by AntigoneRising on June 10th, 2007
For the same reason that Christians do - social tradition. Christmas was actually a pre-Christian pagan holiday that was pre-empted and renamed by the Christians. One does not have to have a religion to believe that the gift of giving, and spending time with loved ones is worthwhile and important, contrary to the belief of many.
by Romiex69x on June 10th, 2007
As an atheist I celebrate because it is fun, it feels good to spend time with your family, it is a national holiday, and it's a great tradition that we were doing since we were born, and it has nothing to do with any religion at all.
by czechmate66 on December 25th, 2008
Because everyone else does. One could be an athiest and still enjoy the decorations, lights, gift exchanges, parties, excuse to eat unhealthy food, believers and other people being in a better mood, dressing up in a Santa suit, etc. I know Jewish people who get into it too. Who doesn't enjoy seeing little children's eyes light up? The day(s) around December 25th has nothing to do with the Christian religion anyway, it is an old pagan holiday, Yule (Dec 21st - 25th or thereabouts). Pagans could see the sun's position in the sky rising after the solstice on about the 25th with the naked eye meaning that the days will in fact get longer again. The sun stays at its lowest point in the sky for 3 days after the solstice and then starts to rise. Bible scholars who know their stuff say that Christ was actually born in the springtime. Mormons say April 16th.
by DudeLer 2 on December 25th, 2008
christmas is only christian if one goes to mass on christmas eve. did you go to christmas mass? christmas is a hallmark holiday. its a retail holiday. it is a family get together day. its a day promoted by capitalism. so very little of christmas is really church related. its a christian joke, really.
by Hattori Hanzo - Formerly Seraphim on December 9th, 2008
why do christians have a christmas tree?
by peterpam on June 10th, 2007
Christmas is the Christianized version of the mid-winter festival that celebrates the winter solsice or the fact that we have turned from the shortest day and are on the way to spring etc. Early people celebrated for that purpose, Christians saw a tenuous link with new birth and instead of celebrating a Pagan festival took the opportunity to worship God for the birth of Christ. As Christianity became more popular it became more the norm to celebrate the birth of Jesus than it did for the solstice. Therefore we have Christmas . My issue is that as with all things they are only imortant to it's adherants and so as Christianity has lost importance in the West so Christmas is brought under question. Therefore why are not the opposers of the festival as enterprising as earlier Christians and celebrate mi-winter for whatever reason they choose and stop the accusations that it was taken by theft and declaring therefore that Christmas has no spiriual purpose. Make what of the day you will and a very happy !whatever it is day!. Oh by the way only 6 months to go before you have to decide why you celebrate. I am already happy with my day, are you?
by budaman on December 25th, 2008
Culture. Why do you use products knowing that there is a possibility that an Atheist could have made them?
by Olero on December 9th, 2008
Because they want presents. I don't think atheists should celebrate Christmas.
by jbrecken on December 25th, 2008
I celebrate the change of season with a lit-up evergreen decorated with rocking horse ornaments and gather together with family to exchange gifts with loved ones, listening to songs about sleigh rides, magic snowmen and flying reindeer. None of that has anything remotely to do with Christian dogma. I do appreciate the truly Christian desire for Peace on Earth, but you don't need to follow a god to hate war.
by pete1729 on December 25th, 2008
i do it for the cookies.
by Sgt_Major on December 9th, 2008
Because Christians stole the pagan festival.
No one knows what date Jesus was supposedly born on, but the church saw a perfect opportunity to wipe out a pagan festival and replace it with one of their own.
In ancient Babylon, the feast of the Son of Isis (Goddess of Nature) was celebrated on December 25. Raucous partying, gluttonous eating and drinking, and gift-giving were traditions of this feast.
In northern Europe, many other traditions that we now consider part of Christian worship were begun long before the participants had ever heard of Christ. The pagans of northern Europe celebrated the their own winter solstice, known as Yule. Mistletoe was considered a sacred plant, and the custom of kissing under the mistletoe began as a fertility ritual. Holly berries were thought to be a food of the gods.
