Why do Atheists say Christmas isn't about religion?

Errrr... Christmas is actually the general name for two holidays. Christmas: the religious holiday and Christmas: the commercial holidaychessmaster1989

Exactly. For some it's just a time of giving or getting together with family.

Well it's certainly not about Christianity. The day itself was just ripped right off of the pagan celebration of Saturnalia. Astronomers now believe Jesus was born on June 17, and all of the celebration rituals, such as putting decorations on a tree, are ripped right out of that pagan celebration. The Church basically just came in and said "ok guys we're gonna have your pagan rituals, but uh, we're gonna call it 'Christmas' and it'll celebrate, uh, uh, the birth of Jesus, ok carry on".

Beyond that, the day has largely been stolen once again by companies, further distancing it from what it's ostensibly supposed to be about. You guys should just be glad that the name hasn't been changed on you again. :P

Well it's certainly not about Christianity. The day itself was just ripped right off of the pagan celebration of Saturnalia. Astronomers now believe Jesus was born on June 17, and all of the celebration rituals, such as putting decorations on a tree, are ripped right out of that pagan celebration. The Church basically just came in and said "ok guys we're gonna have your pagan rituals, but uh, we're gonna call it 'Christmas' and it'll celebrate, uh, uh, the birth of Jesus, ok carry on".

Beyond that, the day has largely been stolen once again by companies, further distancing it from what it's ostensibly supposed to be about. You guys should just be glad that the name hasn't been changed on you again. :P

GabuEx

Well it's certainly not about Christianity. The day itself was just ripped right off of the pagan celebration of Saturnalia. Astronomers now believe Jesus was born on June 17, and all of the celebration rituals, such as putting decorations on a tree, are ripped right out of that pagan celebration. The Church basically just came in and said "ok guys we're gonna have your pagan rituals, but uh, we're gonna call it 'Christmas' and it'll celebrate, uh, uh, the birth of Jesus, ok carry on".

Beyond that, the day has largely been stolen once again by companies, further distancing it from what it's ostensibly supposed to be about. You guys should just be glad that the name hasn't been changed on you again. :P

GabuEx

you are referring to the Roman Catholic Church, not the beliefs of every Christian. there is no "The Church" only Jesus Christ; Lord and Saviour.

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]

Well it's certainly not about Christianity. The day itself was just ripped right off of the pagan celebration of Saturnalia. Astronomers now believe Jesus was born on June 17, and all of the celebration rituals, such as putting decorations on a tree, are ripped right out of that pagan celebration. The Church basically just came in and said "ok guys we're gonna have your pagan rituals, but uh, we're gonna call it 'Christmas' and it'll celebrate, uh, uh, the birth of Jesus, ok carry on".

Beyond that, the day has largely been stolen once again by companies, further distancing it from what it's ostensibly supposed to be about. You guys should just be glad that the name hasn't been changed on you again. :P

BladeOfHeaven

:shock:...you don't think that?....No, that'd be ridiculous :?......can't be true....

Christmas isnt about religion to athiests because we dont associate any holiday with religion. Because we dont believe in religions.

I dont go to church on christmas, I dont read the bible on christmas, i dont do anything religious on christmas except play my new video games religiously.

But if its about religion to you because you are religious then so be it but stop oppressing me DAMNIT!!!!

[QUOTE="BladeOfHeaven"][QUOTE="GabuEx"]

Well it's certainly not about Christianity. The day itself was just ripped right off of the pagan celebration of Saturnalia. Astronomers now believe Jesus was born on June 17, and all of the celebration rituals, such as putting decorations on a tree, are ripped right out of that pagan celebration. The Church basically just came in and said "ok guys we're gonna have your pagan rituals, but uh, we're gonna call it 'Christmas' and it'll celebrate, uh, uh, the birth of Jesus, ok carry on".

Beyond that, the day has largely been stolen once again by companies, further distancing it from what it's ostensibly supposed to be about. You guys should just be glad that the name hasn't been changed on you again. :P

DJ-Lafleur

:shock:...you don't think that?....No, that'd be ridiculous :?......can't be true....

