who DO believe in Jesus Christ (the reason for the season etc) don't necessarily view/treat the holiday as a religious celebration.

Sadly, you're right. I'm trying to do better with that though . Actually, I guess Easter is a more spiritual holiday for me.

 

[Coconut36]

Yes you are missing something. Family dinners, Christmas trees and presents are secular parts of Christmas and have nothing to do with the religious beliefs around Christmas.

I am astounded anyone would think that trees, presents and family dinners = religious beliefs because I don't know too many faiths based on Santa Claus and Christmas trees or that somehow exclude family (and what does atheism have to do with getting together with family? If you don't believe in God then you don't have or believe in seeing your family? Seriously?)

 

[MattsPrincess]

We're an Atheist/Agnostic/Pagan house and still celebrate Christmas/Yule. Yule had many of the same traditions in place long before the date was taken over by the church. Christmas has strayed so far from the religions portions at this point that I don't see any reason why a non-Christian family shouldn't enjoy it.

We don't go to a church service that day, and don't practice the other overtly religious parts of the day. Just because one doesn't follow every aspect of a holiday doesn't mean they don't have a right to celebrate it in their own way. There is nothing religious about giving gifts, having dinner with your family, decorating a tree, etc.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I suppose we are mistaken. Or, more religious than most? I guess I do see how it could be viewed both ways.

 

[NMAmy]

I'll bite. I'm an atheist who celebrates Christmas. I grew up in a family that wasn't particularly religious but celebrated Christmas and Easter. We focus on the secular side and family traditions. I'm not giving up my beloved Christmas tree (was there one of these in Bethleham?) or Santa Claus.

I even love the old Christmas carols that I used to sing as a child in choir. It doesn't mean I believe them any more than I believe in nursery rhymes. I just enjoy them and they don't represent anything other than a beautiful song to me.

 

[MrsDuck]

I don't think anyone could say that Christmas is a religious celebration for most people any more...

My best friend and her family are atheists yet celebrate Christmas and Easter every year.

 

[monkeybug]

Yes, you are missing something. Xmas is about many things.

The people who think Christmas is purely a Christian holiday should research it's roots, the week long celebration in December had nothing to do with the birth of Jesus, but was adapted later.
In fact many if not most of our Christmas traditions pre-date the birth of Jesus.

 

[tlbwriter]

If your personal Christmas celebration is limited to a church service and an Advent wreath, then maybe you have a leg to stand on. But much of Christmas is a secular celebration.

 

[skater]

My sister doesn't believe in my God, and she sincerely celebrates Christmas with us (and graciously sits respectfully through any prayers before the meal). She stays away from our house on Easter and I think that's very honest of her. Easter is a very spiritual celebration for my family.

 

[NYEmomma]

The people who think Christmas is purely a Christian holiday should research it's roots, the week long celebration in December had nothing to do with the birth of Jesus, but was adapted later.
In fact many if not most of our Christmas traditions pre-date the birth of Jesus.

What this poster said.

We celebrate a secular Christmas... which is pretty much EVERYTHING about Christmas except for going to church in the morning.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I don't think anyone could say that Christmas is a religious celebration for most people any more...

My best friend and her family are atheists yet celebrate Christmas and Easter every year.

To some, it still is. I have quite a few friends who are pretty excited Christmas falls on a Sunday.

I DO get it, I guess we just grew up with it being mostly about Jesus (Catholic). I guess I see the other side! And no, LOL, I doubt they had a tree in Bethlehem

 

[Coconut36]

To some, it still is. I have quite a few friends who are pretty excited Christmas falls on a Sunday.

I DO get it, I guess we just grew up with it being mostly about Jesus (Catholic). I guess I see the other side! And no, LOL, I doubt they had a tree in Bethlehem

I'm Catholic but I still fail to see where you would equate the secular parts with the religious parts. The religious aspects and beliefs around Christmas have nothing to do with trees, family dinners or gift giving. If you research the celebrations around Christmas and things like the Christmas tree you will see they don't even have roots in Christianity much less are they tied to actual religious beliefs.

 

[timmac]

I don't see a problem with an Atheist who chooses to celebrate in their own way--the gathering of family, the giving of gifts, the helping of the needy, or perhaps just enjoying a few days off work. Indeed, maybe the world would be a better place if more people did this.

If it's a contradiction for an Atheist to do these things, then quite equally it's a contradiction for a Christian to put up a tree (which was originally a sign of worship to the Pagan fertility gods), for instance... or any of a number of similar arguments already made by PPs.