any holidays?
2007-11-28 04:08:26 · 11 answers · asked by bagel lover 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Maybe a distinction should be made in regard to who or what is an atheist.
I see people who are disturbed by 'signs' of religion. I see people who plug up the court systems decrying the unconstitutionality of religion. I see people who go out of their way to mock religion. These people claim to be atheists. Sorry but they are not ..they are God Haters. They are angry with God for some reason, but claim they don't 'believe' in God. If a person were 'Atheist' God things would not bother them. What other people believe would not have an effect on them. You would not see them at Anti- rallies. Why, because why fight against something that does not exist?
Do Atheist...people who truly don't believe in God...Celebrate any holiday that will give them pleasure or profit? Yes... Because It's all about ME....
2007-11-28 09:17:15 · answer #1 · answered by NAnZI pELOZI's Forced Social 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The short answer is yes.
Why wouldn't they?
When it comes to holidays, people attach personal meaning to them. Which holidays are currently celebrated for their original intent? I realize there are some people who hold to the original idea of a holiday when celebrating. But, in general, we celebrate what it means to us.
What does Santa Claus have to do with Christmas? What do Christmas trees have to do with Christmas? What does turkey have to do with Thanksgiving?
What do people do to celebrate Veteran's Day? Labor Day? Valentine's Day? Halloween? Do those celebrations directly relate to the "reason" for the holiday? The list goes on. Some people don't even know why certain holidays exist, yet they celebrate them.
And although I appreciate from where you're coming with your question, I feel I have to point out that atheism is just like anything else. Within the "label" there are individuals. :)
2007-11-28 12:38:30 · answer #2 · answered by Trina™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course we do.
-Holloween is one of those holidays that I wonder why Christians celebrate. It was a pagan holiday, but today, it has become a secular one, a so called "party day" where we have all collectively agreed to have a good time for one night in the year
-Thanksgiving is a secular holiday, celebrating the founding of our culture, in peaceful coexistence with the native americans. It is shameful how we treated them in our subsequent history (what was the phrase? "civilize and christianize"?), but we still honor the memory of peace and hope for it in the future
-Christmas is the most misunderstood holiday EVER. It was an ancient festival dedicated to the Roman sun-god Sol Invictus. Ancient Christians celebrated Jesus's birth in April, but Church officials retconned Jesus's birthday to December 25 in order to increase their religion's appeal to pagans. Christmas trees, tinsel, mistle-toe, even Santa Claus himself are all characteristics of the pagan festival. Today, Christmas is more or less a secular holiday. One day of the year, we express our gratitude for our fabulous wealth by dropping money on gifts for each other. We are in essence celebrating that we are rich enough to give gifts to each other. It is the ultimate expression of love for our country and each other, which is why we go to great lengths to celebrate it. The story of Jesus is virtually a footnote in Christmas celebrations nowadays.
-4th of July is the day I celebrate and honor the United States of America, my home country. There is absolutely nothing religious about this holiday, and absolutely no reason why atheists can't celebrate it.
2007-11-28 12:40:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
Why not? Christmas is celebrated throughout the world but not only by Christians. Athiests have birthdays and anniversaries and many other milestones in life to celebrate. Celebration is a part of being human.
Pollyanna
2007-11-28 12:34:39 · answer #4 · answered by pollyanna 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Personal choice. Some do and some don't. Most will take a day off just like the rest of us.
Christmas gift-giving is not confined to just Christians. Most cultures have a midwinter celebration that involves giving gifts, getting together, and feasting. I suspect atheists have also kept that part of Christmas.
2007-11-28 12:17:57 · answer #5 · answered by loryntoo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From a perspective of etymology, 'holiday' and 'holy day' have essentially diverged in meaning. The observance of a 'holy day' has religious overtones and obviously does not apply to atheists. 'Holidays', on the other hand, are merely special secular observances.
With that said, I do believe that atheists do celebrate 'holidays'.
2007-11-28 12:31:02 · answer #6 · answered by Gee Whizdom™ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
athiests do not believe in god, this does not mean they dont believe in celebration and holidays. its more of a personal preference. some atheist believe the holidays to be a religious celebration and therefore do not celebrate it, some however, believe holidays to have evolved beyond religion and therefore do celebrate it.
2007-11-28 12:13:14 · answer #7 · answered by pm 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Many do celebrate, but the celebrate for the reason of having fun, not for any supernatural pretexts. When you get down to it, many theists are the same way. Fun is fun. =)
2007-11-28 12:15:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep we do.Being an athiest is come to by reasoning.I would not impose my reasoning on to my children.That is for them to determine for himselfs. So all holidays are respected for their sake ,till they reason for theirselfs their own beliefs.
2007-11-28 13:38:34 · answer #9 · answered by max48750 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'll do anything that decreases pain and increases pleasure....but i still can't believe in invisible mystical deities....that's just wishful thinking....
2007-11-28 12:12:28 · answer #10 · answered by Its not me Its u 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