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reply posted on 21-12-2008 @ 07:04 PM by Dermo
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Originally posted by mr-lizard
Or is that a sin?
Or are you going to be all high and mighty and dare to accuse me of being a hypocrite?
It would be terribly Un-Christian to tell me not to enjoy those things....
Why oh why are people so angry.
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reply posted on 21-12-2008 @ 07:13 PM by fooffstarr
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Thanks for all the replies, and please keep the anger level low or non existent.
The aim of the thread is not to judge, or criticize one religion or the other.
Fair points by people regarding the hijacking of the holiday. Twice. First by Christianity and now by consumerism.
When something gets as muddied as the modern day version of Christmas, with it's references to biblical events, pagan rituals and strange men in red
suits, you might as well take the light-hearted approach and just enjoy yourself.
Oh, and I almost forgot. Merry Christmas to everyone, regardless of your faith! 
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reply posted on 21-12-2008 @ 08:14 PM by SleeplessInUS
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I think it would be more interesting to know how many celebrate the birth of christ on the designated day (albeit, not accurate) without the
commercial aspects of the holiday. no material gifts, trees, santa, elves, etc. because I would guess not many christians celebrate it that way.
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reply posted on 21-12-2008 @ 08:18 PM by TruthParadox
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reply to post by fooffstarr
Why wouldn't we celebrate Christmas?
Should Christians not celebrate Christmas because of the idea of Santa Clause rather than an all powerful God?
Would anyone choose not to celebrate Halloween because they don't believe in Ghosts?
It's a bit silly to me.
If you don't want to celebrate Christmas, that's fine, but I don't see why an atheist wouldn't want to celebrate Christmas.
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reply posted on 21-12-2008 @ 09:03 PM by riddle6
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reply to post by Mr Mxyztplk
I couldn't agree more. Well, I have to say that I don't know of the last time it snowed here (Texas) in December, but it sure is cold for me.
I enjoy the decorations. My mother does a lovely job, but I think that will be gone next year as she is wanting to "down-size" on the decorations.
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reply posted on 21-12-2008 @ 09:09 PM by manticore
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Originally posted by fooffstarr
This question is coming from a borderline Agnostic/Atheist... me!
I know many people who call themselves 'Atheists', and who were brought up in either Catholic or Anglican education systems. Yet they go out of
their way to celebrate a Christian holiday.
My family, all of whom are fairly hardcore Catholics, make a really big deal of Christmas. I made it known when I declared myself removed from the
religion that I was not going to participate in the whole gifts thing and celebration of Jesus' birth.
I still attend the family dinners etc. because it is a good opportunity to catch up with the crazy uncles and cousins but other than that, it is just
another day.
So why do many Atheists celebrate a Christian holiday? Is it simply to 'score some sweet presents' and take advantage of their relatives
generosity? Whats the deal?
Or is it to keep the family happy and not to cause tension? Maybe the Grandmothers etc. would disown them for disrespecting the family values?
[edit on 21-12-2008 by fooffstarr]
I think you answered the question more or less. To me, it is a tradition and a great time to unite the family.
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reply posted on 21-12-2008 @ 09:42 PM by InfaRedMan
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I celebrate Christmas but I am also agnostic. What I celebrate instead is the appreciation of my family/loved ones and thank them for being a part of
my life... even though I do this throughout the year, a few extra days doesn't hurt and nor does a little gift as a tangible reminder!
IRM 
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reply posted on 22-12-2008 @ 12:05 AM by DemonicAngelZero
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Who says that christmas has to be a christian holiday? It certainly didn't start as one, and I don't remember the part of the bible that talks about
Santa Clause and magic flying reindeer. No matter what the origins of the holiday, it's morphed into something beyond a religious celebration.
Idealistic notions of giving and togetherness (corrupted by greed and corporate brainwashing).
edit: Oh, I forgot to say this. Happy holidays everyone! No matter what you celebrate or why, I hope everyone enjoys themselves.
[edit on 22-12-2008 by DemonicAngelZero]
[edit on 22-12-2008 by DemonicAngelZero]
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reply posted on 22-12-2008 @ 12:30 AM by Anonymous ATS
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All cultures (at least in the northern latitudes) had a holiday in the middle of winter. Our modern traditions come from the germans and norse
pagans (the christmas tree, Santa Claus(i.e. Odin and his 8 legged horse). The christians later made this a time to celebrate baby Jesus, in the same
spirit, which is cool. It's the most human of holidays I think, so atheists and agnostics should enjoy it too if they have a brain. We as humans
have the gift of thinking, so we think up a way to make this ball freezing crappy time of year enjoyable and bearable. We use this as an excuse to
have a good time with friends and family, get drunk and be generous to people we care about and even strangers. So to all the scrooges whether
they're fundies who think, "it's a pagan holiday, jesus wasn't born in december" or the atheist "it's a stupid christian holiday", let them
stay inside and have a miserable time so the normal people can have a merry christmas.
