Why do you celebrate CHRISTmas (gather with friends/family, exchange presents, except a paid day off, etc)?
2006-12-28 05:47:58 · 36 answers · asked by da dude 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
First of all, Xmas is so commerical now that it's lost it's religious value.
Do you really think even half the people who celebrate this day have any clue???
Xmas is no longer a christian holiday, it's all Hallmark, Baby!!!
Hallmark! Christmas is all about the all mighty dollar!
Not the birth of Christ!
I celebrate Xmas for the money... Which is the true God.
Give me an Amen!!!
2006-12-28 05:49:10 · answer #1 · answered by The Mac 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I don't consider myself an athiest, but I don't really follow any particular christian religion either, so for what its worth I thought i'd answer this.
If everyone decided to change the name to Winter Celebration i'd celebrate it the exact same way. It barely enters my mind that it's a celebration of Christ's birthday to be perfectly honest.
Christians adopted the holiday from other prior religions, so I don't see why it's not ok for me to celebrate 'christmas' by gathering with friends and family, exchanging presents, attending holiday parties, etc.
2006-12-28 06:01:26 · answer #2 · answered by hilaire 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better question is, why did the Christians take over the celebration for winter solstice?
I celebrate Christmas because it is a time for us all to take a break in our busy lives and spend some quality time with the ones we love. I also give to many families in the area. My wife and I live paycheck to paycheck, but we ended up donating about $600 to other families, as well as running a Christmas dinner drive, and helping to raise money for other charities. I'm not a believer in god, christ, or anything religious, but I do believe people can do what ever they want and be what ever they want. I choose to be good and it feels great. I don't need a god to tell me that.
2006-12-28 05:54:16 · answer #3 · answered by Concerned 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm Pagan, but I celebrate Christmas with my family because it's rare that I get to see them all at once. My sister didn't want me there at first. She said that they should be "separating themselves from evil" especially at Christmas. I told her to look me in the eye and tell me that I'm evil. She said she didn't hate me, she hated my sin. So I said "why not ban witchcraft from Christmas then, and not me." She had nothing to say to that. She finally gave in and we had a great Christmas. I got a nice set of bake ware like I wanted. And we ate way too much. My mom made linzer torte and roast beast.
By the way, I don't see a problem with Atheists celebrating Christmas since it's roots are Winter Solstice celebration. Many Atheists celebrate winter solstice because it's can be a non religious holiday that just reminds us that we are on a planet that revolves around the sun and that from that point until summer, the days will get longer.
2006-12-28 06:38:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is not a solely religious holiday.
You do lots of things at Christmas that have nothing to do with Jesus. The tree is a pagan tradition. As is gift-giving.
It's a nifty excuse to get out of work, see your family, and eat all kinds of delicious food. It's not just a religious holiday.
Do you really think you're the first person to ask this? Why shouldn't they celebrate it? Do you think you've proven anything by pointing out the word base? The thing is, the celebration really does have nothing to do with Christ, unless you celebrate the Christmas Mass in church.
2006-12-28 05:50:51 · answer #5 · answered by Elizabeth L J 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wow...you win the gold medal for dumbest question I've encountered yet.
How many times did you hear Jesus mentioned on CHRISTmas? I'm guessing you can count them on one hand and still have enough fingers left to place in your throat to slowly choke yourself to death.
I doubt there's many atheist families, so what else should they do? Sit at home? Hell no, they're gonna go hang out with their friends and family and exchange gifts because it's a good time.
We ACCEPT a day off because its kind of hard to work when your job isn't open.
Question for you. What the hell does all of your question have to do with celebrating the birth of your savior? Oh yeah, that's right, nothing.
2006-12-28 05:54:03 · answer #6 · answered by EmptyWhiskeyJar 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason that it is a big holiday in Japan. Christmas transcends Christ and has become a gift giving day.
I suspect that you will find few Grinches amongst the non-Christians. Most will not growl when wished Merry Christmas. By the same token, I suspect that you will find few Christians whose Christmas celebration focuses on Christ rather than on presents, family, and feasts.
Holidays are no longer holy days. They are recreation days. If non-veterans can celebrate Veterans Day and non-union members can celebrate Labor Day, why can't non-Christians celebrate Christmas?
Or, just to cater to my inner Scrooge, if Christians can celebrate Saturnalia, why can't Atheists celebrate Christmas?
2006-12-28 05:49:50 · answer #7 · answered by Dave P 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
because CHRISTmas derives from a pagan holliday. infact the CHRISTmas tree is the PAGAN symbol for renewed life. giving presents is a pagan tradition, as well as hanging holly and mistletoe. eating ham derives from the pagan tradition. even the DATE is taken from pagan holliday.
any biblical scholar will tell you christ was NOT born in december, or even january, most believe he was born in september.
december 25th was celebrated as the winter solstice, and as the shortest day of the year, was celebrated the pagan god whos name meant "unconquered sun" proved himself to be unconquered on this day.
furthermore, why do you celebrate st. patricks day if your not irish? or what about St. Valentines day - do you know the story behind it and do you celebrate it?
today, these days are nothing more then national hollidays. meaning we celebrate how we want.
2006-12-28 05:52:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any reason to have fun is good enough. To celebrate the beginning of a solar cycle/fellowship/family is good enough reason.
Remember the puritans left England to get away from Christmas, because it wasn't a Christ inspired holiday. it was sponsored by the king
2006-12-28 06:00:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I choose to celebrate. No matter what the occassion, i will celebrate. I like to drink and dance and laugh. Life is short for most people and even short for a hummingbird. So the hummingbird has to move faster and taken in a lot more than other animals like us. If it feels good do it. And do it now and intensely. Don't miss out on life. Got life?
2006-12-28 05:52:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