Because, as it is now, Christmas is nothing more than a materialistic way for those who celebrate the holiday to proclaim that they have built up the greatest amount of credit card debt in buying their family presents. Few people actually celebrate the holiday as it should be. I could understand one or two gifts, but this whole idea of celebrating a saint who dropped bags of gold down the chimneys of poor people in Asia Minor by buying extravagant gifts that no sane person could afford is downright stupid.

And, if you can't tell, I do not like the holiday season.

Well it's certainly not about Christianity. The day itself was just ripped right off of the pagan celebration of Saturnalia. Astronomers now believe Jesus was born on June 17, and all of the celebration rituals, such as putting decorations on a tree, are ripped right out of that pagan celebration. The Church basically just came in and said "ok guys we're gonna have your pagan rituals, but uh, we're gonna call it 'Christmas' and it'll celebrate, uh, uh, the birth of Jesus, ok carry on".

Beyond that, the day has largely been stolen once again by companies, further distancing it from what it's ostensibly supposed to be about. You guys should just be glad that the name hasn't been changed on you again. :P

GabuEx

Yeah, but paganism, and neopaganism is still a religion. So if it isn't about Christianity, its still a religious festival and that makes it a religious celebration. I'm a Christian and I don't care that it is a pagan holiday that became a Christian celebration.

Because Christmas has become commercialized as a holiday of frantic shop-grinding and get-togethers between families of all religious backgrounds (or lack there-of). Many Christians may still see it as the special time of year to celebrate the birth of their savior, but that doesn't make the holiday exclusively Christian.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't Pagans the first people to celebrate a Christmas-esque holiday, generations before the Christian religion even started?

Yeah, but paganism, and neopaganism is still a religion. So if it isn't about Christianity, its still a religious festival and that makes it a religious celebration. I'm a Christian and I don't care that it is a pagan holiday that became a Christian celebration.

AmidstTheLight

Yes, but my question is this: who really cares whether or not it's a religious celebration? Surely anything that increases the amount of love and goodwill in the world is something that should be welcomed and celebrated by all. I really find it rather unfortunate whenever I see people going, "Hey, Christmas is our holiday! You're an atheist! You shouldn't celebrate it!"

Yes, but my question is this: who really cares whether or not it's a religious celebration? Surely anything that increases the amount of love and goodwill in the world is something that should be welcomed and celebrated by all. I really find it rather unfortunate whenever I see people going, "Hey, Christmas is our holiday! You're an atheist! You shouldn't celebrate it!"

Yeah thats true. For a Christian the meaning of Christmas should be about everyone. If you don't want to accept a/the religion, it is still about giving and helping others. There are many other people in different religions that celebrate it as well.

The young kids here don't believe in God but still want to recieve gifts on Christmas. That's why atheists want to secularize Christmas even further; they feel left out so they want to change the meaning of the day itself.fidosim

who are u to judge what i should celebrate?

being a former christian, now an athiest, i feel entitled to do whatever i want...probably because of something called the Constitution

Check it out "Christ"mas cyberdarkkid

I see what you did there! ;)

lol, not really. Many Christians realize Jesus wasn't born on Dec. 25th and don't like the commercial holiday it's become.btaylor2404

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]lol, not really. Many Christians realize Jesus wasn't born on Dec. 25th and don't like the commercial holiday it's become.DrSponge

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]lol, not really. Many Christians realize Jesus wasn't born on Dec. 25th and don't like the commercial holiday it's become.DrSponge

[QUOTE="BladeOfHeaven"][QUOTE="GabuEx"]

Well it's certainly not about Christianity. The day itself was just ripped right off of the pagan celebration of Saturnalia. Astronomers now believe Jesus was born on June 17, and all of the celebration rituals, such as putting decorations on a tree, are ripped right out of that pagan celebration. The Church basically just came in and said "ok guys we're gonna have your pagan rituals, but uh, we're gonna call it 'Christmas' and it'll celebrate, uh, uh, the birth of Jesus, ok carry on".

Beyond that, the day has largely been stolen once again by companies, further distancing it from what it's ostensibly supposed to be about. You guys should just be glad that the name hasn't been changed on you again. :P

DJ-Lafleur

:shock:...you don't think that?....No, that'd be ridiculous :?......can't be true....

