Well, I was raised as a Christian but over these past two years I fell from the church and became an active Atheist/Agnostic. I just don't believe any of the teachings/doctrines of the church or that god exists or that Jesus existed (or had any supernatural powers if he did). Nor do I believe in an afterlife (or really would even want to for that matter).
However, Christmas is ingrained into our culture. Do people celebrate Christmas secularly? Do any of you fellow atheists/agnostics put up a Christmas Tree? I understand that some atheists celebrate winter solistice (which, incidently, Christians stole and appropriated as their own holiday - Christmas).
Basically, should I put up a Christmas Tree now that I'm an atheist?
If not, this will be the first time in all my life that I don't have a tree up for Christmas. What should I do instead?
Fellow atheists, how do you celebrate the holidays?
2006-12-16 12:16:05 · 38 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I celebrate the holidays and I do not have religious beliefs! If you enjoy giving and getting gifts, having a tree in your house and decorating it, spending time with family and eating delicious food, then go right ahead! It's nobodies business but your own if you put up a tree in your house. Nobody can tell you it's wrong or right. It's up to you to do whatever you want or feel like! It's your life and your free choice. The world is yours for whatever you like, don't fear that someone above is watching you or that you will break some rules.
You can see christmas like halloween or valentines day, a nice excuse to do things you can enjoy.
Anyone who dares to say that you are wrong for celebrating secularly or that you have no right to do it has his head WAY up his own butt!
If you want to learn more from other people who are agnostics or atheists, you should check out THE BRIGHTS!
http://www.the-brights.net/
I'm sure they will be happy to help you with some ideas.
2006-12-17 11:08:05 · answer #1 · answered by Brendan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you think Christians are the only ones who put up a Christmas tree you're nuts! I expect you think only Christian children want big eggs made of chocolate come Easter time? Yeah right!
Originally it was a pagan holiday anyway as I'm sure others will tell you and Christianity assimilated it to help convert them. For the record I'm a fairly strict atheist - dont believe in anything supernatural and dont believe in God (or souls) or that he created the universe let alone interferes with it on a daily basis.
However I believe Jesus existed. Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. Jesus was a good human being whatever else he was and he had some important lessons to teach. I expect Christians will find this strange to hear but thats how I feel. You could also look at the views of Buddha who also helps you strive to be a better human being.
Maybe I'm digressing - yeah put up a tree and you can even stick an angel on the top without worrying anyone is going to call you a hypocrite.
2006-12-16 22:38:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very well possible to celebrate the holidays without a religious purpose. If you want to put up a Christmas tree and do something nice for Christmas, just go for it. It's a nice tradition that doesn't really have anything to do with Christianity in the first place.
I'm an atheist. I come from a Christian family and I celebrate Christmas with my family for the sake of the tradition and spending quality time with the family. For me Christmas doesn't have anything to do with religion and my family is celebrating the birth of Jesus in their hearts. I skip the religious part of the celebration and just have a good time with the family in my holidays. I put up Christmas decorations (including a tree) because I like them and I have nice meals with my family and relatives and we all have a good time together despite the fact that we are not all there for the same reason.
2006-12-16 19:31:26 · answer #3 · answered by undir 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had a tree all of my life from age one. My parents were not religious. I was an Atheist until I was 30 years old. I am a Christian now, but I do not see the secular holiday as a religious one. The religious one starts on Dec 25th and goes to Jan 6th. So go ahead, enjoy a tree, give presents, have parties. Say Merry Christmas. Just don't put out a creche or go to church or pray. Enjoy the season. It is a season of Love, and magic and giving, and THAT is for everyone.
Peace.
2006-12-16 12:24:52 · answer #4 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm an Atheist and have debated the same idea. I came to the conclusion that Christmas is a Pagan holiday, so why not? Just celebrate secular Christmas as opposed to religious Christmas and you're set. As for the Christmas tree, put it up! Have some fun decorating it. Atheism doesn't disclude us from holidays, whew! Don't forget to celebrate Darwin Day in February! Mark your calendar!
2006-12-16 12:37:30 · answer #5 · answered by untilyoucamealong04 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well from what you just said you are not agnostic because agnostics aren't sure if god exists or not and you said that you don't believe in god so therefore you are an atheist i'm an agnostic so i know what i'm talking about but anyway back to your question about whether or not you should put up a christmas tree well that's for you to decide you do what you feel like doing if you feel like putting up a christmas tree then put up a christmas tree if you feel like swapping presents then do just that you're entitled to do what you seem is fit i mean you do have a mind of your own right therefore it doesn't matter what other people think it matters what you think me as an agnostic i choose not to celebrate the holiday but that's my choice if somebody wants to swap presents with me then i say thank you and i swap presents with them if not then that's fine as well
2006-12-16 12:35:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I put up a Christmas Tree and give Christmas presents. Just because I'm not a believer does not mean the season does not give us an opportunity to reflect upon giving and celebrating love and friendship or goodwill to all mankind. I think there is a lot of value in the basic tenants of most the of the world religions so while I don't believe in a god I would not discard the basic positive messages that they all teach - kindness, generousity, respect for others, respect for oneself, honesty, etc.
2006-12-16 12:29:07 · answer #7 · answered by kvcar2 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'm Pagan but I feel I might be able to answer it for you.
Yes.
You could put up a christmas tree, just call it Yule and celebrate the Pagan festival of the Winter sonstice instead of some dead guy's birthday, in which I would like to say the date is totally wrong.
2006-12-16 12:22:17 · answer #8 · answered by Cold Fart 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Go ahead with the tree. Since you have given up christianity, there is nothing wrong with putting up the tree which was used in pagan traditions long before our idea of Christmas was introduced. As a christian, it has been ten years since I stopped celebrating christmas because of its pagan origen. Paganism can not be transformed into christianity.
2006-12-16 12:27:13 · answer #9 · answered by Marty 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's up to you my friend. Sounds like you are giving up one religion for another one, inn which you need permission from your religious peers to do anything!
As for the Christmas tree, it doesn't have much to do with religion. And as for celebrating Christmas itself, one of the complaints we Christians have is that it has become a secular holiday. We Christians can put more or less meaning into it, but to most people it unfortunately doesn't have much spiritual meaning.
2006-12-16 12:27:13 · answer #10 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