ummm, it's for commercial reasons...yes that's it! It has nothing to do with my parents being Christians...with money...and presents ^__^
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2007-11-13 17:38:19 · 38 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hmmm, an "Atheist" who wants to celebrate the birth of Christ. Interesting.
I think you're a closet believer.....that's ok, I was once as well.
You want to celebrate Christmas because you like all the good things about it - the closeness, the warmth, the kindness, being together etc. That's all part of the world of believers....regardless of whether they go to a church or not.
All the things you don't really like, like the nastiness and cruelty in the world reside with the unbelievers. There is many a person who claims to be a Christian who has no faith at all so I guess it's ok for an Atheist to have some faith.
2007-11-14 14:41:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reagrdless of your atheism I would have hoped you would celebrate Christmas for a better reason than just the commercial aspect of it. I don't see any reason why this shouldn't be the best holiday of the year for everyone regardless of religious views. For some it is a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus and what it has meant in their lives. For others, it's a time of cheerful decorations and the exchange of presents. My Jewish and atheist friends like Christmas because unless they are substituting for a Christian friend at work, it's a paid day off and a good day to go out and get some Chinese food. You don't have to have a religious connection to use Christmas as a time to perhaps give some gifts to people that you love, or get together with the family for a big meal. That's the nice thing about Christmas...... you don't need to be a Christian or religious to take part in the spirit of the holiday. Everyone likes to see a kid's face light up when they receive that unexpected present and it's a chance to be generous without embarrassment, maybe heal some wounds that were opened during the year, or just kick back for the day and take in a movie or watch TV knowing at least for this one day, most people will be a little friendlier. Riches are not always measured in terms of material goods so if your finances required the decorations and presents be humble, there's no limit on love and the giving of one's self. There's plenty of lonely people who could use a helping hand so maybe you could volunteer at a soup kitchen or prepare a small meal for a lonely widow in her 80s who lives all alone. So whether Christmas represents a day of reflection about Christ, or a big portion of beef with broccoli, it's a day we all can celebrate and share what we have with the people we love, whether those gifts are tangible or intangible.
2007-11-13 18:00:02 · answer #2 · answered by flick12003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Christmas started out as a Pagan holiday, but Christians celebrate it, participating in the Biblically forbidden heathen traditions of decorating evergreens, etc. Atheists are not forbidden from celebrating anything.
2007-11-13 17:47:39 · answer #3 · answered by gelfling 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Celebrating Christmas does not make you a hypocrite. You are right about it being "commercialized", but it has also become a "cultural" event. Belief in God is by no means required. I am an atheist, and my Mother rarely attends any church. But if I were to "let Christmas slide" without sending her a gift? Whew! I fear my Mother more than any "God", let me tell you...WOW. I shudder to think of the consequences.....
2007-11-13 17:48:38 · answer #4 · answered by Chaz 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just celebrate it as the Return of the Sun.
That is what the day was before the Christians "borrowed" it for Christmas.
2007-11-13 18:03:28 · answer #5 · answered by charley128 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm agnostic and I hang out with family at Christmas...we put up a Christmas tree, bake cookies, the whole nine yards...I just do because it's emotionally easier on everybody...why spoil the fun? It's not as if you've got a different God that you're worried you might piss off, right?
2007-11-13 19:31:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
any reason for a celebration, we can still celebrate with the Christians, even though they don't really give good presents...
I mean, who wants a freakin rosary for Christmas!
I am a guy, I don't wear jewellery!!!
2007-11-13 18:16:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The rate they are going, Jesus will be another version of Santa Claus in a few years. Just look how many small businesses have a Jesus fish on their billboards and such now... he's well on his way to being just another commercial icon. He's steadily drifting into his proper place as a fairy tale with the Easter Bunny.
2007-11-13 17:42:18 · answer #8 · answered by Boris Badenov 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
An atheist is someone who doesn't believe in God. An atheist can believe that Jesus lived but not assume he was divine. If you want to define ''atheism' as non-religiousism, then you can still celebrate Christmas as a time of good will towards all men.
2007-11-13 17:53:55 · answer #9 · answered by some_pixels_on_a_screen 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Most Certainly!
In America one has the great, cherished and basic right to believe as ONE chooses.
Of course you MOST CERTAINLY have every right to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazreth and continue to maintain your Atheistic beliefs. You are thereby altering some of the tenets held by some Atheists:
YOU ARE AUTHORING A NEW BELIEF SYSTEM OF YOUR OWN CREATION!
You may now proclaim the rudiments of your new faith, religion, belief system and present your theories to others for their acceptance or rejection if you will allow them to express the right to do so!
2007-11-13 17:50:17 · answer #10 · answered by fmrebaf@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