Non- Christians celebrating Christmas

[Anonymous]

08:48 here -- also, for the PP who said there are no services on Christmas Day, google "Christmas Day mass."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't get why this is so baffling. For many families, there are a lot of aspects of the Christmas celebration that have little to nothing to do with the birth of Christ. Advent wreaths -- sure, that's about Jesus. But the tree & the lights & the menus, none of that has to do with Jesus. (I don't really think the gift exchanges do either, for most people, but I suppose you could make a case that it's symbolic of the magi.)

I grew up in a church-going home, but our Christmas celebration had more to do with family obligations/traditions than with faith. I still have beliefs, but if I had lost my faith, I doubt I'd abandon my family's rituals. I don't think a child needs to know anything about Jesus to enjoy Santa & the excitement of Christmas morning.

I can see how a devout Christian might be upset at seeing a holy celebration watered down to a secular event. But I think that ship sailed a LONG time ago, and I don't see the virtue in getting mad at non-Christians enjoying the season.

Yeah - I understand why devout Christians get upset about bringing Santa, and the tree, into Christmas, because it takes away from the true purpose of the holiday. But this ire (or "lack of understanding") regarding non-Christians participating in aspects of the holiday that have nothing to do with Christianity to begin with is a new one.

[Anonymous]

So would Jews be upset if non Jews had a menorah? Did sedars? Took off for roshashana (sp?) to sleep in and eat a big meal?

[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 it easier to adopt a "dual view" of Christmas. A secular Christmas has more religious rituals (my kind of Christmas). A non-secular Christmas does not celebrate the religious traditions and beliefs and is more cultural/commercial.

That word doesn't mean what you think it means.

[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 it easier to adopt a "dual view" of Christmas. A secular Christmas has more religious rituals (my kind of Christmas). A non-secular Christmas does not celebrate the religious traditions and beliefs and is more cultural/commercial.

Ooops. I reversed my "seculars." Meant to say that I prefer a non-secular Christmas, vice versa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get why this is so baffling. For many families, there are a lot of aspects of the Christmas celebration that have little to nothing to do with the birth of Christ. Advent wreaths -- sure, that's about Jesus. But the tree & the lights & the menus, none of that has to do with Jesus. (I don't really think the gift exchanges do either, for most people, but I suppose you could make a case that it's symbolic of the magi.)

I grew up in a church-going home, but our Christmas celebration had more to do with family obligations/traditions than with faith. I still have beliefs, but if I had lost my faith, I doubt I'd abandon my family's rituals. I don't think a child needs to know anything about Jesus to enjoy Santa & the excitement of Christmas morning.

I can see how a devout Christian might be upset at seeing a holy celebration watered down to a secular event. But I think that ship sailed a LONG time ago, and I don't see the virtue in getting mad at non-Christians enjoying the season.

Yeah - I understand why devout Christians get upset about bringing Santa, and the tree, into Christmas, because it takes away from the true purpose of the holiday. But this ire (or "lack of understanding") regarding non-Christians participating in aspects of the holiday that have nothing to do with Christianity to begin with is a new one.

That makes sense. But I guess it's weird that even though they don't have much to do with the true meaning of Christmas they are associated with the holiday now. If you like the tree, why not put it up during Hannukah and take gifts from under the tree each night?

[Anonymous]

We have this discussion every year.

Signed,
A Christmas-celebrating atheist

[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.

DH and I are atheists. Our children are not. They are being raised in a religion that they can decide to reject when they are older. I think religion gives a moral frame work to life. Atheism's philosophical frame work is harder to pass on to children. You have to want to be a nice person because there is no external factor like heaven or hell. So we do Christmas and take our kids to mass on Christmas Eve. We participate in a cultural ritual that we don't believe in because we, and more specifically our kids, are a part of society.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DH and I are atheists. Our children are not. They are being raised in a religion that they can decide to reject when they are older. I think religion gives a moral frame work to life. Atheism's philosophical frame work is harder to pass on to children. You have to want to be a nice person because there is no external factor like heaven or hell. So we do Christmas and take our kids to mass on Christmas Eve. We participate in a cultural ritual that we don't believe in because we, and more specifically our kids, are a part of society.

I like you!

[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.

I find it easier to adopt a "dual view" of Christmas. A secular Christmas has more religious rituals (my kind of Christmas). A non-secular Christmas does not celebrate the religious traditions and beliefs and is more cultural/commercial.

I'm not at all religious and I celebrate Xmas in all of its secular glory -- a decorated tree, lots of presents, and family togetherness. Santa is about a secular as they come. To the normal Methodist requesting that only Jesus believers participate, and turn in your direction and send a loud raspberry

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DH and I are atheists. Our children are not. They are being raised in a religion that they can decide to reject when they are older. I think religion gives a moral frame work to life. Atheism's philosophical frame work is harder to pass on to children. You have to want to be a nice person because there is no external factor like heaven or hell. So we do Christmas and take our kids to mass on Christmas Eve. We participate in a cultural ritual that we don't believe in because we, and more specifically our kids, are a part of society.

I agree that kids need a moral framework. What you do is fascinating. Do you take them to church every Sunday or only on Christmas Eve?

[Anonymous]

That makes sense. But I guess it's weird that even though they don't have much to do with the true meaning of Christmas they are associated with the holiday now. If you like the tree, why not put it up during Hannukah and take gifts from under the tree each night?

Don't play dumb -- Christmas means different things to different people. Why not just worry about your own celebration instead of suggesting that we change what we are doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW, OP... Christmas is over. Did you really need to pick ONE more fight over what other people are doing for the holidays, rather than live and let live?

I didn't mean to pick a fight. And technically it's not really over. I was just genuinely baffled and curious. Seems so odd to me.

Did you confess that you judge others before you received communion yesterday?

I'm not judging. I found it odd that kids complained about gifts they got for no reason. And I find it curious to put up a tree and do Santa and sing carols or whatever. I'm not judging though, really. We used to do sedars in our house when I was growing up but to me that wasn't about a huge meal and requesting $200 headphones. It was about celebrating and being inclusive of other faiths. (Though to be honest this was my parents' thing so I don't know the reason but it was just about the meal and prayer)

Yes, nothing says Christian like Santa!

Yes, and if you weren't a stupid atheist who has never been to church you would know that the foundation of Christianity is giving your kids an Xbox one for Christmas in celebration of Jesus.

[Anonymous]

Threads like these....Christians are the meanest of the bunch. Merry Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

It is a commercial holiday, otherwise how did you get the day off?