Atheist and Xmas

[goodeone]

This isnt so much to do with vegans as with inconsistancy of some atheists.Yesterday when i was at my creative writing group i heard one of the other women ask a man (who has stated plainly that he is atheist on several occassions) if he would be going to a xmas party he said yes. I do not understand why he would do this if he denies the exsistance of God how come he wants to gate crash his sons celebrations? I would like to know how other atheist deal with xmas or are you all inconsistant too?

[dreamer]

I'm not an atheist, but I see absolutely no reason for an atheist to avoid christmas parties. First off, many parties in no way make reference to the original reason behind the holiday. Christmas has become very secularized in many places. (Many would point out that many christian celebrations were celebrating "christian" occurences when other non-christian celebrations were occuring to avoid detection since christians were persecuted. Later it was due to other considerations, whether practical--slaughtering animals was often done as it turned winter to avoid having to feed the animals through winter:mad:--or religious.) This non-secular approach is especially true of most office or student christmas parties that I have been to or heard about over the years. In such situations, usually the people participating do not discuss religion. I guess I see it in a similar vein of how I participate in my family's holiday meals even though they eat meat. I eat my vegan courses and do not like that they are eating meat, but I want to be with them on special occasions and do not make a big "fuss" about their beliefs/behaviors even though they bother me. [They know how I feel and think because I have told them in the past. If they bring it up, I won't lie or avoid, but we pretty much "leave it alone" on holidays.]

[thevegantwins]

I'm agnostic but was raised Jewish yet convention is forcing me to give my workers (I'm a supervisor) Christmas gifts. I don't consider it hypocritical. They celebrate and it is an expectation at this time of year that supervisors give their workers a Christmas gift. That said, my gifts will certainly be vegan since to buy non-vegan items would be hypocritical of me.

[Gliondrach]

From earliest memories to today, for me, Christmas has meant getting presents. Not that I received many when I was a lad - and none at all now. It has never had much of a religious significance to me. I was brought up as a Catholic and I heard the stories of the wise men - I even played one of the wise men in a school pageant-thing - and the herald angels but my main interest was in what Father Christmas would bring me. I once dreamt about him and it was a wonderful dream.

Even after I stopped believing in the Christian teachings, Christmas felt special to me. It no longer has that special feeling but that is because it has become far too commercialised - and that is from someone who was only interested in getting presents. I hate going to town in December because it is packed with hordes of rabid shoppers and office-party drunks. And I have heard of people on average wages spending £1,000 or more on presents. It's madness. People seem to be searching for happiness in a two-week frenzy of trying to give and get the best presents.

Or course, the feasting and merrymaking pre-date Christianity so people who celebrate it are just doing what has been done for thousands of years.

Merry Christmas! Happy Saturnalia! Happy Yule! Happy Hanukkah! Merry Solstice! :whistle: :fuzzy:

[Bowwowmeow]

I'm an atheist who celebrates Christmas. Since Jesus was actually born in either June or July, not on the Winter Solstice, I don't see anything inconsistent about celebrating an occasion that has lost most of the religious significance erroneously accorded to it anyway. I still call it Christmas, mostly because that's what its popularly known as. Time and use have caused the name to lose its Christian meaning, at least for me, much in the same way that popular use of the word "geek" refers to someone who's into science, science fiction, and modern technological gadgets, rather than a person who performs in a sideshow biting the heads off small live animals.

...Of course, the feasting and merrymaking pre-date Christianity so people who celebrate it are just doing what has been done for thousands of years.

Merry Christmas! Happy Saturnalia! Happy Yule! Happy Hanukkah! Merry Solstice! :whistle: :fuzzy:
This is the meaning Christmas has for me, especially since I suffer from seasonal depression during the autumn. Christmas and New Year celebrations are like a light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. I feel an actual psychological lift the first few days after the Solstice, because I know the days are getting longer again. I'm sure its a very primitive reaction, but even as an atheist I am not immune to the sense of joy surrounding this particular time of year.

[my3labs]

I'm agnostic and celebrate Christmas. I agree with BWM about the (real) birth date of Christ so I don't feel that it's hypocritical at all.
For me, Christmas has nothing to do with a religious celebration but more about the gathering of my family and friends. It's a time for us to be together (picking out and setting up the tree), games, traditions, memories, etc. I love the smell of the tree, the possibility of snow, the fire truck that drives down my street on xmas eve with it's lights on and a santa in the truck, and of course, the fantastic vegan meal that Dan and I will prepare for our family.

[Gliondrach]

I can understand Goodone's feeling that it is inconsistent for atheists or even non-Christians to celebrate Christmas but I think that some of us have given good reasons.

I suppose those of us who are ethical vegans might feel the same way about someone who adopts a vegan diet, but who would be prepared to go fishing or hunting if doing so would advance his or her career. They can enjoy the food and know that it's healthier but still not care too much about the suffering of others.

Those of us who celebrate Christmas can enjoy it - or what it has become - without attaching any religious significance to it.

I don't celebrate Christmas. I would never go to a party - not that I'm ever invited. I don't give or receive presents - but I do send cards to about a dozen people who send them to me. You'll find no tinsel or tree in my house - but I have a slight desire to have a Christmas tree. We used to have paper decorations but no tree when I was a lad.

[Soynut]

I'm agnostic and so is my whole close and extended family but we do enjoy celebrating Christmas. I have many, many wonderful memories.
I think it's a beautiful holiday with lots of lights and colorful decorations. I don't have a tree, but a bush in a pot which I decorate (it has been with me for years in my patio). I only give presents to my husband and my dog. The rest gets a card and some home baked goods.
I can't stand the over materialistic aspects of Christmas. And the burden put on women, who usually get stuck with the cooking and preparation of everything during holidays, is nauseating. I rebel against all of that.

