Why do non-Christians hate Christmas?

Question

This question is not for religious bigots. I do not hate non-Christians, I am looking for honest answers.

I am ok with you celebrating your holidays and I would be happy to celebrate them with you! I respect your right to do as you wish.

Why is it than, that many non -Christians claim to be insulted by my religious celebration. Christmas is not about insulting people. (And it's not about santa as many wrongly assume though he is a fun addition) Merry Christmas is not a curse! (and you do get holidays for it.)

Why do you want to take away my Christmas tree or God forbid a nativity?

I would welcome a dispay of your religion. Put up lights and celebrate anything you want. I welcome any civilized answers.

To let you all know. (I assumed you would) Christmas is part of Christianity. It is a celebration of the day Jesus was born. (we all know it isn't on the exact day of his birth--kind of hard to figure out) The birth story of Jesus is in the bible. (all the ones I have seen) The birth of Jesus is what is being celebrated.

If you want proof look all around you. (at least in my city)

I really don't want to insult anyone. I have experienced this in the city where I live. Not from all non-christians but from a good amount. I am sorry to all those who are offended by this question. I was sincere in trying to find out why? I thought there may have been reasons. Again, I am not saying you have to love christmas, you may hate it if you wish. (I just wanted to know why)

Answer 1

Hello,
I'm a Pagan. I study Wicca and Buddhism. But I don't hate Christmas, either. I'm sorry that you got so many hateful responses to this. Most true followers of Wicca practice tolerance. I still get upset when people print stories about not being able to say "Merry Christmas". This is not about the Wiccans. I belong to a group of about 30 people and we all say "Merry Christmas" to others. Among ourselves we will wish a "Happy Yule". I've never been insulted that people put up Christmas Trees, or Mistletoe. I see it as an affirmation of what I believe as well. I will say that I regard the switch to Plastic Trees a very positive thing, because I am put off by the killing of a tree for decoration, but I can deal with those that do it.
People, ALL people, should be free to worship they way that they see fit. The only time that I get upset about Christian Tradition is when it is forced upon me. When Bush tries to push for laws that are Pro-Christian and Anti-Pagan (Pagan simply meaning Non-Christian) then it is bad for the country.
All people have the right to do what they believe is right, that is what this country was based on. Freedom of Religion. Unfortunately, too many people want to think that their way is the ONLY way, and this is just not the case.
Love And Peace to you,
Blessed Be,
And MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Answer 2

We do mind you celebrating the religious beliefs of other religions and claiming them as your own. That would be theft. And it's funny that so many xtians are so uneducated about their own religion that they don't even realize that "Christmas" and "Easter" are not their holidays at all.

You are aware that many of your celebrations were stolen from pagan beliefs? Such as the tree that you so much don't want taken from you. Why would a pine tree have anything to do with a religious celebration from Nazareth, where they had no such trees? The tree is a Celtic celebration. Santa Claus is pagan in nature. So is the Yule Log.

December, being the month of the Winter Solstice, is the time for the holidays of many religions. In fact, every major religion celebrates something in December. The xtians found it easier to mold their holiday around an existing one, so that they could claim some sort of validity for their own religion when trying to convert the pagans.

Do you think that maybe the fact that your "holiday" is a huge cop out and fabrication may be the reason that a lot of people don't like the assertion that it's all about Christ? (Who the leading authorities all agree was not born in December).

Answer 3

We generally don't hate Christians. We just hold much respect for Christianity.

"Why do you want to take away my Christmas tree or God forbid a nativity?"

I'm perfectly fine with you putting up your Christmas tree or your nativity scene. Anybody who tells you otherwise is deceiving you.

What we non-Christians get annoyed with is our government doing so. I shouldn't have my tax money used to promote your religion. Government is supposed to remain neutral in that regard.

BTW, I love Christmas. It's one of the best secular holidays around. (And the Christmas tree is pagan, not Christian) Christians like to celebrate Jesus' birthday on that day, but really the holiday has grown to be more substantial than that. It is starting to go back to its original roots, which was a celebration of the solstice. It's gotten a bit commercialized, but there is still an element of "Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward Men" in it. It's a time to spend with family and exchange gifts. The Christmas tree, holly, and mistletoe is a reminder of life continuing through winter. It's a time to remember those less fortunate during the harshest time of year. That's a much more profound reason for the holiday than just marking (falsely) the birth of a person.

Answer 4

Well I'm not Christian and I dont hate Christmas. Sure I celebrate Yule (on a personal level), which is a few days before Christamas which is the Pagan holiday Christmas was sorta taken from. But I still have a tree up and still have presents (which dont get opened until the 25th), neither of which are very Christian icons to me!

Answer 5

Who exactly is it who you think hates Christmas?

I am an atheist, and I know a lot of atheists, and not a one of them hates Christmas or feels offended by the word. Whoever it is that is insisting on "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas", it's not the atheists (and the Fox News story about this being a secular attack on religion is simply a lie - a story told to boost ratings).

It seems possible to me that there are Jews or maybe Muslims who are offended by Christmas, but I'd like to hear directly from them about it, rather than just assume that they are (like people are doing with atheists).

I think that you may find that there really isn't anyone who wants to take away your Christmas tree or forbid a nativity. I've never heard of such a thing (other than of course displays on public property, which is antiAmerican). I suspect that you're the victim of right-wing propaganda.

Answer 6

There are countless non-Christians who love Christmas and they put up Christmas trees (which are Pagan in origin) and may even listen to religious carols. I have no idea where you are getting your information becasue as a whole it is incorrect.

However non-Christians don't celebrate it as a religious holiday, and most respect your choices to do so as long as you keep that to yourself and respect their choices as well. They celebrate it as a time of family getting together, doing good things in the community, etc. So how is all that anti-Christmas?

Answer 7

i have to admit that I hate the Xmas holidays. And this has nothing to do with me being a Muslim.My maids are on leave (sob sob) and its summer so it rains alot, and washing clothes is such a pain and I don't even want to start mentioning the tourists who invade the beach. that's my reason. but otherwise everyone loves the opportunity of a holiday so your really either mixing with the wrong people or have gotten your facts all tangled up.
No one I know hates Christmas. In fact we all love Christmas lights, they are so pretty and colorful. No one wants to take away your Christmas tree, except for well, maybe the tree huggers. In fact this is the first time I have ever heard anything about hatred for Christmas or Christmas displays. If you forced us ( which I know you don't) to put up trees in our own houses yes I would understand. But hey, sing your carols, knock on our doors, partake in your nativity plays, and please please REDUCE the prices on everything everywhere (YAY:) we really don't mind.

Answer 8

I agree with magpieix, I'm a Pagan with both Muslim and Christian friends, and we all come together at Christmas to celebrate.
It is actually some Christian sects like the Jehova's witnesses and others who want to get rid of Christmas because of its Pagan origins.
Just ignore those killjoys of any description, and get on with celebrating.
Merry Christmas!

Answer 9

I've never witnessed a non-Christian who hated Xmas, and I've never encountered a non-Christian who has taken away a Xmas tree or a nativaty. Usually those things are done by politically correct CHRISTIANS who are making a thoughtful but misguided attempt to be sensitive to non-Christians.

Answer 10

I'm a non Christian, and I love Christmas. I see it as a time to really focus on my family and friends and get together to celebrate each other. Presents are nice, but their presence is better!