What is Christmas?
I just read this article from The Star called "Atheists grapple with Christmas", which is about a new book coming out, a collection of articles written by atheists about how they deal with Christmas. What?! Deal with Christmas? I never really felt that strongly about Christmas as an atheist to boycott the event, or to celebrate the Big Bang instead by listening to white noise on the radio as Simon Singh suggests (jokingly, I hope, because that sounds like the lamest idea since this one*). What is Christmas now? It's apparently too commercial for some Christians, but, too Christian for others.
I don't get it. I'm an atheist and I've never really taken it that seriously. I thought that was the point of it! There's a quote in there about how Trottier wants to "stay true to his principles" and not celebrate Christmas. There's only ONE fucking principle as an atheist, and you don't have to believe in God to buy presents. Unbelievable.
*I would like a non-Christian cape for Christmas. Thank you.
December 16th, 2009 - 12:44
That is interesting. I’ve not heard that atheists think Christmas is too Christian since I think you see Santa around more than I see Nativity scenes, and last time I heard the rumour, Santa was an invention of Coca-Cola. As for songs, there’s easily enough Christmas pop-themed tunes now. They’re maybe not ripe with tradition, but everything can’t be completely emptied of its origins, yet. I view Christmas as being too consumerist. I find the values of spending the holidays with loved ones has become too much about the gifts and spending, exiling the values of being with loved ones, getting to know them and being thankful of being in their presence. Christmas like some other holidays should be about love, to put it on an atheist/religious neutral ground, and is unique in its placement in the year. Christmas, if anything, personally, should be about love, something that I think any party shouldn’t have a problem with.