why do atheist celebrate christmas reddit

A. LiveScience: “Why Atheists Celebrate Christmas” If Jesus is the reason for the season, why do some atheists include church in their celebration of the “winter holiday”? Because my family gets together, has a nice meal, and exchanges gifts. That's the original reason for the date of Christmas; Constantine I wanted it to be close to an existing pagan Roman holiday so it would be easier to convert to Christianity. Christmas is of pagan origin 2.) Christians here also call this season "yule" or "jól" but it's rare to hear the word "kristsmessa" used even tho it's a direct translation of the word "christmas". I hate to be one of the ones to get lightly offended but I have to say it's almost a bit offensive that you assume it should have no meaning to the non religious. [–]brat1979 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). [–]Saccharomyces 230Answer Link22 points23 points24 points 10 years ago (0 children). [–]RandomiseUsr0 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. If you call it Christmas then you’re celebrating Christmas, even if only for the cultural (worst) aspects. MySpace. Since when has Christmas anything to do with a god? [–][deleted] 9 points10 points11 points 10 years ago (1 child). Im willing to bet that even in many Christian households, 99.9% of Christmas isn't about religion. [–]carbonetc 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). The presents. The celebrated Christmas, trees, gifts etc has pretty much nothing to do with the religious background. Unless you count consumerism and TV realty as religion ofc. In short, me and my family celebrate christmas because it's fun, and kind of insane when looked at right. Meaning that they don't support/believe in Christianity. [–]shihchiun 1 point2 points3 points 10 years ago (0 children). It's the middle of the winter, it's dark and cold...and here's an excuse to take a break and have a party. So why do I celebrate that? Although no other answer is needed, Reddit users provided plenty of others, such as the fact that atheists are given leave on federal holidays, not religious ones, just like everybody else. Also, getting free shit. The real question is, why do Christians celebrate Christmas the way they do? Better question yet, why do Christians celebrate the pagan winter solstice and call it "Christmas?". You wake up one day and gain the ability to get a full night's rest in 20 minutes. (Ahha! Around the time Christmas is normally celebrated, the days get longer in Iceland (from 4h 06m 52s to 4h 06m 53s!!) One time I posted about Xmas on facebook and one of my very Christian friends freaked out because I replaced the Christ with X. I guess he had no reason to flip out! How and why I celebrate Christmas as an atheist: For me, Christmas is about family and freedom. Don't you hate that? If everyone had vacation according to his customary, soon it would be very hard to do anything. Thanks for your thoughts. and i no longer call it christmas, it is now Saint Jesus Claus' birthday extravaganza! "It's a Wonderful Life" 24 hours of "A Christmas Story! This. Presents! I'm an atheist and I dont celebrate Christmas. Not for religious reasons, but for a good excuse to get together with family, exchange presents, and eat traditional family foods. and join one of thousands of communities. Seriously, it's just a fun holiday. I think the question of why Christians celebrate Christmas (In the modern sense with gifts, santa claus, etc.) Why Christians Celebrate Christmas. [–][deleted] 2 points3 points4 points 10 years ago (7 children). Q. Good food, camaraderie with the entire human race for about a week, seeing kids go bat-shit insane when they tear the wrapping paper off a new box of Legos, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby singing carols, IT'S SHINY! So, Christians, why do YOU celebrate Christmas. [–]randomrants 1 point2 points3 points 10 years ago (0 children). (Any you do see have likely been dragged there by family.) It sure didn't originate with christianity either. They are the handiwork of carpenters and goldsmiths. [–]chadsexytime 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). [Serious] Hello scientists of reddit, what's a scary science fact that the public knows nothing about? I think they celebrate Xmas .. just for the gifts. [–]Feriority 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (3 children). I don't believe that anyone would recognise Christmas from medieval times, Christian or otherwise. The holiday is a Christian adoption of Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, a Roman festival. more >>, Soliciting money, goods, services, or favours is not allowed. I have celebrated the secular aspects of Christmas with family and friends, and enjoyed the good feelings and … [–][deleted] 1 point2 points3 points 10 years ago (0 children), Thank you so much for explaining exactly how I feel, [–]andrewsmith1986 2070Answer Link206 points207 points208 points 10 years ago (34 children), [–]itsnowornever 52 points53 points54 points 10 years ago (9 children). Thats why we have santa clause giving us gifts and not a flying Jesus. [–]s1thl0rd 1 point2 points3 points 10 years ago (0 children), [–]IATAvalanche 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children), [–]tgeliot 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). [–]spinozasrobot 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). He is fine with celebrating Christmas with me because he knows how much