Atheists and Christmas?

Question

Do Atheists celebrate Christmas? Please don't tell me that Christmas isn't a Christian holiday, I am well aware of that. It is however a Pagan holiday, which makes it a religious holiday. Why is it okay to celebrate a Pagan holiday, but be against anything "religious".

It would be secular if you didn't include the tree and santa. Since we include those, it is Pagan.

Those saying it is secular, do your children write letters to Santa? That seems a bit Pagan to me.

I am not attacking Atheists. I am asking a question to gain understanding. Talk about being touchy. I was curious to know how you think. I'm Jewish and you better believe I celebrate both Christmas and Hannukah. Hannukah for religious reasons, Christmas because it's fun and that's what the rest of my family celebrates. I think everybody is allowed to have their own beliefs and opinions, so yes, that's okay with me.

Answer 1

I'm a hypocrite atheist who also celebrates Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The last time I checked, hypocricy was not illegal, and you can't even sue me for it.

Answer 2

It has actually become quite the secularized holiday, since the mid 1800s. Most atheists, if they celebrate it at all, celebrate the time with friends and family, gifts, and religion never peeks it head

Actually, dear, Santa isn't part of ANY religion. Saint Nicholas is, but the Santa portrayed by L. Frank Baum and in those lovely 70s TV specials is NOT Saint NIcholas - not even close.

Same with a Christmas tree - fully secularized - people from other religions unfamiliar with Christianity or the pagan beliefs of having a tree also have Christmas trees, because they have become a cultural aspect of American society.

But it was a nice try to imply we're practicing a religion when we are not.

Merry Giftmas and Happy eat too much day

Answer 3

Most atheists don't celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday at all. Atheists use it as a day about family. It's just that simple. It doesn't have to be religious... that's like a child saying "NO... I made that day first, so you can't use it!"

Everyone has the right to a holiday, and Christmas is already a widely established day for a holiday. Most people who ARE religious don't even spend much time focusing on the religious aspect of it. It's all about Santa now.

P.S. Santa is a fantasy character, whether you consider it pagan or not, that's all it is... just purely used for fun in most eyes.

Answer 4

Christmas means different things to different people. Atheists and even Jews celebrate it in their own way.

I am not Christian but I enjoy the hell out of Christmas. To me it is a secular holiday, all about houses decorated with lights, egg nog, getting together with friends, watching Christmas movies like A Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life, going downtown to look at window displays, visiting friends with kids to help their kids play with their toys, etc. etc., then a week of lying around, eating leftovers, watching football, culminating with a party at someone's house on New Year's Eve.

To others it has a more spiritual significance. Good for them!

Though early Christians borrowed many customs from Pagans, Christmas is not a Pagan holiday. It may be at the same time as a Pagan holiday, but then Passover is at the same time as Easter but the two are not at all related.

Answer 5

It is also a SECULAR Holiday . Santa Clause , Office Parties , Snowmen , Lighted houses , Turkey dinners , etc. I am an atheist who celebrates the turn into winter , or the Fun Period of December , or the Peace and Goodwill Season , etc . It has nothing to do with paganism or religion anymore than Halloween or Valentine's Day or New Yars Eve does for me .

Answer 6

It's secular. I don't celebrate the birth of any religious figures.

Claiming that writing letters to a fictitious person is Pagan is a bit nonsensical considering the character is based on a historical person. That would be like me saying worshipping Jesus is a bit Pagan.

And that's ignoring the fact that "Pagan" is a blanket term for all European non-Abrahamic pre-Christian religions. Which pagan relgiion do you consider it to be aliken to?

Answer 7

It is another thing that is all in some ones perception. They may see it as just another holiday, which would be there right. To me, it is Christs birthday, and before you ask, how do I know, I will answer this way. It is only natural to think that since Jesus was born, that He does have a birthday. I may not personally know what day that is, because there has been some controversy as to when it really is, so I don't see anything wrong with celebrating it on December 25th. But I do believe that His birth should be celebrated.

Answer 8

Most do not celebrate any religious holidays, though some go along with family/friend celebrations to some extent. For example, I regularly went over to a friend's house for religious holidays, family gatherings at her place, when I lived away from my own famly. She was not religious, her family was, so I helped add another voice of reason so she felt less piled on.

Another friend of mine had a regular Xmas party despite being an active atheist; his clients were mostly religious and he had the party for business reasons.

Answer 9

First of all, in the United States, Christmas is just as much a secular holiday as it is a religious holiday. Secondly, atheists aren't necessarily against "anything religious."

To answer your question, yes, some do.

Answer 10

Christmas is a time for family and friends. I don't celebrate anything pagan or Christian on Christmas.

EDIT: in answer to your additional details: but we don't "worship" a tree or santa.

Answer 11

I'm an atheist....and I don't celebrate the birth of Jesus or anything religious....I just celebrate getting and receiving presents and spending time with loved ones.