my friend just found out im not religious and wants to know why my family even celebrate christmas if we arent religious. she says 'What's the point in christmsa if you arent celebrating Jesus' birthday?' And I did not have an answer for her, any ideas ?
2006-12-17 23:52:39 · 23 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christmas has nothing to do with the birth of jesus. In fact, some of the really religious people I know do not give gifts.
2006-12-17 23:58:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is one of the best secular holidays there is. Jesus' birthday is really a small part of Christmas, especially since he wasn't born on that day according to the Bible. Christianity, like several other religions, tacked on their god to the solstice celebrations. There's a whole list of gods whose birthday is celebrated at this time of year. The Christian religion is just the latest to do so, and they eventually cornered the market on this holiday. Though, it is being taken back these days by other religions and non-religious people.
The rest of the holiday is rather secular. It was originally a celebration of winter solstice, because people had a harsh winter to go through and it raised people's spirits to have a celebration in the middle of it. That's why you have so many signs of life continuing through winter with evergreen trees, holly, mistletoe, and other plants that stay green through winter.
These days some good and bad traditions have been added to Christmas that are wholly secular.
The whole Santa Claus story is secular. It may have originally been based on clergyman who later was made a saint, but today's Santa Claus bears little other resemblance than the giving of gifts.
Giving gifts is one of the good traditions of Christmas. Being generous towards one another is a good thing, even if some people concentrate too much on the getting than the giving. And, of course, it has been commercialized too much. Atheists and religious people can both agree on that.
Other good secular traditions of Christmas include:
- Visiting family and remembering family you haven't seen in a while.
- Remembering the poor and helping them survive through the winter
- Having a real homemade meal where people can show off their culinary prowess.
- Singing songs together.
- Having parties to celebrate the winter and enjoy each other's company
And, of course, there are many other traditions, like the decorations, that make this holiday special. Each family can develop their own traditions, too, that personal the holiday for people.
So, you don't have to be a Christian to enjoy Christmas. Jesus really isn't the reason for the season.
2006-12-18 00:00:05 · answer #2 · answered by nondescript 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's a family celebration... for my family anyway. Even my Christian mother isn't "Religious" (she doesn't attend church, she doesn't run around telling everyone about the Gospel...) Most probably wouldn't call her Christian because of those 2 things lol But Christmas is not just about Jesus (he wasn't born in Dec anyway)... to Pagans it's a totally different Holiday experience.
Other people do not get to define what YOU do on the Holidays. And if any religion has the right to dictate what "Christmas" is about, it's the Pagan Religions. Not Christianity. Though, I doubt there would be a Pagan to step up to dictate what people should do in their own homes during the holidays. lol I guess that's what annoys so many Non-Christians about some Christians.
2006-12-18 00:10:40 · answer #3 · answered by Kithy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tell her you aren't celebrating Christmas. To you, it's just a day where you can have family and friends together, exchange presents, have a really good meal together, and have fun. It might look a bit like her celebration, but it's got nothing to do with Christ.
Ask her why she's celebrating Christ's birthday and precisely the time of year, and in the same manner, as the feast of Saturnalia, when Christ's birthday isn't even in December.
And you might finish off by asking her what business it is of hers to comment on how other people spend their days off.
2006-12-18 00:05:45 · answer #4 · answered by Bad Liberal 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Umm well we celebrate Christmas with presents and Santa as a part of many different cultures and origins. As far as I was aware Christians didn't celebrate Christmas with presents and santa simply because of the birth of Christ. A boy named Nicholas was born into a wealthy family and used to give presents to the poor and unfortunate. He was persicuted and died for his christian beliefs. After his death, people called him St Nick and gave presents in his memory to honour the poor. Your friend must not have been up in a very 'religious' way if she thinks christmas is a religious holiday. Jesus' birth is celebrated as he is the 'saviour' .. not to mention the fact that his birthday is not that of Christmas day .. its purely a day chosen to reflect.
2006-12-18 20:27:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its ok because you are not celebrating god's birth. she is actually in the wrong here. Ask her Why shes celabrating christmas when jesus wasnt even born in December, ask her why shes celebrating christmas when Jesus never told us to celebrate his birth?
Ecclesiastes 7:1 A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one’s being born.
2006-12-18 03:38:26 · answer #6 · answered by godisamor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your friend's just jealous because she wants all the festivities to herself. Christmas isn't Jesus' birthday... it's a pagan holiday.
It's become a secular holiday as well... there's no reason why you can't celebrate whatever holiday you want.
2006-12-17 23:58:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should say 'I enjoy sitting around, drinking lots of alcohol, stuffing my face with mince pies and watching James Bond'.
Even us atheists need a break from killing puppies to offer to Satan and dancing round the garden naked while howling at the moon.
Christmas is a public holiday, designed to be secular or religious as individuals wish it. Tell your judgmental friend to butt out (in the the nicest possible way).
2006-12-17 23:58:00 · answer #8 · answered by Katya-Zelen 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell her that Jesus was not born on December 25th and that Christmas started out as a pagan holiday. She obviously...and typically knows nothing of what Christmas was really started for.
2006-12-18 00:04:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because it's FUN TO DO :)
What's wrong with athiests, muslims, jews and budishts having one extra celeberation per year where they could all join religious christians in having a good time? WOuld jesus or god really have a problem with that? I mean would it be against the concept of "love" or "brotherhood of mankind" ?
Break the ice and let loose, and don't forget that God is love. Love, you know, not stifness, intollerence and rigidity :)
Have fun and share it with as many people as you can, regardless their faith, color or nationality :)
Marrryyyyyyyyyyyyy christmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaassss.
(P.S. I'm 24 and I still love santa)
2006-12-18 00:02:24 · answer #10 · answered by lagondapaolini 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