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Christmas

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Original poster

Does religion feature in your christmas?

224 replies

Mindtrope · 27/11/2016 08:25

I have some very religious members of my family.
I always think it odd that she sends me cards with pictures of camels and sand dunes at christmas time.The only thing we do is listen to Carols at Kings, sweet in a traditional way, but not for the religious aspect.
Is your house a jesus free zone?

OP posts:
madamginger · 27/11/2016 16:51

No religion here, the kids do the nativity at school and they have a carol service but other than that no mention of Jesus or god.
I am very strongly against religion of any sort, as is my DH. Our children are brought up in an atheist/humanist family and taught to question everything.

Blu · 27/11/2016 17:20

HeCan'tBeSErious - the 'arrogance' comment is not directed at you if you are an atheist, no. Sorry!

It is directed at people who think that you can't celebrate Christmas if not a Christian and have no business celebrating Christmas except with religion at the heart.

I agree with you about the way religion impinges on democracy,

But I maintain that I am still able to be 'culturally' Christian in terms of values (I know values are not dependent on religious belief of input , of course), celebrating the festivals as cultural events, etc. Getting a lift when I hear Carols because they are in my history of family and school (I love other cultures specific songs etc, too, but they don't have the same resonance for me) etc etc.

Paddington68 · 27/11/2016 17:35

Married to a vicar. John 3:16

CuntyMcCuntyface · 27/11/2016 17:49

Used to love Midnight Mass but when it was moved to half 7 to accommodate the vicar I lost interest. I don't believe in Jesus but I think the Nativity is a lovely story so quite happy to tell it when DC were small. I love the Christmas season and probably go overboard with decorations and lights but for me its a time to celebrate family, I don't have a nativity scene but if I did I think our adult version of Elf on a Shelf would be involved in it somehow

BizzyFizzy · 27/11/2016 17:50

Jesus is at the centre of our Christmas.

We are a Santa-free zone.

stumblymonkey · 27/11/2016 18:04

No, atheists here and our wider family are all atheists too.

We don't have anything religious at Christmas...it's all Christmas trees, mulled wine, mince pies and turkey dinners which I don't believe (correct me if wrong) have any religious connections.

I have Christian friends, they always send cards related to Christian traditions, I don't have any issues with that at all...

OvariesForgotHerPassword · 27/11/2016 18:14

Married to a vicar. John 3:16

That's an interesting name for a vicar, does that make you Paddington 3:16?

Parker231 · 27/11/2016 18:50

I remember when DT's started school and did carol concerts and nativity plays and started asking questions about Christmas. We explained that carols were nice songs that we liked singing in the same way as we sing along to songs we like on the radio and the nativity school was a made up story as were others stories in some of their books. Our lack of beliefs hasn't ever changed our enjoyment of Christmas time.

Eolian · 27/11/2016 18:53

We are all atheists but we love Christmas carols and occasionally go to a church carol service, though never go to church otherwise. Dh and I both play in brass bands and play carols in churches or at other events. Otherwise Christmas is religion-free for us.

HotelNine · 27/11/2016 19:53

Jesus trumps Santa in this house. Never said that Santa brings gifts, naughty and nice lists, elves and robins spying etc. Not having a fat bearded man taking the credit for my hard-earned cash Grin
Santa is a story, Jesus is the Son of God. My children are 10,6 and 4 and still have a wonderful Christmas.
I have a tree, decorations, like Slade and Carols. I send a variety of cards according to what I think people would like. I don't mind how others celebrate.

HeCantBeSerious · 27/11/2016 20:01

Jesus is the Son of God

Only for some, what with the lack of proof etc. Wink

Bombaybunty · 27/11/2016 20:07

No religion allowed in our house. But we do Christmas purely as a traditional thing.

dementedma · 27/11/2016 20:15

No religion allowed? Don't your dcs have a choice?

Bombaybunty · 27/11/2016 20:20

He can choose to become religious once he leaves home. I doubt he will as he is very anti religion at the moment.

littlejeopardy · 27/11/2016 20:28

Lots of Jesus in our house at Chry because we are Christians. One of my favourite parts of Christmas is our church's Christmas day service. Its a really short morning service, carols and a kid friendly talk that normally involves a silly game.

But the best bit is just this joyful atmosphere, there is lots of hugging and wishing each other a merry Christmas. The kids often bring toys they have opened that morning and there is often extra family members there or old friends who have come home for the holidays. I just feel that I am part of this one big family that was brought together by Jesus, and taught to love one another by Jesus. It's a privilege and I am really grateful for it.

dementedma · 27/11/2016 20:30

Well he will be if he has been indoctrinated to accept that religion is forbidden.

DubiousCredentials · 27/11/2016 20:37

Totally Jesus free zone here.

Dh and I are militant, anti religion, die-hard atheists. Having been brought up in a practising Catholic home, the sheer joy of not having to do any of the church crap is still very real for me, even 20yrs after I left home.

Bombaybunty · 27/11/2016 20:41

I don't allow religion in the same way that I don't allow racism or homophobia.

He's never believed in fairy tales, his choice not mine.

slenderisthenight · 27/11/2016 20:51

bombay

Slightly baffled at the irony of outlawing bigotry while having such a bigoted attitude yourself and insisting your children share your views. Confused

Bombaybunty · 27/11/2016 20:56

Why is it bigoted to not allow religion but acceptable to not allow racism and homophobia?

SingaSong12 · 27/11/2016 21:08

Yes, I'm a catholic and go to church all year including midnight mass/Christmas Day.

I don't mind others celebrating Christmas in any way they want (or not at all). Mostly what I see is families getting together sometimes arguing generally having a reasonable time. (Of course there are people who really struggle as well being isolated or otherwise.)

I send a mixture of cards, some religious some not (mostly ecards now as family is abroad and it's very expensive.) I won't send a religious card to someone I know is an atheist but might send a secular one with best wishes for the New Year if I know they celebrate. If someone asks me about my religion I tell them but I'm not going to force it on anyone.

Ditsy4 · 27/11/2016 21:09

Yes, I will be going to church probably twice as I'm in the choir.
We have Nativity in the window made from volcanic ash.

overwhelmed34 · 27/11/2016 21:11

Yes, Jesus is central to our CHRISTmas. If he wasn't, we'd.be celebrating yuletide or winterfest or something else. Thanks for the reminder op, I've been caught up in all the planning and organising etc...you've reminded me to take a step back and reflect on what I am celebrating.

goldielookingchain · 27/11/2016 22:09

Excellent post HeCantBeSerious

No religion at all in this house I won't have it.

Proud atheist here

slenderisthenight · 27/11/2016 22:19

bombay Saying, 'we don't allow religion here,' is bigoted because it inevitably rules out groups of people based on what beliefs and cultures they carry with them. It would be pretty meaningless to say to someone who is black, for instance, that you accept them but don't allow any blackness round 'ere. Same for sexuality. Same for people of faith.