Why do nonchristians celebrate christmas?

Question

It's a worldwide celebration?

Athena Crosby--Why is much of American Gov't mingled in Christian beliefs when America was founded on the idea of escaping religious tyranny--as well as being founded on the idea of religious freedom?
I'm not American but from what I've learned about your history, it's escaping form taxation from the British, thus the Boston Tea Party and not religious tyranny otherwise they might have dumped some religious symbols instead?

Answer 1

Well, I am a Baha'i.
And, though, as a religion, we don't do the big, x-mas tree, church, obsession thing with Christmas, we have, as long as I can remember, honored the day. For a few reasons.

Starters, my grandmother and other family were of religions that celebrated in the big way, so, to participate with family activities, we shared their holidays, and they shared ours,
Then there's the fact that Baha'is are followers of Christ. As well as, and I can't seem to say this enough, Muhammad, Moses, Abraham, Baha'ullah... I honor the celebration of his birth. Doesn't particularly matter what day he was really born, as long as there a is day for remembrance.
And, finally, as to my way of thinking... Who wouldn't honor a day that celebrates peace, harmony, and good will to all?
This is a day that inspired warring men to set aside their weapons and the horrors of war to share a mug of cider. Inspired people to reach out and offer a blanket to the cold, food to the hungry, comfort to the ill, shelter for the homeless, forgiveness for the unforgiven.
It's just too bad we can't get folks to muster that feeling every day of every year for everyone.

Well, one day, right?

The Chronicler

Answer 2

In my opinion non-Christians have more right to celebrate Christmas than the Christians or the so called Christians. The Christians and the so called Christians celebrate it as a lie saying Jesus was born on that day or attempting to give others that impression. Non-Christians just enjoy a day, party, and even call it x-mass cause they do not mass or go to mass.

When one looks at the name as Christ's Mass it seem really it is a holiday set up by the catholic church and the Protestants who broke from the catholic church still honor the day of the catholic church. For me as a pure "NO" who ignores that Christmas, it is a big joke on someone. Why do the protesters still recognize the authority of those whom they do protest against and party with them?

I guess that is what keeps the world [Note; THE WORLD] turning.

Do have a good day.

Answer 3

We celebrate Christmas and we're non-Christians (we're agnostic). Because that time of year was a time of celebration by many cultures WAY before Jesus or Christianity came along, we see no reason why we can't celebrate it as well.

We put up a tree filled with lights and ornaments we've collected over the years and we talk about where we got them and what they mean to us as we put them up. We put up stockings for the little gifts we give each other. We celebrate with food and friends throughout the season.

All of these things are fun things to do and have nothing to do with Christianity. Just because it is now a traditional religious holiday doesn't mean it's ALWAYS been that way or that it is OWNED by Christians.

Answer 4

Most non-Christians do not celebrate Christmas. What usually happens is if there is a large Christian population in any particular area there will be concessions made for the holiday (schools and businesses being closed so Christian students and employees can spend time with their family). The only time non-Christians will celebrate Christmas from what I have seen is when they are invited by Christian friends or family members to celebrations.

Answer 5

What's wrong with a holiday built upon the concept of giving!?

What's wrong with the sprit of Christmas?

It's like Thanksgiving.

It's a day we share with each other!

What can be wrong with that!

We're talking Santa, Raindeer, bag of gifts, not a manger, angels or other things.

We're talking something more Universal.

Can athiests or Muslims find something wrong with a day of good will, good cheer and giving?

And it's not a world-wide celebration, but it does coincide with a lot of celebrations and events, including Ramadan, Chuanika, Diwali, Kwanza and the "accepted" birth day of Jesus, even though most educated Christains know he wasn't born on that day for you will find no Shepards tending flocks in Jerusalem or Palestine or Bethlehem in the cold month of December! Not at night, at least!

