A Sincere Question about Secular Christmas

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This all comes down to tolerance. Do you really need to look down on the celebrations of the majority with disdain and contempt.
Imagine living in India and thinking that you could completely live without some influence of Hinduism?
Just put up with it. The majority really only celebrates Thanksgiving, Christmas and 4th of July.
Other holidays like Easter are easy to ignore

Of course we put up with it. I have no disdain or contempt for Christmas. I’m just not going to put up Christmas decorations in my house.

You’d be happier if you did and your SAD symptoms would fade. Christmas is wonderful and fun, so fun. All are welcome to celebrate Christmas, hang some fairy lights outside, bake some sugar cookies, get your picture taken with Santa. Let loose.

[Anonymous]

Celebrate Christmas, don’t be a sour puss.

[Anonymous]

I'm assuming those last two replies are trolls, since otherwise they're perfect representations of exactly what people who don't celebrate Christmas in their homes are saying we object to being told.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Christmas is not secular no matter how you spin it. I’ve never celebrated Christmas nor my kids.

98% of Christmas is secular. Many just ignore the 2%.

Christmas isn't secular. Its a Christian practice and holiday. I don't understand how you say its secular.

DP-

Because in addition to its secular roots and history, many people celebrate it in a non-religious way. Certainly you get that, right? For example, there are dozens of popular holiday specials and only one of them mentions Jesus, and thousands of commercials and advertisements, none of which mention Jesus, and many family gatherings which (joyously) occur without mention of Jesus, either tacitly or explicitly. Tons of non-denominal decorations everywhere...

You definitely understand this, I am certain of it. Just because you might celebrate it differently, PPs point is that for many people (ok, possibly not 99% but likely the majority, I guess) celebrate it without a religious meaning.

What "secular roots and history" are you talking about? The traditions that Christianity co-opted from other sources? Decorating trees would probably not still be a thing (certainly not as widespread as it is) if Christianity hadn't adopted it into Christmas celebrations and spread it as part of the religious holiday. If anything, the roots and history of Christmas are solidly Christian, and have only grown apart from Christianity as people have dropped their religiosity (the growth of the "nones").

I'll grant you that many people who celebrate Christmas today do it without mention of Jesus or any religious aspect and think of their observance as totally secular. But you have to see how people who don't celebrate it at all (as many Jewish posters have noted) can't divorce its history and roots in Christianity from the "secular" aspects of it, right? It's not about people who celebrate it religiously vs. those who celebrate it secularly; it's about people who just don't celebrate it at all.

Maybe it's not about people who celebrate it religiously vs. those who celebrate it secularly; but the people who just don't celebrate it at all, do so for religious reasons - They're Jewish and the religious overtones to the holiday are Christian.

How would secular celebrators of Christmas feel about adding Hanukah candles to their festivities?

There are people who don’t celebrate it for religious reasons, but also people who do celebrate it irrespective of their religion, because they are celebrating it secularly.

As a secular celebrator of Christmas, I wouldn’t care about adding a menorah, et al, though I imagine Jewish people might care!

Adding dreidels or a menorah to your Christmas celebrations doesn't make it secular. It might make it multicultural, which is not the same thing. And also, let's not start lighting a menorah if you're not Jewish; that's appropriative.

I suppose that a Christian could say the same about a secular Jew having manger scene, but if they are truly secular, I disagree.

What secular Jew has a manger scene? If a secular Jew is going to do Christmas, they're going to do the fun parts, like lights and cookies.

dunno, but some Jews might think a particular manger scene is fun in because it reminds them of a manger scene from their past - who knows?

Wut?

Yeah, they might have really liked the manger scene that a neighbor had and picked one just like it that they saw at a second hand store. They might not even know its significance, but it says "Christmas" to them.

Actually it’s virtually impossible to live in a mostly Christian society and not know the significance of stuff like a manger, so this hypothetical situation seems extremely imaginary.

I can imagine it.

You would have to imagine it, because that's definitely not happening in reality.

In your opinion.