I love the holiday. Why do christians celebrate winter solstice and call it christmas? I've never seen Christmas as a religious holiday, even when I was growing up raised as a Christian. And I always go CRAZY with buying everyone lots of gifts. more >>, Mod posts Oh, right, yeah, Jesus was born, or something, right? I have always enjoyed giving gifts to other people, and my Christmases growing up reinforced that part of my personality. For me, now, Santa is long-gone and Christmas is no longer Christ's birthday. Christian guilt kinda sucks all the fun out of opening gifts and getting much needed socks and underwear, [–][deleted] 6 points7 points8 points 10 years ago (1 child). For me it was all about presents and being with my family. its not a religious holiday anymore even by most christians. reddit. You mean the winter solstice? For me not to show up, or to renounce Christianity to my 84 year old grandmother would cause bad feelings at a time that is supposed to be a celebration. [–]RubyBlye 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children), Christmas has evolved into a national holiday rather than a strictly religious observance. I believe it has lost all religious meaning. Whether it is the giving or the receiving you enjoy as a Christian, atheists enjoy it the same way you do - minus all of that birth of Jesus stuff. Well, we like the idea of gathering with family or friends, gift-giving, hearty meals, exchanging cards or sayings of good will, just like Christians do. http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/ARTB/k/568/When-Was-Jesus-Born.htm, [–]hobbes24 1 point2 points3 points 10 years ago (0 children), [–]jjbcn 1 point2 points3 points 10 years ago (0 children). Lay back and think of england. What the holiday of Christmas has become isn't really a religious thing, but rather a human nature thing. She agnostic. We are now stealing it from Christians. I'm getting bored of this question being asked so often. Atheists eat holiday food because it is tasty, because it is nice to have food different from the regular diet from time to time, and because it is readily available at holiday time. Most Christians celebrate a very secular and/or pagan form of Christmas. It's not a religious thing. [–]ProphetV 200Answer Link19 points20 points21 points 10 years ago (7 children), [–]csmouse 2 points3 points4 points 10 years ago (2 children). [–]xykotech 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). [–]scy1192 1 point2 points3 points 10 years ago (0 children). We've created our own religions, and rituals....just as important to us as the more "traditional" biblical ones are to you. I don't know many either. Not meaning this in an offensive way, but I could see how the reason I still celebrate Christmas as an atheist would be hard to understand from a Christian point-of-view (at least someone who was raised Christian, ie. Also Saturnalia. Some people may celebrate by lighting candles on a Menorah. Christianity does not have a patent on these things, and in the history of our nation, Christians actively opposed them (or made them illegal). Megathread They actually swooped in to co-opt it and Eastertime too, the assholes. more >>, Any post asking for advice should be generic and not specific to your situation alone. Personally, I'm celebrating the same holiday that's existed for tens of thousands of years before the Christian church retconned it as "Christmas" - the winter solstice. Anyone who says that all of this is celebrating Christ's birth is seriously delusional. Lots of cultures celebrate New Years. A time for eggnog, hot buttered rum and spiced cake. Is Christmas a religious holiday? I've been trying to opt out of Christmas for years. This. How will you use the extra time you have acquired? Ahhh the taste of lighter fluid always warms my heart... New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Plus it's an excuse to get together with family and friends you don't see often. I can't help but laugh at the Christians insisting we "keep the Christ in Christmas" who are clueless the origins of Christmas. The real question is, why do christians celebrate Christmas? We celebrate "buying shit for eachother and eating dinner together". What is the best album you have ever listened to? Christmas just like Easter and valentines day was originally a pagan holiday. [–]upveto 1 point2 points3 points 10 years ago (0 children). Easter while it has non religious elements such as the easter bunny is generally treated much more religious. [–]Celoril 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children), [–]EricPostpischil 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). I celebrate Giftmas. I like what the season brings out of people (if it doesn't make them depressed which sadly happens more often than it should). So it depends what you mean by “celebrate” Christmas. [–]SilentLettersSuck 1 point2 points3 points 10 years ago (0 children). Why--if there is a god-- does he have devastatingly low self-esteem and need constant worshipping and ass-kissing? and gold is brought from Uphaz to cover those idols. Palestine, not the christmas tree practice that originated in Northern Europe. [–]bestbiff 6 points7 points8 points 10 years ago (0 children). [–]BewareTheJabberwock 1 point2 points3 points 10 years ago (0 children). Same reason Jews celebrate it (personal experience). It’s … Christmas was always a fun holiday, growing up, full of little traditions. [–]christhetwin 11 points12 points13 points 10 years ago (4 children), The "X" comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Χριστός, translated as "Christ", [–]fluffykittie 4 points5 points6 points 10 years ago (3 children). The holiday has nothing to do with Jeebus. [–]Swatywan 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). [–][deleted] 4 points5 points6 points 10 years ago (0 children), [–]wills2084 2 points3 points4 points 10 years ago (0 children). Unfilter. Christmas is generally the de-facto of these holidays in the western world, ergo if you're going to have a family gathering in the winter, you might as well do it then. Some atheists don’t mind that, even welcome it. I like an excuse to put up lots of bright colorful lights, see family, and get/give gifts to my immediate family. [–]GoofyBoy 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (4 children). Because I have to. In December, America redirects much of its attention to Christmas. We celebrate just about any holiday that gets jovial. Re: Why Do Atheist Celebrate Christmas? Uhm..because we do what we want? Why do Christians celebrate Christmas? REDDIT and the ALIEN Logo are registered trademarks of reddit inc. π Rendered by PID 26886 on r2-app-0ca751aa6cd73002a at 2021-05-24 04:33:51.253993+00:00 running 1743082 country code: US. All topics related to atheism, agnosticism and secular living are welcome here. © 2021 reddit inc. All rights reserved. [–]MonkeyWithKnives 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). Why Do Atheists Celebrate Christmas? Jesus was born during the summer 3.) Not because of Christ, but because of the fondness I have for my childhood memories, and how I want to share those, and create new ones, with him. more >>, Posting, or seeking, any identifying personal information, real or fake, will result in a ban without a prior warning. If an atheist is surprised at the possibility of not celebrating Christmas, they should consider why they don’t celebrate other religious holidays. It is an end of the year, beginning of winter, family-friends-drinks-food-gifts party day. As everyone here has surely said a hundred times; it's not really a Christian holiday nor was it ever rightfully, it's just a human holiday. [–]chosenjones 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). I fkn love me some pecan pie. Mehta says his celebration of Christmas probably doesn't look much different than most Americans'. I "celebrate" christmas because every body around me celebrates it. I celebrate it because it's fun. Every way a normal christian does, I just don't include Jesus or the manger or nativity bullshit. I guess I wonder why atheists celebrate Christmas and not Yule? Welcome to r/atheism, the web's largest atheist forum. The only drifferance what I do and christians do is that I don't go to church and I don't like christmas decorations. by Exmilitant(m): 12:23pm On Dec 25, 2020 Atheists and Agnotics established christmas celebrations millenials … At the office, atheists may participate in "Secret Santa" or other gift exchanges because they do not want to make a fuss by declining a group activity or because they do not want to ruffle their employer or both. [–]lilianaleto 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children), I've never seen Christmas as religious so for me its a time to eat good food and spend it with loved ones. [–]SilentLettersSuck 4 points5 points6 points 10 years ago (0 children). I prefer to call it "non-denominational-gift-giving-holiday," which accurately describes it. Family, gifts, and general good cheer. I don't go to service or pray at supper. They don't see the widespread celebration of Christmas as a good thing specifically because they see it becoming more secular. Because Christmas has no actual meaning in the bible it was based on a Pagan holiday and they just claimed it was Christian to make it easier to convert people. Note, I'm not an atheist but I'm not really Christian either. [–]cragwatcher 150Answer Link14 points15 points16 points 10 years ago (2 children), because during christmas, i get less frowned upon when i start drinking in the morning, [–]Ogroat 7 points8 points9 points 10 years ago (0 children), [–]AimlessArrow 140Answer Link13 points14 points15 points 10 years ago (1 child). By cutting out Christmas from things, they basically create a new holiday. Also this is where we have the tradition of worshiping the evergreen trees came from and that's why we erect them this holiday. We celebrate the Savior born 2,000 years ago so that we might live and be forgiven. In what ways do you see atheists celebrate Christmas? 10:9 Hammered-out silver is brought from Tarshish I don't think Hindus celebrate it for the birth of a savior... [–][deleted] 12 points13 points14 points 10 years ago (5 children), [–]negro_machine 4 points5 points6 points 10 years ago (4 children). Christmas this year will be very different. I do like the Solstice, however. Look around you in television, the movies, in books and magazines and get back to me. It's a pagan holiday that had nothing to do … Tman127182. Look at that little twerp, Sheriff Raff. Sort of like Thanksgiving or New Years, in which there is no religious content but there is still a gathering with family members and gift exchanges. non-born-again). Saw someone ask this question yesterday in a judging way. Most modern English versions of the bible agree with NIV that the translation of verse 3 is: "they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. Heck, even the theists don't even pay that much