Another question for Christians, as I really want to understand?

Question

I'm an Atheist, as some of you know. I'm also very respectful of Christians who respect me. I mean NO harm or offense by this question, I just really want to understand more about your thought processes so I can gain better knowledge of my own non-belief.

I (Atheists in general) have been asked many questions on this board pertaining to how we practice certain "christian" traditions (i.e. Christmas, marriage, etc.). While I have been respectful of the questions (maybe a few jokes here and there, but nothing hateful) and answered to the best of my ability, I can't help but notice the rudeness that comes from the opposing side (i.e. Christians) of the question.

Granted, it's NOT just Christians, we do it too, I'm just using this for the sake of the question.

So my questions:

What do you think we (Atheists) do on holidays?
What do you think we do instead of get married?
Do you not think we have our own traditions, or is that a "christian" thing only as well?

Before anyone says it...I looked up tradition. While ONE definition (of SIX) speaks of religion, the others don't. It speaks of customs and ideas passed from generation to generation...i.e. marriage, exhanging of gifts, etc.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1) - Cite This Source
tra‧di‧tion  /trəˈdɪʃən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[truh-dish-uhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun 1. the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, esp. by word of mouth or by practice: a story that has come down to us by popular tradition.
2. something that is handed down: the traditions of the Eskimos.
3. a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting: The rebellious students wanted to break with tradition.
4. a continuing pattern of culture beliefs or practices.
5. a customary or characteristic method or manner: The winner took a victory lap in the usual track tradition.

6. Theology. a. (among Jews) body of laws and doctrines, or any one of them, held to have been received from Moses and originally handed down orally from generation to generation.
b. (among Christians) a body of teachings, or any one of them, held to have been delivered by Christ and His apostles but not originally committed to writing.
c. (among Muslims) a hadith.

7. Law. an act of handing over something to another, esp. in a formal legal manner; delivery; transfer.


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[Origin: 1350–1400; ME tradicion < OF < L trāditiōn- (s. of trāditiō) a handing over or down, transfer, equiv. to trādit(us), ptp. of trādere to give over, impart, surrender, betray (trā-, var. of trāns- trans- + -ditus, comb. form of datus given; see date1) + -iōn- -ion]

—Related forms
tra‧di‧tion‧less, adjective


—Synonyms 2. custom, practice, habit, convention, usage.

Thank you jiggy...you hit the nail right on the head!!!

Barb...I think you missed the boat. Read Jiggy's answer.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1) - Cite This Source
mar‧riage  /ˈmærɪdʒ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[mar-ij] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun 1. the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc.
2. the state, condition, or relationship of being married; wedlock: a happy marriage.
3. the legal or religious ceremony that formalizes the decision of a man and woman to live as husband and wife, including the accompanying social festivities: to officiate at a marriage.
4. a relationship in which two people have pledged themselves to each other in the manner of a husband and wife, without legal sanction: trial marriage; homosexual marriage.
5. any close or intimate association or union: the marriage of words and music

6. a formal agreement between two companies or enterprises to combine operations, resources, etc., for mutual benefit; merger.
7. a blending or matching of different elements or components: The new lipstick is a beautiful marriage of fragrance and texture.
8. Cards. a meld of the king and queen of a suit, as in pinochle. Compare royal marriage.
9. a piece of antique furniture assembled from components of two or more authentic pieces.
10. Obsolete. the formal declaration or contract by which act a man and a woman join in wedlock.


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[Origin: 1250–1300; ME mariage < OF, equiv. to mari(er) to marry1 + -age -age]


—Synonyms 3. matrimony. Marriage, wedding, nuptials are terms for the ceremony uniting couples in wedlock. Marriage is the simple and usual term, without implications as to circumstances and without emotional connotations: to announce the marriage of a daughter.

Answer 1

1. What do you think we (Atheists) do on holidays?

The vast majority of holidays are secular holidays, not religious ones. Furthermore, the ones that originally bear religious meaning are often secularized to some extent. For example, Christmas was traditionally a religious holiday. However, many aspects of the holiday that we now consider to be a part of the holiday (Santa Claus, giving gifts, the wisemen in the nativity scene) were not originally part of the holiday at all.

Consequently, the holiday has morphed into such that it is possible to celebrate the holiday secularly, without ever partaking in any of the religious origins of the holiday. In essence, it's possible that we can ALL celebrate a holiday that is secular, but also religious (to some) at the same time.

It would be my bet that most Atheists DO celebrate holidays like Christmas and Easter, but do so in a secular fashion.


2.What do you think we do instead of get married?

