Is it Wrong for Non-Christians to Celebrate Christmas?

As a non-Christian, does it show proper respect and courtesy to Christians for me to celebrate a holiday they claim as their own? Just as importantly, am I being true to myself by celebrating Christmas?

I have put some thought into these questions recently, and I have come to the temporary conclusion that it is neither disrespectful nor untrue to myself to enjoy the company of friends and family by baking cookies, decorating a tree, exchanging gifts, and listening to Christmas music (I do enjoy the religious and nonreligious music that surrounds this holiday).

I may even attend church with my dad on Christmas Eve. I know that if a Christian father brought his Jewish son to services, no one would mind (in fact, I should think good Christians would encourage the father). On the same vien, I would think that no one would mind if a nonreligious son accompanied his father. After all, I could "see the light" during the service...that Christmas music is mighty inspiring.

Thoughts?

Mr_Spinkles said:

As a non-Christian, does it show proper respect and courtesy to Christians for me to celebrate a holiday they claim as their own? Just as importantly, am I being true to myself by celebrating Christmas?

I have put some thought into these questions recently, and I have come to the temporary conclusion that it is neither disrespectful nor untrue to myself to enjoy the company of friends and family by baking cookies, decorating a tree, exchanging gifts, and listening to Christmas music (I do enjoy the religious and nonreligious music that surrounds this holiday).

I may even attend church with my dad on Christmas Eve. I know that if a Christian father brought his Jewish son to services, no one would mind (in fact, I should think good Christians would encourage the father). On the same vien, I would think that no one would mind if a nonreligious son accompanied his father. After all, I could "see the light" during the service...that Christmas music is mighty inspiring.

Thoughts?

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I don't think it is Christian in the larger sense. Too many faiths celebrate around the winter solstice and commericialism has all but taken over the public celebration.

But I do love the music coming from my childhood church - unlike any other parish. And I love the family that gathers even more.

So yes, it is my holiday!

Bob

Yeah, the media almost stripped it of its religious connotation. And yes, many different faiths celebrate the winter solstice. So instead of making it a religious holiday. Just say you are celebrating a time of human love and togetherness. With the plus of presents and good food.

And don't forget Newton's birthday.

I see no reason why a non-theist or a non-Christian should not be able to enjoy Christmas. Even if you feel the need to completely strip Christmas of all religious meaning (ignoring Jesus, etc), there are still various "themes" of the season to celebrate: giving, family and friends, etc. And even if you are not theist or Christian, this does not mean that the story of Christ's birth cannot have any meaning for you. I don't believe that Jesus was really born the way the myths say he was (if he was born at all) but that doesn't mean that the story cannot teach lessons or simply provide entertainment. Literal or mythological, the story of Christ's birth has meaning for us all if we choose to look for it.

In Japan, you or your family buys a X-mas cake. It's about the size of a 50 stack of CD's. And every Japanese person I speak to (asside from christians) thinks that's what we do in America. No presents or anything, just a cake. ^_^

Oh, and I think everyone should celebrate christmas... it's one of the few times you can actually be with your entire family (if you're lucky enough). I'm gonna miss it this year

A very interesting question!

This will be my first Christmas acknowledging to the world (and myself) that I am no longer Christian. While I will be primarily celebrating it as a Yule, I also worship Jesus in the same way I worship Quan-Yin, Brighid, and others. Infinite compassion and warmth in the midst of cold are what he represents to me, and I am more than happy to celebrate that aspect of him with anyone that might want to do so.

And I'm afraid I'm a bit of a Grinch when it comes to Christmas music. It sets my teeth on edge. Everything except for the "Carol of the Bells" song, with I usually can never remember the proper name of. I normally refer to it as the " 'Ding Dong' song" which winds up getting me into difficulty. (Well, it is the refrain...)

Mr_Spinkles said:

As a non-Christian, does it show proper respect and courtesy to Christians for me to celebrate a holiday they claim as their own? Just as importantly, am I being true to myself by celebrating Christmas?

I have put some thought into these questions recently, and I have come to the temporary conclusion that it is neither disrespectful nor untrue to myself to enjoy the company of friends and family by baking cookies, decorating a tree, exchanging gifts, and listening to Christmas music (I do enjoy the religious and nonreligious music that surrounds this holiday).

I may even attend church with my dad on Christmas Eve. I know that if a Christian father brought his Jewish son to services, no one would mind (in fact, I should think good Christians would encourage the father). On the same vien, I would think that no one would mind if a nonreligious son accompanied his father. After all, I could "see the light" during the service...that Christmas music is mighty inspiring.

Thoughts?

Click to expand...

I don't think anyone will mind you celebrating Christmas, just as long as you go blow around $1000 in the local mall on gifts.

Just celebrate Yule if the Christians complain! I don't care if you celebrate any Druidic holiday, so long as you don't pervert it (Coincidently, and not to offend anyone, Christmas is at that time because of Yule, which is around the same time. Halloween - Samhiunn, Easter - Ostara. It was nescessary to change religious holidays in order to overwrite pagan beliefs.)

meogi said:

In Japan, you or your family buys a X-mas cake. It's about the size of a 50 stack of CD's. And every Japanese person I speak to (asside from christians) thinks that's what we do in America. No presents or anything, just a cake. ^_^

Oh, and I think everyone should celebrate christmas... it's one of the few times you can actually be with your entire family (if you're lucky enough). I'm gonna miss it this year

Click to expand...

I'm sorry to hear that you won't be with your family this year, Meogi! Are you at least going to be with welcoming people?

Also, I just wanted to confirm a rumor that's been floating around the anime community... Is it true that KFC has cornered the market on Christmas dinner in Japan?

Christmas in the US has it roots in Christianity and is now recognized as a secular American Holiday as of 1870. Interesting read http://www.balaams-***.com/journal/resource/xmassusa.htm

Celabrate how you see fit.

Most of the elements of Christmas arent even Christian in origin, the decorations and such and the reindeer and Santa. It's such an overcommericalized "holiday" anyway, hard to get away from.

When u say wrong do u mean disrespectful? If that is what you mean it would be about as disrespectful if I or you went to a Islamic worship service and particpated..or if we went to Jewish yom kippur or a Buddist mediation session. It is all in how you act towards it I think. one could make a mockery of the religion through the holiday in a malious display but if one observes it while not subscribing to it it could be a strong way to show respect for the religion. To give you an example from today. I was at a vietnamese restaurant with my two bosses having a business lunch. The waiter was a buddiest and my two bosses are Christians. Everytime they sit down to eat they give thanks to Jesus. Today they started before the waiter could finish giving us the food. The waiter waited for them to finish and I bowed but did not pray. They are aware that I am UU. In that instance the waiter showed respect but was part of the prayer circle I was part but don't believe in Jesus (as a savior) and they ate in joy and peace in a restaurant with buddiest art in it. That is the way it should be. Blocking non christians from Christmas is gonna make more problems and solve none.

I don't celebrate Christmas. The cards I am obligated to send out always refer to holidays, not Christmas.

The only holiday I sincerely celebrate is Halloween. As a child I loved trick or treating. As an adult I enjoyed being on the giving end, by giving out candy to the children. However, now that I live in an apartment, I no longer have the opportunity to do that.