Christmas and Non-Believers - Should they celebrate it?
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Should non-believers in Christianity celebrate Christmas?
Some Christians are offended by the secular nature of Christmas now. It seems to some to have lost it's religious meaning. At the same time, non-Christians see Christmas as a festival that celebrates family and friendship.
I guess most people fall somewhere between these two extremes.
Have your say below. Tell us what you think about this topic.
Of course non-Christians shouldn't celebrate Christmas
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Christians might argue that it demeans the whole meaning of Christianity for non-Christians, agnostics and atheists to go through the secular rituals of Christmas like celebration meals, drinking, decorating their homes, Christmas trees, and exchanging gifts.
True believers may take part in any or all of these activities but for them it is a true celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
They go to religious services during Advent, usually to a service on Christmas Eve (at least here in the UK it's customary) and to at least one service on Christmas Day.
In the Gospel according to St John, it says:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
Christmas is a time to celebrate the gift of his Son that God gave to the world. Without belief in this, celebrations at Christmas have no meaning.
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The title says it all. This book tells us how to concentrate on the true meaning of Christmas and tells us how to do this. For example, get rid of the meaningless decorations, instead have a nativity scene in your home to remind you why you celebrate.
Christmas has pagan origins so it doesn't just belong to Christians
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Non-Christians might put forward this argument for their continued celebration of the Christmas.
As the celebrations at Christmas began as pagan festivals and the Church took them over, then non-Christians have every right to their own family festivities.
Both the Romans and the Babylonians had a winter festival around this time of the year, mostly to celebrate their own gods. In northern Europe, people celebrated the winter solstice and called it Yule. It is from Yule we get yule logs, the custom of bringing evergreen trees indoors as well as evergreen branches. It is also responsible for the custom of using mistletoe in decorations while they believe that the berries of the holly were eaten by gods.
Apart from these ancient celebrations, Christmas is now a time for family and friends to reunite over sumptuous meals and exchange gifts, reaffirming links between family members and friends.
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Brimming with stories, activities, folklore, and recipes, this popular holiday gift book traces the history behind many sacred traditions of the season and provides practical suggestions for celebrating the Winter Solstice as a joyous, life-affirming festival.
Have Your Say
Should non-Christians celebrate Christmas?
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luvmyludwig says:
I think any holiday can be adapted to fit into one's life. I am a Christian and think of Christmas as Jesus' birthday, but I have no objection to non-believers spending a special day with their families. Holidays give us a break from daily living and make a few days of the year even more special. Now who should miss that?
Posted May 25, 2009
Tiddledeewinks says:
I say Christmas is a time of joy and peace for ALL MANKIND, regardless of religious affiliation. Yes, it started out pagan, and yes it turned mostly religious, BUT now most people everywhere just subconsciously feel the need for peace and to connect with each other on this planet earth that we share. Christmas has even been known to stop wars for a short time! So why can't we just get along all year 'round and stop all wars forever?
Posted January 18, 2009
Mortira says:
As long as Christmas is about family, and not presents, it shouldn't matter what one's beliefs are. One could say that excluding people for any reason is not very Christian.
Posted November 27, 2008
Mortira says:
As long as Christmas is about family and not presents, it shouldn't matter what your beliefs are. One could say that to exclude people for any reason is not very Christian.
Posted November 27, 2008
susannaduffy says:
Oh yes! I love my pagan festivities, especially the celebration of the birth of Mithras and the Solstice ceremonies
Posted November 10, 2008
Stazjia says:
Kylyssa - You are assuming I'm a Christian when I haven't said anywhere what I believe. I think that is a private matter and not something I'm prepared to discuss here. In fact, I tried to present both sides of the argument. The sentence you quoted from this lens was in support of non-Christians having every right to celebrate Christmas.
Because I wanted to respond to your comment, I'm prepared to give my opinion on the debate even if I won't tell you what I believe on the matter of religion as a whole.
Posted November 09, 2008
Kylyssa says:
You said "Apart from these ancient celebrations, Christmas is now a time for family and friends to reunite over sumptuous meals and exchange gifts, reaffirming links between family members and friends."
So apparently you don't believe agnostics, Hindus, Buddhists and atheists have friends and family members? And you apparently believe that non-Christians should not be allowed to participate in the secular Pagan inspired festivities you, as a Christian enjoy?
Posted November 08, 2008
lakeerieartists says:
Why not celebrate? We have so few reasons to celebrate during our lifetimes. Make the most of the times you have.
Posted November 06, 2008
No
hlkljgk says:
Considering the extreme commercialization and the economic downturn as well as the waste aspects, I don't think anyone should celebrate it as is (and I would guess Jesus wouldn't be too happy with the average gift centered celebrations). Let's all get back to relaxed traditions based in spending time with the ones we love - not matter your religious background.
Posted November 03, 2008
Christmas Decorations
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Nativity Scenes
Roman Inc 50114 Fontanini Heirloom Nativity Set
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Kurt Adler Wooden Baby's First Christmas Nativity Set
Amazon Price: $48.00 (as of 07/05/2009)
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Do you think this is a valid question?
mysticmama wrote...
I love Christmas for all the commercial reasons and none of the religious reasons... I think Santa rocks, Christmas to me ois for the kids... I don't even think of it as religious lol
Posted May 25, 2009
Tiddledeewinks wrote...
Let's have Christmas all year round, EVERYONE! Religion has somehow turned around from the complete opposite that it started out to be, with brotherly love turning into people taking sides and starting up new religions just to "fight" against all the others! So I choose spirituality instead, something like the transcendentalists did.
Posted January 18, 2009
Mortira wrote...
Ironically, though some people have tried to stamp out "Merry Christmas" to avoid offending other groups, many non-Christian immigrants embrace the holiday season as a tradition of their new home. It's gotten so bad that people get overjoyed when you say "Merry Christmas" to them, because it's so unexpected. I worked in a privately-owned shop last year, where we could say whatever we wanted - it was such a relief!
Posted November 27, 2008
Czarque wrote...
Yes I think it is a valid question but I think Christmas has become more of a cultural tradition in our western societies than a religious celebration. People are too busy to stop and think about this question!
Posted November 10, 2008
by Stazjia
I am English and I've spent the last 11 years writing freelance for UK magazines, a couple of books and online. More on my Lensography.
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