To wonder why people who appear to dislike religion enjoy Christian celebrations

[Cupcake1985]

I know that most people enjoy Christmas, Easter etc with no regard for the actual Christian basis and meaning of the celebration, but aibu to think that those people should then not get all offended by the religious aspects and sometimes be downright rude about it?? The nativity play, spreading the word of god through carol singing etc..... Dare I mention operation Christmas child?! If you enjoy Christmas then at least try to accept it is actually about the birth of Christ or at least respect that others will celebrate this fact and may try to share that with those around them with the best intentions.

Basically cheer up, be accepting, be kind.

[AuntieStella]

But no-one would be incapable of understanding say a card that referred to Yuletide Greetings, or a Yule Log, or abreast to "Seasons Greetings"

The name Christmas is a contraction of "Christ's Mass" which is inherently Christian. But there's no need to use the Christian elements for whatever mid-winter celebration you uphold.

[UpTheFRIGGinDuff]

If you enjoy Christmas then at least try to accept it is actually about the birth of Christ

Is it? Actually, the Christian church stamped it on top of a very ancient pagan festival.

As an aethiest, nothing I celebrate at Christmas has anything to do with Christianity.

YABU.


^this.

[UpTheFRIGGinDuff]

Darn. Bolding fail.

[HairyGrotter]

It's only a story, so chill out!

I'm atheist, I love Christmas because it means family, food, TV and presents.

Nativity is a panto.

YABU

[HettiePetal]

So, what are you saying, AuntieStella?

If we use the word "Christmas" then we're basically celebrating a Christian festival whether we like it or not?

The word has Christian origins, obviously. But it is describing a festival that was not originally Christian.

Seriously, are you celebrating Saturn every time you say Saturday?

[TheSporkforeatingkyriarchy]

ringaringarosy For many - particularly companies, Happy Holidays is to be as neutral as possible, but actually it's became standard for public places as well because there are dozens of holidays at this time of year and it's nice to remember that even with the Christmas overload.

I don't particularly enjoy Christmas celebrations nor do I celebrate it (or anything) on the 25th of December and haven't since I left home (years and years ago). Even in my bah-humbug circles, I haven't met people offended by the religious aspects of it unless people are actively trying to convert (like OCC), the only thing I've ever seen is wanting to be included in a way alongside. The whole "War on religious Christmas" seems more to be about some Christians wanting exclusive rights to decide on how to deal with this time of year than anyone being offended or even seeking inclusion alongside. Personally, I ignore it as much as possible, and enjoy a great New Year's.

[ChippingInLovesAGoodBang]

So, once again, the OP pulled the pin out of the grenade and ran - what a surprise.

[Trills]

This is a bit like the child-free wedding threads where someone pops up and says a wedding is about the joining of two families.

Not necessarily.

[jamdonut]

We celebrate "Christmas" as an ancient tradition, using bits of all the different traditions that have grown around it. When my children were little,they heard the "Christmas Story" but it was just that - a story.

We (DH and myself),were brought up in a vaguely Christian culture,and christmas and easter are part of that, but I prefer to think of them as even older than that,being in touch with the seasons etc.

If you want to accept it as a Christian Festival ,that is up to you.

[MrsTaraPlumbing]

I am an atheist.
I also replied on the other thread.
I am in agreement with HettiePetal.

I guess I am a little bit rude about religious people and their imaginary god, and they probably are a little bit rude about me. I think it is hilariously funny when otherwise inteligent educated people then bring in this fantasy god person into their lives.

Generally though I think I am pretty tolerant, if you want to believe in fairies you go ahead. Some of my best friends of many years are devout Christians and (perhaps surprisingly) they really aren't bad people, ust a little misguided!

Now - though some Christians may be offended by the way I have written this they often do expect their beliefs to be respected by society as if they were facts. And the rest of us with different views are merely tolerated.

I strongly object to the way religion is thrust upon us in our daily lives and am very pleased to see the rapid decline in religion in the UK in my life time.

As for celebrating Christmas - the only time of year when our whole extended family is off work and school. Of course we are going to make the most of it. Though a mid winter holiday goes back way further than when the Christians adopted it - when was that exactly - perhaps some Christian here could remind us.
I know it was around the 3rd or the 4th century? It was all to do with the Roman Empire.
It also coincides with the end of the original Olympic games - those games that were an annual summer tribute to ancient Greek Gods (esp Zeus).
More than just a coincidence I think. Read ancient Greek mythology dating more than 3,000 years old and you will find a whole lot of it just copied straight into Christian stories.

