Q? from an atheist about holidays

[PeteAtoms]

I am an agnostic but live my life as an atheist. Ok, now that I got that out of the way, is it still ok for me to celebrate Christmas and not be a hypocrite?

I like putting up lights and decorating trees, and even the whole Santa Claus thing. I still like giving and getting presents, etc.

Would you say X-mas is more of a cultural holiday these days? Do you have to be religious to celebrate? Because from my observations, X-mas is becoming less and less about jezus and more and more about consumerism.

This X-mas season, I'll be drinking eggnog, trading gifts and all the other X-mas activities (minus church). Am i a hypocrite?

 

[Mowque]

if you don't think you are, who cares what others think? If your not sure, how can i be?

 

[Fifty]

I am an agnostic but live my life as an atheist. Ok, now that I got that out of the way, is it still ok for me to celebrate Christmas and not be a hypocrite?

Of course. In fact, I don't know a single religious person who actually celebrates Christmas in what I would think would be an appropriately religious manner (going to a Christmas Eve service and putting your change in the bell-ringer jars is not an appropriately religious manner).

 

[Bigfoot3814]

From a Christian, Go ahead and celebrate Christmas as you have described it. You have my full permission. As long as you celebrate it in the spirit of kindness, family, giving, and love for your fellow man, you're by no means a hypocrite in my eyes.

 

[PeteAtoms]

if you don't think you are, who cares what others think? If your not sure, how can i be?

Well in my experience, it usually takes a person to point out hypocrisy, because hypocrites don't usually notice or see themselves that way.

 

[Arwon]

Beats celebrating it by working all day like my sister will be.

 

[JollyRoger]

I celebrate Christmas by being one of the 3 wiseguys and putting Christians in the proper persecuted mindset.

 

[Berzerker]

of course, Christmas is celebrated all over the world in one form or another and its centered around the sun returning from its southern most travel. The Sun appears to stand still (solstice) up to 3 days before making noticeable progress northward. Our tradition is an overlay of Christianity on the pagan beliefs of northern Europeans who were quite anxious about the Sun returning.

 

[Kerozine]

IIRC, it started out as some pagan traditions and was subsequently adapted to Christianity when the aforementioned pagans converted.

(Ever wonder what a Christmas tree, a jolly fat man and a reindeer have to do with the birth of Jesus? )

 

[Berzerker]

What the "culture warriors" dont mention when they're priming the troops for the war on the war on Christmas is that this country has had wars on Christmas and it was Christians waging the war, not atheists or agnostics. The Puritans banned Christmas because they knew of its pagan origins (and didn't know how to have fun) and their antagonism continued on in the NE (Mass, esp Boston) more than a century after the Union was formed. Christmas has gained in popularity as it becomes more secular...

 

[BasketCase]

No, Pete, you're not a hypocrite.

I myself am an atheist. And you know what? I have no problem with calling it "Christmas". Yes, there are angels, and the Nativity thing, and I don't have a problem with this. In fact, I find it annoying when people try to change "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays" to avoid offending people.

 

[Berzerker]

I dont get annoyed, it aint Christmas to everyone

 

[JollyRoger]

I find it annoying when people try to change "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays" to avoid offending people.

The Holiday Bowl must really annoy you. I know it makes Touchdown Jesus cry.

 

[BasketCase]

The who's-a-which-a-what???

Ah, what the hell. If I don't know what it is, it can't offend me.

SO TELL ME WHAT IT IS ALREADY!!!!!

 

[civ_king]

"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, his precepts! O! 'tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments. " Benjamin Franklin

somewhat OT but i think its relevant
EDIT: BTW Jesus was born in spring and Joseph was a day laborer

 

[JollyRoger]

The who's-a-which-a-what???

Ah, what the hell. If I don't know what it is, it can't offend me.

SO TELL ME WHAT IT IS ALREADY!!!!!

The Holiday Bowl is a football game played while we are still basking in the afterglow of celebrating our Lord's birth. It is a Christian game played by Christian young men (save for an Islamofascist or two at RB and WR). Not referring to it as the Christmas Bowl signals the annual cut and run from the War on Christmas.

 

[Berzerker]

Touchdown Jesus

 

[I'm Cleo!]

Of course it's fine to celebrate it. It is what it is to you; that's all that matters. Do you enjoy getting together with your family and exchanging gifts? Do you enjoy gingerbread cookies? Do you enjoy decorating trees?

Touchdown Jesus, behind the stadium on the campus of Notre Dame:

Cleo

 

[civ_king]

I fear Christian Fascists far more

 

[CCRunner]

Definitely not hypocritical. That stuff isn't christian christmas, that's normal christmas.