Atheist at Christmas
by Why I, as an Atheist, celebrate the Christmas season.
Being at atheist at this time of the year, I am sometimes asked why I celebrate Christmas. This is my attempt to explain it.
To be honest, my family celebrated Christmas in a non-religious way. In fact, the only thing I remember that had religious meaning was a Nativity scene my parents had. I knew what it represented, but that was it. We never went to church for Christmas. Santa Claus was the reason for our season.
Now that I am married with children of my own, our Christmas is religion-free. My wife does have a Nativity scene, but she sets it up only in honor of her family. My children know who Jesus is, but they also know that I do not believe he is the “son of God”, or that there even is a God. But they do respect that others do believe.
Christmas, as I have tried to teach my children, is a time of good will and friendship, of spending time with family and friends. We enjoy the “Christmas Season”, instead of just one day. From the Friday after Thanksgiving to New Year’s, we enjoy it as a month long celebration. We enjoy the television specials, the music and the lit-up, decorated houses. And, of course, the food!
I guess I still celebrate the same way I did as a kid, although I consciously avoid religious allusions, whereas my parents were just lax. I suppose I could thank them for that, although I doubt they would find it amusing. While they, perhaps reluctantly, know I am an Atheist, they are more religious now than when I was a child. My father more so than my mother.
For some reason, when many people hear the word “Atheist”, they automatically assume “immoral”. This always amazes me. I lead a very moral, very traditional life. I teach my children to be good human beings. I just do not believe in a “superior being”.
I also do not force my views on my children. They are exposed to my beliefs, as well as the beliefs of the varied family members and friends around them. They are related to, or are friends with, not only Christians, but also people who are Jewish and Muslim. And other Atheists. When they are old enough, they can decide for themselves what they believe in.
Most of all, my family and I wish everyone a good, happy month, full of friends, family and fun. Oh yeah, and food!
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Post CommentVincentez
On December 12, 2007 at 9:10 am
That text went straight up to my own heart.
The best thing one could teach to their own children is not to believe in illusions set by the others, but to find for themselves what they want to believe in.
Phenomenal article!
Barbara
On December 12, 2007 at 12:40 pm
great article Joe! I happen to know your kids and you ARE doing a good job with them, they are very open and intelligent kids with big hearts. That’s more important than religion. ‘Do unto others’ is found in one way or the other in every major religion and you are raising your kids to not only respect themselves, but also to respect others. thats way more important than lots of rituals and rites, but no heart.
Donna Amaral
On December 12, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Hi Cousin Joe, Great insight on how you feel, And yes there is alot to be said on tradition at Christmas. Glad that you feel good in your own skin. Stay healthy ! Luv ya, Donna
Liane Schmidt
On December 12, 2007 at 11:01 pm
I enjoyed reading this well written, thoughtful and respectful article. Thank you for sharing it.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Po
On December 14, 2007 at 11:44 am
Christmas is a Christian celebration. Do you celebrate Ramadan or Eid? No. Do you celebrate Passover or Divali? No. So you shouldn’t celebrate Christamas, because celebrating it means that you are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, which you don’t believe in, because you are atheist. It’s VERY hypocrtical to celebrate it.
Joe (writer of article)
On December 14, 2007 at 7:20 pm
to Po:
I don’t think I am being hypocritical at all. I am celebrating the same thing I have celebrated since I was born: A non-religious gathering of family and friends to exchange gifts and enjoy each other’s company. It has NEVER been about Christianity for me. The church-going religious Christmas celebration is as alien to me as Ramadan, Eid or the others you mention.
Regardless, the aim of my article wasn’t to incite a debate or an argument. It was merely to express how I feel. Happy Holidays to all, whatever that means to you! I am off to drink some egg nog.
Missy Mello
On December 15, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Great article. Thank you for sharing. I’m a non-practicing catholic. I was brought up w/the whole church thing and it’s that good ole catholic gilt that wont let me believe otherwise – LOL. Love ya!
Paulenberg
On December 27, 2007 at 9:58 am
Good article Joe, I am a Christian but I have despaired of people celebrating Christmas as the birth of our Lord – which seems to be a side-issue just lately. However I respect what you have said and would say that if more people thought your way then we might have a more peaceful world. And Po, the Muslims and Jews do believe that Jesus was born and that he was a special man, they don’t believe he was the son of God. It makes no sense to accuse Joe of hypocrisy.
EternalSleep32294
On January 5, 2008 at 3:26 pm
I’m an Atheist teenager and feel the same way.
Ulairion
On January 5, 2008 at 5:50 pm
“Christmas is a Christian celebration. Do you celebrate Ramadan or Eid? No. Do you celebrate Passover or Divali? No. So you shouldn’t celebrate Christamas, because celebrating it means that you are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, which you don’t believe in, because you are atheist. It’s VERY hypocrtical to celebrate it.”
Po, you just made an epic fail. Christmas is NOT a about Jesus. Read something apart from the Bible and you’ll find that Christmas is actually stolen. See, when the early church was forming, they needed a way to get the barbarians/pagans/whatever to join them. Those people celebrated the winter solstice, and the christians simply took the pagan festivities and added an ounce of Christ on the whole thing.
Also, the whole Christmas stuff (the tree, candles, decoration, etc) was stolen from the viking’s Yule. And let’s not forget that December 25th was also the Saturnalia, and the birth of Krisha and several other gods. Krishna was also born from a virgin, and the similarities are so many that if he was alive he would sue the christian for stealing.
So, RTFM and then open your mouth.
Aunt Marie
On April 24, 2008 at 10:20 am
Hi Joey,
You are entitled to your own beliefs just like everybody else is. I believe in God and that he created the Universe and I pray to him. he answers my prayers. Your father was very religious earlier in his life..he was an ordained minister and married my daughter..he also was a chaplain’s assistant in the army and performed services for my father’s funeral..But each to their own beliefs..I don’t celebrate Christmas as much as when my kids were little..I don’t even have a tree..I just know it is His birthday and rightfully acknowledge that..I think Christmas has become too commercial and costs a lot of money..Love your writings..Keep up the good work..your dad was a great writer too..
Love, Aunt Marie…
BeWise
On July 28, 2008 at 6:42 am
Hi Ulairion.
I believe in god as much as I believe that there is an invisible apple on top of my head.
I accept about 90% of buddhism.
I celebrate christmas though. I celebrate it because my friends celebrate it. It makes them happy and makes me happy. There are good things about christmass. For example giving presents to pple u like. If I lived in a Mouslem area, I would celebraie eid with moselims. Isnt that what Jesus would want me to do?
Please do not take the fact that we celebrate christmas as a bad thing. It helps me understand christiand better, It makes me a better person.
Hope you understand.
BeWise
On July 28, 2008 at 6:48 am
Sorru Ularion, above was for Po
xXstephieXx
On November 21, 2008 at 11:59 am
hey im a 15 yr old atheist and i totally agree with Ulairion. It’s true about the whole christmas is stolen thing…. oh and just to make a random comment, you know how some atheists say x-mas instead of christmas? well just a bit of insight, the letter x means christ in hebrew and three other languages, so you’re kinda screwing yourself over on that one. :p