Should Atheists Celebrate Christmas?

[Solid Lifters]

Benny Hill said it best with this doggerel:

Roses are reddish
Violets are bluish
If it weren't for Christmas
We'd all be Jewish.

 

[OZZYGT]

Ooooldieee!!






Ciao!

 

[Danoff]

Please don't misinterpret me. I'm not an athiest or anything, just scientifically-minded and lacking a religion to worship.

...and that makes you NOT an atheist??

 

[Tornado]

...and that makes you NOT an atheist??

I believe that by stating it that way he is trying to avoid the typical stereotype of atheist's being in a constant "war" (if you will) against religion, instead of the more common path of atheists to just ignore it.

 

[Condraz23]

I don't feel that I fit within the atheistic subculture. Instead, I believe that everyone should be allowed to believe in anything as long as it doesn't interfere with anyone else.

 

[Danoff]

From dictionary.com

Atheist, noun, a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings.

I don't see any mention of a war or subculture.

 

[Diego440]

I think he's confusing agnosticism with atheism.

Atheism is where you deny the existence of God. Agnosticism is where you just doubt if there is or isn't a god. One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.

 

[Pupik]

I think he's confusing agnosticism with atheism.

Atheism is where you deny the existence of God. Agnosticism is where you just doubt if there is or isn't a god. One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.

Or if you're waiting for proof; if you handle all things in a semi-scientific manner, waiting for proof of God before making a judgement, then you're agnostic. Of course, if you feel the burden of proof for existence is dependent on the claimant, then you can ignore the scientific part and proceed to doubt.

If you've worked it out for yourself that God(s) doesn't/don't exist, then you're athiest.

 

[Danoff]

If you've worked it out for yourself that God(s) doesn't/don't exist, then you're athiest.

Without reason to believe God exists, it's not hard to default to the "there is no God" position... that is, until proof comes along.

 

[Wolfe]

To me, an agnostic is someone who doesn't believe in God, but doesn't care to try to convince anyone else to think the same.

Agnosticism is not necessarily about "waiting for proof," or being "unsure." It's about not wanting to subscribe to the claims and beliefs of the extremists on either side of the "God vs no God" debate.

In many people's eyes, the word "atheist" conjures up images of a God-hating individual that wholly and actively rejects religion. To group agnostics, who simply don't believe and don't care, into that image by refusing to refer to them as anything but "atheists" is unfair, in my opinion.

 

[Danoff]

In many people's eyes, the word "atheist" conjures up images of a God-hating individual that wholly and actively rejects religion. To group agnostics, who simply don't believe and don't care, into that image by refusing to refer to them as anything but "atheists" is unfair, in my opinion.

IMO, to stereotype atheists in this way is unfair.

 

[Wolfe]

IMO, to stereotype atheists in this way is unfair.

That is also true.

 

[ledhed]

From dictionary.com

Atheist, noun, a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings.

I don't see any mention of a war or subculture.

I am not an atheist I just don't believe in a supreme being but I am open to the possibility one may exist .


Is that better ?

 

[FoolKiller]

IMO, to stereotype atheists in this way is unfair.

I agree. It is no better than stereotyping Christians as a bunch of nutters that go around trying to blow up abortion clinics and force school children to pray to Jesus.

I know plenty of atheists, my brother is one, and you all seem perfectly normal to me, you just don't think that a supreme being got you here. If people never mentioned religion you wouldn't be able to tell an atheist from any form of religious person.

 

[Poverty]

I have muslim friends who celebrate xmas. Is xmas and christmas the same thing. To many xmas/christmas is just a media made holiday.

 

[Famine]

Is xmas and christmas the same thing.

Yes - though many Christians who do not understand the roots of their religion would turn their noses up at notions of "Xmas".

 

[Foaster]

Well...
You cant justify one for his religion. And you cant say he's THAT or THAT kinda person just because you've heard he's christian, muslim or atheist.

There are enough stupid atheists who just follow some thoughts their bigger brother told them and wise "christians", who think about the whole stuff, to hold the balance

Everyone should make his own decision...
For me it's Atheism, I belief in logic, (theoretical) physics and chemistry... And the evil in human... I dont mean that huge evil like WW2 or slavery.... I mean the lil private terror and evil, everyone has gone through with some person... but thats another discussion

Btt: I guess Christmas in our times is more a holiday for the family and friends than the christians. I dont believe in that stuff, but I'm happy to get together with my widespread family and old friends every year
And every atheist, muslim or whatever has the right to do the same

regards, Foaster

 

[Gil]

Me and a friend were talking about this at work yesterday, I'm an Athiest yet I celebrate Chirstmas like anyone but the friend in question rose a good point;

Am I celebrating Jesus or am I just being selfish and taking advantage of a religious holiday?

I've came to the conclusion that it's a public holiday and should be celebrated by whomever would like to, but that issue has been in the back of my mind since, if there are any Christians on this forum, what's your view on it all? And for the Athiests, why do you celebrate Chistmas?

I only skimmed this, so my answer may be a complete rip off of someone else's. Or a smorgasbord of several.
In answer to your question, I believe that if it floats your boat, as an athiest, to celebrate the birth of Christ, who you say you don't believe in, you go right ahead.

As has already been said, some Christians, don't celebrate "Christmas" per se either. It is widely believed that Jesus was not born in December, much less on the 25th. Especially, considering that the current calender that we use has 12 months, compared to the 10-month calender that was in use at the time that Jesus was born.
To Christians, we prefer "Easter" to "Christmas". And as Easter is "backed-up" by the Jewish Calender of holy days, and Jesus rose from the dead around the time of the Passover...
It makes more sense as a holy day.

As for Christmas, it is a wonderful commercial event. It's a pain in my brown furry ass, because I have to reschedule 80 dialysis patients, and a staff of 15 people around Christmas.
Mel Brooks once said "It's great to be the King." That may be so. But it often sucks to be the manager.

But I do dig watching the kids open their loot.