The Student Room Group

Should Atheists Celebrate Christmas?

Now here's a question sure to get your thinking caps on. :hmmmm:

Christmas is typically associated with Christians and the Christian religion. So why do people who aren't religious celebrate it? :holmes:

What do you think?

I'm an atheist and I celebrate Christmas for the family, food, fun and presents :colondollar:. It's not a religious holiday to me (and I'm sure not to other atheists too).

Tell us what you think! Should atheists celebrate Christmas? :yes::nah:

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I'd rather not celebrate anything so commercialized that it loses its original meaning. Since when did the birth of Jesus involve: snow, reindeers, mince pies, trees and kissing under a branch?

And I hate the peer pressure that comes with it, especially when I'm the only one among family and friends that earns enough to give presents. I'd rather not go through all that trouble only for them to ask for the receipt. The best I'll do is pay for a meal they'd like to have.
I celebrate Hogswatch :wink:

(Hope you don’t get the bean)
Yes sure, why not? Christmas day wasn't even originally celebrating Jesus' birthday anyway. Christmas has become commercialised but it's also still has a great focus on family time.
Christians have made it very commercialised themselves.

I'm an atheist but all my family are Muslim so I don't celebrate it. I get advent calendars and take part in events at my CofE school though.
Original post by hello_shawn
I'd rather not celebrate anything so commercialized that it loses its original meaning. Since when did the birth of Jesus involve: snow, reindeers, mince pies, trees and kissing under a branch?

And I hate the peer pressure that comes with it, especially when I'm the only one among family and friends that earns enough to give presents. I'd rather not go through all that trouble only for them to ask for the receipt. The best I'll do is pay for a meal they'd like to have.


What about giving someone a gift card? Sometimes I know I'd prefer that over a present I know I won't use (which sounds really ungrateful but I don't want people to waste their money like that!)
There's no reason why atheists shouldn't celebrate Christmas, but they should do respectfully, not commercialise it like they have done now.
People don't go up to muslims in the middle of Ramadan and eat food in their faces, so why should this commercialised 'Christmas' be shoved at Christians when it is their festival to begin with?!
/rant
I stopped thinking of it as something religious years ago. In my family and group of friends it's really just treated as a fun event and we try to include friends of other faiths as well - assuming they're up for it, that is. No one has ever said no to being asked if they want to join in a secret santa or coming along for a Christmas meal out even if they don't actually celebrate the holiday. :tongue:
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by sinfonietta
I stopped thinking of it as something religious years ago. In my family and group of friends it's really just treated as a fun event and we try to include friends of other faiths as well - assuming they're up for it, that is. No one has ever said no to being asked if they want to join in a secret santa or coming along for a Christmas meal out even if they don't actually celebrate the holiday. :tongue:


I'm the same. It's a time to come together and have fun with food and presents and fun times out etc.
shhh don’t make the commercialism angry
Reply 9
The actual Christmas festivities originate from the Roman festival Saturnalia which is where that tradition of gift-giving and partying really comes from. The date of Christ's birth was probably just accepted as being around midwinter to get people more on board with it, because midwinter was a time of celebration for pretty much all ancient cultures.

So yeah, sure. Anyone can do it. Io Saturnalia!
I think they can when its focused on family time etc but when its just presents then no
Original post by blueamaraxx
I think they can when its focused on family time etc but when its just presents then no


I agree. I don't like when people think the whole point or focus of Christmas is presents. Yeah they're a part of it and it's nice, but it's not the be all and end all of Christmas.
Original post by DrawTheLine
Now here's a question sure to get your thinking caps on. :hmmmm:

Christmas is typically associated with Christians and the Christian religion. So why do people who aren't religious celebrate it? :holmes:

What do you think?

I'm an atheist and I celebrate Christmas for the family, food, fun and presents :colondollar:. It's not a religious holiday to me (and I'm sure not to other atheists too).

Tell us what you think! Should atheists celebrate Christmas? :yes::nah:


I am also atheist and have been wondering this for a few years now! The last few years I’ve really been against celebrating, wondering what the point was. This year I’m feeling more festive than ever. I’ve realised that as Christianity is still an integral part of British society, I accept it as time to spend with family and celebrate life and love, rather than a celebration of Christ. I still decorate the house, have an advent calendar, give cards and gifts, and have turkey dinner on Christmas Day, but I think of it as a time to be grateful. Like thanksgiving, if you will. It is a break from work which allows me to relax and appreciate those around me. It brings people together, which is lovely, no matter the reason.
Original post by DrawTheLine

Christmas is typically associated with Christians and the Christian religion.

Tell us what you think! :yes::nah:

Yes because it is 2018 and we listen to our inner beliefs not what society tells us anymore. Christmas is a fun event now not solely for christians but for the whole world to celebrate and get together and be kind.
If you are atheist yet you want to celebrate christmas.. Then go right ahead. Its not only a christian thing anymore.
Reply 14
No. And neither should Christians either, unless it involves forgetting the presents and giving all their money to the poor.
Original post by Zarek
No. And neither should Christians either, unless it involves forgetting the presents and giving all their money to the poor.


How come?
Reply 16
Original post by DrawTheLine
How come?

Best to follow the teachings of Christ rather than indulge in general greedfest..
Original post by Zarek
Best to follow the teachings of Christ rather than indulge in general greedfest..


It's not best if you're an atheist. Why is it greedy to want to enjoy a fun time with your family and loved ones, having good food and listening to jolly music, whilst giving each other gifts? That to me sounds like a lovely happy time and not greedy at all!
Reply 18
Original post by DrawTheLine
It's not best if you're an atheist. Why is it greedy to want to enjoy a fun time with your family and loved ones, having good food and listening to jolly music, whilst giving each other gifts? That to me sounds like a lovely happy time and not greedy at all!

Not really the easy life that Jesus promoted mind. Perhaps it's ok for aethiests, if slightly hypocritical to hijack a Christian event.
When my children were little, I did the whole Christmas thing - decorating, tree, presents, plenty of food etc.
I’m 70 now. I live on my own. I don’t do trees, decorations etc at my home. My children understand and respect that and they know the reasons why as do my older grandchildren.They all chip in for food for Christmas Day and we have a meal together. They buy me presents because they want to because they do Christmas because they have families. As a religious festival, it has no meaning for me whatsoever.

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