How many of the atheists out there celebrate Christmas or Easter?

Question

Just out of curiosity. If you do so, then why?
(P.S. - I don't even celebrate Christmas or Easter out of my personal views on pagan holidays.)

Answer 1

You have asked a good question. I applaud you for not celebrating them due to your beliefs. Others should follow suit.

Answer 2

The winter solstice is the birth of the sun. (In the sky) Christmas is the birth of the son. (In the sky) A long, long time ago before we could measure time humans did not know that the days got shorter in the winter. Humans of course relied upon the sun to grow plants as they had now stopped roaming and were becoming farmers. When the first time piece was invented (believe by Timex, sorry they still make a good affordable watch)humans now could measure time and they noticed the days getting shorter and shorter. Alas, they feared the earth was coming to an end but wait!!!after the winter solstice on December 21st by our calendar which is the shortest day of the year, the days starting getting longer. We're saved they cried, saved by the sun. Hurrah, let's give thanks and give presents and hang wreaths and decorate trees, what a glorious feeling to be saved. We'll sing, we'll gather with our family and friends, we are saved Hallelujah!!!! Apparently about 2000 years ago, the letter "O" was born somewhere in the east and a typist somewhere, somehow got the letter "U" mixed up with the letter "O" and then everything changed, we now started celebrating the birth of the son, in the sky. Everything else stayed the same, except for the wars, bigotry, disrespect of the planet, sexism, racism and a few other choice attributes humans have adopted. Other than that not much has changed. Peace.

Answer 3

i'm confident you are going to take heed to a type of comments approximately what Christmas and Easter are relatively approximately. For atheists Christmas might nicely be an afternoon of having including family contributors, and Easter is a occasion of Spring/renewal/fertility. Santa suits into Christmas the comparable way Jesus does: it incredibly is in basic terms a narrative, a legend, a fable. no remember if he's genuine or no longer does not replace the best features he represents. some human beings appreciate making a music "Rudolf the purple-Nosed Reindeer" without actually believing interior the story. Many atheists sense the comparable way approximately non secular thoughts and songs. and of direction many atheists do no longer rejoice Christmas or Easter in any respect. And on Dec. 25 many rejoice the beginning of somebody who relatively grow to be born on that day: Sir Isaac Newton.

Answer 4

We have as much right to celebrate Pagan holidays as Christians do. Seriously, you didn't know that both Christmas and Easter are Pagan holidays taken over by the church. Do some research. Easter is even named after the goddess of fertility that it celebrates.

Answer 5

I celebrate them as simply holidays. Neither of them actually relate to the christian gods in any way but claims. I also celebrate presidents day, even though I do not feel all presidents were good at their jobs. Christmas is Santa giving gifts, a time for family and such. Nothing more to me. Easter, is about hiding eggs for the kids, nothing more to me.

Answer 6

I do. But my wife is Catholic, so it goes with the territory. Easter, for me, is more of a reason to eat a lot, but Christmas also has an underlying theme of love and peace. That is, there's something larger going on during that time of year, moreso than whatever conventions are imposed on it by Christianity. Celebrations of such kind are common in many cultures during that same time of year. Love, peace, goodwill toward all humans...why not celebrate?

Answer 7

I celebrate Christmas with my family because it's one of the few times a year when everyone is off work and able to get together. I don't celebrate Easter because my family doesn't get together on that day.

Answer 8

From the Meriam-Webster online dictionary:

celebrate

Main Entry: cel·e·brate
Pronunciation: 'se-l&-"brAt
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -brat·ed; -brat·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin celebratus, past participle of celebrare to frequent, celebrate, from celebr-, celeber much frequented, famous; perhaps akin to Latin celer
transitive verb
1 : to perform (a sacrament or solemn ceremony) publicly and with appropriate rites
2 a : to honor (as a holiday) especially by solemn ceremonies or by refraining from ordinary business b : to mark (as an anniversary) by festivities or other deviation from routine
3 : to hold up or play up for public notice
intransitive verb
1 : to observe a holiday, perform a religious ceremony, or take part in a festival
2 : to observe a notable occasion with festivities

I guess based on this definition, 2a sums it up. My employer closes for all "major" holidays. Rather than stand outside a closed business until they reopen, I take the day off with pay.

Now you got me thinking. Should I yell out, "Thank you, Jesus"?

Answer 9

In my own group of friends it appears that less and less people are celebrating,.... and if you've noticed, schools no longer have "christmas breaks" or "easter vacations".... they have "winter holiday" and "spring holiday". People still seem to enjoy the time off.

Answer 10

I was raised athiest (pagan now) and my parents celebrated the commercial aspects of both holidays. We were also well informed about what Christians thought it was, discovered they were pagan holidays when I was in high school. For us, Holidays = Family.

Answer 11

Yes I do cause I like getting and giving presents on christmas easter isn't as big a deal but baskets full of candy are good too!