attention to Christ anymore. Because Christmas rules. I like breaking up the horrible cold winter with some joy and giving. Atheists give friends gifts because they like them. And it's at least 1000x better than Kwanzaa. [–]NotSoNoveltyAccount 103 points104 points105 points 10 years ago (6 children). Even with family members who are not particularly religious, it's been difficult. But, they do celebrate those Holiday festivities with their relatives and friends who are Christians. [–]Azzaman 5 points6 points7 points 10 years ago (3 children). Yes, Christmas is a time to reflect, gather around with family and toast but you do not need Christmas as a reminder as to how great your family are, it should be remembered all year round. Those who’ve never had to dig through the trash to read cooking instructions on a package before, how’s life going for you? Plus my uncle makes this wicked eggnog with lighter fluid. Hi Atheists shouldn't celebrate christmas since they're not christian its the birth of jesus christ not buy presents for every one i believe if you're not christian you don't celebrate @DowlerMatt 1.) I asked a friend this once and he said it's because he didn't consider it a "Real" religious holiday since it wasn't Jesus's "real" birthday is just adopted from a pagan holiday anyways. Christians the world over celebrate Christmas in honor of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. [–]randomrants 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (2 children). My point is that Christmas is not linked to any massive upsurge of paganism that I can think of, despite its origins, so there's no reason to believe secular Christmas supports Christianity. Not to mention it is highly unlikely to be the right date - or even season of Jesus' birth. It was a time of family and presents. "10:8 The people of those nations are both stupid and foolish. Atheists celebrate Christmas for Santa the same way Christians celebrate it for Jesus. Sometimes between the lights, and the presents, and pictures with Santa Claus, and cookies with eggnog, and family dinners, and everything else, I forget. EDIT: Edited for typos and grammar because I'm tired as balls, [–]headed4anonymity 6 points7 points8 points 10 years ago (0 children). It's the same was as with Easter, or Thanksgiving even...I'm not thinking about Zombie Jesus or Pilgrims on those days...I'm thinking about how much fun it will be to hide the eggs from my nieces, decapitating marshmallow peeps, or turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. Unless you count consumerism and TV realty as religion ofc. i'm agnostic, but i've always had trouble articulating why christmas is still something i appreciate. I can only deal with so many versions 'Sleigh Bells' over two months. Besides, Jesus was born during the Fall, not December: Where I live it's the middle of summer, gorgeous warm days, and usually a perfect excuse for a barbecue and a party. Because I like the pretty lights, I like the music, I like the movies, I like Santa, and I enjoy spending time with my family. #Va‘entinesDayC‘apback "Why do you celebrate Christmas \f you’re an atheist?” Me: Why do you celebrate Valentines day When no one loves you? Atheists do not work on Christmas because they have the day off. Like with family, generosity, and a fat man at the mall. There's no mention in the bible of the date of Christ's birth. It's America, white folk can celebrate Kwanzaa if they pleased. Christmas is just cultural appropriation of pagan solstice rites. as a kid, even though my mother was extremely catholic, i never considered it a religious thing. ), [–]Bipolarruledout 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). I don't believe that anyone would recognise Christmas from medieval times, Christian or otherwise. Why would any Christian. [–]andrewsmith1986 2 points3 points4 points 10 years ago (14 children). I was just wondering because I'm from the UK, so referring to the holiday as Christmas is the norm, but as an atheist I would consider referring to it as Yule/Yuletide to help separate the festival from Christianity. The real question is why Christians celebrate the winter solstice. When ever say I do not celebrate it or buy gifts or send cards or any of that crap I get really angry responces. Why do Christians celebrate Christmas? It is a holiday so I have fun and spend time with the people I love. [–][deleted] 90Answer Link8 points9 points10 points 10 years ago (0 children). Jesus wasn't born on Dec 25, the act of caroling, putting up trees and wreaths, and general indulging in pleasures is all 100% completely pagan. I like eating a nice dinner with my family and not working and getting presents and just relaxing. http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/ARTB/k/568/When-Was-Jesus-Born.htm. That's why I celebrate a holiday even though I'm an athiest. Why do non-Irish celebrate St. Pat's day? [–]professormoonboots 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). [–]stefanmago 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). Maybe because its not really the birthday of THE LORD SAVIOR XXXX!! It's primarily a holiday about food. They are clothed in blue and purple clothes. Christians need to be reminded that there is wide agreement amongst people who study the bible that the nativity as written in the bible is almost certainly a complete fabrication. I would say as an Athiest I don’t celebrate the Christian holiday of Christmas but rather the cultural holiday which can be celebrated by anyone. As an atheist I do not like to celebrate christmas. It's about surviving the first part of the winter, eating food that's about to spoil and thinking over the last few weeks. That Christmas? I'm an atheist and I don't. We gather to celebrate: what if f scott fitzgerald came back up to earth and said “it’s pronounced jatsby” and left? more >>, Comment replies consisting solely of images will be removed. 