In everyone's opinion except yours. Please explain the scenario where a Jew finds a manger in a secondhand store and wants it for their own house because they celebrate secular Christmas and/but they are unaware of any of the religious components of Christmas, and so they don't realize what the manger stands for. Has this Jew been totally avoiding all culture for years? Are they just really stupid? I will stipulate that it's possible that some ultra-Orthodox Jews don't know what manger decorations are, maybe even likely, but I also think it's virtually impossible that a Hasid would go buy a manger to decorate their house for Christmas.

You must be really bored today.

I'm not the one who invented this ludicrous hypothetical where a secular Jew buys a manger scene without knowing what it means, though, am I.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Christmas is not secular no matter how you spin it. I’ve never celebrated Christmas nor my kids.

98% of Christmas is secular. Many just ignore the 2%.

Christmas isn't secular. Its a Christian practice and holiday. I don't understand how you say its secular.

DP-

Because in addition to its secular roots and history, many people celebrate it in a non-religious way. Certainly you get that, right? For example, there are dozens of popular holiday specials and only one of them mentions Jesus, and thousands of commercials and advertisements, none of which mention Jesus, and many family gatherings which (joyously) occur without mention of Jesus, either tacitly or explicitly. Tons of non-denominal decorations everywhere...

You definitely understand this, I am certain of it. Just because you might celebrate it differently, PPs point is that for many people (ok, possibly not 99% but likely the majority, I guess) celebrate it without a religious meaning.

What "secular roots and history" are you talking about? The traditions that Christianity co-opted from other sources? Decorating trees would probably not still be a thing (certainly not as widespread as it is) if Christianity hadn't adopted it into Christmas celebrations and spread it as part of the religious holiday. If anything, the roots and history of Christmas are solidly Christian, and have only grown apart from Christianity as people have dropped their religiosity (the growth of the "nones").

I'll grant you that many people who celebrate Christmas today do it without mention of Jesus or any religious aspect and think of their observance as totally secular. But you have to see how people who don't celebrate it at all (as many Jewish posters have noted) can't divorce its history and roots in Christianity from the "secular" aspects of it, right? It's not about people who celebrate it religiously vs. those who celebrate it secularly; it's about people who just don't celebrate it at all.

Maybe it's not about people who celebrate it religiously vs. those who celebrate it secularly; but the people who just don't celebrate it at all, do so for religious reasons - They're Jewish and the religious overtones to the holiday are Christian.

How would secular celebrators of Christmas feel about adding Hanukah candles to their festivities?

There are people who don’t celebrate it for religious reasons, but also people who do celebrate it irrespective of their religion, because they are celebrating it secularly.

As a secular celebrator of Christmas, I wouldn’t care about adding a menorah, et al, though I imagine Jewish people might care!

Adding dreidels or a menorah to your Christmas celebrations doesn't make it secular. It might make it multicultural, which is not the same thing. And also, let's not start lighting a menorah if you're not Jewish; that's appropriative.

I suppose that a Christian could say the same about a secular Jew having manger scene, but if they are truly secular, I disagree.

What secular Jew has a manger scene? If a secular Jew is going to do Christmas, they're going to do the fun parts, like lights and cookies.

dunno, but some Jews might think a particular manger scene is fun in because it reminds them of a manger scene from their past - who knows?

Wut?

Yeah, they might have really liked the manger scene that a neighbor had and picked one just like it that they saw at a second hand store. They might not even know its significance, but it says "Christmas" to them.

Actually it’s virtually impossible to live in a mostly Christian society and not know the significance of stuff like a manger, so this hypothetical situation seems extremely imaginary.

I can imagine it.

You would have to imagine it, because that's definitely not happening in reality.

In your opinion.

In everyone's opinion except yours. Please explain the scenario where a Jew finds a manger in a secondhand store and wants it for their own house because they celebrate secular Christmas and/but they are unaware of any of the religious components of Christmas, and so they don't realize what the manger stands for. Has this Jew been totally avoiding all culture for years? Are they just really stupid? I will stipulate that it's possible that some ultra-Orthodox Jews don't know what manger decorations are, maybe even likely, but I also think it's virtually impossible that a Hasid would go buy a manger to decorate their house for Christmas.

You must be really bored today.

I'm not the one who invented this ludicrous hypothetical where a secular Jew buys a manger scene without knowing what it means, though, am I.