Answer 6

Its been so promoted commercially that peer pressure and sheep like behaviour promotes it.
Actually though it is not celebrated in Muslim countries and I don't celebrate it.
Christmas of course was invented by early Christians to replace the popular Roman Holiday Saturnalia which was a celebration of the Winter Solstice.
Jesus was really born on April 1st (all fool's day)

Answer 7

--Why do non-Christians call it marriage?
--Why do some non-Christians get married in a church, by a priest/minister?
--Why do non-Christians celebrate Easter?
--Why are Americans required to swear on the bible when questioned in court?
--Why does American money say, "In God we Trust?"
--Why does the American Pledge of Allegiance say, "Under God?"
--Why is much of American Gov't mingled in Christian beliefs when America was founded on the idea of escaping religious tyranny--as well as being founded on the idea of religious freedom?

The questions are endless............
and sometimes frusterating.......

What is important to remember is that some people believe so strongly in their religion, that it IS THE TRUTH to them, and in that truth, there is the founding of America on ideals that (to them) seem to be as objective as possible--and to MANY aspects, they were. America is more religiously diverse today however, and so it is more clear where gov't objective stance should be--one that is not found on principles of ANY religion, but more on principles of objective human rights, objective gov't laws, etc. And as we all know, this is not always easy to decipher either. Many people who still have strong ties in religion still see the world, and America, in the same sense. It is hard for SOME of them to understand how any other religion COULD possibly be "the right religion," and since Christianity is so clearly the right religion (in their eyes), they tend to fall subject to beliefs that are inherent ONLY in religion (or sometimes particular religions). They tend to follow beliefs from religious scripture to decide what are sometimes issues of human civil rights, religious freedoms, governmental laws, etc.
With all that said, we can not ignore the fact that America has always had a strong Christian following, in general. The basic Christian ideals that America was founded on seem harmless enough--most are equivalent to basic equal human rights, and ideas. And the ideas of general goodness that Christianity professed became the foundations for many American ideals--and found their way into literature, teachings, gov't, and more.

TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTION:
In the same way that marriage has taken on a meaning that is not always related to religion, so has Christmas. The BASIC Christian idea of Christmas was to celebrate the life of Jesus, his sacrifice for all humans, the miracle of his life, etc. And in this, Christians saw the celebration of thankfulness for family and friends while in joy, mourning, and thankfulness in the life, sacrifice, and death of Jesus.
Many American (and world-wide) traditions were formed over time in this religious time of celebration. I am not sure of the particular transfer to present-giving, but I suspect it came from the story of Jesus' birth, when [as the bible depicts] the three shepards saw the star in the sky and knew the saviour had been born; followed the star; and brought presents of Frankinsyth, Incense, and Myrth (or something close to it..hehe).
The presents might have been a symbolic representation of this event and the shepard's gratefulness of the savior's birth--accompanied with the past American's (and world-wide's?) way of showing a similar form of respect, thankfulness, and admiration for neighbors, friends, and family.
Naturally, children must have found this glorious--and parents love to make their children happy. It might also have been a way to get children more involved and excited about religion.
As people became less and less religiously affiliated, they tended to still hold onto the idea of Christmas and present giving--and I imagine this was because of the essence that had developed with the Christmas pasttimes.

That's the best I got!! Hope it helps :)

Answer 8

Bcoz these ppl dun understand the underlying meaning of celebrating christmas. They dun hv the understanding of different religion celebrate different occasions. Only if ever they understands this, christmas will not be taken as granted and only will be celebrated by christmas worldwide. And only then, will it be a holy day 4 the christians.. A special day that will only allows Christians to celebrate it...

Answer 9

Because our society has turned it into a commercialized institution. It has become less to do with Christ and more to do with who can put up their stock of Christmas items for sale faster, Wal-Mart or Target? Our society turns everything good into an indulgent catastrophe. Not just America mind you, although we are the new Roman Empire, but the world in general.

Answer 10

Muslims don't celebrate Christmas. I guess other nonchristians celebrate christmas just to get a vacation and have some fun. It also happens because some non-christians respect Jesus Christ.