Is it hypocritical for atheists to celebrate Passover or Ramadan?

Question

If one person so much as mentions Pagans I swear I will head butt the screen!

;)

OK the reason I use Passover or Ramadan as examples is because I used Christmas and Easter before. Loads of people said Christmas was a Pagan Festival and left it at that.

Great thanks for the well know bit of info!

The last time I checked Paganism was a religion. And correct me If i am wrong (please do) but isn't the oppersite of believing in a religion being atheists!

So I used two well know festivals that aren't linked to Christianity and Paganism hoping that I would get more correct answers.

Answer 1

I don't celebrate neither of those.

Pagans!!!

Now go and head butt your screen u idiot!

Answer 2

No, of course its not disrespectful. Your intentions are clearly pure and I thank you for that. If you want to fast then go ahead and fast. Don't let anyone stop you. Inshallah, it will help you understand Islam a little bit better. No offence taken at all. I think, that at least while you are fasting and in presence of the opposite sex you should dress more modestly. Stand out less. Show your individuality by not lying, not backbiting, not cussing etc. Show your individuality through your actions. I would stay away from make up as well, however if it ever gets too much just take baby steps. No need to rush into it. The last 10 days are the best days of the month of Ramadan. Especially the odd nights of those 10 days. Inshallah, you will get the best understanding of Islam you can through fasting. And then you should celebrate it at Eid too. (at the end of Ramadan)

Answer 3

Alright, I won't mention Pagans.

Many Atheists, myself included, don't really celebrate the holiday. For example, Christmas for me is simply a time for family--lives are busy in today's world, so it's nice to have a day or two just to devote to the ones you love. Of course, with how heavilly comercial Christmas is, there always seems to be a family member working for an ungreatful retail slavery operation, and that member has to work it, anyway.

I do not have any reason to give special consideration to Passover or Ramadan, so I guess this question doesn't really pertain to me. Most of my family is Christian.

See? I didn't mention Pagans a single time.

Twice, maybe.

Answer 4

I don't celebrate those holidays, Passover or Ramadan. I guess Passover and Ramadan haven't been turned into commercial holidays like Christmas and Easter. I put up Christmas trees and lay out Easter eggs to have fun and remember my own childhood. The Christians in my family would be offended if I didn't do these things, since it's a tradition. If you're not harmed by me doing these things, then don't worry about it.

Answer 5

Not at all. I am an atheist but even so I always celebrate Passover, Ramadan and even the Birth of Guru Nanak.

Just because I don't believe in god doesn't mean I lack a spiritual side. Besides, many religious holidays - particularly Ramadan - are great excuses to go on the wagon for a few days.

Best of all, if for example I am observing Ramadan, but I'm getting pissed off with it because I'm hungry and it isn't yet time to eat, I can just forget about it because I'm not Muslim.

Hope this helps.

All my best,

Raygun.

Answer 6

It seems silly and pointless, but fairly harmless. "Hypocritical" sounds a little too strong

Christmas, Mardi Gras and Chinese New Year are "celebrated" by "outsiders" as well, so it's not like it's an unheard of phenomenon.

But religious celebrations DO have religious roots and meanings, and the same is true for national celebrations. It may be true that the "original owners" of any given holiday may resent the dilution, or the any-excuse-for-a-party mentality.

Answer 7

If they're celebrating Passover or Ramadan then they are not Atheist, but then again perhaps they're party people. I am Atheist but I put load of lights up in November/December because it brightens up the house but I don't do the Christmas thing like presents, cards, tree etc Infact I have lights up all year round inside and outside. I LOVE LIGHTS!

Answer 8

Not necessarily. Religious celebrations typically have secular aspects; Christmas is the most obvious. Atheists take it as an occasion to get together and exchange gifts, much as some Muslims do at Eid.

Answer 9

I don't think they'd celebrate it religiously. But maybe as just another holiday to get together with family or whatever. I don't even know what those days are but if they're holidays then it's a reason to celebrate in my book.

edit in reply to yours:
You want to be corrected so here it is. Atheism is not the oppOsite of religion. It is about not believing in a supreme being or a god if you will.

Answer 10

I'm not sure exactly what you mean. Maybe they are participating in the religious traditions of their friends or family to be nice to them even though they don't believe.

And I promise I won't mention Pagans. Sorry about the cheap joke, but I don't understand the context of your comment.

Answer 11

LOL

Save your head. I don't celebrate either of those. There is no corresponding secular holiday.

To your original question, I celebrate Christmas as a holiday of light, of giving, of warmth and family. There are no religious connections.

I celebrate Easter as a holiday of the rebirth of nature (it's original connotation). No religious meaning to it for me at all.

So holidays can be celebrated by different people in different ways and there is nothing hypocritical about it.