Atheists at Christmas: Should Atheists and Humanists Reject Christmas?
In the December 2004 / January 2005 issue of Free Inquiry, Tom Flynn explains his own position:
And what did you do for Ramadan this year?” That’s the question I often pose when fellow humanists ask why I boycott Christmas.
Unless my interlocutor is of Muslim heritage, has close Muslim friends, or is an avocational multiculturalist, the is almost invariably, “Um, nothing.”
“Interesting.” I reply. “Why not?”
“Well, why would I observe Ramadan? That’s not my religion.”
“Exactly. That’s why I don’t celebrate Christmas.”
For what it’s worth, 2004 marks the twentieth anniversary of my personal decision to cease and desist from almost everyone’s favorite holiday. After all, it’s not the birthday of anyone I know — and, if more secular humanists (and members of other cognitive minorities) would make themselves more visibly “Yule free,” it might go far to rebut the harmful social fiction that American society is in some sense foundationally Christian. For two decades now, I have rejected Christmas altogether, from hot buttered rum to “rum-pa-pum-pum.”
There are good arguments for both sides of the issue. As noted above, the Christian character of Christmas is diminishing over time and the ancient pagan aspects are taking on ever greater importance. Christians don’t consider themselves pagans, yet have no problem putting up a tree and mistletoe. Atheists and humanists don’t consider themselves pagan and also don’t mind putting up a tree or mistletoe. If a few Christian aspects of the day are included, does it really matter very much?
Perhaps it does, or at least it can for some people. It’s reasonable to argue that celebrating Christmas helps further the idea that America is a Christian Nation. At the same time, though, does not celebrating it do more to undermine this claim than celebrating it in an openly secular, non-Christian manner? If the decision between celebrating vs. not celebrating is to turn on political considerations, there’s a lot to be said for helping along the process of secularization and de-Christianization.
Of course, it’s also legitimate to question whether this should be a political question at all. Not celebrating Christmas because it’s not part of your religion and/or because you don’t care about it makes more sense, to me at least, than doing so in order to make a political statement. Tom Flynn mentions both reasons but I would place more weight on the first — the second, in my opinion, should be regarded as simply an added benefit rather than an actual motivation. Christians have begun to use Christmas to make political statements; humanists and atheists shouldn’t imitate them.
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The holiday that is no known as Christmas wasn’t christian. To say that you need to be christian to celebrate an americanized version of a christian aberration of another religion’s holiday really doesn’t follow.
I am an atheist, and I love ALL the holidays when celebrated in the best holiday spirit. There are gifts, parties, good food, good fellowship, decorations, and presents. What’s not to like?
i celebrate “Xmas - The Gift Giving Day”, it coincides with Christmas. i celebrate my relationships by giving them gifts.
And i too get a kick out of Xians celebrating pagan holy days.
The forced Holiday Cheer and the Sour Milk of Human Kindness are the two things I dislike most about Christmas. All American holidays are phony excuses for a shopping spree anyway. So, I buy something for myself, and I spend time with my friends. Christmas will be a real disappointment for relatives this year, since I am retired and have little money for presents. I wish they wouldn’t give me any either. It is a curious extortion.
>And what did you do for Ramadan this year?” That’s the question I often pose when fellow humanists ask why I boycott Christmas.
This seems odd to me. I’m not a Humanist. But as an atheist, if another atheist said they don’t celebrate Xmas, I can’t imagine I’d ask “why?” That seems really presumptuous and weird to think someone needs a reason to not do something…? I can see it from an academic standpoint. For example, I have in-laws who are JWs. They don’t celebrate Xmas. I know some reasons I’ve seen online. And my own church, when I was growing up, didn’t celebrate it, either. I could assume the reasons I’m aware of are the reasons they don’t celebrate; but if I asked them what specifically their views were on it, I’m sure they’d share them. I just–to be honest–couldn’t care less “why” someone else doesn’t celebrate it.
I have friends, for example, who don’t like to do anything on their birthdays. It’s uncommon. But I just respect it and move on. I don’t act like they _should_ do something. It’s up to them. I have no idea why they blow off their birthdays. Maybe they don’t like being the center of attention. Maybe they don’t like thinking about getting older. Maybe they have depression and special days bring them down. What’s it to me? It’s their birthday–not mine. I see any other holiday or special day the same way.
