First Christmas as an Athiest.

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2002-11-23 01:00am

Icehawk wrote:Ive been thinking about this a lot recently. The past 19 years, My family and I have always gone to the church on Christmas eve for the service they have. But since I no longer follow faith or christianity, I am kinda torn on what to do.

My main concern is that If I don't go, it would likely hurt my family deeply. Even though I have already told them I'm an athiest, I wouldn't want to hurt them especially on that day.

On the other side, they should technically be supportive of me regardless of what I believe, and it shouldn't be a problem for them because its my choice and they should respect it as such. But still, I'm kinda leaning towards the choice that I should probably still go along with them, not for religious reasons but for a family bonding during the holiday.

What do you think? Has anyone else had a dilemma like this?

If I were in your position, I would go. It seems as though your family respects your decision, and given that I don't see any harm in going. If anything, I think they should be honored that you were willing to set aside your own beliefs in order to be with them for a couple of hours.

The Duchess of Zeon · Post by **The Duchess of Zeon** » 2002-11-23 03:42am

Vympel wrote:I refuse to go. It's damn boring and a waste of time. Christmas' is about the Winter Solstice anyway (or summer solstice in Australia's case I guess hehe)

It's actually a slightly papered over Roman festival of Saturnalia. (On the old Julian Calendar the Winter Solstice fell on 25 December.) Unfortunately there's considerably less of what Seneca complained about these days:

"the whole mob has let itself go in pleasures."

Needless to say it got pretty wild. A pity...

bozman · Post by **bozman** » 2002-11-23 07:40am

Well, I would most definately NOT go. I do not support religion, especially Christianity, in any way, shape or form.

I think your family should respect your atheism. If they do not, I would at least make a stand against going to church.

Evil Sadistic Bastard · Post by **Evil Sadistic Bastard** » 2002-11-23 07:40am

That will be a non-issue for me. I'll have to spend Christmas in an army camp...

Tosho · Post by **Tosho** » 2002-11-23 10:21am

GrandMasterTerwynn wrote:Haven't been to a Christmas mass ever. Religion was never a big deal in my family. In fact, I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've been to church in the last two years.

Hell, I can count on the fingers of one hand how many times I've been to church throughout my entire life.

Icehawk, I would be willing to go under the condition that I didn't have engage in any religious ceremonies, if my family refused for some reason I would say "screw it" and spend my christmas watching porno.

Darth Yoshi · Post by **Darth Yoshi** » 2002-11-23 12:20pm

Darth Wong wrote:I attend all Christmas functions. I just don't join in if somebody wants to sing religious songs, that's all.

You don't have to be a Christian to enjoy Christmas, also known as the Winter Solstice. It's been celebrated for thousands of years by cultures all over the world.

In Japan, Christmas is just a marketing ploy to get people to buy stuff. No religious overtones there. Or so I've heard.

Tosho · Post by **Tosho** » 2002-11-23 12:32pm

Darth Yoshi wrote:
Darth Wong wrote:I attend all Christmas functions. I just don't join in if somebody wants to sing religious songs, that's all.

You don't have to be a Christian to enjoy Christmas, also known as the Winter Solstice. It's been celebrated for thousands of years by cultures all over the world.
In Japan, Christmas is just a marketing ploy to get people to buy stuff. No religious overtones there. Or so I've heard.

Christmas in Japan, A.K.A. winter valentines.
Huzzah! I've finally made 200 posts!

Larz · Post by **Larz** » 2002-11-23 01:00pm

I just plain hate the Christmas season. To most, it is nothing more but a time to get neat gifts or earn big bucks for ones buisness. It also becomes a time of year (in my experience) were the bible thumpers become even more holier than thou and try double effort to convert me. Personally, I believe that you should stick with your beliefs. But if you worry about your families feelings that much then just go with enough thoughts in your mind to keep you entertained because dwelling on this will only make you miserable.

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2002-11-23 01:35pm

I think that Christmas as an single adult loses even its commercial meaning. I already buy myself crap all year around, so if I don't have to buy gifts for anyone for myself it's not really different from the rest of the year.

