Atheism » Diskussionen

Christmas and atheism.

 
  • Christmas and atheism.

    Do you celebrate Christmas? Do you feel that there is a contradiction between calling yourself an atheist and celebrating Christmas?

  • For some people there could be a contradiction, I guess. I personally celebrate it because I like gifts, and I like giving gifts. And to me, it means spending time with friends and family; showing them that you care. Trite, but still.

    Also, there is no evidence that Jesus was born on December 25. The day was chosen because the pagan feast, Saturnalia, was on the same day. Saturnalia celebrated the birthday of the pagan sun god. Of course, some of you may already know this.

    And despite its history of human sacrifices, I feel a little better about paganism than Christianity. Modern pagans/Wiccans seem pretty kind and peaceful. Modern Christians? Don't even get me started...

  • Some atheists suggest to simply celebrate the winter solistice.

    • [Gelöschter Benutzer] schrieb...
    • Benutzer
    • 4. Dez. 2007, 22:12
    I participate in family meeting but obviously I don't feel anything like "chrismas spirit". In fact, that day is rather depressing for me, due to some facts.

    • richpr schrieb...
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    • 6. Dez. 2007, 4:12
    Not really 'celebrated' here, except for perhaps some good food that gets consumed. No decorations/tree. However, people can do as they see fit w.r.t. Xmas.

    Though I grew up in a non-religious household, the trees, etc. were always there, and they are part of tradition I suppose. However, to me, it got sort of old this Xmas business. ;-)

  • Anisoptero said:
    Some atheists suggest to simply celebrate the winter solistice.


    Doesn't really work south of the equator though...

  • D2Dlivesinme said:
    Anisoptero said:
    Some atheists suggest to simply celebrate the winter solistice.


    Doesn't really work south of the equator though...


    Well, they may call it "summer solstice" in the south hemisphere, then the northern hemisphere folk will call the former "dumb southern monkeys" for that and everybody will continue spilling blood for the terminological differences (theists will gladly teach us how it is done best). When the Big North/South War will end, the small group of survivors will find a politically correct term for the aforementioned day like "The Festive Day With the Syllable "Sol" In It", will sign a convention in Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu, call it "The Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu Convention" which shall state that both hemi oblate spheroids agree to celebrate The Festive Day With the Syllable "Sol" In It on the YYYY-W16-6 (equinoxes be damned).

    Or we may just call it whatever we want it, celebrate it in the way we love, and then celebrate the other one six months later. And celebrate the equinoxes as well.

  • I think that most Atheists, including myself, still are culturally linked to a religion. Though a majority of my family and a lot of my friends are atheists, well at least not-baptized or part of any other religion, Christmas is still celebrated (even if only by eating a lot of food and, like, hang around doing nothing specifically). Not because of any religious significance but because you can't really avoid it...it's everywhere; on TV, most of the shops are closed for at least a day or two etc. I mean, even a lot of people practising different religions than Christianity but living in dominantly/culturally "Christian countries" "celebrate" Christmas in some ways.

    I am thinking about cutting the whole Christmas routine from my life and well...watch TV, where Christmas-themed movies will be aired...*confusion*

    • Moogi schrieb...
    • Benutzer
    • 14. Dez. 2007, 12:44
    For me, christmas is all about presents, mood and being together. Decorations and athmosphere are just great. No religion included.

    -
    • betOPL schrieb...
    • Benutzer
    • 17. Dez. 2007, 20:31
    Presents are the most important for some people probably ;D

    Maybe U2 wouldn't suck so hard if they stopped preaching and started rocking instead. Of course, that's difficult to do with Pantera holding a near monopoly on all things that rock. http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=11worst
    • Dugcks schrieb...
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    • 22. Dez. 2007, 20:03
    Hi! im kind of new here... I celebrate christmas as in spending time with family, good eating, and of course gifts! but obvioulsy nothing to do with the birth of the so called christ.

  • LightPhoenix said:
    Though a majority of my family and a lot of my friends are atheists, well at least not-baptized or part of any other religion, Christmas is still celebrated (even if only by eating a lot of food and, like, hang around doing nothing specifically).


    It's weird, because I was baptized (my family says "christened," but it's the same thing), and I was basically raised atheist.

    I assume that my mom's side pressured my parents to get me baptized. She was sort of Christian at the time, but not devout. Her side of the family consists entirely of religious nuts. Like, donating-millions-of-dollars-to-churches religious nuts. O_o


    And betOPL, that video was hilarious!

    • SvenTzK schrieb...
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    • 26. Dez. 2007, 1:22
    well chrismas nowdays is definetly not what it used to be. Now i'ts all about presents and in most cases just a family reunion.As much as I try to dodge religion am forced to celebrate both christian and protestant holidays X_X

    so it's sort of contradictional but since it's just presents a don't think it's a big deal

    • [Gelöschter Benutzer] schrieb...
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    • 31. Dez. 2007, 1:05
    I don't celebrate Christmas. Christmas makes me sick, really. When I was younger I did celebrate it, but by now I've reached the point of such hatred toward the holiday that I wonder if I'll ever be able to celebrate it again. I can see myself being somehow forced to celebrate it.

