How do you feel about non-Christians celebrating Xmas?

Question

My parents are Christian and I was brought up in a Christian household. I am currently assessing where I stand on the 'faith issue'. I started reading 'The God Delusion' yesterday evening, and it occured to me that I don't know how I feel about celebrating Xmas as a non-believer. How do you feel about it? Is it hypocrytical for an idividual to celebrate Xmas for cultural rather than religious reasons?

All and anyone welcome to answer without preaching. :)

Xmas is Christmas... hellooo...

Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ.
I'm not taking about Yule.

The date isn't relevant to this thread and I'm not talking about earlier pagan tradition, I am asking specifically about *Christmas* as it it known now. It wouldn't matter what time of year it was, would it.

Answer 1

I like to call it Santamass

Answer 2

I think that's a fair point. I think atheists should feel a bit hypocritical for celebrating the birth of God's son when they don't beleive God even exists. I guess they wouldn't want to give up receiving presents.

But Christmas isn't technically a Christian celebration anyway. There is no record of Christ, his disciples or the 1st century Christians celebrating the birthday of Jesus, or anyones for that matter.

December 25th was an important date in the pagan calender, were there would be celebrations in honor of the Roman sun god Saturnalia. To cut a long story short, the Romans decided that they would also use this date to celebrate the birth of Christ in order to keep the Romans and Christians happy.

Any Christians living at that time would have avoided those festivities to prevent their worship from being tainted and unacceptable. The same should be true today.

At the end of the day, though, Christmas is more of secular holiday rather than a religious festival. I think that Christ will be taken out of Christmas altogether sooner or later. Already greetings cards are not depicting nativity scenes to avoid upsetting non-Christians.

Update:

The date is relevant because it is the date of a pagan celebration, therefore it is not approved by God or Christ, so it doesn't matter if atheists celebrate it coz it has nothing to do with Christ or God.

Answer 3

Celebrating xmas at least in the US is merely about presents.You dont have to belong to or even have any religious dogma to celebrate giving.I dont adhere to any religious dogma and my son gets more xmas presents than anyone I know.Its not hypocritical if you consider that Christmas(or the birth of the savior)made its change to paganism a long time ago.For the hardcore religious right that want to argue the point,I would ask is it a coincidence that xmas just happens to come at the winter solstice and the end of harvest season?When many religious scholars put Christs birth no where near that time of the year.Maybe Im a little off point.As for the question,I feel anyone should be allowed to practice any holiday or other occasion the way they see fit.Xmas isnt in July for a reason.I hope I didnt come across to preachy .But please check out my site at IProsletize.com.Happy xmas.

Answer 4

Why do you single Christains out as celebrating Christmas? I am spiritualist but I still believe in God and Jesus and I expect there are a lot of people who are not Christians do. This means we celebrate the birth of Christ. I think it is hypocrital to celebrate Christmas if you don't believe in the birth of Christ, after all that is what it is all about isn't it. However, as it is considered a holiday and a tradition I suppose it is difficult for non-believers not to go with the flow, particularly as they have time off work. I like to set aside time to think what Christmas is for rather than just the material things of decorations, pressies etc.

Answer 5

I remember someone telling me once, that Chistmas was actually meant to be in september but as the pagans celebrated in december they changed it to december so they didnt have to have so much of a hassle forcing people to celebrate christmas as 'they were already celebrating at the correct time' I like to think of Christmas more about an end of a year celebrating than a religious festival, in fact you can pretty much go through the whole of christmas without any kind of christianity being mentioned. I dont really mind christmas though i've not got an affiliation with any religion and I like buying people presents and tinsel.

Love light and laughter

Rachie
x

Answer 6

I'm an atheist and I celebrate. In America, Christmas has a very secular aspect to it. For me, it's not about worship. It's about spending time with family and having fun. It's just a holiday. I don't even think twice about the religious aspects-- it's just part of the culture. In fact, I prefer listening to religious Christmas music rather than secular music, mostly because I find songs like "Here Comes Santa Claus" really, really annoying. The religious aspects are there, and it wouldn't be Christmas without them, but they're such a part of American Christmas tradition that they've been secularized.

Answer 7

Hi there tigerfly, There is nothing hypocritical about an individual celebrating xmas for cultural rather than religious reasons! You go ahead and embrace the season by enjoying your family/friends company and the joy of giving and receiving presents. Don't 'beat yourself up' about it. The fact that you are able to have an enjoyable time is what life is all about. Why should everything have to revolve around religious aspects? I do not regard myself as a particularly religious person, and I like to think that I treat others how I would want to be treated. I am law abiding, humble, forgiving and caring. What I regard as hypocritical is the pious people who preach and quote the bible, yet do not practise what they preach. For example, Catholics who do wrong, go to confession, feel that they have been 'absolved,' and go on to repeat the wrong-doings.
I wish you all the best! :o)

Answer 8

Christmas is still Pagan, all the traditions that go along with it from the gift exchange, to the mistletoe, to the ham, the eggnog, the singing carols, all the things people seem to love about Christian are Pagan. Also, can any one really say in this day and age that Christmas isn't a secular holiday? It's so commercialized.

Answer 9

Hmmm, God celebrated the Savior's birth with quite an array of people, animals and angels. I think it is appropriate for us to follow His example. Or, I guess we could be legalistic like you and your spiritual predecessors the Pharisees and just say Bah Humbug. Shama Val is a lyin' shaman. The term Christ comes from the Hebrew Messiah which simply means anointed. That was a word written by the Hebrew prophets prior to 500 BCE. I would like to see 'val's' source that uses the term earlier. I mean good grief, why do people hate Christianity so much. Xandre- The authors of the Bible were inspired to command us to read and memorize the Scriptures (you read Psalm 119 almost every line speaks of our respect, reading, studying and memorizing Scripture). Further, why did Jesus condemn the Catholics, I mean Pharisees beginning with the words, "Have you not read in the Scriptures?" 2 Timothy 3.14-17 does claim that the Scriptures can perfect us.... seems like one does not need another authority if the Scriptures can perfect us.

Answer 10

If everyone in the world who celebrates Christmas was to behave as Christians do all the year round, the world would be transformed.

So, you who intend to celebrate Christmas, in whatever way, start now. Don't wait for 'the season of goodwill', because Christ wants your good will all the time. Commit your lives to Christ, and let's see the difference. By December 25 2007, prison overcrowding will be a thing of the past, psychiatric wards will have closed, teachers will not need to make checks for knives, the word 'business' will no longer be a synonym for 'crime', child poverty in your town will be ended, TV programs and advertising will be very different, footballers will not dive — though policemen and lawyers will have to look for other occupations.

'Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God — or rather are known by God — how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.' Gal 4:8-11 NIV
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Answer 11

Christmas is a Pagan holiday anyway. It's the Winter Solsice celebration. Christians took it over to help the mass conversions. So when Christians complain about non Christians celebrating their holidays, I laugh. I'm Pagan, Christians claimed most of my holidays as their own. I could care less, you shouldn't either.

If non Christians chose to celebrate it, that's their choice. I still attend my parents Christmas dinner, but it's for familial, nostalgic and monetary reasons. My parents give nice gifts. Holidays evolve. Look at Veterans Day and Groundhog Day, both Pagan holidays. But we don't think twice about that.