Is It Hypocritical for Atheists to Celebrate Christmas?

“albeit a little belatedly”?!!!

You listened to the pope to join forces with the catholics and then you went to the midnight service, didn’t ya? :))

Hmm… I’m wondering why the atheist groups that go out of their way to put up inclusionary displays don’t just call them Christmas displays, and have a Santa, Rudolph, Tree with star, and the whole nine yards, except perhaps the nativity scene.
Actually, I’m sort of thinking that might be a good thing. I’ve never actually sued or paid for such a thing, so I’m not trying to be critical of those who have taken action. However, if it was something I planned to do then I would make it a secular Christmas display.

i don’t “celebrate” christmas for entirely different reasons than my atheism. to me, christmas has become (in this country, at least) a disgusting orgy of consumption and consumerism. i always donate to charity this time of year; those are the gifts i give to my nieces and nephews, donations in their names. they are in wealthy families and i’m often disappointed in how their parents seem to think that unless there are dozens of presents under the tree for them, they are “bad parents.” i really don’t like the message they are reinforcing in the minds of the kids. and don’t get me started on the working conditions of millions of workers around the globe who produce all manner of gifts and foodstuffs for rich americans to consume during the holidays, but who themselves can never afford anything similar.

i don’t think it’s hypocritical of atheists when they participate in midwinter celebrations of any kind. if that’s your thing, go for it. as Hemant points out, there is nothing inherently “christian” about santa, rudolph, holiday lighting displays, etc. winter can be depressing and there is a reason why cultures all around the world and thru all of history have had them.

Organizations like the ACLU and FFRF only have problems with the gov putting up nativity scenes and other religious displays. I haven’t yet heard of a case where they challenged displays that where completely secular.

I don’t mind small gifts but I’m not into the cycle of obligation and really not into the kind of horrible Black Friday behavior where people get beaten up, shot and run down.

An atheist could quite logically take the position that Jesus was born in a stable with the ox and the ass, whilst rejecting the supernatural elements of angels and virgin birth. (We’ve just had a discussion on the star of Bethlehem and whether that was inherently supernatural or not).

Yeah, but I don’t put up displays of everyone who ever was born in a stable, a farm, a hospital, etc. There is certainly a religious connotation to picking some random baby to display. What would motivate a atheist like me to be so concerned about this particular baby, and why is his birth so important? Generally atheists tend to give accolades to a persons ideas, and generally on the day of their death. Celebrating a persons birth has a kind of fatalism to it, like they were destined to come up with an idea.

There is no legal basis challenge a secular display, which is what all government displays should be.

Me neither. I don’t know of every case though. I vaguely remember someone objecting to a Christmas tree display but maybe I am mistaken. Recently there is a case where someone in the Army said they could not refer to something as the “Christmas Football Tournament’. If xmas is secular then I don’t see why that needs to be changed to “Holiday Football Tournament”. Hemant opens a can of worms here that needs to be explored.

I always thought of my celebration of Xmas as a kind of participatory anthropology. If I lived in Africa I’d probably celebrate their traditions along with them. I’ve been to a Diwali party, and if I was in India I might start celebrating that “secularly” since I like lights, candles, fireworks, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, husband and wife relationships, and the like.

I don’t know what you have to be to celebrate Arbor Day.

An Ent?

Your comment is so loaded with bad assumptions I’m not sure if that you were being intentionally fallacious, don’t know any better, or just are extremely careless with words.

Why can’t you, for instance, buy carefully to make sure that no actual slave labor went into your gifts.

You may not understand this, but “rich” people buying from poor people, as long as no slavery or other coercement is involve is actually good for both parties. I can gorge on turkey and at the same time help a poor farmer.

That’s the rub. Is “Christ”mas secular or not? is it incusionary of Muslims, Jews, Hindus, etc. or is it only Christians, atheists from Christian families, and pagans who belive in Odin. i don’t have a problem with other atheists putting a big “A” on display during the winter solstice but do they do this at home? I’ve heard of putting a question mark or “A” on the top of a tree but not just a big “A”. Seems contrived.

Very few people get a dating system named after them, Christmas split our calendar. So it’s not just some random baby.

Here is a Christmas Tree that was taken down because it is not secular in it’s representation: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/09/20/news/hancock/group-plans-new-memorial-tree-after-bar-harbor-pulls-plug-on-lights/

Nobody did suggest that. Lots of people seem to think that’s an obligatory part of Xmas.

I don’t know why this comment got an “up” and the one below by Brian got a “down”. It wouldn’t make sense to BE a tree to celebrate Arbor Day. A tree hugger, maybe.

I’m an atheist who celebrates Christmas both for the fun and because, good or bad, my heritage is Italian/Irish Catholic and some elements of those cultures are worth celebrating and continuing, regardless of belief. To me, even religious carols are good, they speak of values I do believe in, unlike most Christian doctrine, like peace between people and caring for the poor. They are the folk songs that connect us to the people who came before us, just as some of the greatest visual art ever produced was commissioned by the Church. Just because I would like a future where reason takes over and religion becomes a part of history, it doesn’t mean we should throw away traditions that are positive. Family is good (whether born into or chosen), gifts are nice, and frankly, in the U.S. Christmas is one of the only days that businesses actually close and everyone can have some time for fun.