'Cause they can. We just don't pray to indescribable faith. [–]PeterLlama 100Answer Link9 points10 points11 points 10 years ago (1 child). Seriously I prefer not to but everyone around has to sucks me in every year. The economy likes giving people an excuse to buy things and they seem to enjoy participating as a surrogate for actual love/friendship and kindness to their fellow man and family members. [–]moarroidsplz 27 points28 points29 points 10 years ago (8 children). It isn't about religion; but it's about family, loved ones, and friends. Though I don't have kids, I can imagine the kind of feeling a parent gets when sharing Christmas joy with a child. The why is simple enough: it’s a festivity and I love festivities, whether or not they’re celebrated today for the same reasons they were originally celebrated. [–]Bitterfish 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). Because a given society picks some vacations for their workers. more >>, [Serious] tagged posts are off-limits to jokes or irrelevant replies. Christians, trying to convert pagans used to celebrating the winter solstice, "took over" the pagan celebration and made it a bday party for Jesus. [–]CarpeNivem 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). Same reasons. I assume atheists celebrate it for the same reason Christians do. Many of the faithless celebrate Christmas. If i have kids, i might decided to make it a celebration more about winter solace. [–]fluffykittie 7 points8 points9 points 10 years ago (6 children). After all, Christmas is when the Nativity of Jesus Christ is celebrated. [–]horriblefuckinadvice 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). Various Christmas traditions have been associated with the celebration of Christmas, and different cultures celebrate different ways. [–]typesblkura 4 points5 points6 points 10 years ago (1 child), Hell...I'm Hindu and still celebrate Christmas, [–]PeaceMakesPlenty 1 point2 points3 points 10 years ago (0 children). For a fact, atheists are called ‘atheist, because they don’t believe that Jesus exists, and those who do… Goddammit me too. [–]Amadiro 210Answer Link20 points21 points22 points 10 years ago (1 child). The better question is, why do Christians? Breaking news When it opened in a tab I could only see the first word and thought it was "White Christmas", and thought I still had a chance, but no. Santa Claus lives in the north pole, is helped by elves and travels in a sleigh pulled by reindeer to give gifts to children. So much fun. Others simply unwrap gifts with glee without a second thought. Tell your silly friend that christ was born in the fall and that giftmas used to be a pagan holiday. [–]razgrez 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (1 child). [–]Deep-Thought 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). So when you are celebrating Christmas you are actually celebrating Paganism. Why do atheists celebrate Christmas? I'm a huge sucker for the softness/gentleness typically seen in Christmas specials. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. One year, my dad even stomped around on the roof to make me think it was Santa and his reindeer (I found this out years later). ", [–]Aadarm 1 point2 points3 points 10 years ago (0 children), [–]BDS_UHS 1 point2 points3 points 10 years ago (0 children). Candy!! I think that is nice. "), [–]Feriority 1 point2 points3 points 10 years ago (5 children). So if one does not celebrate Christmas there is something wrong in that? [–]ThatGuy20 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). Later on, the King of Norway made it law that the winter solstice was to be celebrated on the night before the 25th of December in order to align them with the Christian celebrations. I came here to mention the winter solstice. Because then people will give them stuff. I'm actually drooling thinking about my grandmother's standing rib roast right now. Because everybody else does, and its a great time to party with family you dont see every day? Babies are ugly anyways. I don't go to church on Christmas, but I show up for dinner and bring gifts for my parents and my younger cousins. The festival of Christmas gets its name from the term Christ's Mass or a mass performed in honor of Christ. Religion doesn't need to be present to enjoy that. It's always been about cookies, eggnog, presents and Santa/Frosty. [–]Virtualmatt 27 points28 points29 points 10 years ago (1 child). and didn't feel it compromised his views. [–]telvox 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children), 6 minutes and a piano to answer your question, [–]earnestrapture 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). [–]frodokun 0 points1 point2 points 10 years ago (0 children). ... That would be a nonsensical sign, since most atheists in the USA celebrate Christmas in a non religious way. Which dead celebrities are treated like saints, but were truly awful people when they were alive ? 'Cause I like putting trees in my house, the nice dinner, and all the gift stuff.

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