Why do non-christians celebrate christmas?

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mrSHEiK124

mrSHEiK124

Lifer
Mar 6, 2004
11,488
2
0
I'm non-Christian (Muslim), and I don't celebrate Christmas. I do however, celebrate holiday extended store hours, seasonal items at coffeehouses, and the awesomeness that is Black Friday :D.
 
Amused

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,547
20,261
146
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Because it's not a religious holiday anymore. Marry Xmas
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Why would I want to marry xmas? She's not that hot.
 
T

TeeJay1952

Golden Member
May 28, 2004
1,532
191
106
You might as well ask: "Why do I think I have a Christian Attitude even though I am an atheist?

It's the act that counts ...not the thought.
 
Anubis

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
because it has nothing to do with religion anymore, many people viw it as a time for free stuff, YEAH consumerism, others view it as a time to spend with friendas and fam which doesnt have to be religious
 
johnjohn320

johnjohn320

Diamond Member
Jan 9, 2001
7,572
2
76
My immediately family isn't religious, but most of my extended family is Christian, therefore we often celebrated, as others have said, simply to have a family occasion. It wasn't a particularly religious event for us, just a chance for all of us to gather, be with each other, eat, be merry, and yes, exchange gifts. Since we got to see much of our family over Thanksigiving this year, however, we're not celebrating Christmas this year. My parents are putting their funds towards a vacation for the two of them, and my sister and I are renting a car to go spend sometime with my grandmother.

I suppose I could make a joke also: Hey, atheists/agnostics care about supporting the economy, too! ;)

I guess the question I ask to the OP is: why do you care?
 
M

mercanucaribe

Banned
Oct 20, 2004
9,763
1
0
Even before Christianity, The Holidays were an excuse to feast and be merry regardless of the dominant religions of the time.

Christmas has its origins in pre-existing pagan holidays. The celebration known as Saturnalia included the making and giving of small presents (Saturnalia et Sigillaricia). This holiday was observed over a series of days beginning on December 17 (the birthday of Saturn) and ending on December 25, with the festival of Natalis Solis Invicti. Natalis Solis Inviciti was a combined festival, celebrating the birth of Sol Invictus (The Unconquered Sun) and the birthday of Mithras, the Iranian "Sun of Righteousness" whose worship was popular with Roman soldiers.[4] [5] The combined festivals resulted in an extended winter holiday season. Business was postponed and even slaves feasted. There was drinking, gambling, and singing, and nudity was relatively common. It was the "best of days," according to the poet Catullus.[6]

In Scandinavia, the Germanic pagans celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. Like the Roman festival of Sol Invictus, it recognized the return of the sun. Fathers and sons would bring home Yule logs, which they would set on fire. Everyone would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.[7]
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On December 6, 1999, the verdict for Ganulin v. United States (1999). declared that "the establishment of Christmas Day as a legal public holiday does not violate the Establishment Clause because it has a valid secular purpose." This decision was appealed, and upheld by the Supreme Court on December 19, 2000.
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If it was only a Christian holiday, it would not be a legal official holiday.


</end thread>

 
DrPizza

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
49,601
167
111
www.slatebrookfarm.com
I always find it amusing when someone mentions "the real meaning of Christmas" - I look at them with a :confused: look on my face and say "shortest day of the winter??!"
 
Iron Woode

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,394
12,872
136
Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
Uh, because I like the cake, cookies and all the cool stuff they make.

In case I misread your question, I don't celebrate Christmas myself (Muslim) in my house, but I don't turn down invitations either.
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my boss is Muslim and he likes all the goodies and such around Christmas too. Although I told him that Easter is actually the most important Christian celebration. He then asked about how can Jesus rise from the dead. I said to him, "its a Christian thing, you just have to accept that." I didn't want to get into a big religious discussion with him.

I also loved teasing him about Ramadan.

:D
 
Kadarin

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
Originally posted by: Eska
Why?
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The fact that the Christian aspect of the holiday was artificially grafted onto existing pagan traditions for the purpose of spreading Christianity completely debases the religious significance of the occasion. I see it as evidence that Christianity is a lie.
 
C

Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
23,720
1,503
136
The question is why do Christians celebrate Christmas. As others have said, the holiday known as "Christmas" is just a conglomeration of pagan celebrations, usually involving lots of drinking and festivities. Some bishop tried to encourage people to celebrate the birth of Christ by making December 25 the official date Jesus was born, but the truth is we don't know the exact month let alone day He was born. Now Christmas is a mixture of pagan and (few) True celebrations of Christs' birth. That's one of the reasons Christmas is such a horrible time for many: they think it's supposed to be a time to eat, drink and have as much pleasure as possible. There's nothing wrong with having fun on Christmas, but when it becomes about yourself, and not about Christ or about serving the needs of others, you'll have fleeting happiness that changes with the seasons and/or feel hollow inside; you will not have true joy that surpasses circumstances.

The only thing I find positive about Christmas is that people are more receptive to hear the Word of God than usual; other than that, it's just a normal time for me. I personally celebrate rejoice in the birth of Christ and His life (and death for my sins) every day, not just one day of the year.

See here for free streaming (or downloadable) mp3s about Christmas
 
P

PrinceofWands

Lifer
May 16, 2000
13,522
0
0
The real question is why do christians celebrate christmas? It isn't jesus' birthday and it's a pagan holiday that the church took in order to convert/brainwash non-believers.
 
AbAbber2k

AbAbber2k

Diamond Member
Mar 1, 2005
6,474
1
0
Because I like presents. And it's not like it's a holiday that's retained its meaning well. Even countries that are predominantly non-christian give presents on cristmas.
 
LtPage1

LtPage1

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2004
6,311
2
0
Since when does Christmas have anything to do with Christianity?

I mean, really- even if you're a Christian, once you're home from church, it's really a celebration of family, friends, and food.
 
C

chambersc

Diamond Member
Feb 11, 2005
6,247
0
0
I'm a humanist. I'll recognize the materialistic aspect of the holiday when I have children because I wouldn't want to rob them of that ever-important social impact during their upbringing. It would irrevocably harm their personality and ability to interact with their peers if they're remarkably different from them. I do not intend to force my humanist beliefs down my offspring's throat and if they are free to believe whatever they want about whatever issue.
 
her209

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
11
0
Originally posted by: chambersc
I do not intend to force my humanist beliefs down my offspring's throat and if they are free to believe whatever they want about whatever issue.
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Even if they wanted to have sex at 13!?!?
 
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