The tree is the one symbol that unites almost all the northern European winter solstices. Live evergreen trees were often brought into homes during the harsh winters as a reminder to inhabitants that soon their crops would grow again. Evergreen boughs were sometimes carried as totems of good luck and were often present at weddings, representing fertility. The Druids used the tree as a religious symbol, holding their sacred ceremonies while surrounding and worshipping huge trees.
In 350, Pope Julius I declared that Christ’s birth would be celebrated on December 25.
So a better question is why did the christians steal yet another pagan festival?
by Nasiswand on December 9th, 2008
There's a huge difference between celebrating Christmas and its message and celebrating the 'gimme gimme gimme' Christmas.
by tuvw on November 29th, 2009
Because we want to.
by Capital J on November 29th, 2009
because face it. christmas has very very little to do with the birth of christ lately. its all about what we want and know we will get for christmas.
by Omar Little on November 29th, 2009
It's more like putting up with it rather than celebrating it, it's incredibly difficult to avoid Christmas, regardless of your religious beliefs.
by Kiwi girl aka jeanie16 on December 26th, 2008
its a lovely celebration of a time when a lot of humanity offer feelings of love, peace and joy, when families unite, friendships are thought of, things stop for a few hours to allow the spirit to just feel, float. thats well worth celebrating ! :)
by Keysha on December 25th, 2008
Christmas is also Yule, a celebration of winter, and a time to get together with family. None of those have anything to do with the Christian God.
by Chezter is going to save the Redheads on December 25th, 2008
God is debatable...
Christmas dinner, presents, egg nog, day off of work... that's all pretty conclusive
by CaRbOnPrOdUcT n-aIrY tHaNg on December 25th, 2008
Hell ya. I'm all for happy cheer and yule time carrage.
by Rinky Dinky Do on December 9th, 2008
You people forget and or deliberate ignore the little fact that this time of the year was stolen by the Christians from the Pagans who celebrated the solstice. I realize that you're stating that we are hypocrites so, you tell me, who's more hypocrite, Atheists for putting up a fake tree and blowing their money or you for pawning the crap on the rest of society and celebrating the alleged birth of the most humble being in your history by getting into debt upto your arm pits thru the practice of excessive consumerism, eh?
by black rabbit on December 9th, 2008
i'm an atheist and i have a lovely christmas tree. i don't believe in the meaning of it, but i look forward to the time with my family. and it gives one hope becasue every one is happy at that time of year. well normally, i'm a very positive person so i love holiday's with family. i love easter aswell. i was brought up in a christian home, even thow my father was an atheist aswell.
by mr. Bill on December 9th, 2008
Because it is theri right to do so! What do we have here the religion police one more time? Mr Bill
by Hypatia on December 9th, 2008
Why do YOU celebrate on December 25 then? That date was a Roman celebration (Sol Invictus) picked by Christians, since the Bible does not mention when was Jesus born. I guess you don't fix a christmas tree either, since that is another pagan tradition from Northern peoples. Since you are a faithful christian, I suppose you don't give away presents because that was the Roman tradition of their beautiful celebration (not the false tale of St. Nicholas).
I am an atheist and celebrate the seasons with a living cypress tree, give presents to my family and celebrate the renewal of life. It is fair, it is humane, it is legitimate and it is not only christian. It is good to read
http://www.simpletoremember.com/vitals/Christmas_TheRealStory.htm
by Ed the Jetpacking Headbanger on December 9th, 2008
I know non-Christians who celebrate the holiday because they look at it as a time for their families to get together. Businesses are closed and it allows them time to celebrate their year and families.
by Jade on December 9th, 2008
I see no reason why they shouldn't if they want to. Christmas these days doesn't have a lot to do with God and religion anyway. Christmas wasn't always a Christian holiday, why should Atheists (or anyone) be excluded from the spirit of the season? The spirit of giving, brotherhood, good will toward your fellow man, and all the other stuff which seems to only be important at this time of year...for some.
by Williamstown on December 9th, 2008
Why does anyone celebrate chriostmas??? It's more depressing than anything else. Go out spend all the money you have, wrap the presents, then you get to struggle to pay off that credit card bill the rest of the year! This life is worthless and full of too many problems. I'm tempted to just lay down with my gun and end it. I've got nothing to live for and am ready to leave this wretched body full of nothing but medicine and pain!!!
by Punchous on December 9th, 2008
Deep in their hearts they are believe but don't want to admit that!!
by Dr Jones on October 14th, 2008
For the same reason that northern Europeans celebrated it for thousands of years before Christ.
