So I guess this is my Christmas Eve, Eve post. Something I don’t understand, are some atheists that absolutely refusing to celebrate Christmas. I know that there are some that think that if they do, then they are somehow  perpetuating a religion that they have rejected. I tend to disagree. Christmas has become less a religious holiday than a cultural experience., as well as a commercial venture (which I’m sure upsets many fundamentalists).

I’m not saying there’s anything wrong by not celebrating Christmas, in fact, I think it’s more common among the general population than what we may have been led to believe.  I don’t bother even asking why to those I know that don’t, mainly because it’s none of my business just as it’s no one’s business why I, an atheist do. I tend to think no matter where anyone stands on this, we sometimes make it a bigger issue than what it actually is in the sense that it’s really not a issue at all.

I‘ve  had some years go by that I didn’t celebrate the holiday either, because I was off by myself and was unable to get back to family for whatever reason. I never felt bad about it, It’s just the way life is sometimes and for some I know now that don’t celebrate, what I hear when they’re asked by others why not, one reason is because it’s too much trouble: decorating, gift buying, cooking a special meal. Another reason I’’ve heard is that they just don’t care one way or another about it. I understand both.

The reason I’m writing about this is due to a conversation I had a couple of days ago with a friend that absolutely could not understand why some people, other than for different religious belief, didn’t  celebrate Christmas? I thought, what’s the big deal and said as much.  I guess there are some that think there’s something wrong with a person that doesn’t want to celebrate Christmas, as there are some atheists that think there’s something wrong with those of us (atheists) that do.

When I really think about it, it’s all about the build-up than the actual day isn’t it? I mean, on Christmas Day, it’s all over in a few minutes, with the exception of the meal. But the whole thing becomes anticlimactic doesn’t it after all the wrapping is scattered on the floor and the boxes are everywhere? The very next day, other than the decorations, it’s as if it never happened.

Before any of us criticize some for either celebrating a “religious” holiday or not doing the same, remember, it’s not so much a tradition in this country as it wasn’t officially a holiday until 1870. Before that, it was just another work day.