How many atheists are forced to celebrate Christmas?

You need help.

If you feel that strongly against exchanging gifts then you need to talk to your folks.

You sound like you are making too big a deal about it though.

I don't believe but I do enjoy exchanging gifts (just hate shopping)

"Ok so judging by peoples comments, most of which are hypocritcal, you think it's ok to celebrate the birth of Christ even though you don't believe in him. Wow I thought most atheists had more brains than that. "

Actually, they aren't celebrating Jesus' birth. They are simply enjoying the other aspects of the season that make exchanging gifts, being with family, and eating turkey dinners enjoyable.

"I also enjoy spending time with my family, however it doesn't need to be because of some religous holiday that I don't believe in."

And it isn't for other atheists either. It is the fact that we take advantage of the opportunity to celebrate being with family. It only becomes "about christmas" if you make it about christmas.

"You people do realize that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ don't you? These comments make no sense."

You are very juevenile. Who isn't aware of the fact that christmas is about christ?

The fact of the matter is that you don't have to recognize the religious meaning to be involved in the holiday atmosphere.

Your sense of atheism is very immature. You are driven by ideology, just like a theist. When you grow up, you will learn that atheism isn't about hating religion. It is about not believing in god, and the freedom to do what you want that comes along with that.

If you deprive yourself of enjoyable things because religion is involved you are no different than a christian, muslim, or jew who won't participate because it is not their religion.

This is a problem.

I am an atheist, as is my immediate family. We still celebrate Christmas. Why?

Just think of it as a nice time of year to get family together and show that you care about each other. Who doesn't like presents?

It's very easy to just ignore the religious connotations of a holiday that has already been transformed into a commercial one anyway.

You are just a selfish, cheap individual. And anyone else who agrees with her.If your family knew what type of person you are, they would be like " oh well she doesn't care about Christmas and our traditions, why should we consider her"

or the better term is Go _ _ _ _ yourself

At least one time a year, we can consider being nice to other people,(if you can't do that, then your going to grow into an old bitter individual) even if it has something to do with god, no one if forcing their crap on you, you are just 'Misses revolve around me' and, you expression "oh i have to be nice"..Wow what a big effort, i believe we can give gifts any time of the year, but i rather keep my beliefs to myself before you come alone and attack me. You make atheist look like morons, smart atheists live and let live, as well and religious people, it all matters about who you come across with. Just be nice to your family and respect their traditions, once your far away from them you can live freely and no rules and watch people screw on the street for all you care, and live with your BETTER MORALITY, since you know more than anyone else.

You make no sense, your the one that isn't reading the comments properly, your just looking for another moron to agree with you, so you can feel confident.What do you care if its the birth of Christ, I thought you were an atheist, you wouldn't even bother to mention this, or even bother to talk about it, your just looking for anything to complain about. This is pathetic enough. you must be some spoiled teenager.

What does it matter to you if what mood i am in, christmas? Once again if you were atheist you wouldn't give a damn, do you know anything about Darwin theory or dawkins god delusion? your just one of many people who don't know what they are talking about and just need to belong somewhere.

Buying presents isn't religious. It's just consumerism. Christmas is only a "religious" holiday nowadays if you're Christian -- plenty of other cultures/religions celebrate Christmas too as just an excuse for fun and happiness.

Plus, if you're not willing to respect your family's religion, you are very selfish. If I had an other-religion relative, I would have no problem getting a gift for them on their religion's holiday.

Suck it up.

Wow, Forced??!! I'm a Christian and I'm not buying presents! I can't afford it this year and neither can my family. We all agreed no presents this year. But we will be spending time with each...and going to church...

So sad for you, but I guess that's what you get when you take CHRIST out of CHRISTMAS!

Forced? I'm sorry for you.

I love the holidays and have already gotten lots of presents for my family and friends!

I definitely believe in candy & gifts. They're all pagan traditions, anyway, you know.

Christmas is pretty much a secular holiday now with all the commercialism and gift giving to non christian celebrators. The only thing that makes it religious anymore is that people go to church on it.

Not really. I don't buy presents for my religious relatives, I make them presents. Besides, the whole Christmas thing is mainly for children anyway, and I'm not going to deny kids their fun.

I play Christmas just for the fun of it. What holiday do we actually spend any time focusing on its meaning?

From one atheist to another, just relax and have fun. You don't have to sacrifice a cow or anything. You can exchange presents and participate in family traditions w/out believing in the fundamentals on which they are based.