Support NeoGAF

[bitbydeath]

 

[CrankyJay™]

I'm an atheist. I've always celebrated Christmas.

Christmas is more than just giving presents. Just because I don't believe in Christ doesn't mean I can't share the sentiment of Luke 2:14: "peace on Earth and goodwill towards men" (men here meaning mankind, not just males obviously). It's a time to celebrate and cherish family, to open your heart to the spirit of giving, and to show compassion towards others. I'm no Christian, but it feels like at the core values of Christianity are forgiveness, understanding, and tolerance: all of which you seem to be lacking if you're not willing to say "Merry Christmas" to people who don't hold your same religious beliefs.

I’m pretty sure the people I’m referring to don’t have quite as nuanced an answer as you.

 

[K' Dash]

Christmas is a time to spend with family and friends, to celebrate accomplishments or start again if you didn't have the best year.

The most important part of Christmas, for me at least, is to spend time with the people I love.

 

[CrankyJay™]

and many people celebrate Thanksgiving without thinking about the founding fathers and the pilgrims (they just eat a turkey feast) , people celebrate Valentines day without thinking about St. Valentine (they just give flowers and candy to loved ones), many people celebrate St. Patrick's Day and don't know who St. Patrick was (they only want to get messed up drunk), most Americans celebrate Cinco De Mayo and don't know it's origins (again they only want to use it to listen to Mexican music and drink margaritas)....etc.........

Hey, I’m just one man. I’ll worry about Present Day and you can get the others.
Pretty much all of the other ones are Get Sloshed Day, Overeat Day, Feel Bad for not having a Lover Day, etc.

 

[TaylorSwiftFan]

I am not Christian but I still wish Merry Christmas to everyone. I also wish it to everyone on the odd chance that it pisses the anti-Christmas brigade.

 

[CrankyJay™]

Christmas is a time to spend with family and friends, to celebrate accomplishments or start again if you didn't have the best year.

The most important part of Christmas, for me at least, is to spend time with the people I love.

Thanks be to Christ.

 

[CrankyJay™]

OP is the first person I’ve ever heard of that laments the fact a pagan holiday doesn’t actually have much to do with Jesus, who was born in spring.

This revelation will require much contemplation which I will do as an atheist under the light of my Christmas tree

You’re gonna have to provide receipts on Spring. It’s been postulated but never confirmed.

We’re talking about a dude who could turn water into wine, and was resurrected. I’m pretty sure he can change his birthdate as he pleases.

 

[Irobot82]

Christ wasn't even born in December.

 

[NecrosaroIII]

I'm a staunch atheist and I love Christmas.

 

[IDKFA]

You’re gonna have to provide receipts on Spring. It’s been postulated but never confirmed.

We’re talking about a dude who could turn water into wine, and was resurrected. I’m pretty sure he can change his birthdate as he pleases.

He absolutely wasn't born on the 25 December.

 

[CrankyJay™]

He absolutely wasn't born on the 25 December.

So what? The day is named after him.

That’s the whole point. Enjoy Present Day if you don’t believe in Him. That’s okay.

 

[Deleted member 1159]

Yeah

You’re gonna have to provide receipts on Spring. It’s been postulated but never confirmed.

We’re talking about a dude who could turn water into wine, and was resurrected. I’m pretty sure he can change his birthdate as he pleases.

Well, if he doesn’t give a shit why do you? Just try to enjoy it in your own way and let others do the same.

Why do people look for more reasons to bunch up their panties?

 

[CrankyJay™]

Yeah

Well, if he doesn’t give a shit why do you? Just try to enjoy it in your own way and let others do the same.

Why do people look for more reasons to bunch up their panties?

You’re taking this thread way more seriously than I am, lol

 

[Deleted member 1159]

You’re taking this thread way more seriously than I am, lol

Uh huh, let’s talk panties bro. Are mine bunched up? No, trick question, I don’t own any. All them panties are my wife’s. So clearly yours are more bunched than non existent panties.

Now who looks silly?

 

[CrankyJay™]

Uh huh, let’s talk panties bro. Are mine bunched up? No, trick question, I don’t own any. All them panties are my wife’s. So clearly yours are more bunched than non existent panties.

Now who looks silly?

That’s better.

 

[IDKFA]

So what? The day is named after him.

I can see you're an actual believer. I respect that and I don't want to say anything more to challenge your faith in Jesus or Christianity than I already have.

 

[Big-ass Ramp]

I've begun to wish them happy sciencemas.

 

[Happosai]

Let’s face it, Christmas has become “present day” for most of the world. I personally know what too many people who celebrate Christmas for materialism’s sake and couldn’t give a rats ass about Christ.

Why not wish these people what they’re really celebrating?

