Non- Christians celebrating Christmas

[Anonymous]

And it still doesn't negate the fact that it remains a Christian holiday

for many people, it isn't. you don't get to dictate the way that the holiday is observed.

[Anonymous]

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

What rituals and symbolism? You mean a Christmas tree, which was actually a pagan tradition that was taken by Christians who insisted they weren't pagan?

I'm not going to Mass or putting a Nativity scene out. What's the big deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I agree. It's all the sulking and whining that baffle me. So don't do it. Who cares if it's "family tradition" or whatnot. We certainly don't care that you're making youself a "martyr". We are sick of listening to you bitch and moan. If you hate it, simply stop doing it and grow up!

Then don't click on the threads. In the words of a complete douchebag I recently read, "If you hate it, simply stop doing it and grow up!"

I'm supposed to know that the Festivus thread I wanted to click on is riddled with the rants of some douchebag who is talking about worms? You may not believe in God, but apparently you believe in telepathy....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

What rituals and symbolism? You mean a Christmas tree, which was actually a pagan tradition that was taken by Christians who insisted they weren't pagan?

I'm not going to Mass or putting a Nativity scene out. What's the big deal?

Pagans didn't exchange the gifts you're bitching and moaning about. That's the big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's see, non-Catholics celebrate St. Valentines day and St. Patrick's Day; non-Mexicans celebrate Cinco do Mayo (which isn't really a big day in Mexico) non-Veterans get Veterans Day off, and thanksgiving and Columbus Day are totally based on historical inaccuracies. So, I really don't give a fuck if non Christians celebrate Christmas. OP and the rest are just trying to feel superior and exclusive, like most on DCUM do on a daily basis.

What do you think you're celebrating on Christmas, if it's not the birth of Christ?

Solistice. If everyone regularly got the the 21st as a vacation day instead of Christmas, that's what others would be doing as well.

If OP is offended, let's take it Congress. Let's make it so Dec 25 is not a federal holiday, but rather just a day like every other day, that if you have to celebrate, you have to use your own vacation time. That's what the rest of us do. Then no one will be celebrating "your" holiday.

[Anonymous]

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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?

We try to go once or twice a month. Why is this fascinating? I assumed most people do this.

That's your problem right there. Why do you think others are like you? No, this is really peculiar.

I think atheism is too much for little kids. Do other atheist just tell their kids there is nothing?

Yes. That is exactly what we told our kids. We are a fluke of the universe. We are as ephmeral as butterflies, and just as beautiful. There is nothing after death. There is no meaning to this life except what we make it, so you should work hard to make your life mean something beautiful or great or kind. They had an existential crisis getting their heads around it when they were very small, but they were over it by age 6 or 7.

BTW, we celebrate Christmas. My very Catholic parents insist on it. When DS#1 was two months old, my mother bought a tree and ornaments and a creche and descended on my house with it. She was leaving until we put it all up.

(She also DIY baptized the babies in the bathtub. She thinks I don't know, but she told my little brother. Whatever. It made her feel better.)

The nice thing about having your own children is you can raise them the way you see fit. Although other posters have said I am a failure as a parent because I am raising them with a religion they are free to reject when they are older, I think you are free to make your own choice with your kids. I disliked your comment earlier that I am a failed parent for my choice.

[Anonymous]

Ultimately these arguments are really just mental masturbation. No one is going to change anyone's minds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

And it still doesn't negate the fact that it remains a Christian holiday

for many people, it isn't. you don't get to dictate the way that the holiday is observed.

Christmas has the word "Christ" in it, obviously. Some of you people just ignore logic to do whatever you want.

[Anonymous]

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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.

Not sure about Hindu but do you know that Muslims believe Jesus is a messenger of God? The study his word in the Quran. Why wouldn't they celebrate him?

They thought he was a prophet. I just wasn't aware they celebrated the births of all the prophets with such fanfare.

Do you celebrate all the saints with the same fanfare as st. Patrick and st. Valentine?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And it still doesn't negate the fact that it remains a Christian holiday

for many people, it isn't. you don't get to dictate the way that the holiday is observed.

Christmas has the word "Christ" in it, obviously. Some of you people just ignore logic to do whatever you want.

Do you do something to honor the memory of people n Memorial Day or just take the holiday?

[Anonymous]

Its the shopping season. Break from school and work. Gifts, food, lights, friends and family and more gifts.

As a non-Christian, I love the day after Christmas as well if not more. For me it is a chance to score more stuff at great prices.

This will continue till the New Year's celebration and then I can't wait for winter to be over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And it still doesn't negate the fact that it remains a Christian holiday

for many people, it isn't. you don't get to dictate the way that the holiday is observed.

Christmas has the word "Christ" in it, obviously. Some of you people just ignore logic to do whatever you want.

I celebrate Xmas. I celebrate the "X" in it. Now I do not want to be flamed by logical people who claim that it stands for anonymous, an algebraic representation of a variable or Malcolm X.

So maybe if I say I am celebrating an illogical Xmas...will that make everyone feel better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And it still doesn't negate the fact that it remains a Christian holiday

for many people, it isn't. you don't get to dictate the way that the holiday is observed.

Christmas has the word "Christ" in it, obviously. Some of you people just ignore logic to do whatever you want.

Saturday has the word Saturn in it. So what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's see, non-Catholics celebrate St. Valentines day and St. Patrick's Day; non-Mexicans celebrate Cinco do Mayo (which isn't really a big day in Mexico) non-Veterans get Veterans Day off, and thanksgiving and Columbus Day are totally based on historical inaccuracies. So, I really don't give a fuck if non Christians celebrate Christmas. OP and the rest are just trying to feel superior and exclusive, like most on DCUM do on a daily basis.

What do you think you're celebrating on Christmas, if it's not the birth of Christ?

Solistice. If everyone regularly got the the 21st as a vacation day instead of Christmas, that's what others would be doing as well.

If OP is offended, let's take it Congress. Let's make it so Dec 25 is not a federal holiday, but rather just a day like every other day, that if you have to celebrate, you have to use your own vacation time. That's what the rest of us do. Then no one will be celebrating "your" holiday.

Thank you for saying that. There should be no religious festivals designated as a federal holidays at all. Give everyone a week off for holidays they want to celebrate in a year. Everyone will forgo Christmas and hit the beach in summer. Actually for a week in summer, I will actually celebrate all my "religious holiday" on a Sunday. I think my "GOD" would be ok with me to be well rested and tanned!

BTW - just for record. Best holiday of the year is 4th of July. No gifts, no entertaining, no cleaning house, no hosting anyone, throw stuff on grill, watch fireworks. All u have to worry about can be taken care of with a heavy application of bug spray!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And it still doesn't negate the fact that it remains a Christian holiday

for many people, it isn't. you don't get to dictate the way that the holiday is observed.

Christmas has the word "Christ" in it, obviously. Some of you people just ignore logic to do whatever you want.

Saturday has the word Saturn in it. So what?