Why do atheists do this?

Question

Why do atheists celebrate Christmas and Easter if they don't believe in God? Doesn't make sense to me.

HELLO WAKE UP CALL. CHRISTMAS IS THE BIRTH OF JESUS. EASTER IS THE DAY HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD!!! You're not an atheist if you celebrate these holidays even if it's 'for family tradition' because you would be celebrating it anyway....I still don't get it. The majority of you guys who answered think it's for family tradition but if they don't believe in God, wouldn't it make sense for Atheists to not celebrate his birth and rising from the dead? From an atheists point of view, how could someone who never existed be born, and then rise from the dead? Hmm....It's a tougher question than you guys think, so don't call me stupid when you're answer is stupid!

You guys don't know what you're talking about so if you're gonna answer like those last 5 did, just don't. CHRISTMAS IS JESUS'S BIRTHDAY, AND EASTER WAS WHEN HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD. CHECK THE BIBLE, HELLO! You're just making stuff up, it's obvious. The Easter Bunny is something created to go with Easter, but it does have nothing to do with Jesus. So what??? It's still the day he rose from the dead! Same with Santa. So if you celebrate these holidays you do believe in Jesus you believe he rose from the dead and that he was born, which means you have to believe in his existence in the first place....so don't be like 'For the presents and the candy' and stuff, because then you're just celebrating it cause everyone else is!!!!! A true atheist would stick to their beliefs and not celebrte it, so no stupid answers please like you guys have been giving, its getting annoying.

Answer 1

Why do Christians celebrate pagan holidays???

Answer 2

Why do Christians celebrate Christmas when it's a Pagan holiday? That's right, Christmas was not originally a Christian holiday. Pagans have celebrated at this time of the years since long before Christianity came about and the church adapted and started celebrating Christmas at the same time as the Pagans celebrate winter solstice in order to attract converts. They call it Jesus' birthday, but Jesus was not even born in winter.

So like the Christians "stole" a Pagan holiday and adjusted it to suit their beliefs, I'm "stealing" it too and adjusting it according to my wishes and celebrating it as a family holiday. There are state holidays on Christmas, which gives me the perfect opportunity to spend time with my family. We don't often have the chance to all be together.

I don't celebrate Easter. I usually use those days off that I get on Easter to travel or do other things I don't normally have time to do.

Answer 3

Actually, many of them were brought up with the family tradition, of celebrating Easter and Christmas. They probably were not taught the true meaning of either, or if so, just don't care, and enjoy the holiday anyway with family. While it may seem odd that atheists would think fully the way a christian would about the holidays, it makes sense to me still, they would have happy memories, and traditions built around it. They are still human after all :) They like lots of the same things christians do, and vice versa.

Answer 4

Christmas was originally a Pagan holiday to celebrate Winter Solstice (look for historical info on Christmas, there's a ton out there) as well as Easter (look for history of Easter). Christians took over the approximate time of each of these celebrations around the 5th century CE. I personally celebrate the time of year where family gets together, we help those in need (by donating, buying gifts, volunteering time, etc), and it is a good time for people just to relate to each other with a positive attitude (try wearing a Christmas tie while walking downtown, so many people will talk to you). My kids love Easter, and I like hiding the eggs! Atheists are giving, moral, and intelligent people as well, Christians don't have a monopoly on all of those things.
BTW, there is no "War on Christmas" by the atheists, it is a mainstream media made up issue started by the Christian right and Mr. Jerry! Nice try Jer!

Answer 5

Because, at least in the US, there are two completely different types of holidays for Christmas and Easter. There is a religious holiday that Christians celebrate in church, and there is a secular/commercialized holiday that the majority of people celebrate, mainly focused on children. You have your church services, we have our Santa Claus and Easter Bunny. Do you really think the mad rush at the mall has anything to do with Jesus? The main Christmas celebration in the US isn't a Christian holiday at all.

Answer 6

You are making a big assumption here.
Christmas is the old midwinter pagan festival, there is no evidence at all that christ was born on December 25.
Easter is the old pagan spring fertility festival which is why the date changes every year because it is celebrated according to the phases of the moon.
So the question should be "why do christians celebrate these festivals"?

Answer 7

Actually, you're wrong. Jesus wasn't born in December and he didn't die in April. We merely celebrate these events on these days. Christmas was actually something else first.

I try to celebrate Jesus everyday. if an athiest wants to celebrate Christmas, then maybe he will find Jesus under the tree someday.

We can only pray.

Answer 8

HELLO WAKE UP CALL!!! we celebrate Christmas and Easter because neither has squat to do with religion anymore. Tell me where the Easter bunny has anything to do with christianity.

Answer 9

I don't celebrate Easter it was only a regret to see a great man
die. I don't expect many people to think that far as they usually go their blissful way without thought or question. I don't think I can easily bridge the gap of years of discernment that others have ignored in the name of blind faith.
If your question is serious then pursue it if not I'll refrain comment further.
peace out and enjoy

Answer 10

I would be willing to bet that more do xmas than Easter. When we do participate in some xmas activities it is usually just for fun and done on a much smaller scale and often just to be a part of things like company xmas parties and family gathering. Gifts are good any time.

Answer 11

In some place like Germany, Christmas and Easter are more a cultural heritage than religious. They don't celebrate it because of the faith, they celebrate it because it's a traditon. (I know because my friend is an atheist)

As time goes by and thanks to globalization, more relegious events have turned to cultural heritage with lesser/no religious link. In Japan Bon Odori is no more celebrated as Shito events but more to traditional heritage.