Funny how the “War on Christmas” types never recognize that Christmas is one of 2 national holidays left in the American calendar.

It’s interesting to note (especially to evangelicals) that Christmas was banned in Puritan Massachusetts at least partially because it was seen as Catholic, and therefore pagan or, at the very least, not Christian. Christmas means “Christ’s Mass,” and that second word was anathema to Puritans. So, really, evangelicals shouldn’t be celebrating it, either.

Now that I’m no longer a believer, I find I enjoy the season much more. I enjoy the lights, getting together with loved ones, baking, decorating the tree, and watching Christmas movies. I don’t feel nearly as much pressure to find the perfect gifts. I do get presents for my kids, but we don’t go overboard. I find it easier to focus on the original purpose behind winter celebrations–bringing in light at the darkest time of year.

When I was a believer, I was always disappointed in Christmas. Christmas day was a huge letdown because I felt something was missing. It was like a miracle was supposed to have occurred and it never arrived (I considered myself a believer, but in retrospect, I don’t think it ever really “took”). All of the fun stuff was just going through the motions to cover up the fact that no savior was born 2,000 years ago and it’s still just us here on earth, with this one life. Now that I’m comfortable with that fact, I can enjoy the fun stuff more because it’s just that–fun stuff.

The vast majority of what Christians do to celebrate Christmas has nothing to do with religion.

“I’m decorating a tree for Christ.”
“I’m putting up lights for Christ.”
“I’m wrapping presents in the name of the Lord.”

Yeah, sure.

If I could give this 1,000 upvotes I would.

Nah, it’s hypocritical for Christians to celebrate it, since almost everything about Christmas is stolen from pagan myths/cultures.

Yeah, we cross posted. I didn’t see your’s till later either.

I realize this is unnecessarily picky of me, but I don’t think of it as celebrating Xmas, but as participating in a limited fashion. The Pagan stuff (which admittedly is most of it), I’m fine with and I can meet up with Xtian family and friends when they finish with their worship portion of it.

I celebrate “Christmas” because that’s what it’s called. My family celebrates it; my parents make breakfast and we exchange gifts and then my uncle has a big family dinner. If it was just me I wouldn’t do much (I hung a Santa thing on my door, partly because I was the only one in my little section of my complex that didn’t have anything and I thought it looked weird..last year I didn’t decorate at all). I don’t think of it as a religious holiday at all; we don’t even say grace at dinner. When I was a kid we went to church on Christmas Eve but that didn’t really have anything to do with the festivities the next day.

Hey if it makes you feel better, I get down voted at least 3 times even when I wholeheartedly agree with a point being made by an atheist.

Just depends on how we do it. see: http://quinesqueue.blogspot.com/2013/12/merry-solstice.html

It’s like St. Patrick’s Day: you don’t need to be Irish, just drunk (which is not quite the same thing)

I celebrate Buddha’s birthday in May, but I am not a buddhist.
Who say I cannot celebrate whatever I want?

If it is going to be secular then we need to change the name and take the Christ out of Christmas. It’s funny to me how some Christians want it to be secular to justify their need to make everyone say Merry Christmas, but then they put up signs that say “Keep Christ in Christmas” with a big ol’ pic of blonde haired, blue-eyed, ripped abs white boy Jesus.

That’s the primary reason why I celebrate. Because we celebrated it every year as a kid, it was the best time of year, it was magical and I love the memories. It’s nostalgic too. I still have many of the decorations. I even went to church because it helps me feel close to my mother. She sang in the choir and she was always the one to sing the high parts of the hymns (descants) and when I go to church on Christmas Eve and I hear someone singing those descants of Angels We Have Heard on High or Hark The Herald Angels Sing, I become very overcome with emotion because it feels as if my mother is alive again. I usually have to bring tissues.

Also, arbor day is not a religious holidays started by trees for trees. There are many secular holidays… labor day, veterans day. I don’t have to be a laborer to enjoy the late summer weather, or camping. I don’t need to be in the army to remember those who served, etc.

I think your entire point is hypocritical.

Hemant, no it is not hypocritical to celebrate Christmas if you are an atheist. The answer you give in the video is excellent. So is the answer of another poster on here named CraftLass whom I’m going to quote here because she says it all (I only add that I was born and raised Catholic but I’m not into the lies of Catholic doctrine. I know indeed we all go on to the next dimension but there is no throne there nor king sitting upon it): CraftLass says “I’m an atheist who celebrates Christmas both for the fun and because, good or bad, my heritage is Italian/Irish Catholic and some elements of those cultures are worth celebrating and continuing, regardless of belief. To me, even religious carols are good, they speak of values I do believe in, unlike most Christian doctrine, like peace between people and caring for the poor. They are the folk songs that connect us to the people who came before us, just as some of the greatest visual art ever produced was commissioned by the Church. Just because I would like a future where reason takes over and religion becomes a part of history, it doesn’t mean we should throw away traditions that are positive. Family is good (whether born into or chosen), gifts are nice, and frankly, in the U.S. Christmas is one of the only days that businesses actually close and everyone can have some time for fun.

