Happy Holidays Rox!
I don't mind the Christian celebration and even enjoy the songs, stories, movies.
I think this is an interesting point and I agree with it. Its interesting for all of the claims that atheists must hate Xians and everything they do, including wanting to ban nativity scenes or public celebrations of Christmas (unless it is just secular Santa).
While I am an atheist and personally diametrically opposed to the faith of Xianity, and a huge supporter of separation of church and state, there is no denying that:
1) Even if it started as a pagan holiday, Xmas was for our immediate culture a major Xian holiday.
2) Since it is pretty important to most Xians it seems odd that anyone should want to actively dampen their spirits by being mean and preventing them from celebrating their holiday.
3) Since you can celebrate it as you want to, even pagans can try and revive its roots, it is almost hypocritical to bash Xians and do immature things like ban nativity scenes. You can put up santa they can put up Jesus, okay?
4) I think it is without question that as Xianity has dominated western culture for some time, much of the great artists have invested a lot of their energy into it, including beautiful and moving music and art... so why should anyone be offended by it even if it is Xian. Even when I knew I had no faith, I loved attending candelight church services, where there was little prayer and a lot of singing.
So for all of those who think atheists must be meanspirited and bah humbug Christians for celebrating, here is a present from me. Merry Christmas!
Oh yes, and Happy Holidays to everyone including IrishRock who I just realized I forgot to say Happy Holidays to.
holmes
"...what a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away.."(D. Bros)