As a self confessed atheist, I get asked a lot why I celebrate Christmas. I suppose the main reason is because it’s fun.
I know a lot of people genuinely believe they are celebrating the birth of Jesus and there’s nothing wrong with that. If that’s what you believe then by all means celebrate it any way you wish.
I do think that a lot of the people celebrating Christmas do it because it’s just something we do. A lot of them aren’t regular church goers, and many aren’t religious at all. Some are other religions. That’s one thing I like about Christianity – its inclusionary and welcomes people to celebrate and be happy at a time that is special for Christians.
Personally, I see nothing wrong with joining in something that is fun, but it is a little more than that. Christmas is a time for family and friends to gather together and be happy. Exchange gifts, eat, drink and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a time for being thankful and celebrating the good things in our lives.
Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
The truth is, none of the things we traditionally do here in the UK in any way reflect the birth of Jesus. The traditions all have their roots in the Pagan religion, celebrating Yuletide (you can read my Origins of Christmas post for more on this).
So with all of that in mind, no, I don’t think it’s hypocritical for an atheist to celebrate Christmas. How can it be when it is primarily a Pagan celebration?
Ultimately, I believe in each to their own (as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else). So whether you want to go to Midnight Mass and celebrate the birth of Jesus, wassail your tree, or just throw a Christmas CD on and get merry I say go for it. Likewise, if Christmas isn’t your thing, there’s nothing wrong with not celebrating it either.
Life is too short to miss out on the fun bits. There is enough negativity in the world without us all knocking each other for what we do or don’t believe.
No one owns the rights to Christmas, we can all enjoy the day however we want to. Whatever you believe and whatever you choose to do, don’t let anyone tell you it’s wrong.
Do you think it’s hypocritical for atheists/non-Christians to celebrate Christmas? Are you a Pagan that thinks it’s hypocritical for Christians to celebrate Yuletide? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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I’m a pagan that celebrates Christmas, after a fashion. Privately, I celebrate it according to my personal belief system. Publicly, I take part in the festivities that celebrate family, warmth, giving. I sometimes think that too much emphasis is placed on the labels we give things, and not the underlying meaning of what we’re doing. I don’t think you have to believe in the “Jesus” part of Christmas to embody the spirit of the holidays through word and deed.
I think we are pretty much on the same page here. I definitely feel like I can capture the spirit of giving and being thankful without having to believe in the religious side. I love the extra times spent with family and friends and you’re right, we are too quick to label everything. Thanks for commenting 🙂
I think this is an interesting post and I always like the way you write and give your opinion without attacking anyone’s views. I myself am a Christian but I don’t attend church regularly or anything like that, however, I do have my beliefs. Thank you for being complimentary to other religions – saying Christian festivities welcome all! You’ve really got me thinking as possibly, even as a Christian, I think of Christmas being about family and my kids, rather than I do the actual meaning of Christmas – maybe that’s a little selfish of me but especially with loved ones lost, you have to cherish what you do have and I feel like this holiday gives that to me 🙂 xx
Thank you 🙂 I think regardless of religion, Christmas is about kids. Whether that’s teaching them the story of the nativity or the magic of Santa, Christmas really comes alive through a child’s eyes. And yes, it does make you think of lost loved ones and make you that bit more grateful for the people we do have in our lives. Thanks for commenting 🙂 x
Its a tricky one isnt it! Im an atheist and I celebrate christmas but probably in a totally different way to a christian. For me, christmas is now a time to spend with family, its about the magical times with children. I dont think its hypocritical of me to celebrate christmas. It just has a totally different meaning for me. Great post! #mmwbh
Same here, I enjoy the extra family/friend time and I agree, it has a totally different meaning for me than for a religious person too. Thank you 🙂
I love this, it echoes exactly how I feel and actually an argument I had just this week over why I put up Christmas decorations and do the whole Father Christmas thing. Brilliant post well written!
I think whichever way you go, someone will judge – if you do it you’re a hypocrite if you don’t you’re miserable! It would be nice if we could all just celebrate Christmas however we want for whatever reason we choose. Thank you so much 🙂
Totally agree with your view.
Any kind of religious celebration should be open to anyone who wants to join in.
The common denominator of the main religions is god and god is inclusive.
Your posts are always thought provoking. I really enjoy reading them 🙂
That’s true, the Christian faith is about love and sharing so it makes sense to share Christmas. Thank you, I’m glad you enjoy them 🙂
I think ‘Christmas’ is very different for different families. How you view it I think is largely to do with your experience of Christmas while you were growing up. The feelings behind childhood experiences can really stick with you. I struggle with the whole Halloween thing for example, as it simply wasn’t a feature in my family at all. So I view it very differently to people that grew up celebrating it. But that’s ok – as my 8 year old said the other week – everyone is perfect in every different way!
