Q- do non religious people people put trees up earlier than religious people?

[RobertSmithdoesmyhair]

Chatting at work today about trees. We noticed that those who are Catholic don't put trees up until much closer to Xmas- around the 15th Dec, as it is nearing the birth of Jesus. However, those who are not religious already have theirs up! Is there a general correlation or not? What do you think? Is Christmas just commercial nowadays?

I don't celebrate the christian aspects of christmas.

I would ask you lowlandLucky why do you dress a tree at christmas time? Hardly a christian practice.

Christians don't "own christmas.

I'm Catholic, DH atheist. awaits relationship flaming... Ours goes up around the 15th. We get a real one so it won't last a month and DH is a traditionalist so likes to leave until 12th night.

Traditionally Advent is meant to be a time of watching, waiting, hoping, praying, so churches traditionally are kept plain during Advent.

To be honest though I’m just desperate for some fairy lights and glitter by 1st December 😁

speakout Christians use a tree as a sign of ever lasting life and the lights to symbolise Gods shining light. You are right Chritians dont "own" Christmas but as it is a religious festival celebrating the birth of Jesus i dont see how or why Atheists celebrate it.

Christians use a tree as a sign of ever lasting life and the lights to symbolise Gods shining light. You are right Chritians dont "own" Christmas but as it is a religious festival celebrating the birth of Jesus i dont see how or why Atheists celebrate it.

I don't. I have a tree because we always had one, so it's tradition, and I like it. The star on top is a nod, and I have Angel and Nativity decorations, but my tree isn't anything really to do with the birth of Jesus for me.

I agree the clue is in the name Christmas but it is definitely a secular celebration also and for those who don't do the religious part then it's still a nice winter festival with good food, presents and parties etc. The date was stolen from a pagan celebration anyway, wasn't it? So it stems from that?

You are right Chritians dont "own" Christmas but as it is a religious festival celebrating the birth of Jesus i dont see how or why Atheists celebrate it.

For you it is religious festival. For me it is a solstice celebration. For both of us it is part of our culture. It is lovely to share, don't you think?

Putting up a decorated tree is actually a religious practice. Pre Christian in fact.

TheNavigator Yes i agree it is lovely to share

No

I’m an atheist but very traditional in my prejudices - tree goes up on around the 15th - DD’s Jewish mate used to come over to help decorate the tree while DD went to hers to light the candles for Hanukah. My Hindu workmate used to put his fairy lights up for Diwali and leave them up until Boxing Day.

I do know how to spell Hanukkah, honest.

I don't think it's got anything to do with whether you're religious or not. I'm a total atheist, but live Christmas. I don't put my tree up until about the 15th.

Is this not a traditionalist versus modernist thing rather than religious versus atheist? Religious people being more traditionalist...lagging behind where everyone else has moved to?

Very churchy here and we are certainly later putting up decorations than our friends. We tend to wait until Advent 3.

(By which I mean 3rd Sunday of Advent, not 3rd Dec!)