as atheist (or agnostic) parents how do you celebrate the holidays (ie: Christmas)?

Question

How do you deal with holidays in general when so many are based in religion.  Do you acknowledge them at all, or have you made your own?  

How do my fellow atheists celebrate Christmas? 

(I never gave it much thought but I recently became a parent and now I have to decide what level I want to bring Christmas into my house, if it all...just trying to get some ideas.) 

Thanks.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

OH! I am a nonreligious agnostic atheist.  I want to answer this although I might be the least qualified-- of my religious family I am the only one who is not religious.  But pick me!  Read me!

What do I do on Thanksgiving?  I eat Turkey.  Because... I love eating Turkey.  =)

What do I do on Christmas?  I love opening presents! I love envelopes the most-- it means money! 

Thanksgiving has quite a violent history which involves violence, death, and genocide. and Christmas is actually a holiday that finds its origins as not a Christian holiday, but a pagan holiday to celebrate the winter solstice.  But a holiday is a holiday.  And holidays are celebrated with family, food, parades, and bright lights.  Sure, I celebrate Christmas just without the nativity scene and the whole prayer before the food shindig. 
  I like holidays.  If I could cook Jewish foods, I'd probably celebrate Hannukah.  I actually went to a Jewish family's place for dinner during Hannukah.  They made me some good Latkes!  If you don't know what Latkes are, you are missing out.

Wallace · Answer

I am a Christian, but when it comes to the holidays, it does not strike me as religious as others may see it. I love the decorations, the Christmas music, the tree, snacks, cookies, lights. Christmas, just as any other national holiday, is not just for the Christian. They are for anyone that would like to take part of it; regardless of religious belief. 

I think the key word is to have fun and appreciate the week off from work ;)

chris s · Answer

Well don't celebrate it the religious way. How I celebrate it is just get my kid presents and spend time with all my family and have a good time. Same with thanksgiving just celebrate it with your family but the thing I do is dress my kid as a cowboy or Indian and tell him why we celebrate it. and if you go to your parents and they pray just bow your head in respect for there views. And you should be good

Grinning Football plinny younger · Answer

Well I would put up trees, decorate them and the house give gifts.  The only difference I can think of is we don't put a Nativity scene in the house.

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as atheist (or agnostic) parents how do you celebrate the holidays (ie: Christmas)?

4 Answers