This is funny! Everyone should buy a manger, inflatable santas and reindeer yard ornaments and sleighs. Why not though? Other than absolutely pure laziness. What else do you have going on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christmas is not secular no matter how you spin it. I’ve never celebrated Christmas nor my kids.

98% of Christmas is secular. Many just ignore the 2%.

Christmas isn't secular. Its a Christian practice and holiday. I don't understand how you say its secular.

DP-

Because in addition to its secular roots and history, many people celebrate it in a non-religious way. Certainly you get that, right? For example, there are dozens of popular holiday specials and only one of them mentions Jesus, and thousands of commercials and advertisements, none of which mention Jesus, and many family gatherings which (joyously) occur without mention of Jesus, either tacitly or explicitly. Tons of non-denominal decorations everywhere...

You definitely understand this, I am certain of it. Just because you might celebrate it differently, PPs point is that for many people (ok, possibly not 99% but likely the majority, I guess) celebrate it without a religious meaning.

What "secular roots and history" are you talking about? The traditions that Christianity co-opted from other sources? Decorating trees would probably not still be a thing (certainly not as widespread as it is) if Christianity hadn't adopted it into Christmas celebrations and spread it as part of the religious holiday. If anything, the roots and history of Christmas are solidly Christian, and have only grown apart from Christianity as people have dropped their religiosity (the growth of the "nones").

I'll grant you that many people who celebrate Christmas today do it without mention of Jesus or any religious aspect and think of their observance as totally secular. But you have to see how people who don't celebrate it at all (as many Jewish posters have noted) can't divorce its history and roots in Christianity from the "secular" aspects of it, right? It's not about people who celebrate it religiously vs. those who celebrate it secularly; it's about people who just don't celebrate it at all.

Dude you admit in your own post that certain holiday traditions have pagan roots that Christianity co-opted.

People who don’t believe in Jesus celebrate Christmas. End period. Not debatable.

Christmas in July!

Agree.

My mother tried to raise me religiously, but my earliest memory of being skeptical is age 6 or 7, and by age 12, I was claiming to not believe in a god. I wrote it in my journal which I still have, along with the date, making me around 6th grade. I'm still resolutely "not religious".

But I love decorating for Christmas. At one time I put up 17 trees. Now I'm down to 7. But I don't have any manger sets or wise men, etc.

I have German heritage so I feel that I am following the early Germans and pagans who brought greenery and candles into their house around the winter solstice.

But I have never pressured anyone to celebrate Christmas or decorate. Why would I care if they don't?

Your roots are Christian.

Well, my mother's mother (whose parents came over from Germany), was not religious and as far as I know, did not go to church as a child. Definitely never went to church as an adult, nor ever spoke of god or said blessings, etc. She was not married in a church and her wedding suit dress was black. She also didn't take my mother to church, but I think my mother went here and there with a friend. Certainly my mother was drawn to go to church by her 20s, but I think it was mainly her interest in music and she loved singing and directing choirs.

Anyway, I've never traced my roots much past my great-grandparents. I'm sure some were Christians 200-300 years ago. But if I went back over 2000 years ago, I'll bet many of those ancestors were following German and pagan traditions that later Christians co-opted to make it easier to get more people converted.

So in my view, I'm celebrating the same way some great/great/great/etc grandparent did 2100 years ago. Plus I do a lot of secular Santa, stockings, elves, cookies, etc.

Not being religious has nothing to do with heritage. Your family was Christian so it makes sense if you choose to celebrate. Santa, stockings, elves are not secular.

But they are! There is zero in the Bible or at Church about santa, stockings or elves. That's the secular part. It was appropriated from the Pagans. If something isn't secular, it's religious and santa is NOT religious. The most religious people I know are fundamentalists who don't celebrate with Santa or a tree.

+1

Maybe the PP doesn’t know what secular means.

Secular:
Santa, elves, trees, songs, decorations, etc.

Religious:
Jesus “birthday”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christmas is not secular no matter how you spin it. I’ve never celebrated Christmas nor my kids.

98% of Christmas is secular. Many just ignore the 2%.

It's fine if you think it's secular. The problem comes from the small handful of people who think that because they think it's secular, everyone should celebrate it as a secular holiday, too. I personally do not consider Christmas a secular holiday that I feel comfortable celebrating as a quasi-observant Jew. My feeling on Christmas is, everyone can do whatever they want with it, and I won't tell you how to celebrate it if you don't tell me how to celebrate it.

