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Staredit Network -> Serious Discussion -> Atheists and Holidays
Report, edit, etc...Posted by CaptainWill on 2006-01-06 at 15:16:14
In the UK there were quickly-abandoned plans to change Christmas to 'Wintermas' because it was no longer a truly religious holiday and 'offended minority groups.'

Seeing as Christmas is a public holiday, I feel that I am entitled to give and receive presents as part of a tradition which goes back a long way. I really don't care one bit about the religious context - it's a day off where I can have a good time with family and friends. I don't think that Christians should become moralistic about the issue - we have a right to celebrate public holidays however we want. The Christians can celebrate the religious side, the rest of us can celebrate the material side because we know it's much more fun than going to church and listening to Christian singing, which is the most dreary sound ever to be emitted from human vocal chords.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Snake)Ling on 2006-01-06 at 19:58:27
QUOTE(S.T.A.R.S-Chris @ Jan 5 2006, 08:45 PM)
Well I think its sort of saying:

"I don't believe in god, I don't believe in your religion, I don't believe in the bible, but I sure as hell will reap the benefits of your religion!"

I don't know it still just seems wrong.
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You know what? That's sort of like saying:

"You don't believe in god, you don't believe in my religion, you don't believe in my holybook, so you don't have a right to be happy!"

I don't know, what you said just seems wrong.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Kow on 2006-01-06 at 20:00:00
Holiday != Happiness, go fark a chick, since you believe it's right.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by TheDaddy0420 on 2006-01-06 at 21:21:51
So the only way people can be happy is if the get to celebrate a holiday?

I mean why celebrate ANY religious holiday if you don't believe in that religion. I mean why are we just focusing on christmas? There are jews you know.

Maybe it is just becuase all the atheist kids want are the presents...
Report, edit, etc...Posted by CaptainWill on 2006-01-07 at 14:19:41
That's right. We like our presents.

Christmas is a secular holiday as well as a religious holiday. In fact, like I said before - it's a public holiday. Who's to decide how we should celebrate a public holiday? If we want to exchange gifts because it's traditional, then what's the problem?
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Lord_Agamemnon(MM) on 2006-01-09 at 22:31:38
QUOTE(CaptainWill @ Jan 7 2006, 01:19 PM)
That's right. We like our presents.

Christmas is a secular holiday as well as a religious holiday. In fact, like I said before - it's a public holiday. Who's to decide how we should celebrate a public holiday? If we want to exchange gifts because it's traditional, then what's the problem?
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I agree completely. There's no reason to celebrate Christmas religiously. Atheists could give presents to each other on...say...August 16th, or some other random day. It's just that December 25th is traditional, and if it ain't broke, don't fix it. December 25th isn't inherently religious because Christians see it as such. Astronomically and secularly, it's just another day, albeit one where people give out presents and don't have to work. I celebrate Christmas but completely ignore the religious aspect. I have no problem with others doing so, but I can still enjoy it if I'm an atheist.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by re_casper on 2006-01-09 at 23:41:39
whats up with christmas, what about others? n kame's idea? or like create some atheistical holiday. was there a santa, if so who?
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Raindodger on 2006-01-13 at 19:52:45
If your an athiest you choose not to believe what we [Christians] believe in. Christmas reprents our beliefs. You shouldnt celebrate something you don't believe. I dont celebrate any of the islamic/jewish holidays, because i dont believe in their religion. Christmas was created to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Since athiests dont believe in Jesus, they shouldnt celebrate it.

QUOTE
"You don't believe in god, you don't believe in my religion, you don't believe in my holybook, so you don't have a right to be happy!"


No what we're saying is. Don't celebrate it unless you believe in it. I doubt a jewish person would celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Christmas is not a public holiday. It's a religious holiday, thats why we get off it for school. It's just christianity is so widely spread they let everybody off.

QUOTE
Christmas (literally, the Mass of Christ) is a holiday in the Christian calendar, usually observed on December 25, which celebrates the birth of Jesus. According to the Christian gospels, Jesus was born to Mary in Bethlehem, where she and her husband Joseph had travelled to register in the Roman census. Christ's birth, or nativity, was said by his followers to fulfill the prophecies of Judaism that a messiah would come, from the house of David, to redeem the world from sin. ...


Definition of Christmas. Read the 7th worth (excluding parenthesis).
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Arbitrary on 2006-01-13 at 20:14:55
Well that's great and all, but I think I'll do as I please.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Staredit.Net Essence on 2006-01-14 at 03:44:16
QUOTE(Shady.Aftermath @ Jan 13 2006, 05:52 PM)
If your an athiest you choose not to believe what we [Christians] believe in. Christmas reprents our beliefs. You shouldnt celebrate something you don't believe. I dont celebrate any of the islamic/jewish holidays, because i dont believe in their religion. Christmas was created to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Since athiests dont believe in Jesus, they shouldnt celebrate it.
No what we're saying is. Don't celebrate it unless you believe in it. I doubt a jewish person would celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Christmas is not a public holiday. It's a religious holiday, thats why we get off it for school. It's just christianity is so widely spread they let everybody off.
Definition of Christmas. Read the 7th worth (excluding parenthesis).
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Christmas doesn't represent beliefs. It represents a time of giving, and being kind. Don't you listen?

So now you're saying that since I don't believe in Christianity, but I believe in God, that I shouldn't practice Christmas? Where the hell is the logic in that?

That may be why you don't celebrate it, but there are many other reasons why some don't celebrate those religions.

And no. Christmas was not created to celebrate the birth of Christ. Christmas was a pagen holiday. Don't you read?

I don't believe in Jesus. So that means I can't practice sharing, and kindness?

Christmas is a public holiday you dolt. The reason we get school off for it, is because it's a worldly practiced holiday. Religion has absolutely nothing to do with it (Seperation of church and state, noob)

Christianity is not widely spread. Most christians are westerners.

Definition of christmas: A non-religious event practiced by everyone in the world where it teaches people to be kind and curtious. Please don't say it is religious, or I will be forced to call you a whitie.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by 5(U) on 2006-01-14 at 23:10:35
why not?.. i dont think there are many people who celebrate these holydays for religious reasons.. people found other values and they use these days to celebrate them..

personally im atheist and i dont really celebrate them but i know many atheist who does

its their choice..
Report, edit, etc...Posted by FISH2000 on 2006-01-26 at 19:55:43
I happen to be atheist. Now I love holidays and I think that everyone has every right to celebrate whatever they want. I think it would be very unfair to say Chistians couldn't celebrate Kwanza or any other day. I don't come to see holiday to realize why they were created but as times to be better than other days and gather around to have fun.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Snake)Ling on 2006-01-27 at 19:41:21
Go Kellimus!

Seriously, he's right. I'm Islamic and I celebrate Ramadan, Christmas and Hannukah.
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