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[amblinx1138]

I’ve never understood why an Atheist or an Agnostic would want to walk around with an ipod they got for "Christmas."

The whole “well, I celebrate the gift giving aspect of Christmas” just doesn’t cut it for me.

Comments

[swashbuckler332]

The easy answer I have to this is that Christmas. while it has religious roots, can ultimately be viewed (along with any holiday) as a social event, little different from other secular holidays such as Thanksgiving or New Years. I get to see parts of my family that I don't ordinarily get to see. After all, even before I realized I was an Atheist, that side of my family still welcomed me at Christmas despite the fact that I was Jewish. There's really no difference.

[amblinx1138]

That is certainly a popular way of looking at it, and many Christians even feel the same way. At the same time though, I do have to disagree with you in your comparison to Thanksgiving and New Years. Yes, it is a similar time for socializing and getting together, but it also represents a very important event in the Christian faith, making it rather unique from Thanksgiving or New Years. The whole commercialization of Christmas has been talked about for years, but in the end, believe it or not, there still are some people who feel its important to celebrate the birth of whom they consider to be their Lord and Savior. Atheists, by nature, deny this. I suppose it would be like me celebrating the eight days of Hanukkah, even though I'm not Jewish, in order to see loved ones and receieve 8 different presents. It just seems a bit inappropriate to me and contradictory to one's beliefs. Of course I have nothing against seeing loved ones and the exchanging of presents, regardless of what one's beliefs are. I suppose the point I'm

Swashbluckler332's comment re-posted

[amblinx1138]

Sorry, deleted comment on accident when attempting to post my own.

Here's what Josh had to say.

If you choose have a very pious view of the holiday, that's your perogative. But you have to be realistic about the fact that we now live in a multicultural world. Yes, there is nothing inherent in the holiday for an Atheist other than the social aspect, but that is something that is prevalent throughout the population. It's how societies and customs evolve.

I'm not talking about the much-discussed 'commercialization,' which is, in fact, a relatively recent development. Almost everything about the modern form of the holiday has nothing to do with the the birth of Jesus, from the time of year it is celebrated to most of the rituals, which stem from Germanic Winter Soltice customs.

Re: Swashbluckler332's comment re-posted

[amblinx1138]

THE REST OF WHAT JOSH HAD TO SAY.....

While I'm sure that you don't mean it this way, your statements come across as "It's my holiday, damn it, keep your grubby heathen mitts off of it." If you don't like Atheists, Agnostics, Jews, Muslims or Buddhists participating, don't invite them over.

Re: Swashbluckler332's comment re-posted

[amblinx1138]

I can understand why one might interpret my comments that way, though I thought I had worded it rather carefully. I did not intend to upset anyone nor do I think my complaint is entirely unjustified