You can celebrate whatever you want. Why do you think I GAF what you celebrate?

Great! Glad you don't. Most people don't. I also don't GAF what you celebrate. But there are a small band of annoying people who don't like it when anyone misses out on Christmas, which they're certain is just a fun secular American holiday.

Well, it is 98% secular in the US…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there's a push because secular Christians are very worried about Christmas being taken away from them due to others thinking it's religious.

LOL no.

The RWNJs are worried that people take the ChRiSt oUt of ChRisTmAs or some crap like that. But 98% of it isn’t about him anyway. Certainly not the color of coffee cups at Starbucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christmas is not secular no matter how you spin it. I’ve never celebrated Christmas nor my kids.

98% of Christmas is secular. Many just ignore the 2%.

Christmas isn't secular. Its a Christian practice and holiday. I don't understand how you say its secular.

Because 98% of it has nothing to do with the birth of your god.

The uber Christians don’t even celebrate “Christmas” - they are offended by it.

Why do you assume that PP is Christian? Lots of non-Christians/non-Jesus-believers have commented that they view the holiday as religious, even though there are secular aspects to it, and that's why they don't celebrate it. But to say that because it has secular aspects and because there are people who celebrate it who don't believe in Jesus, therefore, it's a secular holiday just doesn't follow.

NP. All Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. But it centers on Christian prayers of Thanksgiving to God for them surviving.

No, it 100% centers on turkey. Ok maybe more like 90% on turkey. 10% pie.

Thanksgiving is 100% secular. Maybe some nutters who view everything through their lens of religion might think it’s religious. But they think everything is religious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christmas is not secular no matter how you spin it. I’ve never celebrated Christmas nor my kids.

98% of Christmas is secular. Many just ignore the 2%.

Christmas isn't secular. Its a Christian practice and holiday. I don't understand how you say its secular.

DP-

Because in addition to its secular roots and history, many people celebrate it in a non-religious way. Certainly you get that, right? For example, there are dozens of popular holiday specials and only one of them mentions Jesus, and thousands of commercials and advertisements, none of which mention Jesus, and many family gatherings which (joyously) occur without mention of Jesus, either tacitly or explicitly. Tons of non-denominal decorations everywhere...

You definitely understand this, I am certain of it. Just because you might celebrate it differently, PPs point is that for many people (ok, possibly not 99% but likely the majority, I guess) celebrate it without a religious meaning.

What "secular roots and history" are you talking about? The traditions that Christianity co-opted from other sources? Decorating trees would probably not still be a thing (certainly not as widespread as it is) if Christianity hadn't adopted it into Christmas celebrations and spread it as part of the religious holiday. If anything, the roots and history of Christmas are solidly Christian, and have only grown apart from Christianity as people have dropped their religiosity (the growth of the "nones").

I'll grant you that many people who celebrate Christmas today do it without mention of Jesus or any religious aspect and think of their observance as totally secular. But you have to see how people who don't celebrate it at all (as many Jewish posters have noted) can't divorce its history and roots in Christianity from the "secular" aspects of it, right? It's not about people who celebrate it religiously vs. those who celebrate it secularly; it's about people who just don't celebrate it at all.

Dude you admit in your own post that certain holiday traditions have pagan roots that Christianity co-opted.

People who don’t believe in Jesus celebrate Christmas. End period. Not debatable.

Christmas in July!

Agree.

My mother tried to raise me religiously, but my earliest memory of being skeptical is age 6 or 7, and by age 12, I was claiming to not believe in a god. I wrote it in my journal which I still have, along with the date, making me around 6th grade. I'm still resolutely "not religious".

But I love decorating for Christmas. At one time I put up 17 trees. Now I'm down to 7. But I don't have any manger sets or wise men, etc.

I have German heritage so I feel that I am following the early Germans and pagans who brought greenery and candles into their house around the winter solstice.

But I have never pressured anyone to celebrate Christmas or decorate. Why would I care if they don't?

Your roots are Christian.

