Should non-Christians celebrate christmas?

Question

I know that most people don't see x-mas as the birth of Jesus, but as a time for showing love to family. But in origin, it is a religious holiday, so why should athiests celebrate aswel? Would you expect Non-Jewish to celebrate Hanukkah?

I mean Non-Jewish People.
And i believe that anyone can celebrate Christmas, but Christmas means different things for people, for most people its just a time to spend with family. I'm Christian, but Jesus never even comes into convosation at Christmas! And yeah, he wasn't even born on that day!! I don't believe athiests SHOUNDT celebrate, I just wanted peoples views :)

Answer 1

You are in denial my friend. The fact of the matter is that most people do see Christmas as a celebration for the birth of Jesus.

Answer 2

is christmas still considerd religious? but actually it has its begginings in pagan roots it was made so as to the convertion (forced or volentary)

"A winter festival was traditionally the most popular festival of the year in many cultures. Reasons included less agricultural work needing to be done during the winter, as well as people expecting longer days and shorter nights after the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.[1] In part, the Christmas celebration was created by the early Church in order to entice pagan Romans to convert to Christianity without losing their own winter celebrations.[2][3] Most of the most important gods in the religions of Ishtar and Mithra had their birthdays on December 25. Various traditions are considered to have been syncretised from various winter festivals.

It is unknown exactly when or why December 25 became associated with Jesus' birth. The New Testament does not give a specific date.[4] Sextus Julius Africanus popularized the idea that Jesus was born on December 25
(thanks to wikipedia and so forth)

so yea what you celebrate as the birth of Jesus of Nazareth is just another pagan holyday that the catholic church made up from other religions

but as atheist celebrating it sure why not if it gets every one to act nicer for a day and as for celebrating Hanukka well let another 100 years pass and we just might lol

Answer 3

Here in Japan they celebrate Christmas. But not really the same. They do all the same things it is just more commercialized. I say if you want to celebrate then do it. I am atheist and will exchange gifts with people I really care about. I view it more as a bonding experience than a religious one. Plus, Christmas is actually the celebration of the sun passing the Winter Solstice. Until Dec. 23 the sun gets lower in the sky each day. But, then after 3 days of not moving the sun moves up one degree in the sky on Dec. 25th. For some more information you can check out this video http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/ you don't have to watch it all but the beginning has a good explanation for all the meanings of different events in religion.

Answer 4

The question we might ask here is should Christians celebrate Christmass? You mention the origin of Christmas as a religious holliday, although this is the general consensus, is that really the case?
MILLIONS are fascinated by events surrounding Jesus' birth. This is seen by the multitude of Nativity scenes that are displayed and Nativity plays that are enacted around the world at Christmastime. Though fascinating, the events surrounding Jesus' birth were not recorded in the Bible to entertain people. Rather, they form part of all Scripture that God inspired for teaching and for setting things straight.—2 Timothy 3:16.
If God had wanted Christians to celebrate Jesus' birth, then the Bible would have provided the exact date. Does it? After mentioning that Jesus was born at a time when shepherds were out-of-doors at night watching their flocks, 19th-century Bible scholar Albert Barnes concluded: "It is clear from this that our Saviour was born before the 25th of December . . . At that time it is cold, and especially in the high and mountainous regions about Bethlehem. God has concealed the time of [Jesus'] birth. . . . Nor was it of consequence to know the time; if it had been, God would have preserved the record of it."
By contrast, the four Gospel writers clearly inform us of the day on which Jesus died. It happened on the day of the Passover, which was held on the 14th of the Jewish month Nisan, in the spring. Moreover, Jesus specifically commanded his followers to commemorate that day in remembrance of him. (Luke 22:19) The Bible contains no such command to celebrate Jesus' birthday, nor, for that matter, any other person's birthday. Sadly, controversies over the date of Jesus' birth may overshadow the more noteworthy events that took place about that time.
Jesus was not born on December 25. He was born about October 1, a time of year when shepherds kept their flocks out-of-doors at night. (Luke 2:8-12) Jesus never commanded Christians to celebrate his birth. Rather, he told his disciples to memorialize, or remember, his death.
Christmas and its customs come from ancient false religions. The same is true of Easter customs, such as the use of eggs and rabbits. The early Christians did not celebrate Christmas or Easter, nor do true Christians today.

