Christmas loving atheist

[Superhappyjen]

So for most kids, the big disappointment shocker comes when they find out Santa isn't real (though I've always said I'm agnostic on this subject). No my Christmas shocker had to do with the other Mr. C.

I remember sitting in class in grade one listening to the teacher talk about Jesus being born in a manger and how all the wisemen brought him presents (this was back in the day when religious stories were okay in public schools). We made our own nativity scenes out of construction paper and cotton balls. They were shiny with glue.

I actually liked that story. I liked it the way I liked Snow White or Sleeping Beauty. Because I was a kid, I especially loved the idea that someone so small could be so special. I knew the difference between reality and fantasy though, even then. My big Christmas shock and disapointment came when I found out that not only did people believe in Jesus and his story, but they took it so gosh darn seriously.

The other day I was singing along to a particularly religious carol on the radio (Hark the Herald Angels Sing, I think) and the person I was with remarked how hypocritical it is for me to be singing that. Christmas makes me feel like singing. It made me think, though. Noone assumes I believe in Santa Claus if I sing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", noone asks me if I think Darth Vador is real if I hum the imperial march. So why are Christmas Carols only for true believers? Why, for that matter, is Christmas? (I'm well aware that this so-called Christian holiday has borrowed from umpteen pagan traditions)

Anyway, I still love this time of year. Merry Christmas all!

[The Reservoir Dog]

For me Christmas is about a frame of mind and an attitude not a specific belief religous or otherwise.

[Dragon*of*Heaven]

It is definitly true that Christians take their stories very seriously, this of course is becuase their storys define the very laws of their faith. As for Christmas being for the Christans, this idea is not correct. Hell it is the Christians themselves that are makeing it more and more secularized by the year. What I am finding is that every year it is the Christians who get more jaded and every one else who have its true meaning at heart. In the end it will probably be the christians themselves who destroy their faith without the reason from any one else. Those who keep the true meaning at heart know its value is not in the presents that we get or even in the ones we give. The true meating is in the love shared. It is the Christians who are forgetting this not us it think.

[vertigo]

Please, Christmas is nothing but gross consumerism. After having worked hard the whole year, it's an opportunity to spend money. People seem so eager to be happy at Christmas time.

[GodsAreUs]

I agree with Vertigo. Christmas is a mass-marketed excuse to eat too much and spend too much.

To me, it's a day off in the middle of winter.

And I'm in Minnesota. It's been pretty friggin' cold the past few weeks. We might make it to freezing by Christmas. That would be allright.