how can atheists celebrate christmas when they dont beleive in god or the whole story of jesus?
2007-12-04 03:58:21 · 12 answers · asked by Loli-insane-as-ever 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
im not really very religious myself i was just wondering whether its really about jesus' birthday or just an excuse to have a party
2007-12-04 04:13:06 · update #1
I love this season! It is a time to celebrate the Winter Solstice, which is a natural event. The Xmas tree was based on the Yule log (German) and mistletoe was used as a symbol of everlasting life (b/c mistletoe is an evergreen plant). It was used also as symbol of fertility (hence 'kissing under the mistletoe'). The lights represent the returning sun (light) b/c that time was/is the shortest day of the year.
There's more and there are plenty of books that tell you plenty about the origins of Xmas.
In the first century, it had already been celebrated for years. Mithrainism celebrated December 25th as their 'savior's' birth and when the pagans of the UK area where invaded by the Romans and Christianized, the day was already being celebrated. In fact, I just saw a show on the History chanel that said it wasn't allowed to be celebrated in America at first b/c it was too pagan.
I've even talked to many Christians who (begrudgingly) acknowledge this.
Oh, one more thing. 12/25 was the date of the Winter Solstice (astronomical event-shortest day of the year) in the first century but now it's become 12/21.
2007-12-04 04:25:19 · answer #1 · answered by strpenta 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. Actually December 25th was a pagan long before it was a christian one. Christians made it a holiday in an attempt to convert pagans to their beliefs and also to make sure early Christians did not get persecuted for celebrating the winter solstice.
2. Jesus was not even born near that day. EVEN ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE!!! he was a summer or spring child because the animals were still in the pastures and they wouldn't have been in the winter. Also the shepherds would not have been outside during the winter therefore would not have seen the star.
2007-12-04 04:29:24 · answer #2 · answered by Lorena 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
drink.
I celebrate winter solstice with a tree, which I decorate.
What I don't get is why so many Christians do the same and don't even bother to mention that Persephone's banishment is half over!
(Hey, cow: the drinking games happen when the same question is asked over 50 times a day. there's this great little feature that allows people to see when the same question has been asked before the post... obviously the asker wants us to have a drink.)
2007-12-04 04:08:46 · answer #3 · answered by ZombieTrix 2012 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most are not allowed to go to their jobs that day, what do you expect them to do?
Christmas is pushed on to everyone with over a month of the same music, lots of ads on tv, displays in stores, and a federal holiday. It should surprise no one that others besides christians do something special that day.
If christians are bothered by this, then they should keep the holiday to themselves.
2007-12-04 04:03:12 · answer #4 · answered by sudonym x 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Since Christmas has gone so commercial, I often wonder how Christians can celebrate it.
2007-12-04 04:09:11 · answer #5 · answered by thezaylady 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is a time when we Christians celebrate the birth of our savior. Unbelievers make up their own justification for their celebrations. Yes it was originally Yule or other variations of the winter solstice that people celebrated. But for us Christians it is the birth of our Lord.
P.S. You will find that drinking games and mockery will suffice when a rational answer does not fit the bill.
Hope that helps.
2007-12-04 04:08:28 · answer #6 · answered by Bye Bye 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I celebrate Yule on the 21st....it's what Christmas came from.
2007-12-04 04:10:00 · answer #7 · answered by Blue Oyster Kel 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't celebrate christmas. I celebrate Giftmas.
SAVE ME Jeebus! -Homer Simpson
2007-12-04 04:01:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
*drink*
it's not about jesus, it never was, check in your bible, the best guesses for when your jesus was born was late spring, summer, or early autumn...NEVER winter...
it was a pagan holiday LONG before the christians adopted it...
do you put up a tree? please show me in the bible where it says to do that...
2007-12-04 04:01:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
oh YES, a drinking question!
Christmas was originally a pagan holiday, and pagans do not mind us celebrating it :D
2007-12-04 04:02:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