Why do you celebrate Xmas?

[CoffeeTeaCoffee]

Why do you celebrate Xmas or what does it mean to you? Especially if you are not religious?

Just celebrate your birthday instead.

But Christmas is collective. A birthday isn't.

The thing I love about Christmas is the traditions and the collective celebrations.
It's my favourite time of year

And half of that 5% are just trying to get their child in to a particular school.

Yep because its expected and I have kids,if it was just me my family would still expect me to get involved.

The UK is a Christian country? Really? Something like 5% of the population attend church regularly apparently. I wouldn't call that a Christian country.

I am an atheist in religious terms: I have no faith in any god. But my cultural references are shaped (alongside of her factors) by Christianity: art, music, lots of literature. My values are influenced by Christianity.

Of course many of these values are at the heart of other religions too, but the philosophy in the parables is core to my approach to the world.

It’s all part of my identity as a British person: Wry humour, putting up with the weather, queueing, welling up at Christmas Carols sung in the square by a choir, bonfire night, harvest festival, espousing chicken tikka masala as the nations favourite dish, Easter eggs, being tolerant of eccentricity, and so on.

Because only miserable buggers don't.

All other religions = miserable buggers. Okay.

This. We aren't Christian but sort of feel Christmas has become a British thing not a religious thing.

I have Jewish, Muslim and atheist friends who celebrate Christmas.

Do you really think it's only the preserve of ultra-Christian Bible-Bashers?

No but most people who belong to other religions, including most if the world, don't celebrate Christmas. Doesn't make them miserable buggers.

But they're not living here, are they, Miss Obtuse 2023.

I'm an Atheist, but i love Christmas! I love the decorations, lights, and time off. i love buying thoughtful gifts and seeing some family.

There's not many times of the year that our family can get together but everyone makes the effort at Christmas. We all really get on as well which always makes these things nice. No children in the family any more as we're all adults but we still play games, sing songs, go for walks and eat and drink too much.

My friends and I also do a lot more together in the run up to Christmas - Carol concerts, markets, mulled wine evenings, get togethers.

It's a great time of year. I love winter. I'm a Pagan and relish the deepest darkest part of the year at Yule as a time to seek out warmth and comfort and companionship as the wheel of the year turns and the seeds lay waiting in the soil for the first sunlight of spring. The quiet, the hush, the bright clear skies.

Some of them are. 🤨

I'm not miserable.

Exactly the same for me

It’s all part of my identity as a British person: Wry humour, putting up with the weather, queueing, welling up at Christmas Carols sung in the square by a choir, bonfire night, harvest festival, espousing chicken tikka masala as the nations favourite dish, Easter eggs, being tolerant of eccentricity, and so on

This made me smile. Very true

Sigh.

Celebrating Christmas is largely cultural rather than religious. Hence why so many non-Christians here celebrate it, while not all Christians do. The way whether or not you wear a hijab or get circumcised or keep dogs in the house or whatever is cultural rather than religious.

Is it such a difficult concept for you to grasp? Of course not. You're being obtuse.

And miserable.😃

Yes, lots of non-Christians in the UK celebrate Christmas. And lots don't. They don't deserve to be insulted for it. Bit whatever makes you feel superior to other people I suppose.

Not superior, just more cheerful than those who deliberately forgo the most culturally massive and fun holiday of the year.

It's like people who shriek at trick or treating kids, or don't let their kids participate in Easter egg hunts at school. Fun sponges.

Atheist here. It's a tradition , and excuse to get together, have some laughs brightens up mid winter

I'm not sure someone not celebrating Christmas and probably celebrating their own religious festival instead is equivalent to shrieking at children but okay.

Because it’s the best bit of the year.

Christmas never belonged to Christians, they just appropriated it. When it was a winter festival, pagans celebrated with some good old debauchery. Then Christianity came along and like with anything fun put a stop to all that. Luckily times have moved on and we can celebrate it the old way, religious way or not at all. It’s a fantastic time for togetherness whatever your lifestyle.

Personally, Christmas isn’t for me. But the kids obviously catch on to it all, it would be a bit mean to say ‘no we don’t do Santa and presents’ when 99% of the country partake regardless of religion or beliefs.

This is lovely.

We like new stuff. And nice food and booze. And having time off work to spend with family. What's not to like? I have no interest in the religious aspects of it. Christmas has pagan roots in Yule anyway, the Christians just nicked it like most of their other stuff.