Atheists - will you be celebrating Christmas this year?

Question

What types of things do you do and how can I respond to people who doubt my beliefs because I like Christmas? Does celebrating just for fun and family tradition make you any less of an atheist?

People think I contradict myself when I say I am Atheist, but still celebrate Christmas.

Answer 1

I am celebrating
I grew up with Christmas in my home. I have Christmas now, in spite of my beliefs being different, because the smell, the colors the twinkling, the tree, the wrapped trinkets remind me of my wonderful family. I mean no disrespect to believers, but I do not have to feel the presence of Jesus in my holiday to feel warm, comforted, joyous and a little nicer to people around me.
Thank you for your thought provoking question.

Answer 2

I think you should evaluate why you like Christmas. If you know the history behind the holiday, and you are an atheist, why do you celebrate it? More importantly, what do you celebrate? Do you celebrate simply because you like the gift exchange part? Are the other members of your family atheist as well? If getting together for fun is the only reason, you don't need an excuse like a holiday to do that. You can get together at anytime and enjoy the company. It doesn't have to be Christmas. You could have roast turkey and wrap presents at any time of year.

The main reason Christmas is called the most wonderful time of the year is because of the giving and love that surrounds the holiday. People love to get together with family and friends and give surprises wrapped in pretty paper. No matter what your belief is, a person feels great when they give something nice to someone else.

Answer 3

I am not an atheist, agnostic, or christian I do not wish to participate in the man made institution of religion so I practice no religion I only celebrate Christmas to the extent of buying presents for my parents, visiting them and spending time with them since my dad loves Christmas I do it for him personally I'd like to get to Dec 26 where people will stop acting like they care (fake) I find most people are so much more stressed and grumpy this time of year I do like time off from work so that's cool and friends from out of town come home That is what I like to celebrate for the holidays it is about being social, partying it is a good excuse to be indulgent

Answer 4

My brother is an atheist. He celebrates Christmas. He celebrates it as a holiday. A day to be with friends and family, and to exchange gifts as a token of that bond. He does not say a prayer before dinner, as my family (a christian family) does, nor does he put a star or angel on his tree.
Where as in my home, my children are told of why WE celebrate it, the birth of Christ. In his home it is just a Hallmark holiday.
His firm belief is why waste an opportunity to get a paid day off of work, have a feast, and get presents. What's wrong with that??

Answer 5

I don't think that doing it for the fun makes you less of an Atheist. I don't really get into xmas. I stopped celebrating it before I became an Atheist when I was going to the Worldwide Church of God. They did not celebrate any of the pagan holidays. So it is just a hassle to me. I have participated in some xmas celebrations and some of it can be fun. I don't care to decorate or put up a tree though. It just is'nt even pretty to me

Answer 6

It's not like you are going to midnight mass. You are just celebrating time spent with family and friends. Just because you are an atheist doesn't mean that you have to seperate yourself from the rest of the world. It's about freedom, and understanding. I wasn't raised religious, and am a proud atheist, and I will be celebrating christmas. Have fun.

Answer 7

Ha!

Yes, I will.

I find the question funny, because every year Christians come out of every nook and cranny to attack our modern celebration as not Christian...and now atheists are suppose to question their atheist-ness if they join the theists in the pagan and non-pagan rituals!

There is no creed or vow in atheism...be a good person...but feel free to otherwise do that which makes you feel good and harms no other person.

I practice Zen meditation, love Sci-Fi fantasy and mysticism, and celebrate Xmas with my family...but I'm still a red-blooded American Atheist.

Don't be defensive -- just look at them like they are crazy. If you like the color blue, does anyone ask why (okay...anyone over the age of 5)? It's fun! You enjoy it!! Why wouldn't you?

Answer 8

No, just point out that Christmas is originally a pagan holiday and hijacked. Nowadays it's a pretty secular holiday and a reason to gather with one's family, share the love and good food. Also everyone pretty much have to observe the holiday - everything is closed, whether you want it to be or not.

My family and I celebrate Yule. On Christmas day we go to a national park.

Answer 9

No, I don't think celebrating the secular aspects of the holiday season makes you any less of an atheist.

I exchange gifts with family and friends, eat a big dinner on Dec. 24th, decorate an evergreen in the living room, hang lights around the exterior of the house...

You can respond to people by asking them how blinking strings of tiny incandescent bulbs relates in any way to the Baby Jesus, and if they say "it doesn't", tell them to go pick on the other people who're hanging lights around their houses.

Answer 10

Just entering "theists christmas" into the Y!Q search will give you over 500 responses.

I go to Tassie every xmas for about a month to see dad and my brother and have a bit of a drive round - xmas is when Oz closes down for a coupla months; everyone goes to the beach.
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