Answer 5

People have the freedom to do whatever they wish. I have nothing against people who don't celebrate Christmas for the reason of Jesus' birthday.

HOWEVER, as a Christian, I find it pretty disturbing to see this holiday based on an imaginary fat guy in red and his reindeer. I don't mean to put a downer on Christmas, but aren't there better reasons to celebrate this holiday? I'm not saying that we should all celebrate strictly Jesus' birthday and nothing else. But it a time to bring joy and peace and love, and to enjoy time with friends and family.

I have a close non-Christian friend, and everytime around Christmas I go to her house and all she talks about is presents. The Christmas tree is filled all around with presents only for her and her brother! She makes the longest wishlist ever and usually gets everything. I just feel sort of bad, and ask myself this question, "Why are you people even 'celebrating' this holiday that revolves around you?"

So, to wrap up my answer, yes, non-Christians have every right to celebrate Christmas and they should feel free to do as they please. But it is an important holiday, and shouldn't revolve around Santa and his elves. It is a time to spend time with friends and family and spread the love. ;)

- Cookie M <3333

Answer 6

That's insightful. I find it hypocritical that atheists celebrate Christmas, since they spend so much time denouncing (word: NOT sharing) the Christian religion's beliefs. They can't pretend that Christmas isn't a religious holiday; they just choose to ignore it and, within a small but VOCAL minority, try to remove any religious meaning of Christmas from the public view.
Gah. I've met a nice atheist or two, but in general I steer clear. I might be stupid for believing in a God that doesn't exist (or so they say), but at least I'm not a hypocrite.
To put it simply, I don't care that much if they celebrate. Their choice and all. I just laugh when they say "I'm atheist" and I'm all "Do you celebrate Christmas?"

In response to those who say that Christmas WAS a pagan holiday, that's precisely my point. It WAS- as in, it's not NOW. Maybe Christmas has ripped off the tree and stuff from ancient celebrations, but what's the primary purpose of Christmas?
To celebrate the birth of a HECKUVA awesome little baby.

Peace.

Answer 7

people do it because in large part, it has been transformed into a non-religious holiday.

I used to celebrate it, even as a non- Christian. Now I don't. I am an agnostic pagan Witch, and the sound of the constant Christmas carols in the stores, already, is getting on my nerves. In my house, the tree is a Solstice tree, and the symbols are back to where they were before Judeo Christianity, pagan and shining and beautiful.

Harm none, do good, do what thou wilt, and may the Goddess bless us with pagan music in stores someday!

Answer 8

Christmas is NOT a pagan holiday nor is it anymore of a rip off than you celebrating your birthday because your parents celebrate their birthday too. Christmas is a celebration of Jesus Christ's birth. He is the greatest man to ever walk the earth and the perfect example of how to treat others and live your life. Christ would invite everyone regardless of religion, race, believer or sinner to celebrate Christmas by showing love and giving to one another. -Swequin

Answer 9

Just because you do not worship Jesus, does not mean that you cannot celebrate the holiday of Christmas along with family members who ARE Christians.

I myself am a Hellenic Polytheist who has Christian family members. Why should I be barred from joining in with them in their celebration even if the holiday is not a religious one for me anymore?

Answer 10

Yes, it's a religious holiday: originally a very PAGAN holiday, celebrating the birth of the sun god, the shortest day of the year and family.

Trees, lights, presents, sun gods, virgin births, talking animals, washed in the blood of symbolic animals = all pagan origins.

As for atheists, I'm sure they love the opportunity to celebrate family and the opportunity to exchange gifts to show love and friendship.

Answer 11

If they aren't Christians then why celebrate it.
They should all stay at work for the office party's.
Nothing gets done between Thanksgiving and Christmas anyway, with new years thrown in the whole month is a waste of time