Well, I think that you DO get married (or most people do anyway). Again, marriage is an institution that has become both religiously affiliated, and secular. It's possible to be married without any sort of religious involvement whatsoever, and that's fine.

Most Christians believe that marriage as a state institution and marriage as a religious institution are separate things, despite sharing the same name. Still, an athiest who marries secularly, is still married.


3. Do you not think we have our own traditions, or is that a "christian" thing only as well?

I don't think that Atheists in themselves really have their own "traditions"...at least not any that I'm aware of. There doesn't seem to be a universal set of beliefs across all Athiests, nor does there seem to be any holidays specific to that belief system (or originating from that belief system) that are celebrated.

It seems that many of the traditions that Atheists partake in are culturally or racially motivated, rather than being religiously motivated. Consequently, while Atheists may have traditions, they traditions typically don't arise out of being an Atheist, but out of other areas.

Answer 2

I would assume that it is pretty much an individual decision about Christmas and Easter. Some Atheists may decide they do not stand by what those holidays represent, and may actively not participate. However, I would assume that most Atheists probably do celebrate the holidays somewhat. This is possible because Christmas and Easter are both more than just religious holidays. They are also family get-togethers. They are a time of taking off time to spend quality time with family and/or friends, and showing appreciation for those you love. There does not have to be anything "religious" about this. I would not be at all offended by Atheists celebrating my religious holidays in this manner. If it gives them a time when they can stop and appreciate their family, then that's awesome.

As far as marriage, I don't see why that has to be "religious." It can be, but it does not have to be. One can get married in a court. It can just be a statement of love and commitment to each other. I would assume that Atheists would get married as much as other people. If for some reason they chose not to, then I am not sure why not. But that's again up to each individual what they want to do.

Answer 3

traditions as they are stem from many different aspects of our history, the main one being that of our faith or as you put it Christianity, as you well know if you celebrate Christmas with the giving of gifts and all the hoopla, this is a tradition, however if Jesus were here he would not celebrate with all the hoopla, i believe that he humble spirit that he is he would simply think the Father for another day and that would be it. The tradition of marriage too has become so deluted over the years, there was a time not so long ago before a man and woman were married that they didnot have sex until the wedding night. Now men and women alike a jumping around like rabbits from hole to hole and this certainly is not following the biblical example that we have been given. While tradition can be a good thing, it also has it's negative aspects as well. However Faith never grows old and forgets how it was taught by our Lord Jesus to serve one another with all our heart and to love God with all our strenght. AMEN

Answer 4

The truth is, that the holidays are not really christian holidays anyways. All you have to do is read the encyclopedia about the different holidays, and you will find that they are all actually of pagan origin. Ask yourself about the different traditions. Take for instance, Christmas and Easter. Theses are the two most well known "Christian" holidays.

In both cases children are told that entities that are not real, exist. Paint it however you want, but the fact is that these are lies. Do you really believe that either God or Jesus would support the spreading of falsehood? Even if it is just for fun?Some children are very traumatized when they find out that Santa or the Easter bunny don't really exist, depending of course, on how old they are when they find out. The bible is very clear, how God feels about falsehood, and those who tell lies. Jesus said, "God is a spirit, and those worshiping him must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:24.

As far as the customs themselves, I'll leave it up to you to research, but I can say that Easter was the celebration of the spring equinox, and christmas was originaly the celebration of the Roman saturnalia, as well as Dec. 25 being the birthday of the Sun God. When the Church wanted to convert the pagans, they adopted their holidays, and created a "Christian" basis for them. Another falsehood. Jesus was definately not born In December. Most likely he was born in October. The interesting thing is that the bible doesn't directly indicate when Jesus was born, but it is very specific about when he died. In fact the early christians didn't even celebrate birthdays at all, and their are only 2 accounts of birthday celebrations, in the bible, and on both occasions, it was God's enemies that were celebrating, and something bad happened to his servents. Not a very good light on birthdays, from a biblical standpoint, wouldn't you agree?

The bunnies, and eggs, are actually symbols of fertility. And Jesus never said anything about celebrating his resurrection, no, he instituded the Lord's evening meal to memorialize his death. He said do this in rememberance of me. It is to be done annually on the day of his death, which is Nissan 14 on the Jewish calender. That is the same day as passover, fittingly because Jesus is the fullfillment of the passover sacrifice.