>“Well, why would I observe Ramadan? That’s not my religion.”
“That’s not my religion” is a dork answer from a Humanist, unless I’m missing something. Generally Humanists, by and large, are atheists. It would seem pretty obvious that “Christianity” isn’t their religion, either. So, do they not see the problem with this response before they even open their mouths?
I celebrate Christmas because it’s traditional in my family and my culture. If I went to visit the MidEast, and there was a special celebration of Ramadan going on (especially the feast after the fasting), and someone invited me to join in–heck yeah, I’d join. In fact, if I had any friends who celebrated it right where I live, and I was invited, I’d celebrate it.
It’s not a matter of “it’s not my religion.” I don’t celebrate it because I’m just too unfamiliar with it. Given the opportunity, I wouldn’t pass the cultural experience by just because “it’s not my religion.” I gave up those shackles when I deconverted out of Xianity and into general theism. Now, as an atheist, it’s such a nonissue for me, I can’t begin to express it.
I respect the right of anyone to celebrate or not celebrate and to make of it whatever they like–for any day. If a person isn’t hurting anybody, have a blast!
Good examples would also be “Cinco de Mayo.” I never heard of it until I moved to TX. It’s a big holiday in Mexico, and a lot of immigrants here celebrate it. If there’s a CdM party, do I say, “No, I’m not from Mexico. Thanks.” Seriously–I’m gonna miss a BBQ because I’m from the wrong country?
Why didn’t I celebrate it before? It just wasn’t, culturally, big where I lived in other states. Here in TX, it’s huge. Do as the Romans do, I guess is what I’m saying (as far as my personal philosophy–again, so long as nobody’s getting harmed).
I think boycotting Christmas because it’s not part of one’s religion is basically giving in to the myth that Christians own it. As far as I’m concerned, Christmas, Yuletide or whatever you want to call it belongs to everyone. If it were exclusively Christian I think it would be inappropriate for it to be a public holiday. Some people (like Christians or Pagans) like to celebrate it in a religious manner, while others (like me) celebrate it in a more secular manner. I do like Christmas carols though, even the religious ones, but only because they remind me of this time of year. For me, Christmas is all about bonding of friends and family, wishing peace and goodwill on humanity, and other things I think are well worth celebrating. Obviously, people don’t have to celebrate the holiday, but people also don’t have to listen to others telling them how they’re supposed to celebrate it.
I’m an atheist and I have quite a few Muslim friends. I am often invited over to celebrate Eid for example. Nice food mmm! Some of them also celebrate Christmas - the tree and other decorations, exchange of gifts. I’ve also seen a whole family of Muslims sit down to curried turkey on Christmas day whilst all wearing Santa hats!!
Simon: That last scene you described is funny. Just the part about the Santa hats. I can almost see it in the same vein as the movie Christmas Story–where they go to the Chinese Restaurant for Christmas dinner? I’m sure your friends were just goofing on Santa hats; but it would be funny if it was actually some sort of confusion about the traditions/customs–like the hats are standard Xmas garb to wear this time of year in America!
No one is forcing you to celebrate Christmas; yes, you may have a lot of pressure from Xians, but you don’t have to associate with them. You’re free to celebrate December 25th however you want, whether it’s exchanging gifts, worshipping a magical being, or just sitting around and doing nothing. It’s up to you.
Tracieh: Japan is the land of Christmas confusion. I remember seeing a Japanese Christmas card that had Santa Claus on a crucifix!
I forgot to mention the Muslim sisters I know that go to a Catholic Midnight Mass every Christmas Eve because they like the music.
Sorry guys, the crucified Santa I saw must have been a hoax. I was looking for the image but only found references to it as an urban legend. Google “Japan” and “Santa” is entertaining though!
Actually, I am far more offended by the Sunday football rituals. College football, especially is basically a major case of the clap in the academic world. I don’t like the cheap perfume either.
When I was studying in India I went to a to a Christmas dinner for about a dozen people. The people attending were an atheist/cultural Jew (me), one sort-of Xian who was missing his family and tree and the rest were Hindus. We had Indian food.