And it sure as hell doesn't really have a deep religious meaning anymore. Though I would like to see that South Park Christmas special played out.

salm · Post by **salm** » 2002-11-23 02:13pm

if you dont get bored in church as i do, just go. it´s not going to hurt you (as i´ve said unless you´re bored) and you´ll make your family happy. they give you a bunch of presentsk and loads of good food.

i´ve been to church on christmas once, at the age of 5 or something like that. i´ve never been there on christmas again because i thought it was really fucking boring. church sucks!

Raptor 597 · Post by **Raptor 597** » 2002-11-23 04:18pm

It's my first Christmas as an Atheist too. It feels weird too say the least.

salm · Post by **salm** » 2002-11-23 04:31pm

just go out with your friends and get drunk.

BlackWarMewtwo · Post by **BlackWarMewtwo** » 2002-11-23 06:25pm

I've always been of the opinion that there are maybe 5 people in the US who attend Church on Christmas out of anything other than an obligation. Go on, going to church on Christmas shows absolutely no religious involvement.

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2002-11-23 07:20pm

salm wrote:just go out with your friends and get drunk.

How is that different from any other night?

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2002-11-23 09:14pm

BlackWarMewtwo wrote:I've always been of the opinion that there are maybe 5 people in the US who attend Church on Christmas out of anything other than an obligation. Go on, going to church on Christmas shows absolutely no religious involvement.

I attend family Christmas functions of all types, on both sides of my family. I do not, however, attend church. That is not a family function; that is a fund-raiser.

Icehawk · Post by **Icehawk** » 2002-11-24 02:16am

I suppose I am somewhat lucky in that the church we have gone too is one of the more "liberal" ones. Its from the United branch and they arent bent so much on converting people (unlike the mormons who just dropped by the other day

)

Although church is still church regardless of the denomination, its still a pretty basic service. Most of the time for Christmas its actually less than an hour long and usually just a few songs, a bit of a blabber from the minister, and then the kids sing Happy Birthday Jesus and blow out the cake candles. Then its over and we go home and open presents.

Its actually quite pointless but my family seems to enjoys it so i'll just go along with it for them. For this year at least, I likely won't next year.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2002-11-24 04:15am

Darth Yoshi wrote:
Darth Wong wrote:I attend all Christmas functions. I just don't join in if somebody wants to sing religious songs, that's all.

You don't have to be a Christian to enjoy Christmas, also known as the Winter Solstice. It's been celebrated for thousands of years by cultures all over the world.
In Japan, Christmas is just a marketing ploy to get people to buy stuff. No religious overtones there. Or so I've heard.

That's pretty much what it is here, as well. Rightfully so, as well. Spoiling the Winter Solstice by invoking ridiculous claims of saviors rising from the dead and how we should all feel guilty and sinful about ourselves is nothing more than an asinine tint on something that is supposed to be a joyous celebration, otherwise. Jesus has no place in the Winter season, as far as I'm concerned.

C.S.Strowbridge · Post by **C.S.Strowbridge** » 2002-11-24 06:37am

Durandal wrote: That's pretty much what it is here, as well. Rightfully so, as well. Spoiling the Winter Solstice by invoking ridiculous claims of saviors rising from the dead and how we should all feel guilty and sinful about ourselves is nothing more than an asinine tint on something that is supposed to be a joyous celebration, otherwise. Jesus has no place in the Winter season, as far as I'm concerned.

Why celebrate the Winter Solstice? In this day and age the shortest day of the year has practically no significance.

Then again, I don't 'celebrate' Christmas either. The most involved I get is giving my sister money so I can put my name on the cards ... Or to be more accurate, so she can put my name on the cards. If at all possible, I don't even see my family.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2002-11-24 02:27pm

C.S.Strowbridge wrote:
Durandal wrote: That's pretty much what it is here, as well. Rightfully so, as well. Spoiling the Winter Solstice by invoking ridiculous claims of saviors rising from the dead and how we should all feel guilty and sinful about ourselves is nothing more than an asinine tint on something that is supposed to be a joyous celebration, otherwise. Jesus has no place in the Winter season, as far as I'm concerned.
Why celebrate the Winter Solstice? In this day and age the shortest day of the year has practically no significance.

Then again, I don't 'celebrate' Christmas either. The most involved I get is giving my sister money so I can put my name on the cards ... Or to be more accurate, so she can put my name on the cards. If at all possible, I don't even see my family.

