Tis the season to be jolly...Merry Christmas everyone! I hope everyone is having a great holiday as I am! With today being the birth of Jesus I felt this was a good day to bring this topic up. Atheist's celebrating Christmas...Am I the only one seeing this happen? It seems the older I get.. more and more of my friends are believing less and less of God. But yet when it comes to getting presents and celebrating what the holiday brings, a lot of Atheists that I know are still partaking with the holidays. Is it just me or is there something completely wrong with that? If your a TRUE atheist, shouldn't you be sitting home, doing something other than having anything to do with Christmas? I'm not trying to start this as a hate thread but it just really bothers me when Atheists are preaching that god/relgion or whatever doesn't exist but still spends time with family to exchange gifts or do whatever? Yes I know, this time of the year is for family but still IMO your true beliefs should out weigh anything else. Why do some atheist celebrate this holiday? Tradition or something else??? Or am I going crazy thinking that they actually do celebrate?

Oh yea...please don't turn this thread into a discussion about whether god exists or not.

I dont really see anything in Christmas that is that religious to be honest. It's a direct contradiction of Christ's teachings the way we celebrate it now. It should be about giving rather than recieving. For most people it's about family gatherings and presents, not the birth of Jesus.

Easter on the other hand is a holiday that I dont celebrate primarily because I'm not big on chocolate, but also because I'm not christian.

why do some atheist celebrate christmas? for gifts of course.

I don't understand...doesn't that contradict everything you believe and stand for though? I thought Christmas was celebrating the birth of Jesus and not buying and receiving gifts?

I can't really say I "celebrate" Christmas. I celebrate getting together with my family. I celebrate the spirit of the season. In regards to religion, I tend to be the one who smirks and says "Keep the Christ in Christmas! They stole it fair and square!"

I don't celebrate Christmas for the religious aspects; I celebrate it for the social ones. I love Halloween too (the holiday with the actual Judeo-Christian background, as opposed to Christmas's pagan background). I don't believe that my ancestors spirits are walking around; I just have fun with the season.

Why do I, as an atheist, celebrate Christmas?

Because it is an almost universally recognized time to make peace and be merry with your family and even with total strangers. Sheesh, why wouldn't someone celebrate something like that?

As it is Christmas, and I don't want to spend all day writing a research paper online, I'm going to just do this off of the top of my head.

One--All claims by experts, that I have seen, to the actual date of birth of Christ points to days other than today. So why is today the day celebrated as Christ's birth? That leads us to "Two"...

Two--Many cultures and religions, pre-Christian, mind you, celebrated winter festivals. In fact, the term "Yule" that is frequently heard during this time of year is actually a Pagan term. To connect the dots here, when the Church was trying to convert the masses from Pagan beliefs to the Christian religion, it was deemed easier to do so if they picked an already celebrated holiday and make it their own. This is actually pretty well known--Easter is another example of this: hiding chocolate eggs and bunny rabbits are related to Christ how?

Many older texts (such as Beowulf) are important because they detail this transition from Pagan belief systems to Christian ones--they reference heaven and hell, and still speak of Pagan beliefs.

It would benefit all concerned to do some minimal research and not just accept things so upfront--because has anyone ever wondered why the birth of Christ is celebrated with a fat guy in a red suit flying around the world with reindeer?

...Oh, and it's not even really a Christian holiday anymore, anyhow. The corporations pretty much own it. :-)

Happy Holidays!

I don't really celebrate Xmas, as a Pagan I celebrate Yule. The Christmas holiday is when families get together. Even if your not a Christian the family traditions hold. Think how upset your family would be if you didn't show up for Xmas. I did Yule with my son on the 22nd, that way I don't have to go to his funtamental Christian inlaws for Xmas. That is just to much for this Pagan to take.

actually your question should be why are christians celebrating a pagan holiday ?

jesus was born in the spring/early summer - not december

that's why Puritans didn't celebrate chrismas at all when first coming to the already inhabited land we call the United States. they thought it anti christian = pagan.

My thoughts exactly.

So far from what I'm getting from the responses is that Christmas no longer represents/signifies Jesus birth? Its all a corporate holiday?

I'd think you'd see more statues of Baby Jesus than reindeer and Santa on everyone's lawn if it still signified CHrist's birth and wasn't a corporate holiday.

Unless people subscribe to the theory the three wise men were actually Rudolph, Dancer, and Prancer (or whatever their names are, lol).