Christmas marks the end of the year and a time to forget about the old year and enjoy yourself.
I do not believe in any God, but I celebrate Christmas though not with Christ.
by Aero the lifeguard on October 14th, 2008
Because the idea of Christmas in general is good.It about family and friend togetherness, love, kindness, giving, and all over is a very happy time. Take all the God and Jesus things out and it's just a celebratory festival like it was originally intended. (and yes, I say Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays. Sue me politicans : p )
by Dr. Scientist on July 29th, 2008
Christmas is a mockery of what it is supposed to be. I agree that atheists should not celebrate Christmas, but only if you Christians start celebrating it for the true reasons.
by Jiggy Kaiser on July 29th, 2008
Tradition?
Why not?
by judgebill on June 10th, 2007
Do they ? Or is it simply an opportunity to have a party, buy and give some presents and enjoy yourself? If by "Christmas" you refer to the birth of Jesus and the beginning of the various religions we call christianity, then I'm not sure this is what athiests are celebrating. If you refer to a commercial experience that falls on December 25 every year, then atheists, non-christians and even some christians celebrate it.
by SecsiBeast on October 14th, 2008
They want the modern and nonspiritual meaning of Christmas... they'll refer it to X-mas or any other variation just for Santa Claus and to get presents.
by Long Shot on October 14th, 2008
Santa Claus
by 23Skidoo on October 17th, 2008
Booze and presents, I suspect.
Me? I actually never liked Christamss much for purely non-religious reasons. There is so much pressure to have a lovely holiday and make everything perfect that when some little thing does go wrong it's blown out of all proportion.
.
by Colt COAT of Justice on December 9th, 2008
Christmas trees are about Peace and joy for the world. God is God and a tree is a tree! Why not! atheists are not against family;peace and fun times!
by Daevid on July 17th, 2008
The commericial aspect overrides the spiritual, unfortunately.
by dumdum on November 29th, 2009
Why do many Christians that celebrate Christmas seem to think it is all about gifts? Some of both do what they want for several different reason -if you can tell me why all Christians do any one thing I'll tell you why all Atheists do one thing; being a part of any group doesn't not mean your are clones, or clowns although both groups most likely have their share of both. +5
by dead leaves raked in a pile on October 17th, 2008
They celebrate the commercial spirit of Christmas.
Anyway it's a good excuse for a party
by Mr n Mrs M... on October 14th, 2008
Just because they dont believe in God, doesnt mean they dont beilieve in Santa.. and Rudolf and Donna and Blitzen and Prancer and Dancer and Comet and the little elves and Mrs Santa Clause and flying sleighs and all that shit...
by Prunesquallor on July 17th, 2008
Because it's a national holiday. I suppose we could sit in a corner, glowering away at all the Christians scoffing their Christmas dinner, refusing the odd proffered mince pie, and saying nothing except 'Humbug!', but speaking personally, I like to join in and celebrate the winter solstice. :)
by Miss Madge on July 17th, 2008
We like getting presents, too.
by jacki7750 on October 13th, 2008
well christmas is a religious holiday (its not completly a gift giving holiday, or a santa claus holiday etc. ).....it celebrates the birth of jesus christ, the son of god...in my OPINION, if you dont belive in jesus christ, then why are you celebrating his birthday? To me that is a bit hypocritical..There are many other celebrations for people who do not belive in jesus christ such as hanukkah....but i would say that there is such thing as an alternative christmas where people celebrate it normally without the religious input.
by Stewie_G on July 17th, 2008
I'm not an Atheist but perhaps you might want to look a bit into the Holiday before posting these types of questions.