Well, my mother's mother (whose parents came over from Germany), was not religious and as far as I know, did not go to church as a child. Definitely never went to church as an adult, nor ever spoke of god or said blessings, etc. She was not married in a church and her wedding suit dress was black. She also didn't take my mother to church, but I think my mother went here and there with a friend. Certainly my mother was drawn to go to church by her 20s, but I think it was mainly her interest in music and she loved singing and directing choirs.

Anyway, I've never traced my roots much past my great-grandparents. I'm sure some were Christians 200-300 years ago. But if I went back over 2000 years ago, I'll bet many of those ancestors were following German and pagan traditions that later Christians co-opted to make it easier to get more people converted.

So in my view, I'm celebrating the same way some great/great/great/etc grandparent did 2100 years ago. Plus I do a lot of secular Santa, stockings, elves, cookies, etc.

Not being religious has nothing to do with heritage. Your family was Christian so it makes sense if you choose to celebrate. Santa, stockings, elves are not secular.

But they are! There is zero in the Bible or at Church about santa, stockings or elves. That's the secular part. It was appropriated from the Pagans. If something isn't secular, it's religious and santa is NOT religious. The most religious people I know are fundamentalists who don't celebrate with Santa or a tree.

+1

Maybe the PP doesn’t know what secular means.

Secular:
Santa, elves, trees, songs, decorations, etc.

Religious:
Jesus “birthday”

Not secular at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This all comes down to tolerance. Do you really need to look down on the celebrations of the majority with disdain and contempt.
Imagine living in India and thinking that you could completely live without some influence of Hinduism?
Just put up with it. The majority really only celebrates Thanksgiving, Christmas and 4th of July.
Other holidays like Easter are easy to ignore

Of course we put up with it. I have no disdain or contempt for Christmas. I’m just not going to put up Christmas decorations in my house.

You’d be happier if you did and your SAD symptoms would fade. Christmas is wonderful and fun, so fun. All are welcome to celebrate Christmas, hang some fairy lights outside, bake some sugar cookies, get your picture taken with Santa. Let loose.

I know you are trying to be funny, but many people have trouble with the whole Christmas season. It isn’t a happy time for some.

[Anonymous]

I mean, my Christian religion celebrates with Christmas trees hung with religious symbols as well as nativity sets and many other religious celebration elements including advent candles. Decorating for Christmas doesn't have to be secular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christmas is not secular no matter how you spin it. I’ve never celebrated Christmas nor my kids.

98% of Christmas is secular. Many just ignore the 2%.

Christmas isn't secular. Its a Christian practice and holiday. I don't understand how you say its secular.

Because 98% of it has nothing to do with the birth of your god.

The uber Christians don’t even celebrate “Christmas” - they are offended by it.

Why do you assume that PP is Christian? Lots of non-Christians/non-Jesus-believers have commented that they view the holiday as religious, even though there are secular aspects to it, and that's why they don't celebrate it. But to say that because it has secular aspects and because there are people who celebrate it who don't believe in Jesus, therefore, it's a secular holiday just doesn't follow.

NP. All Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. But it centers on Christian prayers of Thanksgiving to God for them surviving.

No, it 100% centers on turkey. Ok maybe more like 90% on turkey. 10% pie.

Thanksgiving is 100% secular. Maybe some nutters who view everything through their lens of religion might think it’s religious. But they think everything is religious.

Thanksgiving is secular now, but it wasn't at first. The Pilgrims were thanking God for surviving. They invited the Indians to share their bounty in the New World.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christmas is not secular no matter how you spin it. I’ve never celebrated Christmas nor my kids.

98% of Christmas is secular. Many just ignore the 2%.

Christmas isn't secular. Its a Christian practice and holiday. I don't understand how you say its secular.

Because 98% of it has nothing to do with the birth of your god.

The uber Christians don’t even celebrate “Christmas” - they are offended by it.

Why do you assume that PP is Christian? Lots of non-Christians/non-Jesus-believers have commented that they view the holiday as religious, even though there are secular aspects to it, and that's why they don't celebrate it. But to say that because it has secular aspects and because there are people who celebrate it who don't believe in Jesus, therefore, it's a secular holiday just doesn't follow.

NP. All Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. But it centers on Christian prayers of Thanksgiving to God for them surviving.

