Comments on: What do atheists celebrate when they celebrate Christmas?

By: Independent Moderate Texan

Independent Moderate Texan — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:22:59 +0000

Being with friends and family. A time of joy, Santa Claus and good eats.
References :
http://thehistoryofchristmas.com/ch/in_america.htm

By: Truth Sets You Free

Truth Sets You Free — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:39:59 +0000

They don't celebrate the Christ in Christmas..
References :

By: James E Lewis AKA choteau

James E Lewis AKA choteau — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:14:59 +0000

I do it for the children. Besides, all of the analysis of the Bible of Jesus birth points to late march early April as the REAL time of the birth of the Christ. Why do most "Christians" have no idea of what the Bible really says?
References :

By: Shovel Ready

Shovel Ready — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:36:59 +0000

They stand around an aluminum pole and air their grievances.
References :

By: Doug B

Doug B — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:08:59 +0000

We celebrate family and friends. Most cultures have a midwinter festival set around the Winter Solstice. Western nations have created a secular version of Christmas that anyone can celebrate. My family tends to just call it "Winter." When I was in the military, the date for Winter changed depending on when I could get leave. One year, Winter was the day after Thanksgiving. Another it was Groundhog Day.
References :

By: HH

HH — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:18:59 +0000

Christmas in America is much more of a secular holiday than a religious one. It’s more about consumerism and being with your family than celebrating Jesus. Many Jewish families do something for Christmas these days.

Afterall, the modern incantation of Christmas was invented by Americans and driven by retailers as a way to increase sales at the end of the year. Religion has little to do with it anymore.

I live in Japan and most Japanese people celebrate Christmas in their own way. There are Santa’s running around on the streets, carolers, the salvation army santa and his charity bucket, everything. Very, very, very few Japanese people are Christian, most are actually secularists who will say they don’t believe in anything, although many still hold onto traditional superstitions about mythical ghosts and creatures and magic.

My point is, most people who celebrate Christmas are not very religious and many of them aren’t even Christian. It’s just a fun holiday where you can get together with your friends and family and exchange presents.
References :

By: Howsthatworkingforyou?

Howsthatworkingforyou? — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:30:59 +0000

Christmas as a holiday has its origins in pre-Christian religions. That is why we still have symbols a lore from pagan and druid traditions, such as Kris Kringle and what has become the Christmas tree, or for some, Channukah bush. The holiday was co-opted by the Catholic church to make it easier to fit in with, and convert those from, existing belief systems. Historical evidence shows that Jesus of Nazareth was born in April, not December.

Christmas has evolved in secular culture into a very important secular holiday. As a culture, with both religious and non-religious constituents, Christmas is celebrated for many reasons in addition to the Christian religious aspects of the holiday. Some are good, some are bad.

Peace. Love. Vacation. Greed. Family. Community. Giving. Capitalism. Friendship. Politics.
References :

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:55:59 +0000

Santa Claus, family and food.
References :

By: robin1302

robin1302 — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:30:59 +0000

Christmas is really two (or more) separate but simultaneous events. There is a religious aspect (celebrated in many different ways by different groups—most world religions have celebrations near the winter solstice), but most of the ways we grow up learning how to celebrate have nothing to do with faith (and a lot of them stem from Pagan practices). I can enjoy tinsel and singing carols and giving and spending time with my family without also needing to believe in a god. I also don't think atheists are any more likely than Christians to be carried away in the consumerism of the season—that affliction is an American tradition that transcends any religious affiliation.
References :

By: imalostfan

imalostfan — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:17:59 +0000

In my family its called X-mas ,we do not celebrate midnight mass(which i feel is the true symbol today of celebrating the holiday religiously for the true followers of the faith),our X-mas is non religious,no baby jesus under our tree,no prayers.Our holiday involves love and family unity,Its a time to get together and bring us closer since we all live far form each other.We eat ,drink,gift exchange,we play board games,we talk about the past ,the present & the future.We remeniss about the ones who are not with us anymore and we think about new family members coming in the future.

Some Hindus,Jews and yes Muslims i know celebrate a form of non religious X-mas on december 25 just as my family and other familys do.

I personally dont beleive in god,satan,jesus,hell or heaven but i do beleive in love and compassion & the holiday time is the only time we can get together as a family .
References :