2006-12-24 11:50:34 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
yes
2006-12-24 11:52:27 · answer #1 · answered by whitecloud 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, since most of the Christmas celebrations were stolen from pagan and secular winter festivities, yes.
"Christmas" Trees, Holly, Yule logs, Nog, gift exchange, even Santa Claus (originally Odin of Germany) were all celebrated in the winter long before Christianity. December 25th was the celebration of Mithra, and the Romans were the first to make this celebration children-centric. Early Christian celebrations were racous affairs more akin to Mardi Gras and present day halloween (including trick or treat) than modern Christmas. In fact, the Puritan Christian sect had outlawed Christmas celebration in the early Americas, including requring the closure of churches.
Most theologeans agree that Christ would have been born in the Spring, but 4th century Christians chose December 25th for Christmas to take advantage/usurp secular/pagan winter celebrations that already took place.
So athiests celebrated "Christmas" (in every way except associating it with Christ's birth) long before Christians did.
2006-12-24 12:08:42 · answer #2 · answered by freebird 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Actually this is the time that many people celebrate the winter solstice. Prior to Christianity this time of year was a big pagan holiday. Part of the pagan celebration involved yule logs and wreaths. Those two customs were incorporated into the Christian holidays. My atheist friends and I see this as a time for giving and celebrating.
2006-12-24 12:13:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
some atheist do celebrate christmas. They celebrate the present giving part of christmas; the same as some jewish family's do. Atheist do not however celebrate the aspect of jesus's birth though.
2006-12-24 11:53:52 · answer #4 · answered by shane_iowasucks 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congrats a very interesting question. To which I do not know the answer. But you could fullow it up with another question. Do they work on Christmas Day, so that Christians can attend church? Merry Christmas.
2006-12-24 12:01:33 · answer #5 · answered by God all Mighty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Other people have explained the origins of it and that it's not just a christian holiday. Many people only celebrate the season, giving presents to children, volunteering etc. They just don't do the whole religion thing.
2006-12-24 12:19:16 · answer #6 · answered by Laura 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I no longer go to church to put money in the basket so the priests can live well.
But I celebrate it in every other way.
2006-12-24 11:53:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
we'll take the presents and laugh at everyone else for arguing over there one toy gods name is better then the other toy gods name. I also like to point and laugh at the people killing each other over religion, now that's ironic.
2006-12-24 11:54:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends.
2006-12-24 11:52:05 · answer #9 · answered by ~beauty~ 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a "true" atheist would probably take offense just to this question.
any celebration based on Christmas is for Christ.
2006-12-24 11:54:59 · answer #10 · answered by blueJean 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