I agree. IMO celebrating the shell of a religious holiday without actually being religious is pathetic. I’m an atheist - in this moment I am euphoric, or maybe I’m sad because abandoning religion has cut me off from the culture of my ancestors. But at least I’m not pretending that I have something which I actually don’t.
That reminds me… In the Soviet Union, loyal communists didn’t celebrate religious holidays but Santa Claus, gift giving, and decorating Christmas trees (they weren’t called that) were all moved over to New Year’s instead. Also Santa Claus was assisted by his good-looking granddaughter.
Atheists celebrate holidays because the actual thing real people celebrate is never, and really was never, about religion.
Thats why christians were able to subsume pagan traditions, because the traditions of gathering together, eating good food, and enjoying each others company was the real reason for the season.
If the worship mattered more than the communal celebration for the sake of community, christians would never have allowed pagan traditions into the holiday.
I agree. IMO celebrating the shell of a religious holiday without actually being religious is pathetic. I’m an atheist - in this moment I am euphoric, or maybe I’m sad because abandoning religion has cut me off from the culture of my ancestors. But at least I’m not pretending that I have something which I actually don’t.
That reminds me… In the Soviet Union, loyal communists didn’t celebrate religious holidays but Santa Claus, gift giving, and decorating Christmas trees (they weren’t called that) were all moved over to New Year’s instead. Also Santa Claus was assisted by his good-looking granddaughter.
Atheists celebrate holidays because the actual thing real people celebrate is never, and really was never, about religion.
Thats why christians were able to subsume pagan traditions, because the traditions of gathering together, eating good food, and enjoying each others company was the real reason for the season.
If the worship mattered more than the communal celebration for the sake of community, christians would never have allowed pagan traditions into the holiday.