The topic says it all. I don't think that it's right. Especially last year when a lot of atheists complained about Christmas trees being called Christmas trees. How stupid is that?
First off, I don't really agree with targeting religious groups like that. Not all Atheists think the same things, or believe the same things. So the actions of some should not apply to all.
I don't really see why anyone should not be able to celebrate Christmas. Christmas celebrations actually started before the existence of Christ. The name was changed, of course. But it wasn't originally a Christian holiday to begin with.
Well this topic I will take to be a sign of the times!
Especially last year when a lot of atheists complained about Christmas trees being called Christmas trees. How stupid is that?
I notice that 'Atheists' and 'Christians' are getting into increasingly volatile conflict about Christmas, as some people do definitely believe there ought to be some kind of exclusivity: some say that the 'true meaning' of Christmas lies in Christ and there ought to be no other, others say religious belief should stay out of Christmas...
...and others still say who cares, it's a great excuse to be merry and swap presents and indulge in a little arbitrary (consumerist) symbolism, where Santa and the reindeer themselves paid baby Jesus a visit (I just possibly mauled every traditional origin of Christmas story ever written, oh the travesty)...much to the chagrin of the religious types, usually.
Whether I care or not this is politics. To answer the question I think it's perfectly legitimate for atheists to celebrate Christmas. But it is rather poor form to wage war on a good-natured celebration.
Well I don't see why not sure its origins are religious but now the main reason is for companies to push us to consume and for people to swap a few presents and get a week of school/work it's all just a bit of fun and in the wise words of Bart simpson
"Aren't we forgetting the true meaning of Christmas? You know, the birth of Santa."
Also I agree with Strop it is rather poor form to wage war on a good-natured celebration.
I'm so glad we don't even call it Christmas in Denmark. Yule, people, Yule~
...and others still say who cares, it's a great excuse to be merry and swap presents and indulge in a little arbitrary (consumerist) symbolism
Indeed.
The solstice celebration that Christmas covered up was in no way exclusive for Christians, so why not let atheists have their non-religious celebration? It doesn't have to be about Christ. It's the darkest time of the year (at least on the northern hemisphere), and having a merry celebration is nice no matter what religion you are.
But it is rather poor form to wage war on a good-natured celebration.
I agree. Christmas is the only time of the year where happiness has such a presence that it is almost tangible. By saying that atheists and other non-Christians shouldn't be able to celebrate the holiday would be taking away that sense of joy and giving that comes around at the holiday season for millions.
Christmas IS NOT MADE FOR FUN!!! Notice the word Christmas. CHRISTmas. And it's celebrated on JESUS'S B-DAY TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTH!!! Furthermore, the giving out of presents only happens because of the three wise men who Jesus' presents when he was born!
See the word: JUL!! All atheists are welcome in Denmark. By the way, it was not originally the birth of Christ, it was just a fancy thing the christians made up, so people would take the change from the solstice festival to christanity better.... I think it is fine. As much christmas might be about the birth of Christ, it has so much more meaning as a holiday to celebrate love and frindship. Else Santa, the presents, the christmas tree, the light, the cookies and candy and all the other things making christmas what it is should be banned.....
I am even sure that without christianity, there would still be "christmas"... If atheists want to celebrate Christmas, then they should do that. Without complaining about the name of the holiday, of course... But I think that Christmas have lost a lot of its religiousness, and have become something greater.
People should be able to do whatever they want, to celebrate however they want, and to believe however they want. People don't have to believe in the same thing and be part of a single religion. I'm Polish and we basically do most of the Christmas stuff on Christmas eve. Big supper, open presents, stay up late, go to bed, have a Christmas breakfast, and then have a big Christmas dinner. Am I wrong for doing it this way? Should I not be allowed to celebrate Christmas, because I'm not doing it right?
I think everyone should celebrate it but atheists need to get over the fact that in America it's a christmas tree and we can say merry christmas and still be politicaly correct
