narfre #fundie

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Why do Atheist celebrate Christmas AND miss work for it?
***(No...I do not care if it was a pagan holiday originally, I'm talking about CHRISTMAS, not Yule, keep this in mind, I could careless about the history, I'm talking about what it represents NOW.)***

I do not understand why atheist...or any other non-christian people celebrate christmas. It makes no sense what so ever, its STRICTLY for the birth of Christ...no other reason, just cause you like getting presents is not an excuse, and its not "just for our kids to enjoy" why risk your kid believing in a God thats not there?

You don't bash religions and say how much you do not believe in something...then pick and choose what you want to celebrate and pretend the true meaning of the event is not really what it is, thats just plain retarded.

Why don't you also request to work those holidays since you do not believe in it, you are just being lazy and taking a free ride on a day you don't even believe in. If you are true to your non-belief you should stay at work like a good little atheist and quit free loading, and there is no room for a dumb answer like "Why would I miss out on paid days off from work."

If thats your answer...then for all you atheist that SAY you have morals...are lacking some big ones right there for slapping the true believers of christmas in the face with you free loading on a day for believers.

Its a disrespect towards the Christian religions.

A non-satanic person does not worship satan, so a non-christian should not celebrate christmas, cause that would make them a hypocrite of their "non-belief"

59 comments

old comment by Patches

As much as I hate to agree, he does bring up one good point. Why do atheists celebrate Christmas if it (ignoring the pagan origins) is a "Christian" holiday?

Because it's kind of hard not to. It's a holiday that's ingrained into Western culture, and there's no way to avoid it unless you live in a cave. And in a lot of cases, you CAN'T work on Christmas because a lot of businesses simply close for the day.
I mean, it's not like atheists want to avoid getting together with family and having festivities. It's a day you're expected to do this sort of thing, so make use of it. So, I guess technically atheists don't celebrate Christmas, but rather have their own form of festivites on Christmas day. They celebrate it like most people celebrate Halloween: It's an excuse for fun, food, and festivities, but no one really pays attention to what theological history is behind it. Doesn't mean you have to be a party pooper about it.

old comment by Ed

Christmas may be named after the birth of your Jesus, but it's developed into more than that. Look around, bucko; you don't see Baby Jesus decking the halls. Christmas has come to be more than just a religious holiday, and yes, maybe it has become bastardized by money and commercialism, but even more than that, it's about family. About brotherhood. About loving your fellow man, about being with the ones you love, and, yes, about taking large chunks out of your bank account and spending them on others.
Christmas is a holiday for everyone, man, not just for you. So instead of pouting about it and cursing us heathens, why not celebrate what your Jesus stood for? How about a friendly smile, a helping hand? How about just being happy that, even if your neighbor doesn't share your religious views, he still shares your basic values of family, community, and love? And besides, it's a national holiday. We all get the day off.

old comment by Zadic

I don't celebrate it, but only because my parents wouldn't take me seriously when I told them I was atheist. One of the first things my Father said was; "So I guess you won't be wanting presents for Christmas anymore?" with a smug look on his face and so I replied instantly and in all seriousness that I wasn't going to having not thought of it before that moment. Then they tried to force me to take part in the first one after my announcement, so I don't see much joy in the tradition after that miserable experience which I will not go into.
Now I'm of the belief that if you love someone you should get them gifts throughout the year as you see something they might enjoy instead of on a date where there is pressure for you to get something - This way you show you really care. As for the work thing, even if I wanted to, my workplace is completely closed on that day. But in the end none of that means I have an issue with atheists celebrating it. In fact, my decision has been stressful and isolating and thus not something I would recommend to others. Besides Christmas has become a holiday that pushes religion to the side with the images of Santa Claus, presents, bright lights, etc. Even many religious people think so. However, truly religious people make a point to focus on the religious aspect regardless, by bringing their children to mass and putting up religious icons. So, if you want to celebrate it with your family one can focus on just the aspect that makes them happy about the holiday and ignore that which they don't believe in. I know it's hard to believe, but two people can get two very different things out of the same idea.

old comment by Raskolnikov

Back in 350C.E. :

"Why do Christians celebrate the Saturnalia AND miss work for it? I do not understand why christians... celebrate the Saturnalia. It makes no sense what so ever, they just made the birthdate of their leader coincide with the Saturnalia...no other reason, just cause they like getting presents is not an excuse, and its not "just for our kids to enjoy" . You don't bash roman religions and say how much you do not believe in them... and then pick and choose what you want to celebrate and pretend the true meaning of the event is not really what it is, thats just plain retarded. Why don't you also request to work those holidays since you do not believe in it, you are just being lazy and taking a free ride on a day you don't even believe in. If you are true to your non-belief you should stay at work like a good little christian and quit free loading, and there is no room for a dumb answer like "Why would I miss out on paid days off from work." If thats your answer...then for all you christians that SAY you have morals...are lacking some big ones right there for slapping the true believers of the Saturnalia in the face with you free loading on a day for pagans. Its a disrespect towards the religions of our forefathers. narfrus"

Yep, stupidity is of all times.

old comment by Berny

I don't celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday but I do celebrate it. It is largely a family thing. On my side, my parents are religious (as are my brother and sister, to a lesser degree). On my in-laws side they're agnostic, but they still celebrate.
Who cares? We like getting together, sharing gifts and good times. As for working during the holiday, my employer shuts down and gives everyone the time off between Christmas and New Year's Day. Why should I work for free? Christians like to think they originated the holiday but they just took it over from pagans. Whether they want to accept it or not, some people still celebrate for the original reasons. Bring on the sun!

old comment by Adrian

Unamerican heathen! You would discourage people to celebrate this most holy of capitalistic events!? image
If thats your answer...then for all you atheist that SAY you have morals...are lacking some big ones right there for slapping the true believers of christmas in the face with you free loading on a day for believers. My morals are pretty simple: if something I do hurts people, particularly innocent people, then it's bad. If nobody is harmed or otherwise slighted, I'm good. And since in this case my celebrating Xmas with my family (one of the 2-3 times in the year I can see them all) hurts noone and generates joy, I see no reason to deprive myself of the occasion. Even going to a midnight mass would not be out of question, if it is to accompany/meet Xian friends and drink hot wine. Last year for example, we went to see part of an Orthodox new year mass with a friend, before going to the traditional New Year midnight walk (well, this friend likes Orthodox masses because of the chants and the choregraphy of the ritual, not really out of belief).

old comment by JasoNF

"No...I do not care if it was a pagan holiday originally, I'm talking about CHRISTMAS, not Yule, keep this in mind, I could careless about the history, I'm talking about what it represents NOW."

ok, but:

"You don't bash religions and say how much you do not believe in something...then pick and choose what you want to celebrate and pretend the true meaning of the event is not really what it is, thats just plain retarded. "

Ok, so you are retarded.
And you make false assumptions. In recent years, I've worked for universities and other companies that close about a week before Christmas and open a few days after New Years: Am I to break in to work? Before that, while working in restaurants and such, i would volunteer to work Christmas just to get my "holy day" off: New Years (oh, and the double time and a half)