http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=1252&display_order=1&mini_id=1290
by petros on July 17th, 2008
The question is not if atheist should celebrate christmas but whether or not christians should celebrate christmas. Those who read their bibles should have this question already answered. Is it the atheist or the "christian" who is the hypocrite?
by Phillis - Zacks little sister on October 13th, 2008
Americans enjoy their happy times, and celebrating Christmas is a happy time for us. We celebrate anything and everything!
by BenjaminDeParadiso on July 29th, 2008
Atheists celebrate Christmas for the same reason believers do - for the gifts! Whether it is the giving or the receiving you enjoy as a Christian, atheists enjoy it the same way you do - minus all of that birth of Jesus stuff. Babies are ugly anyways. Look at that little twerp, Sheriff Raff. ;-)
by LuckyLefty brought to u by letters WTF on July 29th, 2008
aint shit else to celebrate during that time
by Prunesquallor on December 9th, 2008
I celebrate the solstice. :)
by pam i am on December 26th, 2008
This time of year has many festivities aside from Christmas. Saturnalia, for example:
From Wikipedia:
Saturnalia's relation to Christmas
Christians in the fourth century assigned December 25 (the Winter Solstice on the Julian calendar) as Christ's birthday (and thus Christmas) because pagans already observed this day as a holiday. As the dates of Saturnalia are not precisely coincident with Christmas, a more refined argument is that Christmas was set on the feast of Sol Invictus, which was on December 25, and which had supplanted Saturnalia. However, with many of the traditions of Saturnalia incorporated into Sol Invictus, it is possible that some of those traditions — such as the exchanging of gifts — were also carried forward as a part of the Christian holiday.
Why are so many atheists so obsessed with trying to wipe out all belief in God that the most risible arguments will do?
by skeptic on January 22nd, 2010
| 1 person likes this
Why do non-believers discredit the (hard evidence) eyewitness rercordings, as the "facts" of the power of God?
by PrimeFactor on February 5th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
Why do atheists question religion when it is FAITH that keeps it alive not unlike life in a body, non quantifiable and a corpse without it?
by -O-uknow on January 18th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
Athiests: How many are Athiests because of some overbearing Christian verbally beating you with their beliefs? A simple yes or no will do.
by rabid on January 27th, 2010
| 2 people like this
Do you think the idea of God's existence as something that would be 'too good to be true'?
by kakskee on December 31st, 2009
| 2 people like this
You're reading Why do Atheists celebrate Christmas?
- which can also be phrased in the following ways:
Why do atheists have Christmas tree and celebrate Christmas?
If you’re an Atheist, why do you celebrate Christmas anyway?
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!
Comments
This A gets the Sunblynd seal of approval.****** Source cited; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
by Sunblynd 5.0 on June 10th, 2007
I compltely agree, and belive it is true, but just to let you know, that if you cited wikipedia as a source on your paper, my proffesor would most likely give you a F, since wikipedia is open source... ;)
by Romiex69x on June 10th, 2007
Tell your prof to kiss my hole. If he thinks he can do a better job than us, he's more than welcome to log on anytime.
by Sunblynd 5.0 on June 10th, 2007
heh, will be sure to deliver the message :)
by Romiex69x on June 11th, 2007
Excellent answer. Anytime I get asked why I celebrate Christmas I always answer with the same thing: I don't celebrate Christmas, I celebrate Yule.
by Farino on June 11th, 2007
Long ago: Sven and Otar find this awesome party downtown.
- - - -
Sven: Man this is off the chain, son!
Otar: Definitely. (Party ensues for a while.)
Sven, trying to yell over the music: Hey, didja know it's Jesus' birthday? That's what I heard.
Otar: Really? Wow, whatta coincidence! Trippy.
Sven: No, I mean that's probably why they're celebrating.
Otar: Oh. Okay, cool.
Sven: No seriously, show some respect.
- - - -
And so it passed, that Xmas and the War on Xmas® were born on the same day.
by Aristocles on July 17th, 2008
Wow. well said.
by PinkGlitter on October 14th, 2008