Do Atheists celebrate Christmas?

Question

Please be respectful, as I have been... I am curious.

It's a Christian holiday, celebrated because of Christ's birth, so if you celebrate... why, just for the commercialism?

Actually, I don't purchase gifts... period. Everything that comes from our home is homemade and heartfelt... because what I spend time making is much more valuable than anything I could buy.

And I do realize that the day stems from a pagan holiday, but the reason we are celebrating it is to celebrate Christ's birth... what are you celebrating? Pretty lights and presents under the tree? I am celebrating the birth of my Saviour, the rescue of the human race from eternal damnation...

And since I don't spend my life on YA, I wasn't aware so many questions were being asked... sorry. If you don't want to answer, you don't have to.

Answer 1

There is a disagreement among atheists about whether they should celebrate Christmas or not. Some do so because they aren’t "out" as atheists. Some do so they won't fight with religious family members. Some do because they always have and don’t want to change, or simply enjoy the holiday. Others argue that it should be replaced by a more rational holiday, and still others argue that all such holidays should be ignored by atheists.

Answer 2

Heathen jumping in. Thank you for asking politely about atheists celebrating Christmas. I'd like to throw some additional information in.

It's not just a Christian holiday. During this time you will find pagans and heathens celebrating the Solstice, the 12 days and nights of Yule and New Year, and the birth of Horus, Mithra and other savior deities on the 25th.

Many things considered "Christmas" are actually pagan in origin: Decorations * a tree inside the house * candles lit all night (or lights) * exchanging gifts * mistletoe * toasting each other * feasting * gathering family together * burning a Yule log * celebrating a savior's birthday on the 25th - all of those things are pagan.

Answer 3

I celebrate yule... which includes the tree , lights , good food , family and friends...
I celebrate my family traditions and heritage..which include the tree the lights the food...
I celebrate my family and all they mean to me ... the love we share...

the spirit of Christmas is so much more than a celebration of Christs birth... it is sad that so many Christians have given up the family part if we trace our family back far enough to know where we come from and where our family started doing these thing we would find the roots of our traditions may not be based in Christianity... I'm not talking about pagan vs. christian.... I'm talking about scotch - Irish - German - dutch etc.... because that's where family traditions start.... not based in religion at all ... but cultural... this time of year is many things to many people and if we honor them all we just might find that this is even more special ... less stressful... even last for a longer time..... and have much more meaning...

Answer 4

Well, Mel... I celebrate Christmas. However, I do not recognize it as the birth of Christ. I celebrate family, the spirit of giving, and love. (Nothing commercial about that.)

So that you know, Jesus was not born on December 25th. The church put "Christmas" on that day because it was a Pagan holiday and they thought they could dupe the Pagan's into Christianity by taking their holiday. :) Yes, Pagans had a holiday on this day long before Christianity took it for Christ. :)

Answer 5

Many are confused this time of year due to be raised on traditions. But they should realize some truth about those traditions.

Christmas is not a holiday about Christ, but a Pagan holiday brought over to convert Pagans to Christianity.

Bible is very clear that we are not to bring over traditions from others. For they are not things for us. Remember, we were brought out to get away from such practices.

2Thessalonians 3:6
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Master Yahushua the Messiah, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after the Messiah.

It is also clear about the so called Christmas tree that so many like to decorate and set up.

Jeremiah 10:2-4
Thus saith YHWH, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

Recall the story of Moses getting the tablets?. Those with him while waiting made a holiday unto G_D. But G_D did not make that holiday, in turn He punished those who made it.

Christmas is the same thing. A holiday for G_D that we created and He did not. Plus Jesus was nor born in the winter.

Answer 6

You sound bitter..take a chill pill.

Christmas, without looking at it with a religious perspective , has become a cultural event in North America. C U L T U R A L event. which is different from religious event. im sure many christians do celebrate it for their own reasons, but in my family especially, it is celebrated because we have been brought up with it and it is a time for family and togetherness. why do you care so much? celebrate it for your own personal reasons and let others do the same. live & let live.

merry christmas ;)

Answer 7

uh or how about for the being close to your family and friends. Eat too much, drink too much. You can't see why people would want to do that

There's nothing I do that is related to the birth of jesus and focusing on the name of the holiday is a bit silly. After all Easter is named after a pagan goddess.

Answer 8

I celebrate Christmas, and it's not just a christian holiday, its origins lie in pagan religions, for my part, I don't identify with any of the religious aspect of the holiday, merely observing it as a holiday to celebrate friends, family, and peace to all

Answer 9

Let's look at the origins of Christmas traditions.

The tree? Pagan.
The garland? Pagan.
The topper? Pagan.
The ornaments? Pagan.
The presents? Pagan.
The nativity? Pagan (this, specifically, Mithraism).
The feast? Pagan.
The very date itself? Pagan.

Number of Gospels which describe the Birth in any depth?
Only 2 of 4.

Number of times the Apostles celebrate Jesus's birth?
Never.

Number of times the Bible (OT and NT) condemns God's people participating in pagan traditions?
Too numerous to count.

How the Bible refers to God's people participating in pagan traditions?
Abomination.

Literally the only thing 'Christian' about it is the name you ascribe to the infant in the manger.

More to the point -- why do Christians celebrate an abomination?

Answer 10

Please research the origins of Christmas and get back to us with a well thought out relevant question based on the facts rather than what your preacher told you.. Thanks...

I will give you a hint... Christmas is a co-opted Pagan holiday with the symbolism bastardized...

Addition:
"And since I don't spend my life on YA, I wasn't aware so many questions were being asked... sorry. If you don't want to answer, you don't have to."


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