i dont
2007-10-19 19:10:46 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I celebrate the non-Jesus aspects of Christmas. Which is pretty much the same as the actual Christmas.
2007-10-19 19:13:33 · answer #1 · answered by Belzetot 5 · 13⤊ 1⤋
As an atheist I would be lieing if I said that I dont give my closest family and partner Xmas presents, in fact I can't say I know anyone who does not exchange gifts and get together on December 25.
Yet it really is a really valid point - why do so many people still celebrate Christmas even when it has no religious significance? I believe it is mostly because is has become so commercialised and continues to be a family / cultural tradition that seems too sad to end.
2007-10-19 19:19:51 · answer #2 · answered by pikachocobo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christmas or Xmas is really a pagan tradition adopted by the early Catholic church in an effort to sway the people of Northern Europe into becoming Catholic themselves and not destroying the missionaries that went north.
The Tree is what was really being worshiped at that time. Which is why it was adorned with decorations.
I am not an athiest though, I do not have that much faith.
2007-10-19 19:21:38 · answer #3 · answered by AlaskaJoe 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
as a celtic pagan, my family celebrate the winter solstice, but as the children are in school and in a community that acknowledges christmas celebrations, we also recognise that day with another feast and gathering the family together, which involves presents etc. my children know they are not christians, and recognise the difference between joining in a fun day and actually celebrating the christians version of a more traditional festival :)
we dont do tinsel or much commercial stuff, the house looks beautiful decorated in the pagan style
blessed be
2007-10-19 19:27:01 · answer #4 · answered by hedgewitch 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I mean no offence to Christians, atheists, or anyone else.
Christmas originally had nothing to do with Christianity: it's a mixture of pagan tree-worship, celebration of the harvest and the winter solstice, and Roman over-eating at the feast of Saturnalia.... The evergreen tree represents the hope that winter will end, and the warmth and new life of spring will come soon.
The Christian overlay does not take away from these pagan elements, and I think we should all be able to enjoy it together.
You don't have to believe in Christianity or any other religion to join in the feasting, gift-giving and fun!
2007-10-19 19:27:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Spot on Alaska Joe! I've been trying to explain that to people forever.
This'll be the first time in four years that my wife and I celebrate it. We stopped b/c it got too commercial for us, but we realize that we miss the fun of decorating the artificial tree and windows.
When we have kids we're gonna teach them about Santa and that he brings the really special kids twice the number of presents on Dec 27th if they are good and ignore the other ones celebrating the 25th. (after X-Mas sale)
2007-10-19 19:35:55 · answer #6 · answered by Righteous Indignation 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good for you, you're sticking to what you feel and not trying to still get gifts for no reason. Hey, and since it is true that Christianity and Paganism are syncretized on that day, I can understand why Pagans celebrate that day, but Atheists who do have got to be joking. I don't think I can take an Atheist seriously who still says they do anything to comemmorate that day. An Agnostic maybe, but...get real.
2007-10-19 19:18:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Everyone should celebrate Xmas! Otherwise we will have to start working during those popular holidays because it won't be considered a religious holiday if everyone stopped celebrating it.
You don't have to religiously celebrate Xmas either.
2007-10-19 19:23:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I celebrate festivus. The over-commercialization of christmas just disgusts me. Saturnalia can be fun, too. Pagans sure know how to have a good time! That having been said, there is absolutely nothing at all wrong with taking the time to sit down with the people you love and show them that you love them, in whatever way you choose. Gift-giving is just one of those ways. That doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money or buy a lot of stuff...indeed, one of the best gifts I have ever received was a hand-knit scarf made by a ladyfriend who was just starting to learn how to knit. She put a lot of time and effort into it, and it means more to me than anything that could ever be bought from a store.
Princess M: what do you think the 'X', which is two lines CROSSED, is supposed to represent?
2007-10-19 19:13:55 · answer #9 · answered by nobody important 5 · 6⤊ 2⤋
Well, I go to my aunt's house with my family to have Christmas dinner and exchange gifts. I've never had a tree or decorations or anything, though, because my immediate family is Jewish (My mom's side of the family is Christian). Although I will be putting a tree up in my house this year just because I like them and like decorating them.
2007-10-20 00:56:15 · answer #10 · answered by Two quarters & a heart down 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well hmm I'm glad you posted this because i would also like to know what other people have to say... i am an atheist but i celebrate Christmas. not in the name of Christ him self but in the manner that it is the day of giving to the ones you love and Cherish. the day of spending time with people you care about and celebrating love and friendship.
2007-10-19 19:15:14 · answer #11 · answered by SecretSquirrel 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