Like the question asked earlier about atheist celebrating religious holidays. It seems atheist are only athesit when it comes to Christian, Jewish and Islamic beliefs. Don't forget Greek mythology is a god centered (theistic) style of belief. You had many different forms of Paganism in world history, Sumarian, Egyptian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Persian, Greek, and Roman styles of Paganism. IT IS ALL RELIGION. So if you are going to be Athiest you need to be against ALL RELIGIONS and ALL FORMS OF gods...Am I not correct? OR MAYBE it is just saying you are Atheist is only a way of saying you are against Christians, Jews, and Muslims. So which one is it?
2007-07-21 10:14:31 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hi ! ; )
The oldest, most common and simplest definition of Pagan is....
...anyone who is not Christian, Jewish or Muslim.
So, by this definition, they are Pagan.Actually, it makes us a very large part of the World population.
2007-07-21 10:23:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think you're making the term "atheist" out to be much more complicated than it really is. Atheism is the belief that there are no supernatural deities of any kind. That's it. It really doesn't go any deeper than that. A person does not have to be anti religion in order to be an atheist. Some atheists are anti religion, but that is because of their personal beliefs---not the general beliefs of atheism.
The ones who ARE against all religion do seem to pay more attention to the beliefs of Christians, Jews, and Muslims---but that is probably because those are the religions they are exposed to the most. They are the ones we tend to hear about the most. Pagans, for the most part, keep quiet about their faith, particularly because they face severe discrimination from bigots if they make their beliefs known, and because they typically do not believe in evangelizing.
And when atheists use the "pagan excuse" that you are talking about, they are simply pointing out that Christians are doing the exact same thing that you are accusing them of doing. And really, there's no reason why atheists can't enjoy holidays like Christmas and Easter, whereas they are man-made holidays. They're centered around religious purposes, but they are man-made, nonetheless. (Jesus never said he wanted a holiday celebrated in recognition of his birth and resurrection).
Good day.
2007-07-21 17:30:24 · answer #2 · answered by I'm Still Here 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Giving gifts and being with family are activities that anyone can enjoy. Most atheists that give gifts, and decorate trees are not celebrating a Christian holiday.
There is nothing about giving gifts, eating Turkey dinner with family, and drinking eggnog that requires one to believe in God, so why shouldn't atheists, or any non-Christian for that matter be allowed to enjoy these activities ?
And if Christians are against all things Pagan, should they fllee from all non-Christian aspects of Christmas ? Shouldn't tree decorating, mistletoe be off limits ?
The bible says this about decorating trees
Jeremiah 10
10:1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
10:3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
Seems to me that Christians should limit their Christmas celebrations and decoration to Nativity scenes, church going and hymn singing. They should not be practing the Pagan parts of its, such as tree decorating, kissing under mistletoe etc. But this is a free country, anyone can celebrate anything they want in December, without having to prove that they are the "correct religion" to do so.
2007-07-21 17:26:25 · answer #3 · answered by queenthesbian 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wow StLouis, this takes the cake!
I am a Christian and this took the breath out of ME. Give atheists a break. There are certain things from other religions that I kinda am curious about and would like to know more about but that doesn't make me any less of a Christian. I don't believe in paganism but there are things that gets a person thinking.
Whichever atheists you were referring to, maybe paganism is the closest thing that they might actually show curiosity in and finds they like it. It doesn't make them any less of a atheist because of it.
Oh congrats on your 5 points for asking the question.
2007-07-21 18:39:45 · answer #4 · answered by julie 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I didn't see the question you refer to. As an atheist, I am very much aware that there have been other gods in the past--in fact, that is a major reason I am an atheist. They are all equally unbelievable. The thing is, there aren't a whole lot of people here asking me why I am in denial about believing in Zeus, or informing me that I will suffer some eternal torment for not worshipping Jove, or passing or vetoing legislation because Pazuzu tells them to.
2007-07-21 17:22:34 · answer #5 · answered by Phartzalot 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I've never used an excuse for being an Atheist. I am an Atheist and I do not believe in any form of God or higher being. Whether you or anyone else looks down on my beliefs, it's what I believe and as stubborn as it may be, I refuse to change my beliefs because they're unorthodox or "foolish".
2007-07-21 17:18:58 · answer #6 · answered by Alley S. 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Yur funny... and ignorant of Atheism. I find your argument very lame. How many people do you know that still believe in the Greek Gods? We focus our attention on the problems at hand... you know, dolts like you. I'm against all of the Abrahamic religions because they are the most prevalent and the most destructive. The others are not populated with enough sheep to cause me any alarm.
2007-07-21 17:23:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe in ~any~ deity from any religion but that does not excuse the fact that in order to bring pagans into the fold christianity took the holidays familiar to the pagans and enfolded them into their religion to supposedly make the transition easier for the pagan population. Perhaps it's you who does not like being reminded that what your religion sees as its two holiest days are not what they seem to be.
2007-07-21 17:19:52 · answer #8 · answered by genaddt 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what "the old paganism excuse" is, but Atheism by definition is the belief that there is no God (or gods). It doesn't necessarily mean anti-religion, but the lack of belief in any religion.
2007-07-21 17:21:08 · answer #9 · answered by happygirl 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋
I love the atheists. Why give them a hard time? If they don't want to believe in any gods or goddesses then why fuss about it? Do you think fussing about it will change their mind?
Why not invite them over for dinner and play some Nintendo instead? You'll have less stress and maybe be a little bit more happier.
2007-07-21 17:36:35 · answer #10 · answered by Emperor Insania Says Bye! 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