Christmas?

[Eleutheromaniac]

I am an anti-theist. I believe (with evidence of course ;)) that religion inhibits the progress of mankind. That being said, I take solace in the fact that this time of year makes people more humble towards their fellow man. However, it is really just a show, especially in our capitalist society dominated by material envy. My question is, am I being hypocritical with my acceptance of Christmas as a good holiday? I generally consider it a secular holiday, anyway. As artificial as it is, I think it is a visage of inherent selflessness as part of the human psyche.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Winter festivals aren't exactly unique to Christianity. I don't see why atheists shouldn't celebrate them as a way of breaking up the dim monotony of northern latitudes in December. Rejoice! Not long until the days start getting longer.

[PigmerikanMao]

Christmas itself isn't really a religious holiday outside of a handful of dedicated believers who go to mass/church on that day (even if it doesn't fall on a Sunday). The overwhelming majority of participants in Christmas are materialist-oriented consumers who buy things for other people they think will like in hopes of also getting something they like in return. I assume in a socialist society the whole mess would continue under the banner of some "People's Gift Redistribution Day" or something. Those who aren't entirely possessed by the consumerist frenzy of the whole ordeal are usually news commentators who reactionarily spout on about a war on Christmas as a means to push rightist agendas (ironically which tend to contradict all that socialist Jesus crap about sharing and caring for one another).

[Let's Get Free]

As an Atheists you under the same obligations as everybody else to stimulate the economy by purchasing vast quantities of unnecessary goods

you must CAREFULLY wrap up the many gifts in expensive paper which will be conspicuously ripped to shreds as proof of environmental entitlement, and give them to unappreciative persons who will exchange them for something else, possibly paying a little more to do so.

Atheists are socially, morally, and ethically obligated to attend office celebratory events, drink too much, act like dicks, and regret it for several days afterwards, just like everybody else.

Atheists have the same biological drives as everybody else and it is your duty to gather with relatives you never asked to be born, eat excessively large meals, and feel uncomfortable for several hours.

It is your duty, as an Atheist, to drive long distances, or even better, be herded through the air traffic system from one squalid location to another, suffering delays, crowded planes, crowded terminals, crowded transit, and hordes of diseased, coughing, sneezing, vomiting people.

The beliefs of Atheists and Christians has absolutely nothing to do with it. Insofar as you are a consumer, you are free, and if you bought enough, you may continue existing until the next Christmas season.