I had some unfortunate conversations with some people here and I Had decided to close out my account, But I believe In God so strongly that I am willing to put all that aside and FORGIVE, It is the Christmas season and thats a perfect time for forgivness. I take Christmas very seroiusly< Its the birth of our lord Jesus Christ and thats what the celebration should be about. We have let commercialism control us into forgetting that and I and my family try and keep prespective. My son who is 19 said to me mom lets forget presents this year and just celebrate Jesus thats what Christmas is about not what am I going to get this year. That made me so very proud that I through the years have instilled in hi the TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS. I do not have anything against non chrirstians or athiest but it is a holiday a celebration of Jesus, They choose to denounce God in every other way but choose to particapate in the one hoiday Of the year thats most sacred(I am not forgetting easter or good friday) but to me and my family chrisymas is most important. Now LISTEN PLEASE I am not saying that atheist are bad people or that they have high jacked our holiday as christians, I am only stating the opinion of my family and the way we do things.So please don't start an argument over what I have said, These forums ae for ones opinion and not for getting mad and retaliating because you don't agree. Always a pleasure saring MY opinion here on UM. I think you have a interesting question here, raoulduke. Thanks for letting me state my case here on your post, and my opinion of course.

It was my pleasure and thank you for posting your feelings on the subject. This is defiantly a topic I've been thinking about for some time and I'm glad everyone is sharing their opinion in a non-threatening manner!

There's a difference between being a Christian and being culturally Christian.

Even Richard Dawkins (a fairly well known atheist) celebrates Christmas and claims to be culturally Christian.

As an Atheist, I, too, celebrate Christmas - not for the birth of Christ, but for the whole peace on earth and good will to all men thing. Easter, like CoF above, I tend to pretty much skip - I see Easter as being a true Christian holiday, while Christmas, not so much.

Same here. I loved Christmas as a child & I want my children to experience the same. I don't like the commercialism of it.

We usually celebrate in a cottage in a small village (not this year though ). This way you don't notice the rat race , commercialisation & it feels/seems like Christmas in the past.

Tiggs I hope I did'nt offend you, I think you got my point across about atheist observing this holiday in their way and good will and peace are very good things to desire and celebrate. In my opinion thats what Jesus represents amoung other things during the holiday season, Always a pleasure.

There used to be a family near where I live who, although religious (and not Asian), didn't celebrate christmas. You wouldn't believe the grief their kids suffered at the hands of the local kids, most of whom never even entertained religion or church. Do you really think any Atheist would wish that on their kids?
Atheists can celebrate christmas without it being religious. As has already been said, Atheists can celebrate the philosophy of christmas without the religious dogma that comes with it. And religious people who may feel that this is hypocritical bare in mind, December 25th didn't originate as a christian festival. It was amalgamated from the Pagans which, to my way of thinking, is even more hypocritical when taken at face value.

Christmas is about snow, presents, giving to charity, and spending time with family.

Jesus has nothing whatsoever to do with it.

Why do some atheist celebrate Xmas?,



Because they like to fellowship with others , Give and recieve,Love and be loved,

Why does any one celebrate any thing they celebrate?

Iam not an Athiest , but I think we all want a time of year where good cheer and love prevail, even if the time is made in to a comercial sin , by those wishing to get over on their brother.

Love Omnaka

Who heard of new born lambs being watched by shepards in winter

christmas is about celebrating the birth of jesus. the gifts came from when the wise men and shepards who brought jesus their gifts, so people started giving each other gifts. then somewhere down the line it got blown way out of control. i bet more than half the kids celebrating christmas today don't even know who jesus is. though i think that's bad i still think that christmas over all has a good message about spending time with family and friends and also giving to people and to charities. but the big buisness is nothing but greed at this time of year. me personally i don't like christmas, not because i'm mad people don't celebrate jesus or i'm atheist but i'm just not a big celebration and party guy, i hate being around people. just give me some chocolate stuff and i'll roam around by myself and my cats. i'm not an atheist but if i was i would still celebrate christmas just to get cool stuff, hell i wouldn't care.

Here's a Christmas Present for you then

My family in New York who happen to be Jewish even celebrate Xmas --- the gift giving and good cheer ect.....

and it was basically just another day here in whoville .( yet my gran is roman catholic). if a pizza joint had been open that 's where dinner would have come from.

My Dad was Atheist but he celebrated Xmas cause he loved us kids and the whole Santa Claus thing. I remember waking up to go to the bathroom one Christmas and found my Dad standing by the door in a T-shirt and boxers and boots with some tools in his hands. He told me he had to go out and help Santa cause one of the reindeer's foot was caught in the antenna guy wires on the roof. I was starting to doubt the story of Santa, but that year I believed.

