but to buy prezzies for people just because we're white and in England, obviously this is directed at white English atheists.
2007-11-22 21:52:43 · 15 answers · asked by Ste B 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
at no point in my original question did i use the word forced, i said expected!!
2007-11-22 22:25:30 · update #1
I have read the answers to this question and I feel these people aren't being fair. We are expected to celebrate Xmas whether we want to or not. We have older relatives who expect presents, they don't care about our personal beliefs. What about work? The pressure here for me is terrible. Already, I have gotten the notice that we are having a work Xmas party and I have to come and I have to play the stupid secret Santa game and I don't want to. My reasons for not celebrating are my own. I live in a very religious community and voicing my beliefs would get me lynched.
My service people, mailman, newspaper delivery etc. are going to be hanging around with their hands out expecting a tip just because of the season.
sorry but I think the whole season and attitude is unfair.
2007-11-22 22:19:51 · answer #1 · answered by dallas 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I did not celebrate Xmas until well into adulthood, and then only because people bought me pressies and I felt obliged to reciprocate. But I've mellowed over the years, after all, what we call Christmas has nothing to do with Xtianity - almost all the customs are plagiarised from Pagan traditions, and these days it's just a secular mid-winter piss-up!
2007-11-22 22:02:37 · answer #2 · answered by Avondrow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I enjoy the whole festive thing, its origins are are much pagan (ie rejoicing in the natural world) as Christian, hence the holly and mistletoe, and while I am no more pagan than christian I can enjoy a love and celebration of our world. As far as the presents go I view this often as a chance to MAKE something for someone (ie spend the time to do something just for them). And its a good excuse to get together and sing and play! (not carols - but for each family member to do a 'performance' for everyone)
2007-11-22 22:11:30 · answer #3 · answered by Em 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus taught that we should refrain from accumulating wealth - therefore to celebrate Christmas by buying shed loads of expensive gift items is extremely Anti-Jesus/Christ...
...the idea of Christmas is a good thing though, as people tend to get a bit depressed in Winter
2007-11-22 22:11:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because Christmas was originally pagen/athiest. If anything Christians SHOULDNT celebrate it. It was originally called Yuletide and was about celebrating the earth and harvest, not Christs birth.
2007-11-23 00:02:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you don't want to then don't. No one is making you do anything.
Although i am an atheist i like Christmas because it brings my whole family together. We don't really celebrate the religious part of it in our family but we use it as a family holiday, which i personally think is good.
2007-11-22 21:57:36 · answer #6 · answered by Stephen M 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No one is EXPECTING anything, all you have to do is tell them " I dont celebrate Christmas so i wont be buying anyone anything!" Simple. I love Christmas as i am Christian, but i also respect other people beliefs and i dont expect anyone to celebrate anything that they dont believe in.
2007-11-22 23:48:28 · answer #7 · answered by Francesca 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have a problem celebrating Christmas then don'tt. Just make sure you let everyone close to you know so that they don't buy you anything for Christmas.
2007-11-22 21:59:13 · answer #8 · answered by BEAUTIFUL STRANGER 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nobody here is expecting you to do anything. if your friends and family are then thats something you need to take up with them, not us. and it has nothing to do with being white either. I dont look at someone who is white and think "hey, they must celebrate Christmas." that would be stupid of anyone.
2007-11-22 23:17:58 · answer #9 · answered by Jenn ♥Cadence Jade's mum♥ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you wish to abstain, by all means do so. If you feel compelled to 'celebrate', part of that compulsion lies with you - not with whiteness or Englishness.
Do you really believe that you have to buy presents for people?
2007-11-22 21:56:27 · answer #10 · answered by bonshui 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