I'm a Christian and I wish both a Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays regardless of what anyone believes. If we're going to get religious (I am a Christian but I despise religion) it may help you to know the ORIGINAL reason for the season (if not or previously posted).

December 25th was first wide spread documented as a holiday feast and gift exchange by polytheistic Ancient Rome in honor of the sun god Saturnalia. This was during Constantine's reign and early Christians never celebrated any known historically documented day to commemorate the birth of Christ. Christians celebrate Christ's birth, death, resurrection, and ascension daily. Catholics, some Protestants, and other mainline religions that branches from the early Roman state religion celebrate Christmas as the actual birth date of Christ. However, even ancient pagans during the middle-ages celebrated a form of Christmas which through much time and Europe on tradition was adopted by Roman Catholics and other large religions at the time.

No, it's not the birth date of Christ. The Masoretic calendar gives no specific date but that Christ had been born either later summer or early Fall. I also believe a spherical Earth which has been around over 7-billion years and I do not share the ignorant belief that the Earth is only 6,000-years old (a separate doctrine commissioned by Ussher in the 15th century).

 

[Loope]

Let’s face it, Christmas has become “present day” for most of the world. I personally know what too many people who celebrate Christmas for materialism’s sake and couldn’t give a rats ass about Christ.

Why not wish these people what they’re really celebrating?

Go to Fatima or any other "apparitions" religious catholic sites, the you'll know how capitalism/materialism works well with catholics.

 

[Ikutachi]

I’m going to say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays.

 

[Taxexemption]

Without Jesus and monogamy you dont get advanced civilization. Merry Christ-mass to you.

 

[Peggies]

 

[RJMacready73]

I hate to break it to you but Christ didn't exist, wasn't born in December and doesn't have a magical sky daddy.... It's all a load of aul bollocks, Christians just stole the original idea from a far older religion like pretty much everything in the Bible which was all made up anyways

 

[NeoIkaruGAF]

Very few people still take Christmas for what it supposedly should be. Western society has accepted it as a holiday when (fewer and fewer) people can take a day or two off from work, have family meetings, exchange presents and maybe do some charity work. Even if the religious meaning is gone, I still appreciate the facade because without holidays, we'd be working nonstop (some of us do anyway). And it's nice to have some days to look forward to.
Everything is consumerism now anyway. At least Christmas has a nice coat of paint. I'm not going to stop using the word because the meaning is in the word - "Christmas" means the season to be jolly. "Happy holidays" means jack shit.

 

[IDKFA]

I hate to break it to you but Christ didn't exist, wasn't born in December and doesn't have a magical sky daddy.... It's all a load of aul bollocks, Christians just stole the original idea from a far older religion like pretty much everything in the Bible which was all made up anyways

Although I'm a atheist, as a historian I believe Jesus was a real person. In fact, practically all scholars accept that Jesus existed.

Unless you have evidence that proves otherwise?

 

[Artoris]

I celebrate it for its original meaning as the winter solstice as from now on the days are going to get longer

the Catholics chose that date to destroy paganism

 

[lukilladog]

...

We’re talking about a dude who could turn water into wine, and was resurrected. I’m pretty sure he can change his birthdate as he pleases.

So does Dionysus.

 

[HellforLeather]

Thanks be to Christ.

 

[RJMacready73]

Although I'm a atheist, as a historian I believe Jesus was a real person. In fact, practically all scholars accept that Jesus existed.

Unless you have evidence that proves otherwise?

I think it's widely accepted that a normal person existed named Jesus or thereabouts existed, as for the rest of the shite about being born of a virgin, walking on water and all the other bollocks associated with Jesus Christ son of Magical Sky Daddy, I can categorically state he didn't exist

 

[ClanOfNone]

I'm not a religious guy, but I use Merry Christmas. On the exceedingly rare occasions people have taken umbrage with that, I generally make fun of them.

 

[IDKFA]

I think it's widely accepted that a normal person existed named Jesus or thereabouts existed, as for the rest of the shite about being born of a virgin, walking on water and all the other bollocks associated with Jesus Christ son of Magical Sky Daddy, I can categorically state he didn't exist

Whoever he was, he certainly made an impact on humanity. Possibly one of the most influential figures in history.

Also, You're entitled to that opinion, but there is no need be offensive about it. Respect the beliefs of others, even if you don't agree.

 

[gioGAF]

Merry Christmas!
Buon Natale!
¡Feliz Navidad!

Anything else doesn't make sense ;-)

 

[HellforLeather]

I'm not a religious guy, but I use Merry Christmas. On the exceedingly rare occasions people have taken umbrage with that, I generally make fun of them.

Atheist is the best way to describe my religious beliefs but I say Merry Christmas. There are real things to get upset about in the world; you dont have to be a totally salty fuck about something so benign.

