If atheists and Non-religious people celebrate December 25th, what holiday is that called?

Question

Since december 25th is a religious holiday. I was just curious what holiday atheists call it.

I'm waiting for the most rediculous answers known to man.

Answer 1

Saturnalia.

Answer 2

Many refer to it as Newtonmas - in respect for Isaac Newton's birthday. They especially like to point out that while Isaac Newton WAS born on December 25, Jesus Christ was not. Jesus was not born on Decemebr 25 and even the most staunt biblical scholars will tell you this is the case.

But the Newtonmas is really an inside joke. The reality is that most atheists celebrate Christmas in the western tradition complete with pagan christmas trees, Santa Clause and gift giving - on December 25 which was originally a pagan holiday for the sun god that was celebrated close to the winter solstice. Western christian christmas tradition is a blending of a variety of religious and non religious traditions and removing the christian aspect from it is quite easy for them. It's just as easy for an atheist to put a star on their tree and call it pretty as it is for a christian to put a star on the tree and say that is symbolizes the star over Bethleham. No matter how you look at it the star is going onto a christmas tree which itself is dreived from a pagan tradition. And keep in mind that most atheists don't doubt that Jesus existed and many actually live lives that follow his teachings because his teachings were very important to living a well-rounded life. Many are very respectful of Jesus and his works. What they don't accept is the idea that he is the son of God and that getting into heaven requires some kind of subservience to God as a master.
SO in short, most atheists celebrate christmas just like everyone else - just without the mangers, crosses and references to Christ's birth.

Answer 3

It's the day when all of Jesus' Disciples used to build snowmen and try to kiss Mary Magdalene under the Mistletoe, while the Virgin Mary baked a Christmas Ham and sipped on eggnog.

Later they would gather together around a large Evergreen tree they had brought into the home and decorated with tinsel and snowflakes, silver and gold and give Jesus his birthday presents, since we all know December 25th is his birthday!

Then they would gather outside the home and wait for the parson to bring the reindeer pulled sleigh so they could go on a ride through the woods to Grandmother's house for hot cocoa and puddin' pie!

It's all right there in the New Testament!

But some silly people insist that these are European traditions that have little to do with our LORD!

I mean, who ever heard of snow in Europe?!

Answer 4

I think most people still call it Christmas! Originally it was a ritual around the shortest day. (the least hours of sunlight.) After the shortest day the days would be longer again. This was a reason to celebrate of course. Everybody would get something green to put inside, that's why we still have Christmas trees...did you ever consider this has very little to do with the birth of Christ? The rituals are just mixed into one big holiday.

Answer 5

Those cultural holidays don't have much in common with Jesus. If you are only celebrating the birth of Jesus (which was NOT on Dec 25th), then you shouldn't put on a Xmas tree with ornaments (apples in pagan culture) and lights. And you shouldn't make a easter egg hunt on Easter, cause rabbits and eggs is the pagan celebration for fertility in spring. All those holidays are cultural and should be honored as our history and mythological background (like religions). I like it.

Answer 6

c1500BC-1200BC The Persian prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra) founded the religion known as Zoroastrianism. The principal beliefs included the existence of a supreme deity called Ahura Mazda and a cosmic struggle between the spirit of good, Spenta Mainyu, and the spirit of evil, Angra Mainyu. Later adherents to Zoroastrianism are represented by the Parsees of India and the Gabars of Iran.
(Econ, 12/18/04, p.35)(www.livius.org/za-zn/zarathustra/zarathustra.htm)

Zarathustra died on Dec 25

Answer 7

Its a holiday where you can get presents. Christmas is more than a religious holiday celebrating Jesus' birth, its about getting closer to your family, exchanging presents, and having a day off to relax.

For all you Christians out there that think only you can celebrate Christmas buzz off. You might claim that its celebrated because of Christ's birth but it was also celebrated a long time ago for other reasons. Do your research.

Answer 8

Shab-e-Yalda, Amateras, Beiwe, Deuorius Riuri, DōngZhì, Hogmanay, Hertha, Karachun, Koleda, Lenæa, Lucia, Mean Geimrech, Midvinterblót, Modranicht, Osiris Death / Horus Birth / Isis Festival, Sacaea, Sanghamitta, Wintersonnenwende, et cetera....

Answer 9

Present day?
Egg Nog day?
Holiday Tree Day?
Lights on your house day?

Oooh how about "The day christians stole from pagans that has nothing to do with the day it's supposed to be celebrating but they took it so they could more easily convert pagans to christianity and everyone rushes out to the stores & they turn into even more arrogant @$$holes than they usually are becuase jesus wants them to be the first one in line to get their kids the new power ranger figures before they sell out because that's what the birth of christ is all about...... lights, and presents & treating people like $hit so you can get your kid a toy that he/she probably doesn't even deserve"

But i usually just say "Happy Holidays!" because it's a lot shorter!

Answer 10

December 25th was not originally a religious holiday there hun. It was a pagan holiday. And December 25th is not the birthday of jesus...just a day that the christian church stole from the pagan in hopes to try and convert them to Christianity.

Answer 11

For the sake of avoiding confusion and argument, I still call it Christmas. A name is a name. We want to argue about the exitence of god, not a day we can share happiness, hope, and be at peace with everyone.

Please don't make it another reason we dislike Christians.