Christmas is celebrated in the winter cause Pagans had a holiday then. If people are used to having a holiday and a party at a certain time of year it is easier to create a new reason for the holiday then to ban the celebration altogether. Evergreens, holly, mistletoe, Santa Claus, lights, bonfires and yule logs were all a part of the old Pagan holiday of winter solstice. The real reason for the season is the return of the sun God and the hope of spring. Back then if you survived the winter it was a reason to celebrate. As a neo-Celtic Druid this begins the light half of the year after summer solstice it is the dark half of the year.

I went to the Xmas dinner at the club house in my park. It was fun, the dinner was great and my neighbors were happy to see me out. Why stay home and miss out on all the fun just because I'm not a Christian. As I said it is about love, family, and friends.

Don't you think Easter has been commercialized too though? I mean what does a rabbit and eggs have to do with Jesus/Christianity?

Well, that's what I think of (a giant rabbit carrying a basket of eggs) when I think of Easter anyway.

My Pop Pop was a Jewish war Hero Like Harriet Tubbman, a Rabbi with Soo much heart, A jewish Saint,.
I Love him so much, he was who I wrote about as my hero during all my years as a atudent.

I even think he was with me when I restored the Holy Ghost church.(Roman Catholic)
I had a miracle save me while repelling A 12/ 12 Pich roof, was amazing!

My wife was raised to be a catholic nun, But in reality has been waiting for me to visit this town.

Reminds me of skinny legs and all, by tom robins. Not really, but I only know everything happens for a reason.
Father, does indeed work in mysterious ways.

Blessings abound

You are right it has become about rabbits and eggs, I do not know why, Like you that stumps me, But if you think about it every holiday there is has become commercialized take Valentines, St patricks halloween all just publisized to make the big rich companys even richer. I never got anything on st. patricks and now kids think of it as just another holiday to get something even valentines day is out of control what happened to candy and flower, Now you are supposed to buy jewlry and diamonds where will it end, Always a pleasure,

Maybe because what has been co-opted by the christians is actually a much older holy-day?

An interesting read from the Encyclopedia Britannica, for those who wish to read it:

Christmas

At the time of Christ's birth, the shepherds tended their flocks in the fields at night. "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields," wrote one Gospel writer, "keeping watch over their flock by night" (Luke 2:8). A common practice of shepherds was keeping their flocks in the field from April to October, but in the cold and rainy winter months they took their flocks back home and sheltered them. Back to the topic you could ask the same of other people who celebrate St Patricks day whose not Irish. Or people or celebrate cino de mayo who are not mexican people celebate those holidays who have nothing to do with those holidays as well.

You do have a point there, Always a pleasure

I am confused. You say you celebrate Christmas for peace on Earth etc. But, the true nature of this blessed day, is the birth of Jesus Christ, not for other reasons that go along with it. Thanks, JN

Not to be mean but why don't those who believe in God celebrate the real day he was born? There are other holidays much older then christmas & other religions who celebrate their holidays at this time as well. Besides who says you have to be a christian to celebrate christmas?

Well Christmas isn't a christian holiday. Period. Not only was Jesus not born on that date(assuming he existed at all), but the celebration has been around for a long time before that organization came around. Like all things, it's just changed a bit over the years.

Yeah, even the non Irish celebrate Saint Patrick's Day.

It's an excuse to get hideously drunk, I dont see why they wouldn't. Same with Octoberfest.

people like to have a good excuse to party, celebrating is still celebrating. I believe the announcement of peace on earth good will to men, was a message directly from GOD, declaring that by sending HIS son, HE was declaring that HE wanted to show us that HE wanted to have peace between man and Himself, and that this was HIS way to show the goodwill HE has for men.

in one of his parables Jesus likened God to a king, who sent messengers (prophets) to the people to basicly tell them to stop doing bad things to each other, but the people ignored or killed them. So the king finaly sent his osn, saying, they wouldn't listen to my messengers, surely they will listen to my son.

the message of loving one another, and not doing harmful things is worthy of celebration, even if you do not believe in the messenger.

my thoughts exactly

just a nice family reunion why not ?

I'm a government employee - we like taking off all the time we can get, didn't you know

But seriously, I was doing shopping on Christmas Eve and I started to get this weird feeling, like all the gluttony was spinning me out. I was like WOAH CONSCIENCE NOT NOW! My partner was saying "What do you want" and I was like "Give any money you want to spend on me to a charity" (i think it really annoyed him he he he!)

