<p>Honest question here, and I don't mean to offend anyone by it. I've just been curious about this for a while. Most of the atheists I know are still in high school and celebrate Christmas because their families do. I'm curious if atheists in general still celebrate it, because although it is supposed to be a Christian holiday it's more than that as well. I mean, it would be hard to ignore Christmas with decorations everywhere and sales and such. </p>
<p>I can see where celebrating Christmas would conflict with atheist ideas, but I feel like I would celebrate it regardless, simply as a chance to get together with family, eat a big meal, and give gifts. Furthermore, for those atheists who do not celebrate Christmas, how will you/do you present the idea to your young children?</p>
<p>My family members are all atheists, but we’re Jewish by culture. I mentioned that I didn’t have a Christmas tree in my house, and my atheistic, also culturally Jewish uncle asked me why not. I told him we were not Christian (he’s married to a Quaker). He gave me a look of disgust and told me that was no reason to not have a Christmas tree.</p>
<p>I celebrate Christmas at my step-grandfather’s house, who was brought up Christian but is now and atheist (so are his children and grandchildren). We get presents and eat good food and if Christ or religion is mentioned, it’s a coincidence.</p>
<p>Lol, now that you mention it, if Christ or religion is mentioned at my highly Christian family Christmas, it’s usually a coincidence for us, too.</p>
<p>I’m agnostic (or atheist, if you want to be a hardass about it), but I was raised Roman Catholic and my family still celebrates, so when I’m home for the holidays I get to partake in the festivities.</p>
<p>The few atheists I know who don’t celebrate Christmas don’t do it only because they feel it would be too cumbersome (buying presents and decorations, dealing with in-laws, attending large family gatherings with people who probably don’t share their ideas, etc.). So they usually just do their own special thing, if they do anything at all. </p>
<p>Practically everyone else I know who doesn’t celebrate Christmas because they’re part of a different religion get Chinese and watch a movie. I thought it was funny how ridiculously prevalent this is.</p>
<p>I celebrate it the same as any one else. It’s a secular holiday amongst me and my friends. We’re pretty much all atheist/agnostic. Actually, it’s more like we just don’t care enough to really think about it. </p>
<p>I don’t know any atheist who doesn’t celebrate it to be quite honest.</p>
<p>Yeah, I think to a good amount of people, even many Christians, Christmas has relatively nothing to do with Christianity. I’m Jewish by culture and ancestry, yet my family has never been into either religion, but we have always celebrated Christmas. However, Christmas just meant a good dinner that night and maybe a small present or two.</p>
<p>If Christmas had not become so secularized in this era that idea would irk me to no end but since it seems that most kids think of Santa before Jesus when the mind turns to Christmas I understand it…</p>
<p>christmas has been secularized a lot, i think. it’s no longer just about celebrating christ, but just about getting together and having family time. did you know the most expensive christmas tree in the world is in a devoutly muslim country?</p>
<p>in fact, my english teacher wrote on his website “Happy non-denominational, multi-cultural, politically appropriate seasonal observance!” looool. thinking about it, a few of my teachers are atheist. in america, that must be pretty darn unusual considering atheists are supposed to comprise like less than 1% of the population. considering how i only have 6 teachers, even just having one would totally shatter that mark haha.</p>
<p>I’m an atheist and I don’t celebrate Christmas, but my atheism is not the primary reason. Since Christmas is becoming less of a Christian holiday, I don’t see much conflict.</p>