So with those things in mind, in my opinion it's actually more appropriate for an Atheist to celebrate these holidays, if anyone is going to, because now they are nothing but commercial exploits anyways. But any true christian would have nothing to do, whatsoever with "touching the unclean thing." 2 Corithians 6:17

Answer 5

I think it varies from person to person. Most Atheists here say they don't celebrate Christmas, which I don't totally understand. I mean there are many views on Christamas from Yule to Santa To Winter Solstice to Navity. One thing Christmas and Thankgiving is famous for in America is feeding the poor large turkey dinners at shelters in stead of the nominal soup or whatever. On that day a lot of Capitalist businesses give tons of food away to Shelter operators who then feed ANYONE who walks through the door, showing them there is Thanks Giving and their is Holiday Spirit or Seasons Greetings, if you will.

I can't understand why ANYONE would object to these concepts.

I can't understand why ANYONE objects to strings of lights. Reeths, holly and making the normally dreary streets look different.

You don't have to believe in a God or Diety to allow the SPIRIT of Goodwill to generate.

Not all Atheists take the negative, but there are a lot of Grinches who try and steal the Holiday spirit away and they really can't. They can shut off the lights, pull down the Wreaths, but you can't stop the Spirit which is FOCUSED on a few days a year by a MAJORITY of people in the WORLD.

Getting 50% or more of the WORLD to focus on ONE DAY is not easy.

During WWI the Allies and Germans stopped fighting for Christmas and even exchanged gifts and the GRINCH WAR MACHINE forbid that the next year!

Who cares by what method you get the world to donate food, vollenteer to serve the poor and feed the masses.

We can't do it every day to that degree nor do it for everyone, for there just enough resources in a world that has gone from 1.25 Billion at the start of 1900 to 6.6 billon today, but if you can get the World to focus for one or two or three days a year, that's a pretty good feat.

Why are so many so opposed to this. I suppose they'll close the soup kitchens next, because in MOST instances they are sectarian based.

Is that not rude as well! To steal or throw water on the Spirt of the Season!

Answer 6

I've never really thought about how you might spend your holidays. I hope you enjoy them, but without celabrating the reason for Christmas (Jesus), why do you celebrate Christmas at all? I hate to hear ppl say they are Atheists becuase I don''t think that there is any such thing.. I think deep down in your heart there is a question. I think you feel somewhat empty and are searching. I sure hope that one day you will reconsider your outlook and come to Christ. Real Christians should not have ben rude to you or anyone. Thats not Christ-Like so there for not Christian. I'm sorry they have done that in the name of "Christian". Have a great day!

Answer 7

Fair enough...I too have tried to ask questions of atheists, and have been accused of the same things,when in fact I am just curious..

I not being atheist, would not know what you do on holidays such as Easter? I do not celebrate passover or kwanzaa, so to me these days are just days...I eat nothing special, or do anything out of the ordinary..so that is why that question would be asked of an atheist (in my opinion)

I would assume atheists get married, but I would assume it is not a traditional church wedding with a minister blessing it. And if you do go to a church to be married, isn't that kind of a slap in the face to Christians? So again, not being atheist, how would we know if we do not ask? Do you go to the justice of the peace? This is why this question would be asked. (again in my opinion)

And...if atheists have their own traditions how would we know if we do not ask?? Do you?? What are they? Jews have their own, Muslims have theirs so yes we would assume you have yours but we do not know what they are? Maybe you could share?

This was a great question...thank you

Answer 8

With all due respect, I have never really thought, nor cared what Atheists do around Christian holidays or with marriage.

1. I assume that you have a civil unions for marriage - because why would you want to be in a church?

2. As for holidays, I would assume that you would have nothing to do with them because of what they represent. Therefore you can have your holidays whenever you want.

3. By the way, I am Christian, Republican, and against homosexuality (notice I did not say I'm against homosexuals). I'm confused that you seem extremely respectful about other people's ideas with the exception of about 50% of the country.

Answer 9

As a Christian...

Atheist seem to do one of two things. They enjoy the traditions of the culture they live in so they actively participate in them despite their rejection of the religious aspects behind the tradition.

That being said. Yes Atheist celebrate holidays because they enjoy the secular sides of the holiday (i.e. presents, family gathering, generosity etc.)

Do Atheist get married? I guess that depends on the individual. Would the Atheist view getting married as being tied down without reason? Or would the Atheist prefer an monotonous relationship?

I guess in the end, an Atheist chooses which traditions to uphold, which ones to reject, and which ones to create because he/she is not bound by any religious meaning behind his/her actions.

Answer 10

It's hard for me to answer these questions, due to the fact that I've never seen atheists as an organized group of anything. That's not an insult. Being an athiest is just a choice. No special celebrations, few organized gatherings. You just don't recognize God, Jesus, in the traditions.