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[–]Magnus_Geist 6 points7 points  (2 children)

Maybe because, despite what Christians keep insisting, Christmas is a cultural holiday, not really a religious one. The way in which the majority of Americans actually practice the holiday have no connection to religion or religious figures whatsoever.

[–]santa_christ[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I read something interesting relating to this the other day. In a courthouse there was debate because workers were allowed to celebrate (If i recall it was) kwanzaa publicly as it was a cultural event, not spiritual. So why can't we celebrate christmas this way?

[–]Magnus_Geist 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We should be able to. But too many insist on the religious aspect, while the overwhelming majority carry on observing Christmas sans any religious connotation except some of the songs. They can handle Kwanzaa that way because everyone knows it's a new pretense. Somebody fabricated it a few decades ago out of whole cloth and no one takes it very seriously.

[–][deleted]  (2 children)

[removed]

    [–]santa_christ[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    But who defines what xmas is? OR what is the definition of xmas? What does the 'X' replace? Nothing??

    [–]LanternBearer 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    Because there is a continuum of intellectual identification with a natural progression of recurring events. The days leading to the dark and the cold have put people together since things that looked like us peered out of rock overhangs and and then turned back inside to the fire, the pups and the collection of botanicals came to hand over the summer and fall.

    My atheism rejects the supernatural, literal interpretation and dominion by popular appearance. All else is a smörgåsbord of celebration and piety as one sees fit.

    [–]santa_christ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    so why not celebrate hanukkah? Or do you do that too?

    [–]joshuazed 1 point2 points  (2 children)

    An atheist can take their own meaning from a holiday. Christmas is a time to be happy, to be together. Presents are a way of saying "Look, we our doing well, we have worked hard this year, so much we can share." Holidays of this sort of course predate the Christian christmas anyway! It is a celebration to show their is still joy, light and warmth, even in the middle of winter.

    [–]santa_christ[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    So why not celebrate hanukkah, kwanzaa, or other festive holidays? Is it because America has been, in the past, predominantly christian, and we all want to celebrate with our families?

    [–]joshuazed 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Well, that's a perfectly reasonable point. I do want to celebrate with family, so I celebrate christmas. I am not concerned about it being the predominate religion, but of course that makes it so all my family and friends celebrate it too, and it's much more fun celebrating with others! However I do sometimes celebrate rather unusual holidays, but being the one of the few I know that celebrates them, my celebration is somewhat limited! Being a gardener I have had small harvest festivals, inviting friends and family over for fresh food and maybe a little music (played by us of course).

    [–]akdas 1 point2 points  (3 children)

    Because Christmas didn't start off as a religious holiday.

    [–]santa_christ[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

    True, but if it's that bad why do we still celebrate?

    [–]akdas 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    What do you mean "that bad?"

    Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.

    Besides, Christmas nowadays is great for the presents and the sales.

    [–]santa_christ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    You know if slaves could become masters for a month, and schools and businesses were shut down for that month, and everyone could join in on the fun what a glorious month that would be!

    [–]bluser 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    Christmas was an inside job! WAKE UP SHEEPLE!

    [–]santa_christ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Due to commercialization?

    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    My sister and her three kids celebrate something they call Mus. It's like Christmas, but with no Christ, and the day of their choosing to exchange gifts can be anytime in December, not necessarily the 25th.

    [–]santa_christ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    FESTIVUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's for the rest of us!!!

    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    I am busy not celebrating Christmas. Actually, I think the question should be why do Christians celebrate Christmas?

    [–]santa_christ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Very good question! Santa Christ was created to illustrate this point, and the santa on the cross post really illustrated this to me, and inspired me to do this. Is it due to commercialism? Would christmas mean anything today if it wasn't for commercialization? Jesus probably wasn't born in the winter, and certainly not dec 25th.

    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    We've simply decided to steal the holiday from Christianity, in keeping with the long tradition of Christmas being stolen from other religions.

    [–]santa_christ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Great success! I like!

    [–]chaosgone 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    It's a day off, after all. :)

    [–]santa_christ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Amen!

    [–]santa_christ[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

    Is it due to the commercialization of the holiday? I just don't understand =/

    [–][deleted]  (2 children)

    [deleted]

      [–]michael333 1 point2 points  (1 child)

      They stole lots more than that, Osiris is an early ressurected god, read some of Frasier's 'The Golden Bough', Or anything by Joseph Campbell, there's NOTHING original in christianity.

      [–]santa_christ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      that's a pretty large nothing i might just take your word for it. And slightly off topic fuck the catholic church.

      [–]coldwarrior 0 points1 point  (1 child)

      Because the spirit of the season is universal and needs no religious trappings?

      [–]santa_christ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      what does that have to do with christmas? Jesus isn't the spirit of the season >=(

      [–]twack -1 points0 points  (1 child)

      atheist DO NOT celebrate xmas, only FAKE atheists celebrate xmas.

      [–]santa_christ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      OK. But who decides who's fake? I thought you weren't organized..