Do you feel it's hypocritical, or a contradiction, when Atheists celebrate Christmas?

Santa Claus & decorated fir trees have nothing to do with religion. It's just a holiday to a lot of people. A reason to get together, eat & have a day off, hopefully with pay. For the record the supposed birthday being celebrated didn't even take place in December. Some people have turned the tables on the christian right & called it a War on Solstice lol. Winter Solstice predates christianity so I find it funny when christians whine about "their" celebration. The way I see it christians can celebrate when they want but they don't own the holiday. Everyone should celebrate in the way they see fit.


Just like the little ishtar bunny in the spring lol.

CeCe wrote:

Santa Claus & decorated fir trees have nothing to do with religion. It's just a holiday to a lot of people. A reason to get together, eat & have a day off, hopefully with pay. For the record the supposed birthday being celebrated didn't even take place in December. Some people have turned the tables on the christian right & called it a War on Solstice lol. Winter Solstice predates christianity so I find it funny when christians whine about "their" celebration. The way I see it christians can celebrate when they want but they don't own the holiday. Everyone should celebrate in the way they see fit.


Just like the little ishtar bunny in the spring lol.

Besides, many ppl believe quite personally, so it is hard to pigeonhole them as Atheist. I claim to be agnostic, but have a puja (prayer) table like many in India. It has the Buddha, Meher Baba and St. Francis represented on it plus a few other gris-gris items.

I never put much thought into it. I don't give a shit. I'm not an atheist.

I think it is just fine. It's not as all if non-Atheists recognize the "reason for the season" beyond the materialism anyway.

I think many people who are not into religion have made Christmas into a Winter Festival for themselves. The birth of Christ aside, there is still much to be enjoyed ~ the magic of Santa, the colorful festivities, spectacular lighting, the Christmas cooking "smells", being with family, and many people still like the gift thing.

I really don't have a problem with that. I'd much rather it be a Winter Festival for them than see efforts to "kill" the holiday season (and they're out there).

These days, Christmas has gone way beyond the celebration of Christ's birth. It stopped being exclusive to being a holy holiday long ago, so not really.

Atheists don't celebrate "Christmas." They celebrate "the holiday" that happens to take place on December 25th and involves many of the traditions and festivities also celebrated on Christmas. But yes, they don't celebrate "Christmas," and many go out of their way to remind us how much they hate "Christmas."

The holiday season is for everyone.