Because it's fun, of course. Sometimes you just need an excuse to get hammered and have a good time with the family. Might as well be the shortest day of the year.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2002-11-24 02:30pm

Durandal wrote:
Darth Yoshi wrote:
Darth Wong wrote:I attend all Christmas functions. I just don't join in if somebody wants to sing religious songs, that's all.

You don't have to be a Christian to enjoy Christmas, also known as the Winter Solstice. It's been celebrated for thousands of years by cultures all over the world.
In Japan, Christmas is just a marketing ploy to get people to buy stuff. No religious overtones there. Or so I've heard.
That's pretty much what it is here, as well. Rightfully so, as well. Spoiling the Winter Solstice by invoking ridiculous claims of saviors rising from the dead and how we should all feel guilty and sinful about ourselves is nothing more than an asinine tint on something that is supposed to be a joyous celebration, otherwise. Jesus has no place in the Winter season, as far as I'm concerned.

Agreed....I don't know why Christians think they have a monopoly on the winter season for holidays.

ArmorPierce · Post by **ArmorPierce** » 2002-11-24 02:35pm

Tosho wrote:Hell, I can count on the fingers of one hand how many times I've been to church throughout my entire life.

I can too. Lets see 1, 3, 4, umm.... 0.... yeah that's it. Guess I can't count it on my fingers.

My family was always a family of atheists except for my little brother who calls me ignorant and close minded in that I don't believe in such fair tales as God or ghosts or the boogie man and such.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2002-11-24 04:41pm

Durran Korr wrote:
Durandal wrote:
Darth Yoshi wrote: In Japan, Christmas is just a marketing ploy to get people to buy stuff. No religious overtones there. Or so I've heard.
That's pretty much what it is here, as well. Rightfully so, as well. Spoiling the Winter Solstice by invoking ridiculous claims of saviors rising from the dead and how we should all feel guilty and sinful about ourselves is nothing more than an asinine tint on something that is supposed to be a joyous celebration, otherwise. Jesus has no place in the Winter season, as far as I'm concerned.
Agreed....I don't know why Christians think they have a monopoly on the winter season for holidays.

I remember that my theology teacher sophomore year in high school decided to kill the spirit of the season and read everyone a story about how Jesus wasn't invited to his own birthday party during the Christmas season because it had become more about commerce, people enjoying themselves and being nice to one another rather than wasting their time praising and worshipping him. I'd have loved to have just stood up and said, "Fine! Fuck him. It's not his holiday anyway; he ripped it off of the Romans!"

Tosho · Post by **Tosho** » 2002-11-24 05:24pm

ArmorPierce wrote:
Tosho wrote:Hell, I can count on the fingers of one hand how many times I've been to church throughout my entire life.
I can too. Lets see 1, 3, 4, umm.... 0.... yeah that's it. Guess I can't count it on my fingers.

My family was always a family of atheists except for my little brother who calls me ignorant and close minded in that I don't believe in such fair tales as God or ghosts or the boogie man and such.

Damn your lucky, I hate church.

C.S.Strowbridge · Post by **C.S.Strowbridge** » 2002-11-24 06:20pm

Durandal wrote:
C.S.Strowbridge wrote:
Durandal wrote: That's pretty much what it is here, as well. Rightfully so, as well. Spoiling the Winter Solstice by invoking ridiculous claims of saviors rising from the dead and how we should all feel guilty and sinful about ourselves is nothing more than an asinine tint on something that is supposed to be a joyous celebration, otherwise. Jesus has no place in the Winter season, as far as I'm concerned.
Why celebrate the Winter Solstice? In this day and age the shortest day of the year has practically no significance.

Then again, I don't 'celebrate' Christmas either. The most involved I get is giving my sister money so I can put my name on the cards ... Or to be more accurate, so she can put my name on the cards. If at all possible, I don't even see my family.
Because it's fun, of course. Sometimes you just need an excuse to get hammered and have a good time with the family. Might as well be the shortest day of the year.

I've never needed an excuse to do something like that, if I want to do it, I will. Ignoring the fact that I have an ulcer and can't get hammered. And ignoring the fact that. 'good time' and 'family' are mutually exclusive in my case.

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