Feel free to enjoy your fairy stories if they give you comfort as a Christian but they are no more valid than believing in the same stories when they were pagan myths.

[lifesgreatquestions]

To answer your question, I do not enjoy Christian celebrations. I do like putting up a tree and giving presents, I like eating chocolate, but I don't enjoy Christian goings on at those times. It's not like I sit in church and smirk! As some others have said, there's a cultural and historical theme to Christmas that sits outside of religion.

[MadAsFish]

Aand she's gone again (the OP, I mean).

Christmas is a Christian celebration - no, actually, it's a grafting over of an older tradition, so people would stop celebrating things the Church didn't like.
We all say Christmas because it communicates what we mean - the end of december festivités.

[MadAsFish]

Well we don't all say it, but many of us do, anyway.

[mrsravelstein]

i dislike religion intensely.

i am racially jewish and religiously atheist.

i do however like giving presents and eating a meal with my family in the middle of december which are both traditional jewish things to do, and in fact atheist things to do as well. nothing to do with jesus, and i'll happily call it celebrating 'winterval' instead of calling it christmas if that makes christians feel better.

i cannnot stand the bloody nativity nonsense that my kids have to participate in at their non faith state schools, as the schools seem to be unable to to preface the story with "some people believe that....", just like at easter i had to explain to my very sad 5 year old that no, jesus did not come back to life after he was dead, and that our sorely missed grandad and hamster will therefore not be coming back to life either.

[sashh]

Personally I'd like to ignore Xmas the way I'm able to ignore Muslim, SSikh, Hindu, Jewish, etc festivals.

I don't celebrate any of them.

no regard for the actual Christian basis and meaning of the celebration

Non Christian things that happen at Christian celebrations

Trees
Holly and Ivy
Eggs
tree decorations
candles
bunnies and chicks
drinking to excess
turkeys
presents

As for OCC - how can you be accepting and support Samaritan's purse?

[Beastofburden]

Do you guys only speak English? It's not called Christmas in other languages, is it?

German- Weihnacht means night of incense, or holy night. Religion not specified, actually.

French-Noel. Does come from birthday, dies natales.

Swedish- jul, same as Yule.

Danish- as Swedish.

This all reminds me of that US senator who didn't want to learn Spanish, and when asked why not, said "if English was good enough for Jesus Christ, it's good enough for me".

What we call it in English does not have some cosmic meaning, it's just what we call it in English.....

[hettienne]

I celebrate Christmas in a non-religious way. I also don't mind the Nativity, it's a harmless enough story, entirely mythical and is a part of out tradition/culture. In the same way I have no problem with DS learning the Rama and Sita story or making little divas at school for Diwali.

The Christian Easter story is a bit grim and unnecessary for young children, but I'm quite happy to celebrate Spring with all the traditional fertility stuff - rabbits, eggs, flowers etc.

[TrinSnowPastaMelonity]

I wasn't on the thread that some people are saying this is about but christmas was originally a pagan festival

[hermioneweasley]

I am immensely grateful for this thread and the OCC one. So I can see who are the decent people and who are cunts.

It's very helpful.

Cuntwatch, if you like.

[hackmum]

Almost everyone I know - Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists, Sikhs - celebrates Christmas. The only exception is a friend who is a Jehovah's Witness. The JWs don't seem to have a lot of fun...

[HettiePetal]

What we call it in English does not have some cosmic meaning, it's just what we call it in English.....

Really good point.

But I have to say I'm curious about this idea of a traditional Xmas. Most of what we do seems to be pagan or Victorian in origin. Is there anything we do as part of a traditional Xmas that's neither other than going to church?

I can't think of anything either.

There's not really much about Christmas that's actually Christian, is there?

Some people go to church. Most don't. Some Christmas cards & advent calendars have the three kings on it, or something (most don't) and some primary schools put on a nativity.

All the other stuff - presents, crackers, turkey, Santa, the who's-gonna-die--Eastenders episode (might just be me that looks forward to that) - has bugger all to do with Christmas. And never has had.

[HettiePetal]

has bugger all to do with Christmas

Duh.

Bugger all to do with Christianity.

[fatlazymummy]

Please enlighten us Hermoine . Who, in your opinion, are the decent people and who are the cunts?

[TrinSnowPastaMelonity]

hermione....which am I?