No, it 100% centers on turkey. Ok maybe more like 90% on turkey. 10% pie.

Thanksgiving is 100% secular. Maybe some nutters who view everything through their lens of religion might think it’s religious. But they think everything is religious.

Thanksgiving is secular now, but it wasn't at first. The Pilgrims were thanking God for surviving. They invited the Indians to share their bounty in the New World.

not really https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/thanksgiving-myth-and-what-we-should-be-teaching-kids-180973655/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christmas is not secular no matter how you spin it. I’ve never celebrated Christmas nor my kids.

98% of Christmas is secular. Many just ignore the 2%.

Christmas isn't secular. Its a Christian practice and holiday. I don't understand how you say its secular.

DP-

Because in addition to its secular roots and history, many people celebrate it in a non-religious way. Certainly you get that, right? For example, there are dozens of popular holiday specials and only one of them mentions Jesus, and thousands of commercials and advertisements, none of which mention Jesus, and many family gatherings which (joyously) occur without mention of Jesus, either tacitly or explicitly. Tons of non-denominal decorations everywhere...

You definitely understand this, I am certain of it. Just because you might celebrate it differently, PPs point is that for many people (ok, possibly not 99% but likely the majority, I guess) celebrate it without a religious meaning.

What "secular roots and history" are you talking about? The traditions that Christianity co-opted from other sources? Decorating trees would probably not still be a thing (certainly not as widespread as it is) if Christianity hadn't adopted it into Christmas celebrations and spread it as part of the religious holiday. If anything, the roots and history of Christmas are solidly Christian, and have only grown apart from Christianity as people have dropped their religiosity (the growth of the "nones").

I'll grant you that many people who celebrate Christmas today do it without mention of Jesus or any religious aspect and think of their observance as totally secular. But you have to see how people who don't celebrate it at all (as many Jewish posters have noted) can't divorce its history and roots in Christianity from the "secular" aspects of it, right? It's not about people who celebrate it religiously vs. those who celebrate it secularly; it's about people who just don't celebrate it at all.

Dude you admit in your own post that certain holiday traditions have pagan roots that Christianity co-opted.

People who don’t believe in Jesus celebrate Christmas. End period. Not debatable.

Christmas in July!

Agree.

My mother tried to raise me religiously, but my earliest memory of being skeptical is age 6 or 7, and by age 12, I was claiming to not believe in a god. I wrote it in my journal which I still have, along with the date, making me around 6th grade. I'm still resolutely "not religious".

But I love decorating for Christmas. At one time I put up 17 trees. Now I'm down to 7. But I don't have any manger sets or wise men, etc.

I have German heritage so I feel that I am following the early Germans and pagans who brought greenery and candles into their house around the winter solstice.

But I have never pressured anyone to celebrate Christmas or decorate. Why would I care if they don't?

Your roots are Christian.

Well, my mother's mother (whose parents came over from Germany), was not religious and as far as I know, did not go to church as a child. Definitely never went to church as an adult, nor ever spoke of god or said blessings, etc. She was not married in a church and her wedding suit dress was black. She also didn't take my mother to church, but I think my mother went here and there with a friend. Certainly my mother was drawn to go to church by her 20s, but I think it was mainly her interest in music and she loved singing and directing choirs.

Anyway, I've never traced my roots much past my great-grandparents. I'm sure some were Christians 200-300 years ago. But if I went back over 2000 years ago, I'll bet many of those ancestors were following German and pagan traditions that later Christians co-opted to make it easier to get more people converted.

So in my view, I'm celebrating the same way some great/great/great/etc grandparent did 2100 years ago. Plus I do a lot of secular Santa, stockings, elves, cookies, etc.

Not being religious has nothing to do with heritage. Your family was Christian so it makes sense if you choose to celebrate. Santa, stockings, elves are not secular.

But they are! There is zero in the Bible or at Church about santa, stockings or elves. That's the secular part. It was appropriated from the Pagans. If something isn't secular, it's religious and santa is NOT religious. The most religious people I know are fundamentalists who don't celebrate with Santa or a tree.

+1

Maybe the PP doesn’t know what secular means.

Secular:
Santa, elves, trees, songs, decorations, etc.

Religious:
Jesus “birthday”

Religious: The actual name of the holiday.