    I don't want to get presents from anyone and I don't want to give them to people either. It' just useless crap! Sure, you can buy practical stuff... but why the hell do you need a holiday such as celebrating the birth of Jesus as an excuse to buy a waffle-machine? XD.

    Exchanging crap and worshipping a tree with stupid decorations is the stupidest shit ever. I know that's a lie because there are stupider things but it's just an expression, 'kay?

    Plus, the food is bad. I've never liked ANY of it. Not the ham, nor the turkey, not even any of the desserts.

    In short, there's not even a reason to like the holiday.

    • afz902k schrieb...
    • Benutzer
    • 31. Dez. 2007, 5:26
    I don't celebrate xMas either.

    I think that, anyway, most adult people that spend money giving other people stuff they "guess" the other person would want, and then get crappy presents themselves, would be much better off buying their own stuff whenever they need it, than hoping for the end of the year to receive things they might not even like.

    Perhaps the only barely acceptable reason for prize-giving holidays would be giving presents to your children, however, I still think it would be better to make a yearly estimate on what you expect to spend on your kids, and then spend it according to their needs and wants.

    So all in all, christmas to me is completely worthless. Even on the material side of things.

    And even for religious people it shouldn't be celebrated when it is, Jeabus wasn't born on December, anyway. And he only got presents once, from some strangers, not from his parents every year, and certainly not from some fat Scandinavian.

    Spacerake8 said:
    but why the hell do you need a holiday such as celebrating the birth of Jesus as an excuse to buy a waffle-machine?
    The answer to this, is pancakes.

    I never mean what I post.
    • peticsu schrieb...
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    • 31. Dez. 2007, 5:33
    I lovee Christmas, its the perfect time of year to argue and debate about religion at some family/social gathering...

    • afz902k schrieb...
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    • 31. Dez. 2007, 5:40
    Well, I dislike such arguments as well, I mean, the people I would have to gather with in order to argue such matters are the kind of people who would rather pray to the Jeeluz than put on their seatbelts in order to prevent an accident.

    They believe going to church on Sundays is more important than pretty much anything else, and seriously, they're morons and I despise them.

    Haha. I'm not that bad though. Seriously! I love sandwiches.

    I never mean what I post.
    • [Gelöschter Benutzer] schrieb...
    • Benutzer
    • 31. Dez. 2007, 5:52
    Arguing about religion is just like somebody said in another thread on this forum: like banging your head on a concrete wall! Or something like that, can't be bothered to look for it right now. It's a waste of time and I'd rather be doing something productive (yeah, right) than arguing without end.

    We have no family reunions really, anyway. Anymore... or if we do, I've resigned from taking part in them.

    Going to church sucks ass.

    Yes, totally. Pancakes. And sandwiches. I'd like some.

    • afz902k schrieb...
    • Benutzer
    • 31. Dez. 2007, 5:55
    You can't have any until you swear Jesus as your one and only master.

    I never mean what I post.
    • [Gelöschter Benutzer] schrieb...
    • Benutzer
    • 31. Dez. 2007, 6:11
    Can I have rotten banana peelings then? No?

    Ok. I'll starve.

  • I don't celebrate christmas, or any anniversary for that matter. I don't see any reason to be cheerful because of the orientation of the Earth with respect to the Sun.

  • afz902k said:
    And even for religious people it shouldn't be celebrated when it is, Jeabus wasn't born on December, anyway.


    Yeah, I mentioned that already. =P

    They stole the date from the pagans.

    • Vash1414 schrieb...
    • Benutzer
    • 17. Jan. 2008, 11:17
    There was also a roman festival around that time of year that involved the giving of presents and feasting, or so I am lead to belive. So I just celebrate the true spirit of christmas, the roman spirit of christmas - having a fun time and getting awesome things and eating awesomethings and spending time well with your families! =)

    Computers refuse to understand how I am feeling today.
    • Haseye schrieb...
    • Benutzer
    • 22. Jan. 2008, 16:15
    Christmas was never a serious thing to me... It's not even my favourite holiday!
    It's more about spending time with family, friends, eating and presents. And it's such a commercial holiday, i mean, people buy gifts, decorate their homes, it's doesn't have that religious meaning anymore. As an atheist, i don't care about the religious stuff, it's historically wrong, it was just some made up stuff and if Jesus really existed, he was born on march (i read it on a book). So, Christmas has a different meaning to me.
    I could "celebrate" Channukah for all i care...

    • Nexion schrieb...
    • Benutzer
    • 25. Jan. 2008, 17:03
    Heh, Russian atheists feel really good ;) Main winter holiday in Russia is New Year, so presents and other exist. Orthodox Christmas is celebrated later and much people just ignore it.

    »Free will is the key to salvation«
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