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Should Atheists Celebrate Christmas?
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Now here's a question sure to get your thinking caps on. 
Christmas is typically associated with Christians and the Christian religion. So why do people who aren't religious celebrate it?
What do you think?
I'm an atheist and I celebrate Christmas for the family, food, fun and presents
. 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?
Christmas is typically associated with Christians and the Christian religion. So why do people who aren't religious celebrate it?
What do you think?
I'm an atheist and I celebrate Christmas for the family, food, fun and presents
. 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?
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#2
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.
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.
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#4
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.
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.
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(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.
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.
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#6
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
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
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#7
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. 
Last edited by sinfonietta; 2 years ago
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(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.
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.
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#10
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!
So yeah, sure. Anyone can do it. Io Saturnalia!
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#11
I think they can when its focused on family time etc but when its just presents then no
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(Original post by blueamaraxx)
I think they can when its focused on family time etc but when its just presents then no
I think they can when its focused on family time etc but when its just presents then no
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#13
(Original post by DrawTheLine)
Now here's a question sure to get your thinking caps on.
Christmas is typically associated with Christians and the Christian religion. So why do people who aren't religious celebrate it?
What do you think?
I'm an atheist and I celebrate Christmas for the family, food, fun and presents. 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?
Now here's a question sure to get your thinking caps on.
Christmas is typically associated with Christians and the Christian religion. So why do people who aren't religious celebrate it?
What do you think?
I'm an atheist and I celebrate Christmas for the family, food, fun and presents
. 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?
6
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#14
(Original post by DrawTheLine)
Christmas is typically associated with Christians and the Christian religion.
Tell us what you think!
Christmas is typically associated with Christians and the Christian religion.
Tell us what you think!
If you are atheist yet you want to celebrate christmas.. Then go right ahead. Its not only a christian thing anymore.
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#15
No. And neither should Christians either, unless it involves forgetting the presents and giving all their money to the poor.
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(Original post by Zarek)
No. And neither should Christians either, unless it involves forgetting the presents and giving all their money to the poor.
No. And neither should Christians either, unless it involves forgetting the presents and giving all their money to the poor.
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#17
(Original post by DrawTheLine)
How come?
How come?
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(Original post by Zarek)
Best to follow the teachings of Christ rather than indulge in general greedfest..
Best to follow the teachings of Christ rather than indulge in general greedfest..
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#19
(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!
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!
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#20
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.
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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