As for religion, if I'm invited to a Hanukkah dinner I'll go and have a good time even if I'm not jewish. So I don't see anything wrong with an atheist going to a Christmas party, or even make his or her own party. There are actually more than one reason to celebrate this holiday.... winter solstice can be one of them. In Scandinavia it's called Yule, which doesn't have to include any Christian traditions at all. A tree with lights and gift giving don't have much to do with the religion as far as I know.

[goodeone]

It is interesting to me that those who have replied mainly still celebrate xmas. I myself do not celebrate it because i am one of Jehovahs Witnesses. I was not raised one and we did have xmas in my family home. It lost it meaning for me befor i became a JW after my father died one year on xmas day. I also felt it was wrong to celebrate it when i learned of the cruelty in the meat and dairy industry. I do not miss xmas at all i save money and do not suffer the stress the season brings.

[1vegan]

It is interesting to me that those who have replied mainly still celebrate xmas.

Well, it's not easy to avoid christmas......

christmas music on the radio, tv commercials promoting to buy christmas gifts etc.

For me, two paid days off, plus a mandatory day off. It's hard to ignore christmas if you want to.

[Gliondrach]

Are there many vegetarian or vegan JWs, Goodone? I know that many Seventh Day Adventists are veggie of some sort or other.

[Bowwowmeow]

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad, goodeone.

[goodeone]

Are there many vegetarian or vegan JWs, Goodone? I know that many Seventh Day Adventists are veggie of some sort or other.

There may be some but not in my congregation :no: so i do feel a bit isolated at times

[Gliondrach]

Well, you're not isolated here.

[my3labs]

Well, you're not isolated here.
That's very true. We're all here for each :grouphug2:other.

[Oracl]

:agree: :grouphug2:

[Phoenix]

Sorry about your Dad, Goodeone. :comfort:

[goodeone]

Thank you for your replies I used to find this time of year very hard to deal with but it has got easier. I am hopiing soon to take a few of my non vegan JW friends to the local vegetarian cafe to try some vegan food. I hope it will opens their eyes and please their tastebuds

[Gliondrach]

Food is often a good convincer - once they experience a meal without meat.

[goodeone]

Well, it's not easy to avoid christmas......

christmas music on the radio, tv commercials promoting to buy christmas gifts etc.

For me, two paid days off, plus a mandatory day off. It's hard to ignore christmas if you want to.

I suppose it easier for me as i live alone so i can choose not to listen to the christmas music and stuff. I do not have a television too much rubbish on it all year round never mind xmas. I have had my radio and up till the last day or so it has not been too bad. I got some talking books from my local library so i can have something to listen to on the day itself. I also have books one goode thing is the day itself goes by very fast and i have a meeting in the evening at the Kingdom Hall.

[goodeone]

I would however love to know how Richard Dawkins deals with xmas he is one of the most Anti-God people I know off.

[1vegan]

I have had my radio and up till the last day or so it has not been too bad.

I'll be glad if I don't have to hear "driving home for christmas"by chris rea anymore. For some reason, I find that one pretty annoying.

[Gliondrach]

Some of us will be here on Christmas Day, off and on.

[goodeone]

Well I wont have internet access over the holiday but that is ok i can spent too much time surfing. Hope your holiday goes smoothly however you spend it.

[KRITER]

Im atheist and I liv alone too goodeone Im doing sumthing with a frend for the Winter Soltice but no christmas happning with me.My job giv us a whole dangum week off,yeehaaa.Unless I work sum at partime job Ill be staying home doing chores and hanging out with the critters ,maybe hunting hunters.
I hope the holidays is good for you goodeone.
Happy Soltice and Happy New Year yall.

[Bowwowmeow]

Same to you KRITER!

[Oracl]

Thank you and have a wonderful 2008, KRITER! :nanakiss:

[Phoenix]

Thanks Kriter! Happy New Year to you as well ... and have fun hunting the hunters. :lol:

[Gliondrach]

Happy New Year, Kriter. I hope it's happier for all the hunted animals, too.

[Tails4wagging]

I watched a documentary about Charles Dickens and until 1843 there was no xmas as we know it today. Xmas trees and presents etc started after he wrote the book 'Christmas Carol' . Before that old newspapers hardly mentioned xmas. The whole of Britain, then the World was so impressed with the book and its message. Xmas as we know it came about.

[paul]

I watched a documentary about Charles Dickens and until 1843 there was no xmas as we know it today. Xmas trees and presents etc started after he wrote the book 'Christmas Carol' . Before that old newspapers hardly mentioned xmas. The whole of Britain, then the World was so impressed with the book and its message. Xmas as we know it came about.

I rember those days so well.:)

[Tails4wagging]

I rember those days so well.:)


Didnt realise you were that old..:)

[Oracl]

Didnt realise you were that old..:)
That's because he acts so immature! :rofl:

[paul]

That's because he acts so immature! :rofl:

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n137/paulpic_2006/Hilarious.gifhttp://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n137/paulpic_2006/PaddyFit.gifhttp://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n137/paulpic_2006/moon01.gif
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n137/paulpic_2006/36_12_6.gif

[Gliondrach]

I saw that as well. He was so keen on Christmas but his cook and maid didn't get the day off. At least Scrooge gave Bob Cratchet the day off.

[dreamer]

Isn't that strange...omnis notice if you're sick and vegan, so will give you grief. But they don't notice that you're not sick as often or as severely when you're vegan:rolleyes:

[Oracl]

So true! :agree:

[Gliondrach]

The next time a meathead is sick you can point out to them that their diet is to blame for making them so weak and unhealthy.