Question:
Is it disengenuous for an atheist to send out Christmas/holiday cards?
2008-12-18 22:23:40 UTC
Obviously, if someone is an atheist, Christmas has no particular significance. It's just another day. So, what do you think about an atheist sending out holiday cards?

Do you think it's disingenuous for them to use this time of the year to send out greeting cards, considering this time of year is nothing special to them?

Thanks!
23 answers:
Barabas
2008-12-18 22:29:20 UTC
Christmas has been hijacked by the retail industry for a long time. It is a cultural holiday recognized by the government.
Dawn C
2008-12-18 22:52:41 UTC
Yes, it is disingenuous. Atheists who send Christmas cards are being hypocritical. They are not living out their world view. Christmas is strictly about the birth of Christ. The world can say it is a 'day of good will and cheer' all they want, but frankly, it is strictly a holiday commemorating the birth of the Son of God. There is no reason for an atheist to send Christmas cards or holiday cards if they don't believe in God. We do not as a culture celebrate winter solstice'. That is an old pagan holiday. We do not celebrate that here, so why even observe it with a greeting card? That would be like celebrating Cinco de Mayo in France. It's not their holiday. Why bother?

Too many atheists want to 'borrow' from Christian traditions, and teachings, rather than to live out their Darwinistic world views. A true atheist would say there is no reason to celebrate. No reason to spend your money foolishly on presents for a holiday that belongs to Christians. Christians don't celebrate Hannukah. Why should Atheists celebrate Christmas or even pay attention to it with cards or candy, presents or decorations? It is a waste of time.
carcieri
2016-12-09 01:31:14 UTC
Pagan Holiday Cards
2008-12-18 22:55:57 UTC
How wrong can you get!! It is the christians for goodness sake!!



It is nothing to do with either Christianity or Islam but it does have it's origins in the midwinter festival and many other basically pagan rites but since much of it is a celebration of nature rather than religion everyone should be able to enjoy it and be happy together despite religion!!



The ancient European pagans celebrated the midwinter festival and a number of other festivals long before Christianity ever existed!



Babylonians celebrated the feast of the Son of Isis with gluttonous eating and drinking, and gift giving and the goddess of fertility, love, and war.



The Romans held a festival on 25 December called “Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, celebrating their own god Sol Invictas - PAGAN.



The Persian god Mithras, the Syrian sun god Elah Gabal, the German Sol, the Greek Helios and the Mesopotamian Shamash. But also Saturnalia, honouring Saturn, the God of Agriculture. The law courts and schools were closed. No public business could be transacted an this is where the holidays originated - ALL PAGAN!!!



Wax tapers were given by the more humble to their superiors. The origin of the Christmas candle - PAGAN!!



In Rome groups of costumed went from house to house entertaining their people. And this was where the carolling Christmas tradition originated PAGAN!!



Statues of the Mother and lover or Mother and son were paraded through the streets not only in Italy but also in Africa, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany and Bulgaria. Thus, the symbolism of the Heavenly Virgin and the infant child paraded on a yearly basis are not of Christian origin. They stem from the Mother-goddess religion, which is very ancient ENTIRELY PAGAN!!.



Scandinavian countries celebrated Yule honouring Thor - PAGAN.



In Germania (not Germany) they celebrated midwinter night followed by 12 wild nights of eating and drinking. The 12 days of Christmas PAGAN!!



The church under Pope Julius I declared that Christ’s birth would be celebrated on December 25 in 350 AD in order to try to hijack the PAGAN festivals but it was largely ignored. Christians did not really celebrate Christmas until 378 but it was then dropped in 381 and not resurrected until 400.



The Christmas tree stems from pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the Winter Solstice, which included the use of holly boughs ivy and other foliage as an adaptation of pagan tree worship. Holly and ivy represented male and female. Mistletoe was considered a sacred plant, and the custom of kissing under the mistletoe began as a fertility ritual - all PAGAN!!



Santa Claus came from the Dutch “Sinterklaas” and was a tall figure riding a white horse through the air and usually accompanied by Black Peter, an elf who punished disobedient children. Also the origin of the reindeer, sleigh and the elves ALL PAGAN!!



The modern red coated Santa was brought about by coca cola!!



America actually banned Christmas several times and is the originator of the expression “Happy Holidays” which came about because of the pagan origins of Christmas to include all religions and traditions!!



The Venerable Bede, an early Christian writer pointed out that the Christian church absorbed Pagan practices when it found the population unwilling to give up the festivals. Thus a lot of what Christians now see as Christians practices are in fact pagan!!!



