Christmas is all about God and Jesus.
2006-12-10 08:31:12 · 33 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I DIDNY SAY THEY COULDNT. Just saying...if they dont beleive in what Christmas is about, why celebrate?
2006-12-10 08:50:31 · update #1
It's a family matter, I think yes, freewill is the point;
2006-12-12 15:30:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Let me tell you a story.
I was baptized Catholic as a baby and raised that way in my childhood. However, my parents and I stopped attending church before I was out of elementary school. My mom still considers herself a Roman Catholic (but non-practicing), and my dad is very science-oriented, but does believe in a higher power.
I have always celebrated Christmas with them, but it was never about Jesus, it was more about Santa. We had maybe two or three decorations that had anything to do with Jesus or his nativity, and they were never very stressed or made prominent.
I am now a Pagan, and have been for about 3 or 4 years. Religiously, I celebrate Yule, but for sake of family tradition, I celebrate Christmas. Jesus wasn't born on Christmas, and everything that Christmas is about otherwise (the colors, the "traditions", the mistletoe, the tree, the gift giving, etc.) is all Pagan. It doesn't take too much research to find this out. Santa is even a Pagan figure. The transition happened in the 300s C.E. when the Christian Church was rivaling Mithraism for popularity in Rome. But that's a whole other story.
The point is, I'm not Christian, but I celebrate Christmas, because when it comes down to it, you can still have Christmas without Jesus. It was never about him to begin with, and it doesn't have to be about him now. Atheists can celebrate whatever they want.
2006-12-10 08:58:14 · answer #2 · answered by Lady of the Pink 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see why an atheist, or anyone who doesn't believe in the virgin birth, can't celebrate Christmas if it's part of their culture. While it may seem disengenious to devout, orthodox Christians an atheist can still celebrate what Christmas represents "Peace on Earth and goodwill to men." The Nativity Story would simply be a representation of those ideals the way Uncle Sam is a representation of the US.
2006-12-10 08:42:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, of course. Can you celebrate Christmas without believing in Santa Claus? You can? There you have it.
I celebrate Christmas by being with my family, especially since it's the only time of year we're all together. Skiing, enjoying the winter season, and whatnot. (We don't exchange gifts in my family.)
In fact, I think by not turning Christmas into a big purchasing spree with January hangovers, I get to enjoy Christmas a lot more than most people. But if I had kids, I'd probably buy them some toys. :)
2006-12-10 08:32:55 · answer #4 · answered by STFU Dude 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Yes, just not in the way Christians do. They celebrate Santa Claus and presents while Christians go to Christmas programs and read their kids the Christmas story. Chances are most atheists don't realize the real meaning of Christmas.
2006-12-10 09:02:12 · answer #5 · answered by dizzymisslizzy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course. Christmas can be about God and Jesus. It can also be about Santa and family. Although Christmas is a religious celebration it has it's roots in pagan traditions. That's one of the best things about the holiday, basically anyone can celebrate it if they wish :)
2006-12-10 08:36:02 · answer #6 · answered by Sawyer's girl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course! I'm an atheist, and I think that Christmas is about giving, and having a darn good time! Take China for instance, they celebrate Christmas all over, and no one is Christian. Stop worrying and relax, it's a merry Christmas!
2006-12-10 08:34:12 · answer #7 · answered by Conspirator 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Christmas can be celebrated by anyone. The traditions surrounding it can be accomodating to your beliefs or lack of beliefs. I am a Christian but I have friends who are not of the Christian faith, they are of other faiths, and they love to celebrate Christmas. The gift giving, the decorating, the food, is all fun and loving.
2006-12-10 08:36:48 · answer #8 · answered by Melody 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't about god and jesus. Pagan in origin,and many of the traditions associated with it still are. The winter solstice is the reason for the season, and the solstice is not an imaginary event. Read up on it, you might learn something!
2006-12-10 08:36:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can celebrate it anyway- my chinese friend does. The season of advent celebrates the coming of Jesus but it takes place during the winter to celbrate winter solstice- Christmas is the most comonly celebrated holidy for people that don't really have one to celebrate.
2006-12-10 08:33:52 · answer #10 · answered by katie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Christmas is about something different to an atheist, just like how Easter is about something different to a Christian then it originally was, originally it was for worshiping the Spring goddess Oestra the namesake of Easter.
2006-12-10 08:53:42 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