Funny how the “War on Christmas” types never recognize that Christmas is one of 2 national holidays left in the American calendar.”

“I’m elbowing that lady in the face on Black Friday for Jesus! Hands off that, I saw it first!”

If I lived in an area with more Hindus I might join in some of their traditions. It would probably be annoying for them to have to explain everything to me and honestly I’m not that interested in the religious parts. But I do enjoy Indian food and love a good Bollywood movie so who knows. (I love when action heroes break out into song and dance. Why don’t they do that in our movies???)

Or you could make your own. Several of my relatives give hand-made gifts of various sorts. They are always a big hit.

Video? You don’t have to watch the video to comment

It wouldn’t be much fun for others if I just repeat what’s already in the video.

Just because I would like a future where reason takes over and religion becomes a part of history, it doesn’t mean we should throw away traditions that are positive.

Exactly! I think a lot of people are under the impression that atheists are grinches who want to rid the world of any trace that religion ever existed. But that’s not how I see it at all. I love the idea of preserving different cultural heritages. There’s nothing wrong with harmless traditions and holidays, just as long as people realize they are based on myths. You can admire religious art and music without believing that the religion of the people who created them is true. I mean, just think of Ancient Greece and Rome. We still incorporate elements of their mythology in our society even though we clearly recognize it for what it is.

I think there’s something to be said for midwinter celebrations. It’s cold, it’s dark, winter seems to be going on forever at this point. A break for feasting, lights, family, gifts, etc can help a lot with people’s general emotional well-being. Christmas can serve that purpose, though it’s not the only holiday that can.

I hit nothing but contradictions going with the idea that “Christmas is secular.” It’s hard not to be a hypocrite in this area if you want to ban government displays and yet claim it as a secular holiday. It’s not really a secular holiday, although it can be celebrated that way, but then it is still tied to religious ethnicity to a certain extent. I just noticed the “can of worms” and ran with it. I’m really not suggesting a “solution”.

You, in fact make my point. I couldn’t care less about splitting the calendar on some random babies birthday either. Using a equinox or apogee makes more sense. He is a random baby to those who are not in the religion. A religion made him non-random. It is the fatalism of the religion (he was prophesied) that makes his birth “special”. The calendar issue is also a religious issue, and Jesus wasn’t born on that day in the first place. That was fictionalize to make it align with what was the solstice.

I guess so but that seems weird. Why bother?

I can’t appease her. She died when I was young. It’s sentimental I know, but I just really like it.

Of course, my house is not a public space, so that’s not what you meant.

Right? As an American, my favorite thing about my country is the melting pot aspect. I love celebrating various holidays, even ones that have no place in my own heritage (Sukkot is a particular favorite, the closest thing to Christmas in Judaism, with decorations and a “play house” and a requirement to stare at the stars and ponder the big questions, nothing wrong with that!). I love eating various traditional foods. I love talking to people about where their family came from and how they celebrate. I especially love a big singalong of Christmas music, because pretty much everyone knows every song and it’s the only time everyone joins in all year. Heck, 95% of American Christmas songs were written by Jews and have *nothing* to do with the Jesus myth. If that’s cool, then what could be wrong with an atheist fully enjoying whatever traditions appeal?

I have yet to hear anyone say “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is hypocritical. lol

So many elements of Christmas, especially the date itself, were stolen anyway. We’re just taking it that next step! 🙂 The issue of that particular wrong date is what started my deconversion, so I guess you could say I celebrate my “born again” atheism for Christmas, too. 😉

I lost my mother young as well, and I completely understand what you mean. My mother was very religious and I have a few things that aren’t exactly me that I keep around because they were something we shared or they had deep meaning to her, and therefore they make me smile.

I was thrilled to see my father still puts up her Nativity set, and I will do the same when it passes to me, too. Nothing to do with the Nativity, but that set itself matters to two people in this world and I’m one of them.

There is *nothing* wrong with being sentimental, and it’s impossible to avoid at the holidays.

My step-dad was not good at keeping stuff after she died. He was irresponsible and stopped paying for a storage unit, so we lost everything in there. (We all wished he would’ve told somebody. There were plenty of relatives who would’ve held onto items until we kids got older. But he had his undiagnosed and untreated bipolar disorder and was impossible to reason with at the time. He’s dead now too, so being pissed at him doesn’t do any good.) I hope her other stuff found good homes, but I’ll never know for sure. I’m lucky this survived, even though it has no real value other than sentiment, and that someone thought to make sure I got it.