Non- Christians celebrating Christmas

[Anonymous]

Did anyone else find that odd? All these posts about kids and their lists and sulking and whining with what they got?? A day of free stuff for no reason and they are complaining?! I honestly don't get it. WTH?

[Anonymous]

I did. I'm just a normal Methodist, not even evangelical or anything. But I find it very odd and confusing. And a little bewildered when people insist it's a "cultural" holiday (but then turn around and insist this is not a Christian nation).

But whatever. If you ask them what they're celebrating, they'll say "the joys of family" or whatever. Why they can't just have themselves a family reunion in the summer or take Thanksgiving as an opportunity to do these things, I don't know.

The partaking of all the rituals and symbolism of Christmas while insisting you're not "Christian" is really strange to me.

[Anonymous]

I'm an atheist who was raised Catholic. My entire family is Catholic. My DH was raised Catholic. My DH's family is Catholic.

Our families celebrate Christmas. We celebrate it, too. It's within our cultural heritage. We are secular Catholics, the way some people are secular Jews.

I don't see what's weird about it.

[Anonymous]

Not sure what posts you are talking about. But my family is Muslim and we had a fantastic Christmas. My kids were thrilled. As were my Hindu friends' kids. We all met up later in the day for a play date. Great day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an atheist who was raised Catholic. My entire family is Catholic. My DH was raised Catholic. My DH's family is Catholic.

Our families celebrate Christmas. We celebrate it, too. It's within our cultural heritage. We are secular Catholics, the way some people are secular Jews.

I don't see what's weird about it.

It contradicts your commitment to atheism? That's what's weird. Atheists shouldn't celebrate the birth of a deity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure what posts you are talking about. But my family is Muslim and we had a fantastic Christmas. My kids were thrilled. As were my Hindu friends' kids. We all met up later in the day for a play date. Great day.

So you were celebrating the birth of your savior Jesus Christ? I didn't realize Muslims and Hindus did that. Interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did. I'm just a normal Methodist, not even evangelical or anything. But I find it very odd and confusing. And a little bewildered when people insist it's a "cultural" holiday (but then turn around and insist this is not a Christian nation).

But whatever. If you ask them what they're celebrating, they'll say "the joys of family" or whatever. Why they can't just have themselves a family reunion in the summer or take Thanksgiving as an opportunity to do these things, I don't know.

The partaking of all the rituals and symbolism of Christmas while insisting you're not "Christian" is really strange to me.

I find this to be so dog-in-manger and selfish and not Christian that I just want to start laughing. Do you seriously resent the presence of non-Christians at a Christian holiday? Do you think Jesus would resent them or turn them away? Didn't he welcome everyone, including tax collectors and prostitutes?

[Anonymous]

No. Just like I don't find it odd the Christians spend all their advent "preparing" for a gluttonous Christmas instead of fasting and repenting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did. I'm just a normal Methodist, not even evangelical or anything. But I find it very odd and confusing. And a little bewildered when people insist it's a "cultural" holiday (but then turn around and insist this is not a Christian nation).

But whatever. If you ask them what they're celebrating, they'll say "the joys of family" or whatever. Why they can't just have themselves a family reunion in the summer or take Thanksgiving as an opportunity to do these things, I don't know.

The partaking of all the rituals and symbolism of Christmas while insisting you're not "Christian" is really strange to me.

I find this to be so dog-in-manger and selfish and not Christian that I just want to start laughing. Do you seriously resent the presence of non-Christians at a Christian holiday? Do you think Jesus would resent them or turn them away? Didn't he welcome everyone, including tax collectors and prostitutes?

On the contrary, everyone is welcome at the Lord's table. So, you'll be in church next week, right?

I assume you're a Christian. A non-Christian wouldn't presume to speak for Jesus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an atheist who was raised Catholic. My entire family is Catholic. My DH was raised Catholic. My DH's family is Catholic.

Our families celebrate Christmas. We celebrate it, too. It's within our cultural heritage. We are secular Catholics, the way some people are secular Jews.

I don't see what's weird about it.

It contradicts your commitment to atheism? That's what's weird. Atheists shouldn't celebrate the birth of a deity.

You need more nuance in your life.

I find beauty in the myth and the music and the traditions, without believing in Jesus as a deity. I can celebrate the things that I find good around those traditions, without believing in God.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure what posts you are talking about. But my family is Muslim and we had a fantastic Christmas. My kids were thrilled. As were my Hindu friends' kids. We all met up later in the day for a play date. Great day.

So you were celebrating the birth of your savior Jesus Christ? I didn't realize Muslims and Hindus did that. Interesting.

Do you any friends of different faiths?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an atheist who was raised Catholic. My entire family is Catholic. My DH was raised Catholic. My DH's family is Catholic.

Our families celebrate Christmas. We celebrate it, too. It's within our cultural heritage. We are secular Catholics, the way some people are secular Jews.

I don't see what's weird about it.

It contradicts your commitment to atheism? That's what's weird. Atheists shouldn't celebrate the birth of a deity.

I find it weird that Pope Francise calls Atheists and Catholics us to work together for peace but you insult their family traditions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Just like I don't find it odd the Christians spend all their advent "preparing" for a gluttonous Christmas instead of fasting and repenting.

Only Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox faiths do the Nativity Fast. It is not something mainline denominations in the US have done, so this is kind of a weird straw man you've erected. Try again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure what posts you are talking about. But my family is Muslim and we had a fantastic Christmas. My kids were thrilled. As were my Hindu friends' kids. We all met up later in the day for a play date. Great day.

So you were celebrating the birth of your savior Jesus Christ? I didn't realize Muslims and Hindus did that. Interesting.

Do you any friends of different faiths?

I have Jewish and Muslim friends, yes, and none of them celebrated Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Just like I don't find it odd the Christians spend all their advent "preparing" for a gluttonous Christmas instead of fasting and repenting.

Repenf from what? You are a jerk.