Agnostics/atheists and Christian holidays?

Question

Do u celebrate holidays like Christmas or easter?

I'm agnostic myself, and i enjoy Christmas, so i was wondering about others :)

Answer 1

I do indeed :) You are not alone.

I celebrate Christmas. I always have, and for me it's just a wonderful time of year. The holiday is a time for family and friends and good food and giving gifts. Ok, I'll admit, the child in me loves opening them too! :)

I'm not big on Easter, but I will do an egg hunt and the like for my kids.

Answer 2

I see nothing wrong with remembering the birth and resurrection of Christ. However as a Christian there are some traditions of men that I find disturbing in these "Christian" holidays.

The word Easter, the Easter Bunny and eggs came from pagan fertility religions. Roman Catholocism tried to override these pagan religions by covering over them with Christian holidays... yet they allowed their people to retain some traditions. Easter came from the religion of Astarte, the pagan goddess of fertility and sexual freedom. This is were the fertility symbols of rabbits and eggs came from. After all rabbits do not lay eggs.

Christmas also came from the Roman god Saturnalia on Dec 25th. The pagans also chopped down evergreen trees, decked them with gold and silver then bowed down and worshipped them.

I cannot see how these traditions glorify Christ in any way. I do not practice those traditions but I know of many Christians who do, mostly because that is how their parents raised them and they see it as "fun". What really gets me going is Christians will take what is essentially a pagan idol, the Christmas tree, and erect them in their churches. Might as well erect a statue of Baal.

Answer 3

Actually the "christian" holidays were stolen from the local pagans. Christmas was Yule, Easter was a celebration of spring when the earth is reborn (sounds like Jesus doesn't it). They even stole Sunday from the roman god of the sun.
There are NO uniquely christian holidays.

Answer 4

I have a christmas tree, lights, and presents but that really isn't part of the christian holiday anyway, is it. That part of christmas is tied to it's pagan origins.
And Easter I do celebrate at all. But again that is also entrenched in pagan origins.

Answer 5

If members of my family are hosting a get together I will attend. And I usually go to my friend's christmas party every year. It is a chance to have fun with loved ones. But I usually do nothing on holidays, even secular holidays like Halloween or 4th of July. I am not a big holiday person.

Answer 6

Christmas was originally a holiday celebrating the winter solstice; it was co-opted by Christians. Easter was originally a holiday of the rebirth of farm plants; it was co-opted by Christians. I'm Peruvian so I celebrate Inti Raymi...oh wait the Christians stole that one too, now it's called St. John the Baptists day, and Paucartambo--oh drat the Christians now call that the feast of the Virgin Carmen. Darn those Christains, always stealing holidays!!!!

Answer 7

I am neither agnostic or atheist but I do not have a religion. I do celebrate the commercialized versions of Christmas and Easter.
I do always wonder who came up with that demented rabbit who breaks into your house steals the eggs you dyed and hides them in various places in your yard.

Answer 8

Not Easter, but Christmas...just for the presents, I don't really give a damn about the religious part of it. And I thought those were pagan holidays to begin with.

Answer 9

To me Christmas is a family tradition, obviously not a religious holiday for us, since most my immediate family are atheists. It's nice to have a special time off work and school to be with family and have a good time. I'm all for holidays, I don't really need a reason! :)

Answer 10

Yes but only because I don't have to work. It's a good excuse to go out late the night before. I usually get the Monday after Easter off.