Well it’s that time of year again and every atheist blogger has got something to say on the subject. So rather than bore you with my own holiday thoughts I thought I would share with you the christmas wishes from across the atheosphere.
Ebonmuse’s Solstice Sermon over at Daylight Atheism
The date of the solstice was no small thing to the agrarian societies of the past, where understanding the cycle of the seasons and knowing when to plant crops was a matter of life or death. Today, a fossil-fuel-powered global economy can grow food wherever it’s warm and ship it wherever it’s needed, buffering us First Worlders from the vicissitudes of climate. Nevertheless, there are millions of people even today for whom getting enough food is a very real and pressing dilemma.
Debunking Christianity’s Marlene Winelle asks What Child is This?
This is not the Christ child or just a symbol of hope. This is the Child we all know is still present but may be lost or buried. Our life patterns, our “personalities,” our many roles, our anxieties, our regrets, our plans, our endless thoughts, all conspire to distance us from who we once were – infants with magical capability for presence and joy.
VJack of Atheist Revolution shares his thoughts on an Atheist Christmas
Some atheists seem to have developed a complex around their participation in Christmas. They try to justify their participation by claiming that Christmas has become thoroughly secularized in the U.S., promoting Winter Solstice, or even referring to themselves as “cultural Christians.” I’m not sure if these efforts are directed at other atheists, Christians, or themselves, but I have my suspicions. In any case, they strike me as completely unnecessary.
Greta Christina sits us down for a talk on The True Meaning of Christmas
Let’s sing. Let’s decorate. Let’s eat and drink. Let’s light candles and put up electric lights. Let’s have parties. Let’s visit our families and our friends. Let’s give each other presents. Let’s spend time together that’s specifically devoted to enjoying each other’s company, and take part in activities — like gift- giving and parties and big group dinners — that strengthen social bonds.
Let’s remind ourselves that life is worth living, and that the cold and dark won’t be here forever. Let’s remind ourselves that we care about each other, and remind ourselves of why.
That’s what this holiday means to me.
Hemant Mehta the Friendly Atheist encourages us to give the gift of Freethought this year
For everyone who comments on sites like this and others, it is often said it’s all talk and not enough action.
One way to take action is to support the myriad groups who work to spread rational thought and church/state separation.
Consider making it a New Year’s Resolution this year to donate to one or more of these organizations. I do it. I give to a number of freethought groups. It’s not because I have the money to throw around — I don’t — but I’d rather my money go to these non-profits than so many other places where my donation would go virtually unnoticed.
ExChristian.net explores the Mythic Origins of Christmas
Most Americans know how Christmas came to be celebrated on December 25: The Emperor Constantine chose the date because it was winter solstice in the Julian Calendar, the birthday of dying and rising gods like Mithra and Sol. Some people also know that our delightful melange of Christmas festivities originated in ancient Norse, Sumerian, Roman and Druid traditions – or, in the case of Rudolph, on Madison Avenue.But where does the Christmas story itself come from: Jesus in the manger, the angels and wise men?
And finally there’s the Newtonmass Edition of the Carnival of the Godless at Skeptico.
That’s all very well, but recently I’ve become aware of the war on Newtonmass (TWON). Apparently many Christians, not content with appropriating the Winter solstice celebrations that take place today (Happy Solstice to any pagans reading), and the celebrations and customs of other religions, now want to appropriate the Newtonmass holiday too. They are even calling TWON, “the war on Christmas.” How dumb is that? So I’m going to start with several posts that comment on this absurd “war.” Here goes…
Until the next war on christmas, Happy Holidays.
