Christians often assert that Christmas is inherently religious and Christian Many argue that Christmas cannot be celebrated in a secular or otherwise non-Christian manner. This position is easy to refute -- all you have to do is point to all the ways in which people celebrate Christmas without any references to Christianity or religion on any level.
In fact, very few Christians celebrate Christmas in an exclusively religious manner. More and more, people just don't care about the Christian elements anymore. Not even Christians, it seems.
Matt writes:
I think Christmas is very much more secular than it is Christian. Some people would say that if you don't go to church, have no belief that Jesus influences anything you do in life but still celebrate Christmas that you are "picking and choosing" what to like about religion, which is absolutely not true.
I feel awkward when times come around Christmas where i must sing Holy carols in order to not offend friends, which I do not mind. I feel a bit awkward to be singing about something I do not believe in, but for the most part Christian and non-Christian peoples can partake in the celebration of Christmas harmoniously.
However, I think the feelings towards these two group' beliefs must be neutral. For example, I do not believe that Jesus or God exists, but I don't go about proclaiming it or preaching it. Just as my college roommate (true Christian, church every Sunday) does not constantly try to convert me to Christianity. Really I think that is the current problem between religious and non-religious groups, Atheists feel the need to call themselves Atheists just for the fact. I don't call myself an Atheist, I just live my life. You cannot dwell or debate on something you apparently do not believe.
To me Christmas has MOSTLY secular values:
- family harmony
- distance from bad experiences
- looking past previous bad experiences with friends/relatives
- celebrating the season change from fall to winter and all the tasks/activities that come with it
- cooking warm meals with seasonal foods/spices
- exchanging gifts with true thought behind them
[original post]
The secularization of Christmas is already very far along. There is no sign of it turning back -- ever. This development in American and western culture bothers some Christians, but they already appropriated many holidays from the ancient pagans so they don't have a very strong argument against the same holidays being appropriated by a broader, secular culture today.
What do you see as the secular values that are part of Christmas today? Or do you disagree and think that Christmas is still entirely religious?
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