Just wondering, NOT bashing! Every athiest I know or am friends with is very adamant about their athiesm. That's fine, I support that as it is everyone's right to believe what they want. However, around the holidays, they all tell me their big plans for Christmas...what they want, what they gave, the dinner that they're hosting, etc....and yes, they use the word "Christmas" when referring to their plans. I've asked them about this, and they really can't give me an answer. Do all athiests celebrate holidays with a religious background, and why? Again...I'm all about freedom of religion and diversity! Just wondering if someone can answer this without thinking I'm attacking athiests.
2007-01-26 02:56:26 · 34 answers · asked by karen p 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
So far you guys are being really informative, and have answered my question graciously! Gonna be hard to choose a "best answer"......
2007-01-26 03:35:04 · update #1
The word "holiday" comes from what used to be considered "holy days". But we've come a long way, baby. Today a holiday is a day off that has become established over time, in that culture. :People in our culture have just become used to celebrating certain days on the calendar in a certain way, stringing decorations, performing certain rituals like hunting for easter eggs; eating particular kinds of food etc. etc. These days it is just an opportunity to get together with the people we especially like, and do those particular things with them. There is no law that says we have to use those certain days to acknowledge some particular religous belief. Those who wish to, do so, but the vast majority of people any more just simply enjoy the occasion as an opportunity for recreation, often along with their special friends and family.
Atheists do not "celebrate" christmas, or any of the other christian-based "holy days". They just take the opportunity offered to them as fellow human beings within that society, to have a day off for rest and recreation.
2007-01-26 03:15:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Christmas has become so secularized that the question of why an atheist celebrates it is entirely moot.
I have aspergers. I have a problem with changes to routine -- such as days off. If I COULD work on Christmas, I probably would. However, I can't. The building is locked tight during Christmas break.
My family is all Christian. They celebrate Christmas. So I celebrate it with them because, hey, just 'cause I don't believe in Christ doesn't mean I love my family any less. The traditions are meaningful to them and allow me an excuse to show I care. They go to church, I stay home, when they get back, we open presents. What they celebrate as a religious holiday I celebrate as time with family.
2007-01-26 03:23:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only thing religious about Christmas and Easter is the celebration of the birth of Jesus and his rising from the dead. Everything else about those holidays are pagan in origin. Google it if you don't believe me. Many atheists, myself included, grew up as christians. Many of us have families that are christian. Yes I celebrate Christmas. Just not the religious aspect. It is a completely secular holiday to me. And I use the word Christmas because that is what everyone else uses. I could call it Krismas or something else silly like that but why? Just because you want it to mean something religious doesn't mean I have to. Do you know where Easter bunnys and eggs came from? they are pagan symbols of fertility. What do those have to do with Jesus rising from the dead. You christians need to get over it and stop thinking you have a monopoly on holidays. Not bashing you dear just stating the truth
2007-01-26 03:06:12 · answer #3 · answered by Stormilutionist Chasealogist 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm an athiest and I celebrate all the holidays. There is Christmas and Easter for me, but I don't take part in the religious aspects of the celebrations. Becuase these holidays are so commercialized, putting up a tree, exchanging gifts, hiding candy and the like are fun things to do, even if you are not celebrating the birth of or rebirth of a diety you do not believe in.
2007-01-26 03:03:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different atheists celebrate different holidays. It is up to the individual. They celebrate because there is some part of the message or foundation of the holiday that they wish to celebrate, such as family or glad tidings to all or maybe just lots of food. As Santa Claus is evidence, there is now also a secular celebration called Christmas that has nothing to do with religion beyond the name. Just as Christians co-opted the pagan holiday, non-Christians have co-opted the Christian holiday and made it their own.
We celebrate because everyone loves to celebrate. There are many Christians who celebrate Halloween even though most of the traditions are based solely on superstition or pagan beliefs. Likewise, many non-Catholics celebrate St. Patrick's Day even though they don't believe in saints (or leprechauns). Or, think of how tons of people have Superbowl parties who don't even like football. It's about connecting with your fellow man, having a good time, and sharing.
2007-01-26 03:05:59 · answer #5 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Young lady,
Christmas is NOT a Christian Holiday. The BIBLE does not endorse any celebration of Christ's Birth only HIS death, burial, and resurrection. This is the Last Supper that we are given to partake of on each First Day of the Week. I am a Christian and I know that this holiday comes from a Roman Tradition NOT a Biblical Action. I am rather sincere that I want to follow HIS WORD as closely as possible to the Letter and not follow MaN's TrAdItIoNs as the Jews did 20 centuries ago. Have a great day.
Eds
2007-01-26 03:08:55 · answer #6 · answered by Eds 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Christmas is a cultural secular holiday as much as a religious one these days. The Christians borrowed it from the pagan to make conversion easier. Christmas occurs around the solstice because that was the original time of the pagan celebrations related to the winter solstice and return of the sun. Today our celebrations are a mix of pagan, Christian, and secular symbols and traditions. The Christmas tree has its origins in the pagan tradition of bringing greens which symbolized life in the midst of winter indoors during their celebrations. Christians adopted this to their own beliefs. Atheists, agnostics, and non Christians celebrate the season not Christ's birth in their own ways. Many celebrate the spirit of giving, bonding with family, and the peace which are in their personal value systems regardless of whether they believe in Jesus.
For me I am celebrate the ancient traditions rooted in the seasonal observances. I decorate the tree with the origins in mind as a symbol of the life in the midst of winter. Our tree topper is a sun not a star or angel. I take time to connect the cycles of the seasons and the turning of the year. I use the time to celebrate my love of family and fellow humans. I prefer if people use Happy Holidays but I have no problem with people who say Merry Christmas. No war here.
2007-01-26 03:08:12 · answer #7 · answered by Zen Pirate 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I celebrate Christmas as a time for family and friends with no religious qualities to it. Actually if you look back you'll find a December 25th celebration is actually an old pagan holiday the christians 'borrowed'. Easter obviously holds no special meaning.
2007-01-26 04:51:20 · answer #8 · answered by ndmagicman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let them enjoy it! God's gift was for everyone, including atheists. They don't have to accept it if they don't want to.
Christmas is beyond christianity at this point in the game. Sure it is about Christ's birth but a lot of it isn't anymore.
They do it because its a nice holiday. Its a great idea and message. Its family. You get presents!
Additionally, for christians, we know it is about the birth of Christ.
Everyone should celebrate christmas if not for the birth of christ, then at least for the great things it brings.
2007-01-26 03:18:58 · answer #9 · answered by Emperor Insania Says Bye! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they want to fit in with what everyone else is doing? The best place to get an answer is from them, only they know why they celebrate a holiday without believing in a certain religion.
2007-01-26 03:02:08 · answer #10 · answered by blu_drgn25 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