Christmas is the time of year christians strive to prove just how pagan they have become!!!
Winford P
2008-12-18 22:31:48 UTC
Not if they are just sending them as Holiday cards. I mean they know just as well as anyone that no matter what Holiday being celebrated (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa etc.) that this is usual a time of kindness. So, it would be a great time to send greeting cards, but that doesn't mean that they should feel obligated to either. Honestly, greeting cards can be sent whenever, and should be done as a sincere gesture. Hope this helps. :)
H.u.S
2008-12-18 22:28:37 UTC
It's also a secular holiday, celebrated by lots of non-Christians too. If a Hindu can send a Christmas card to his Christian friend, why can't an atheist do the same?
2008-12-19 04:16:37 UTC
What is it with religious dipsh*ts who think they have to right to deny people that aren't of their religion to celebrate holidays that they didn't even invent?



Okay here's the deal, Christmas, regardless of its origins - I know you'll argue against me if I try to explain that people celebrated the end of the year before Christianity existed - is now a very traditional festival that isn't dependant on belief in your deity/deity's son. The practice of gift giving and spending time with family and friends is something that is enjoyed by many different people regardless of their religious beliefs.



So no, it isn't disengenuous at all. Atheists are quite capable of being sincere without needing to believe what you believe.
2008-12-18 22:32:13 UTC
Christmas is not just a religious event.

Certainly, that is the original intent, but if the government is willing to give me paid time off work, I'm grabbing it with both hands.

You won't catch me in church on Christmas Day.

I'll be celebrating time with my family and friends, drinking and eating too much.

I send out cards that do not have any religious content.

I am simply wishing my friends a happy holiday
Dawn G
2008-12-18 22:33:28 UTC
The Japanese LOVE Christmas and very few of them are Christian. Today, Christmas is both a secular celebration and a religious one. If you are not Christian, you can still celebrate the season and its supposed meaning of peace on earth and good will towards men. Lack of a belief in supernatural dieties, after all, does not automatically mean one is a grinch.



Also, the atheist in question may be showing love for you and respect for your belief system by acknowledging it with a card. I am not Hindu, but my husband is, and I respect his traditions by participating in them. Belief is not required, you know.



So, maybe you should kick the grinch out of your heart and be glad an atheist friend of yours cares enough about you to respect your traditions in a way that is meaningful to you...by acknowledging your religious festival even if he does not share your belief.
Elana
2008-12-18 22:26:30 UTC
Obviously? No.



Actually, it has no *RELIGIOUS* significance, but it is a huge cultural event, at least in the US.



Do you celebrate with Santa Clause? Although he does have some historical connection to religion, he has lost all religious significance by now - so if the holiday is only about religion, why do YOU celebrate with him?



How about Thanksgiving? Everybody gets together - that is a good thing. Whether they are praying to God in thanks or not - it doesn't stop them from getting together and enjoying each other's company.



Remember: Christmas is simply Saturnalia with newer Gods, up to and including the tree.
CC
2008-12-18 22:36:43 UTC
It is just as disingenuous of christians to celebrate christmas with pagan traditions such as gift giving, and an indoor decorated tree.
Julie
2008-12-18 22:29:41 UTC
It's a nice gesture. You could be an atheist and have a different meaning/vision for Christmas.
hawkguy
2008-12-18 22:28:07 UTC
Sorry but it isn't just another day. It is exactly the same without the jesus part. What does Jesus being born have anything to do with you getting a present or giving one to someone (other than jesus of course)? What does easter have to do with a bunny, colored eggs, and jesus on the cross?
Glargh
2008-12-18 22:28:40 UTC
Christmas was orignally a pagan holiday, that question should be pointed towards Christians.
CrustyCurmudgeon
2008-12-18 22:27:57 UTC
You're free to celebrate the Winter Solstice, just as "pagans" have been doing since before the time of Christ.
mo in the middle
2008-12-18 22:26:42 UTC
You lose. Seriously.



This atheist observes Christmas as a celebration of fellowship and generosity. You should try it. I think your Jesus would approve. He might even tell you to stop being so petty and legalistic.
2008-12-18 22:27:19 UTC
How do you know they aren't celebrating the Winter Solstice? You know, the TRUE meaning of Christmas.
2008-12-18 22:26:06 UTC
Christmas is a cultural, societal thing.



If Christians have a monopoly on Christmas, then it is certainly imposed (forced) onto all non-Christians.
2008-12-19 05:38:53 UTC
My enjoyment of food, family, and presents exists independently of a cult of blood thirsty warmongers murdering thousands of pagans and stealing their traditions and dates in order to celebrate the supposed virgin birth and supposed resurrection of their fictional character. :D
Ѧashiq- Due 8/17 ٩(●̮̮̃•̃)۶
2008-12-18 22:27:16 UTC
Christmas rocks, no matter what religion you are. If it means nothing to you, you either don't know about it or you're a scrooge.
2008-12-18 22:42:37 UTC
No, you are just honoring the beliefs of friends

in order to be sociable... you don't have to share

those beliefs.



Jean
Acid Zebra
2008-12-18 22:27:12 UTC
Why? If I don't, Jeebus will be mad, not to mention my mom. Cultural significance and all.
2008-12-18 22:26:54 UTC
ALL ATHEISTS ARE LIARS


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