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reply posted on 22-12-2008 @ 12:58 AM by Anonymous ATS
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reply to post by mr-lizard
buddy deep down i dont think our a real atheist. i think your just hostile towards religion because someone tried to ram it into you, you may have not
liked the person therfor rejecting their belifes protects you from being hurt.
or perhaps you see other people who are happy with their religions and feel angry that you cant feel that same happiness. its ok to not accept
something but to be hostile towards a group of people like that while no ones offending you says that you reject religion for other reasons than
religion itself.
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reply posted on 22-12-2008 @ 01:16 AM by 30 Seconds
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christmas was maybe a christian holiday 200 years ago, but not anymore. its a santa holiday. yay for commercialism and consumerism. it is nothing
more then a corporate circle jerk.
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reply posted on 22-12-2008 @ 01:18 AM by ShAuNmAn-X
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reply to post by fooffstarr
I think the reason behind it is what Christmas has become. Greed and commercialism. Regardless of beliefs who wouldn't want to get free stuff one day
a year?
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reply posted on 22-12-2008 @ 01:36 AM by fooffstarr
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reply to post by ShAuNmAn-X
Very true.
I am still given presents even though I've told people I don't celebrate the holiday... and I don't complain or give them back heh.
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reply posted on 22-12-2008 @ 01:37 AM by Bramble Iceshimmer
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reply to post by fooffstarr
What a strange question. It's obvious, to get lots of prezzies like everyoine else. That's what commercial Christmas is all about. If you are
talking about the Christian Christmas, well it was supplanted a long time ago.
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reply posted on 22-12-2008 @ 01:42 AM by prototism
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I am agnostic. As others have said, I (we) don't celebrate it for the religious connotations (which are questionable themselves). I (we) celebrate it
because it is a cultural and social holiday, with a weight that uniquely American (pun intended).
It gives me an excuse to see family members, eat tons of food, and get and give gifts (both tangible and non-tangible).
To be absolutely honest, and somewhat personal, for the last few years I have been indifferent about the Holiday season, especially Christmas, for
many reasons (too old, non-religious, "lone wolf", etc). But this year, I have somebody very special to me to spend it with.
Amazing what love can do to an outlook.
Happy holidays, everybody.
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reply posted on 22-12-2008 @ 01:47 AM by Anonymous ATS
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reply to post by OzWeatherman
Because we don't know for sure when Jesus was born and during times of even greater religious oppression the "leaders" of the church decided to
take over the Pagan holiday because they thought it would distract the Pagans et al. . . worked out well, didn't it?
Full disclosure: I am Christian but not the "in your face - believe me or you will burn in Hell" kind
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reply posted on 22-12-2008 @ 01:48 AM by Clearskies
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As Christians, we used to not celebrate Christmas.
The puritans and pilgrims of early America didn't.
We still don't do 'santa' or believe it's really Jesus' birthday, but we celebrate with family and friends what true love should be about. Giving
to others.
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reply posted on 22-12-2008 @ 01:49 AM by LoveMeImALiberal
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Is this a serious question?
Let me try to break it down for you...
Christmas Is Fun For Everyone.
Winter SUCKSSSSSSSSS
Why Not Have Fun In Winter?
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reply posted on 22-12-2008 @ 01:50 AM by MegaBears
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It's more of a family tradition than a celebration. My family is not religious, yet we partake in Christmas. It's a good excuse to call off
work/school, get together with the family, recieve gifts, and eat a bunch of food.
As an agnostic, I see this Holiday as a lucrative oppurtunity.
Hell, some poeple don't even know that Christmas was for the celebration of Jesus's birthday. I don't really care either way.
[edit on 22-12-2008 by MegaBears]
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reply posted on 22-12-2008 @ 02:19 AM by Azador
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Reading this i just realised money really is our new god!
Follow me on this
Pagans get jacked of their gods and rituals by christians to placate the masses.Christianity becomes dominant.Christians get jacked by capitalism and
consumerism by greedy fatcats to placate the masses.Money becomes dominant.
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