This time every year, stories start popping up about the “War on Christmas,” and we get a sense that there’s some sort of inherent tension that comes with religious holidays. There shouldn’t be, though. Celebrate your holiday however you want and reasonable people won’t be offended.
This time every year, stories start popping up about the “War on Christmas,” and we get a sense that there’s some sort of inherent tension that comes with religious holidays. There shouldn’t be, though. Celebrate your holiday however you want and reasonable people won’t be offended.
I’m an atheist, but that’s never stopped me from celebrating or enjoying Christmas. I will never call it “Xmas,” because that’s a ridiculous affectation. The accounts of politically correct people trying to change what it’s called are dramatized and overblown, and I don’t understand why my fellow nonbelievers seem to have a problem with the name of the holiday.
Another thing that Fox News (I know that dead horse has been beaten, but I can’t help it) loves to report is accounts of people—usually atheists—suing or protesting over religious displays made by government officials or offices. City halls probably aren’t the best places to display nativity scenes, but saying “Merry Christmas” isn’t offensive and never should be.
I know there are other holidays celebrated around this time, but if someone else’s celebration of Christmas interferes with your celebration of your holiday, the problem probably lies with you.
Christians (and nonreligious people who celebrate Christmas because they live in a Western society) should be more aware of other faiths, to be sure. But is celebrating a holiday impeding or trivializing other people’s ability to celebrate their own? No. Someone saying “Happy holidays” or putting up lights and displays does not equate to “Suck it, Hanukkah.”
Things only hold the meaning you ascribe to them. I can celebrate Dec. 25 however I choose and the same goes for everyone else. The date was only chosen as the birthday of Christ because it fit in nicely with existing pagan celebrations.
For me, Christmas was never about the religious aspect, even during the years that I was religious and attended a Christian school.
Christmas was always about seeing my family, eating delicious food and recognizing that I have a pretty fortunate life—like Thanksgiving, but with less America and more presents. It’s about cookies and winter and cheesy Christmas movies. The only part I don’t like is hearing the exact same songs every time I walk into a store or restaurant. Blasting Christmas music has never appealed to me.
This is still a great time of year, despite faith or a lack thereof. Even if you don’t celebrate, people are just more pleasant during the weeks before and after Christmas. Everyone tends to be friendlier, less tense and more generous. No one should have a problem with that.