I celebrate, but while I may be atheist the rest of my family (with the exception of my sister) is not. They're all Catholics and Christians (my uncle is a retired Priest) and we've celebrated Christmas every year. It's the one time of year where my family comes down from everywhere and gets together, and that's why I love it. Nothing better than having the family together for a fun, loving time, with lots of yum food. I don't even ask for gifts cause there's nothing I need or want except everyone together for the day my gift this year from my mother was actually a World vision sponser child (which sounds really strange when I say it like that, but I really wanted to do something good for someone).


exactly

I celebrate Christmas because I worship the Turkey god... and drinking large amounts of Alcohol god.
I don't know much about the Bible.. and I don't really believe in father Christmas but if people want to celebrate his birthday on the 25th.. then that's cool as well.

Rabbit and eggs are a part of the earier Pagan festival, honoring the Goddess Ostara.

Pretty much what they said ^^^^^

For me, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years are all kind of like the same holiday. Celebrating another year gone by with family gathered round and small gifts given out to show your love and appreciation of someone. Nothing to do with any religion what so ever.

Also, as an atheist, I am taking a Christian holiday and making it my own. Taking parts of their holiday out and putting new parts in. Changing it all around to fit in my life and what I believe. Basically exactly what they did. Turn about is fair play......

Kevin A.

And a merry Christmas to you as well,

In my opinion Christmas is clearly not about Christ’s birth anymore. This holiday has evolved into one big marketing ploy to get you to spend a ton of money on all the usual Christmas trappings. And for those more fortunate to brag about how many gifts they got. And for those less fortunate to wonder why Santa gives all the good stuff to the rich kids.

For me as an atheist living in the US (a predominantly christian nation) Christmas is mostly time off from work. And for anyone that is NOT christian celebrating Christmas, at least in some ways is almost impossible to avoid, even if it is as small as wishing someone marry Christmas, or attending the office Christmas party (which if you don’t you will surly offend). What are we supposed to do, be rude and wish them a bad Christmas? I would like to see you live in a muslim nation and avoid all their religious holidays and calibrations without offending anyone.

I guess we non-believers could lock ourselves up from October through January, not talk with family or friends, not watch TV, or listen to the radio, not read our mail and newspapers or look at the internet. Then maybe we could avoid Christmas and not have to be drawn in to celebrating it either directly or non-directly. Sounds a lot like being banished to me. Besides Christmas does not offend me so why should I avoid it?

Many atheists come from christian families and like to spend time with them at holiday get-togethers regardless of the religious overtones of the holiday. And if it is the custom to give or receive gifts from loved ones on this holiday what is wrong with that? After all Christmas was originally the pagan celebration of winter solstice. Most of the customs such as the Christmas tree and the exchanging of gifts are pagan customs stolen and used by christians to celebrate Christmas.

I doubt seriously that your Jesus would consider this holiday a true celebration of his birthday nor would he consider the exchange of gifts to be a holy right only christians can partake in. In fact if I was Christ I would be downright mortified about what Christmas has become, the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.

What does getting or receiving a gift have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus anyway? Wouldn’t your Jesus rather we give all that wasted money (trees, lights, toys, decorations) to the billions of people on this earth who really need it? Rather than to pile more crap on a bunch of spoiled brat rich kids whom don’t appreciate it anyway? Now that to me would be a true celebration of your Christ’s birthday.

Please define what a true atheist is as I am not sure what this curtails.

because of the presents

I dunno, I'm a christian who doesn't celebrate Christmas. *shrug*

I believe every day should be a celebration and gifts should be given and received all year around. My family, being of a quasi eastern practices never celebrated Christmas even when I was a child, no one ever gave me crud about it, not even pity.

I don't like all the commercialism, stress and greed associated with this time of year... for me, it has nothing to do with it being a christian holiday... it's a cultural issue for me. Overspending, over indulging, and over doing it.

I prefer making every day a little celebration and spreading it out over the year.

Well MY definition of an atheist is, "Belief that NO god/afterlife exists" Christmas, no matter what your opinion or how its perceived now (commercialism, greed, buying presents) is still celebrated because of the birth of Jesus. And yes I know that history shows that he was really born in spring/summer time frame. But I still see it as a religious holiday. I'm starting to think I'm the only one here that understands the true meaning? I mean, believe what you want to believe, its your freedom, it just gets me how SOME atheists love to try to make everyone believe what they believe, but yet go out and shun what they truly believe in to go with what the holiday signifies even if it means giving and receiving presents which has nothing to do with Jesus being born. Am I wrong to think this way? And yes I support peace on earth

I like the food and the presents. And thats about it.

I rarely make a big deal about Christmas but it is a good excuse to catch up with family and friends you haven't seen in a while.

As to the Christian claim on the holiday. The truth is that the holiday predates Christianity by a long time indeed. So if its OK for the Christians to steal other peoples holidays then its OK for me to steal the Christian holidays.