Yes, I think if you grew up in a religious home, you are more likely to think of the religious attachment, whereas if you grew up in a non religious home you are more likely to appreciate the fun, family orientated side. Very wise words from your 8 year old, I love it!
Religion is just not a factor in my life, I celebrate Christmas for pretty much the same reasons as you- to spend special to times with my loved ones, have a few treats and a bit of over indulgence. I was once told I was only into the commercial parts of Christmas, I replied that I’m into the bits that I find enjoyable!
I don’t think it’s commercial to enjoy spending time with your loved ones at all. And surely it would be more hypocritical to pretend you believe something you don’t for that one day!
I completely agree with you-I don’t think it’s hypocritical for atheists-or those of other faiths-to celebrate Christmas at all. Like you say, it is much more of a cultural celebration than a religious one, and life’s too short not to enjoy it!
Exactly, there is so much negativity in the world, when we have a chance to celebrate something happy, why pass it up! Thanks for commenting 🙂
I wouldn’t say it’s hypocritical. I am, for want of a better word, a believer (in a non proselytizing, liberal, if-we-must-have-bishops-then-yes-women-should-join-the-party kind of way). If anything, I think Christmas has become so far removed from its roots I find it quite sad. It is, after all, a massive commercial festival in this day and age. As you’re a non believer, it’s actually quite refreshing to see you honestly acknowledging the celebration is meant to be Christian in origin. Yes, some of the traditions are indeed adopted from earlier ceremonies / belief systems (awkward to say the least). That said, Father Christmas is an interesting one. He’s based on the Turkish Bishop St Nicholas who dropped money down the chimney of families he knew to be in need, St Nicholas being Santa Claus in Dutch/German. What actually bothers me is that snow, red-breasted robins, snowmen etc are all a part of Christmas when the entire thing took place in the Middle East and Mary and Joseph etc were more likely to come face to face with a sandstorm than a holly wreath or the Queen’s Speech. My personal feeling, celebrate in your own way, just remember the ceremony is meant to be about giving and do a totally random act of kindness for someone in need. There endeth my sermon!! #effitfriday
Here, here! Well said, Debbie. As you said, life is too short to miss out on the fun bits!
Thank you 🙂 You have to grab all the fun while you can!
Exactly Debbie, too each their own. I live in a Muslim country that also embraces Christmas – their are decorations in the shops, festive meals plans. Nursery have done a mix of Arabic and Christmas songs. It is a real multitude of cultures here so it is lovely to embrace something of our own culture.
There are also big Diwali celebrations. And of course, as the national religion is Muslim, Eid is a big celebration, Ramadan is upheld in public.
I think that focus on the good parts, for so many now Christmas is not about religion!
Mixing the two traditional songs sounds really good! It’s fab that Christians and Muslims can celebrate each other’s cultures. I know loads of people that celebrate Christmas that aren’t in the least bit religious.
I was raised by a Catholic mom and an Atheist dad in the same house- so I personally have no problem celebrating Christmas esp. with my children. I also have no problem allowing them to experience faith and mild doses of religion. They will figure their own paths eventually without me driving any religious or non religious perspectives down their throats.
We also celebrate some Jewish holidays with our neighbors.
I love that you are willing to let your kids make up their own minds about religion and I think its great that you celebrate the Jewish holidays too. Its all about having fun and including everyone for me and I think anyone should be able to celebrate holidays anyway they choose
I don’t find it hypocritical at all. I’m more of a “spiritual” person than religious and have my own ideas about Jesus that aren’t relevant here, and I’ll be celebrating. I wouldn’t decorate my yard with a Nativity scene, but there is a light up Santa out there #christmasiscalling
I’m not religious at all but I’ll be celebrating Christmas for what it means to me – a chance to have a good day with family and friends and spread a bit of cheer 🙂
Ooh this is interesting as I just wrote a post about how I don’t like the elf on the shelf because it’s not what the true meaning of Christmas is about (i.e. it’s marking the birth of Jesus). But now I feel I need to read your Pagan post – which I will. I agree though, you don’t need to be a Christian to celebrate Christmas, it is about fun and family time too. #christmasiscalling xx
I think today Christmas means many things to many people which I think is a good thing – we can all celebrate it in our own ways and we can all enjoy the extra family time x