someone just posted that "For atheists, it's all about the presents."
In my case, I disagree. What do you think?
2007-03-26 04:09:49 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's a great secular holiday. The minor religious aspect of it that Christians make a big deal about really pales to the secular values promoted during that time.
These include:
1) Peace on Earth and goodwill towards men. This is a later addition to the holiday that has nothing to do with the Advent.
2) Visiting family and remembering friends.
3) Remembering to give to the poor during the harshest months.
4) Exchanging gifts, which promotes generosity. I think Christians and atheists can agree that it has become too commercialized, though.
5) The celebration of greenery lasting through winter, as a sign of life continuing. This one was adopted later by various pagans and other religions, including Christianity. Mainly, though, this holiday is a celebration of the Winter Solstice, which is important for people relying on season's progression.
6) There are a lot of other social bonding aspects to Christmas, too. And it is something good to start family traditions on, like the Santa Claus story. It's fun.
2007-03-26 04:12:02 · answer #1 · answered by nondescript 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not at all about the presents.
For me its about family. I enjoy giving presents to my kids because it makes them happy and excited. But the best part of Christmas is after Christmas dinner, when everyone is just sitting around content, talking. There is nothing quite like letting family know you love them, and being told the same in return.
That is what Christmas is about for me. The religious stuff only gets in the way, and in reality, has its origins in Pagan rituals anyway.
Christianity is made up of Pagan DNA
2007-03-26 11:14:55 · answer #2 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There is something about Christmas that will always be magical. The glittering snow, the lights, the window displays, the nostaligia as movies from your childhood play on TV. There is just something magical that renews your faith in humanity. Something good and pure and innocent, a renewal for the new year.
My family is religious so it is about religion to them and thats why THEY celebrate it. Growing up we always participated in the homeless celebration. Spending time with those less fortunate and trying to do something that mattered--buying that one special toy for the lil girl whose house burned down. Serving soup to the war vets. Being grateful for what I have.
For me, it's about creating understanding in my family. We are very very different people. In fact, if we weren't related we would have no reason to ever talk to each other. Each year I try to figure out what to get my aunt/uncle. What would they really like to have. And they try equally as hard. It isn't just buying them "something"--it's about trying to figure out and understand the differences and what they would really like. My sister has now moved closer but she used to live a rather long way and the only time I spent time with her was at big family gatherings like Christmas. We are night and day and often try to guess what the other would like. Most often, we are both dead wrong but over the years, we've began to understand the others taste and style a lil better.
My family doesn't do Thanksgiving so Christmas and Labor Day are it for us. But yes spiritually Labor Day means slightly more to me than Christmas due to the fact that it has a lot less stress and the family is getting together not out of social obligation but just a desire to be together. Both both times are highly memorable occasions.
My family has always believed in Santa. My parents told us at an early age that Santa stops coming when you stop beliving and every single one of us (the youngest is 20) still believe to this day. But it really is as big a deal to give than to receive. Last year, I spent a TON of time making everyone photo albums of their family--the family reunion and weddings. So each persons was different. They all cried and spent days just going through the albums and seeing what pictures were different. It was great! Everyone will still know in August exactly what I got them for Christmas. As cliche as it is, it's the thought that counts. Not just the FACT that one person thought of another--but how much time and energy they invested trying to find the right thing. And you don't get it every year but every now and then you get someone something SO PERFECT that it makes their day everytime they look at it.
That's what Christmas is all about. Jesus lived and died a long time ago and I don't think about anyone on Christmas that died hundreds or thousands of years ago (sorry Plato, sorry Columbus). But Christmas is about showing those close to you, that they matter to you. And finding something that lights up their eyes. Perhaps something they haven't had since they were a child. Or as an adult, replacing your mothers vase that you broke as a small child.
2007-03-26 11:30:04 · answer #3 · answered by phantom_of_valkyrie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"All about the presents"?
LOL - apparently another believer who doesn't know how to get his or her mind around the fact that atheists are perfectly decent, intelligent people.
Wouldn't you think that eventually these folks would realize that if they have to lie that much and that transparently to defend their beliefs, there must be something wrong with those beliefs? I sure would, if I had to tell so many lies.
Christmas is largely about being with family and friends and celebrating yet another year together.
2007-03-26 11:15:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Family.
2007-03-26 11:12:49 · answer #5 · answered by RickySTT, EAC 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For me, Christmas is about spending time with family and friends. It's about looking back on the year and remembering the good times and trying to forget the bad times. The presents are optional...
2007-03-26 11:13:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
For me, Christmas is about family first and foremost, then it is about giving, then it is about the winter season and celebrating my American-European-Christian-Pagan heritage. When Pagans converted to Christians, they still celebrated pagan holidays; thus when Christians convert to Atheism (as I did) why shouldn't they celebrate their old Christian/Pagan holidays? Besides, my family are all still Christians, especially my radical Catholic mother.
There is a great lecture given by Colonel Robert Ingersoll in the 19th century about why Agnostics (or Atheists) should celebrate Christmas. Check the link below.
2007-03-26 11:21:15 · answer #7 · answered by doubt_is_freedom 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
christmas is a time to celebrate family & friends, and spend time with loved ones, and to give from our hearts to those that need cared for. presents are usually very small, thoughtful tokens or food of some sort in my circle of people. we've all decided that the ones to give gifts to are the kids, or the needy (my friends & i try to go to a soup kitchen every year, or at least donate warm clothes & food to the needy, & buy a toy for an unkown child from one of those anonymous trees)
2007-03-26 11:15:00 · answer #8 · answered by just me 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is an excuse for everybody to get together.
We live in a very busy world. There is always a reason not to spend time with family and friends.
Christmas gets rid of all of the other excuses.
2007-03-26 11:12:47 · answer #9 · answered by NONAME 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The presents are nice, but to me it's the one time of year that all the family comes from all over the nation to one place. I get to catch up with everyone and enjoy their company.
2007-03-26 11:15:52 · answer #10 · answered by kMaz 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