 

[Nester99]

For many, Christmas is about Family, Culture and Tradition. - That's good enough.

 

[CrankyJay™]

For many, Christmas is about Family, Culture and Tradition. - That's good enough.

Well happy Family, Culture and Tradition Day to them!

 

[Spaceman292]

Let’s face it, Christmas has become “present day” for most of the world. I personally know what too many people who celebrate Christmas for materialism’s sake and couldn’t give a rats ass about Christ.

Why not wish these people what they’re really celebrating?

It's been like 2000 years since the J-man was born. The meaning of christmas is allowed to evolve over time.

 

[RJMacready73]

Whoever he was, he certainly made an impact on humanity. Possibly one of the most influential figures in history.

Also, You're entitled to that opinion, but there is no need be offensive about it. Respect the beliefs of others, even if you don't agree.

Sorry no i won't respect the beliefs of people who worship a magical fucking sky daddy and whose belief in said made up fucking being is responsible for most of the evil on this planet

 

[Nester99]

Well happy Family, Culture and Tradition Day to them!

Merry Christmas to you as well!

 

[IDKFA]

Sorry no i won't respect the beliefs of people who worship a magical fucking sky daddy and whose belief in said made up fucking being is responsible for most of the evil on this planet

Don't be such a drama queen.

Most of the 'evils' on this planet are not caused by religion and especially not Christianity.

 

[Happosai]

So what? The day is named after him.

That’s the whole point. Enjoy Present Day if you don’t believe in Him. That’s okay.

The name comes from olde Anglo-Saxon word geol which 9th-Century Catholics transformed into Christes Maesse. That word represented Christ's Mass to Catholics. However, as mentioned earlier -- has no relatively in regard toward Christianity. No variation of maesse or mass was observed by Jews or Gen tiles in the New or Old Testament of the Bible. Christian's like myself celebrate Christmas as a day of simple remembering, fellowship with family, and exchange of food or gifts not much different from secular. It's an optional holiday tradition which I celebrate with that understanding that Christ's birth can be celebrated any day of the year and mean just as much.

 

[Deleted member 1159]

The name comes from olde Anglo-Saxon word geol which 9th-Century Catholics transformed into Christes Maesse. That word represented Christ's Mass to Catholics. However, as mentioned earlier -- has no relatively in regard toward Christianity. No variation of maesse or mass was observed by Jews or Gen tiles in the New or Old Testament of the Bible. Christian's like myself celebrate Christmas as a day of simple remembering, fellowship with family, and exchange of food or gifts not much different from secular. It's an optional holiday tradition which I celebrate with that understanding that Christ's birth can be celebrated any day of the year and mean just as much.

Well this is entirely too reasonable.

Death to the people who buy things!!!!!

 

[lukilladog]

Without Jesus and monogamy you dont get advanced civilization. Merry Christ-mass to you.

There were advanced civilizations before Jesus (large societies with plenty of food, administration, soldiers, officers, artisans, and writters.). And Judah got owned by four of them before Jesus (The Assyrians, the Babylonian, the Greek, and the Roman).

 

[Master Of Illusion]

When you die nothing happens

 

[Happosai]

Well this is entirely too reasonable.

Death to the people who buy things!!!!!

Already buying gifts bro Agreed, how dare people turn it into a commercial holiday!? Meanwhile, I'll let an ancient Roman tradition guilt me out of that.

 

[///PATRIOT]

There were advanced civilizations before Jesus (large societies with plenty of food, administration, soldiers, officers, artisans, and writters.). And Judah got owned by four of them before Jesus (The Assyrians, the Babylonian, the Greek, and the Roman).

did they have rockets and internet?

 

[nush]

did they have rockets and internet?

Space traveler, megalithic architecture and better shit to do than digital sedatives. Then some big ass comet decided to fuck their shit up by hitting a glacier and wash their progress away, so the plebs and goat herders that survived had to rebuild but got to claim they built the stuff they just found an re-inhabited.

 

[Halo is Back]

Who cares if it always revolves around consumerism. Christmas is the one time of year where it feels good to give and be present with friends and family. It's just a jolly and wholesome time. So merry Christmas OP.

 

[bronkonagurski]

As a godless heathen I will wish all of you a Merry Christmas!

 

[Coolwhhip]

Did I accidentally visit reeeeee? No... say it aint so...

 

[RoyalLaFlame]

Whoever feels pissed about me wishing a Merry Christmas can go fuck themselves. It's just a nice thing to say during the holidays, but no, people need to take it personally and create problems where none exist. The mememe mentality.

Merry Christmas y'all, even though I'm all alone in a country that doesn't even celebrate it