:shock: are you thinking what I'm thinking :shock: is Blade actually Jesus :shock:

Well it's certainly not about Christianity. The day itself was just ripped right off of the pagan celebration of Saturnalia. Astronomers now believe Jesus was born on June 17, and all of the celebration rituals, such as putting decorations on a tree, are ripped right out of that pagan celebration. The Church basically just came in and said "ok guys we're gonna have your pagan rituals, but uh, we're gonna call it 'Christmas' and it'll celebrate, uh, uh, the birth of Jesus, ok carry on".

Beyond that, the day has largely been stolen once again by companies, further distancing it from what it's ostensibly supposed to be about. You guys should just be glad that the name hasn't been changed on you again. :P

GabuEx

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]

Well it's certainly not about Christianity. The day itself was just ripped right off of the pagan celebration of Saturnalia. Astronomers now believe Jesus was born on June 17, and all of the celebration rituals, such as putting decorations on a tree, are ripped right out of that pagan celebration. The Church basically just came in and said "ok guys we're gonna have your pagan rituals, but uh, we're gonna call it 'Christmas' and it'll celebrate, uh, uh, the birth of Jesus, ok carry on".

Beyond that, the day has largely been stolen once again by companies, further distancing it from what it's ostensibly supposed to be about. You guys should just be glad that the name hasn't been changed on you again. :P

SpaceMoose

I really do not appreciate so many atheists speaking on behalf of Christians on the matter of Christmas. Yes, Christmas has very commercialized elements about it, but there are also deeply entrenched religious elements as well. The fact atheists are celebrating is of no consequence to me, their very act of celebrating the day Jesus Christ was born does nothing but help the religion in my opinion. Many say that Christmas is losing its true meaning, but the true meaning of Christmas is the same thing that atheists say is the "message of Christmas" to love one another (the golden rule) which is inherently the message of Christ. It does not matter if it was not the actual day of Jesus' birth, the day is one for renewal of faith and understanding Jesus' message and impact on the world. If you don't believe in Jesus that is fine by me, but if you don't believe in his overarching message, you don't believe in charity, kindness, and hope, you are disagreeing with ideals of most of the world. That being said, I hate the fact that Christians are a group being pushed around in this country. We have our beliefs and we are entitled to them just as you are entitled to yours. You can't disrespect our opinions because they are not exactly like yours. This is especially true with Christmas. You cannot say that Christmas is solely a commercial holiday because there are about 1.5 billion people who disagree with you. Merry CHRISTmasDouglasBuffone

...That being said, I hate the fact that Christians are a group being pushed around in this country....DouglasBuffone

Its ridiculous that some people do not think Christmas is a religious holiday.

Those people are just ignorant morons,

I mean my favorite Bible verse is the part that says:

"On the day Jesus was born, we shall exchange gifts and buy trees and and and and decorate them while ummmmmm....we put lights on our homes! Yeah thats it"

I really do not appreciate so many atheists speaking on behalf of Christians on the matter of Christmas. Yes, Christmas has very commercialized elements about it, but there are also deeply entrenched religious elements as well. The fact atheists are celebrating is of no consequence to me, their very act of celebrating the day Jesus Christ was born does nothing but help the religion in my opinion. Many say that Christmas is losing its true meaning, but the true meaning of Christmas is the same thing that atheists say is the "message of Christmas" to love one another (the golden rule) which is inherently the message of Christ. It does not matter if it was not the actual day of Jesus' birth, the day is one for renewal of faith and understanding Jesus' message and impact on the world. If you don't believe in Jesus that is fine by me, but if you don't believe in his overarching message, you don't believe in charity, kindness, and hope, you are disagreeing with ideals of most of the world. That being said, I hate the fact that Christians are a group being pushed around in this country. We have our beliefs and we are entitled to them just as you are entitled to yours. You can't disrespect our opinions because they are not exactly like yours. This is especially true with Christmas. You cannot say that Christmas is solely a commercial holiday because there are about 1.5 billion people who disagree with you. Merry CHRISTmasDouglasBuffone

Beyond that, the day has largely been stolen once again by companies, further distancing it from what it's ostensibly supposed to be about. You guys should just be glad that the name hasn't been changed on you again. :P

GabuEx

If some schools and businesses had their way, it probably would be. It seems like they want to distance themselves from any religious (specifically christian) connotations. Which is silly IMO. I mean who does it really bother? Not me, or any of my Jewish relatives anyways.