Christmas Time - My God, what are you doing?

[Obbe]

It's that time of the year again. What do the regulars of My God do at this time?

I am not a christian, and most of my family are atheists. We've celebrated christmas as long as I can remember though, and by that I mean putting up a tree and other decorations, having a large family dinner, exchanging gifts, etc.

What are you doing, fellow theists? Are there any christians reading this who take the holiday more seriously, as a celebration of Christ? Do most other totseasns celebrate the same way my family does? Do you celebrate something else, like hanukkah or kwanzaa or something?

What are you doing, my fine atheist friends? Are there any reading this who completely reject the holidays and work right through it getting paid over time? Do you celebrate as my family does?

What do you think about christmas?

[AngryFemme]

I do the traditional Christmas with my family, who all happen to be Christians. I won't go to church with them, but I'm there for the festivities before and after. I sit passively and quietly during Silent Night and the baby Jesus manger scenes, and I've even been asked to say Grace at the dinner table.

But you know, I just roll with it to make my old man happy. He knows how I truly feel about it all, but since he managed to humor me when I was an angsty teenager, humoring his holiday traditions is the least I can do.

The rest of the year my family are pretty moderate with their religious outbursts. Christmastime just sets it off.

[Obbe]

Originally Posted by AngryFemme

But you know, I just roll with it to make my old man happy. He knows how I truly feel about it all, but since he managed to humor me when I was an angsty teenager, humoring his holiday traditions is the least I can do.

Thats cool of you. Do you mind my asking what if you did not celebrate it with your parents and extended family, but instead with a more immediate family like a husband and your own children, what you would do?

Would you put up a tree and talk about santa for the kids, and still exchange gifts like in my family? Or would you start your own traditions? Or would you not celebrate it at all?

[AngryFemme]

I've never had kids, but when I was married (divorced now), I'd celebrate a Catholic X-mas with him and his family, which was Christmas Eve mass at Church, and then have Christmas day with my family, who are southern Baptist.

If I were a breeder, I suppose I wouldn't rob my kids of the joy of opening presents, and I'd probably share with them the different denominational celebratory religious traditions, just so they'd be in the know. Maybe I'd take them to a Catholic mass, relate to them the Christian story of the manager and explain to them the tradition of Hanukkah.

I'd want them to be aware of all the traditions out there, so they'd be able to relate to other people.

Edit: I'm undecided on whether or not I'd relay the Santa/Easter Bunny/Tooth Fairy ruse to my kids.

[BrokeProphet]

Originally Posted by Obbe

What are you doing, my fine atheist friends? Are there any reading this who completely reject the holidays and work right through it getting paid over time? Do you celebrate as my family does?

What do you think about christmas?

I am actually at work today on Christmas, and am raking in some cash.

I have not bought presents, put up a tree or decorations.

I have received a few gifts, and wished a few people happy holidays or said you too, when someone says Merry Christmas. I did wish my grandmother, father and mother a merry Christmas, though, out of respect.

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When I was a Christian, I disliked the increasing commercial aspect of Christmas. When I was holy, the holyday felt like it wasn't. People run themselves ragged, trample each other in stores, and rack up crushing debt, all in the name of Christ?

I didn't think Jesus would appreciate the gesture, not to mention it was a stolen holiday to begin with.

I began to think it was the devil's work.

-----------

Now, as an atheist, I watch as others drive themselves to misery during the holidays and are relieved when it is over. I listen as those around me say "Christmas is coming up soon" in such a fearful joyless way.

I personally think the yearly stress of Christmas, drives millions to early graves.

I also think that Christmas is more a celebration of capitialism than it is a celebration of salvation.

[Obbe]

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

I am actually at work today on Christmas, and am raking in some cash.

Yep, its always a good time to make some serious dough.

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

I also think that Christmas is more a celebration of capitialism than it is a celebration of salvation.

It certainly is for a majority of people.

[Yggdrasil]

Originally Posted by Obbe

What are you doing, my fine atheist friends?

Well, I've just spent the past 48 hours getting dirty looks from everyone. If only they knew I was too inebriated to give a shit.

[ArmsMerchant]

I ignore Christmas as much as possible. No cards sent or received (okay, I got one from my sister in Pennsylvania), no presents given or received, no decorations. I spent Xmas day doing some housework, playing with my cats, gloating over the money I had made over the past two weeks, and watching George Carlin videos. Xmas dinner was two burritos and a nuked potato.

One of my best Christmases ever.

[redzed]

Mine was a fairly traditional xmas complete with tree and presents, it was a time of joy and laughter, not religion!

[Dark_Magneto]

Originally Posted by Obbe

I am not a christian, and most of my family are atheists.

We've celebrated christmas as long as I can remember though, and by that I mean putting up a tree and other decorations, having a large family dinner, exchanging gifts, etc.

All that shit is Pagan in origin anyway, if it's any consolation.

Originally Posted by ArmsMerchant

I ignore Christmas as much as possible. No cards sent or received (okay, I got one from my sister in Pennsylvania), no presents given or received, no decorations. I spent Xmas day doing some housework, playing with my cats, gloating over the money I had made over the past two weeks, and watching George Carlin videos. Xmas dinner was two burritos and a nuked potato.

One of my best Christmases ever.

This but with some drinking thrown in and no cats.

[Rizzo in a box]

why do you want to know?

who are you working for?

[Obbe]

Originally Posted by Dark_Magneto

All that shit is Pagan in origin anyway, if it's any consolation.

I never said I felt disappointed.

[Obbe]

Originally Posted by Rizzo in a box

why do you want to know?

who are you working for?

For fun.

It's an answer to both your questions.

My entire family is agnostic/athiest, and we celebrate christmas just like everyone else, but without the religious part.

We still put up a tree, and have presents, and talk about santa clause. I don't really like calling it Christmas though, because it isn't. I call it a "general purpose winter holiday".

It's actually quite nice. You shouldn't have to believe in some sort of deity to celebrate a holiday once a year and spend time with your family.

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

When I was a Christian, I disliked the increasing commercial aspect of Christmas. When I was holy, the holyday felt like it wasn't. People run themselves ragged, trample each other in stores, and rack up crushing debt, all in the name of Christ?

.

People do that in the name of Christ regardless of whether or not it's Christmas.

[killallthewhiteman]

eating way more than i should.

I also smoked a massive joint at the beginning of Christmas (12am).

[Promethazine]

I did Xmas eve with the fam, dinner, presents, marijuana and alcohol.

xmas day it was a nice little exchange of gifts and dinner/boring chat..

i think if i have kids i wanna start just celebrating New Years instead of Xmas. ill give em a gift on xmas so they don't feel bad though.