Screenwriter needs Atheist insight

[pineapplebunnybounce]

Hello all,

I'm a screenwriter working on a new project that involves an atheist character. Instead of relying on stereotypes like most in my profession do, I'm looking for real insight from an atheist about what they believe/don't believe - etc.

Most importantly - The project involves Christmas time and people overly obsessed with Christmas. I have a few questions I am curious to have answered;

1) What is the general feeling towards the Holiday by you as an atheist?
2) What are your feelings towards the display of Christmas lights on houses?
3) What are your feelings about Christmas displays in stores?
4) What are your feelings about the mad dash for gifts?
5) What are your feelings about it being a federally recognized holiday?
6) What are your feelings about people telling their children that Santa is real?
7) What are your feelings towards Carolers or Christmas music on the radio?
8) What are your feelings about how non-atheists perceive atheists?
9) Do you as an atheist celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah?
10) What are your feelings towards the Christmas people who start decorating their house before Halloween?
11) If you could ask those that celebrate Christmas to change one thing (or several things) about it - what would it (they) be?
12) At what point in your life did you realize you were an atheist?
13) Did you ever have a "coming out" moment as an atheist? How was it received?
14) As an atheist, what is your goal or intention about informing others that disagree with you about your stance?
15) If you do not celebrate Christmas - do you do anything in particular on Christmas day to celebrate anything at all? Family? A nice dinner with a loved one?

I appreciate the responses in advance. Cynics need not apply. I'm looking for level headed atheists who wish to put out a positive view of their "people", so to speak.

Thank you again,

Woj

Before you proceed you should know that I wasn't raised in a culture where xmas is a big deal, but I do live in Canada now. The big holiday for me was Chinese New Year (has significance for me, the only holiday that I would feel really sad if I didn't get to celebrate it the traditional way), xmas is more like a fun thing that we celebrate.

1) It's a fun thing. I was a Christian once, and my attitude towards xmas didn't change, because historically it's not even Jesus's birthday. But I love the songs and all that, it's really festive and fun. I don't think it has much religious significance for most, but I could be wrong.

2) Love them! So pretty. A bit of a waste of electricity, but I'm not fussed about that.

3) Love them. But I don't like displays of Jesuses. :/ I find them stupid and I think it's lying to kids, also it makes it a Christian holiday and people of other religions feel uncomfortable celebrating. I don't like it when religion is used to divide people.

4) I LOVE the sales. They're great for a student's budget.

5) I think that's fine. Why not? I don't mind religious holidays being federally recognized. Being humans involve a lot of things, and right now religion is one of them. Unless of course if Christmas starts promoting things that are against human rights/laws, then it'd be wrong and the gov should condemn it. But until then, I like having days off school and work.

6) I don't mind Santa. Although I know many kids do truly believe, I think parents should tell kids that xmas is when people believe that Santa will come and give gifts, that it's a legend thing. So kids would "believe", but not be devastated when they find out it's not real. Kind of like King Arthur.

7) I LOVE Christmas music! I don't even mind the religious types. Music really makes the holiday come together. I haven't really gotten any carolers, do they ask for donation? If so where does the money go to? I won't like them if the money goes to a church. I would like them if the money goes to charity (not a religious charity, I feel like that would make people of other religions uncomfortable, so back to my point about Jesus displays).

8) From my experience, they don't like that I don't believe in anything. I'm openly skeptical of a lot of things. And I have a strong background in science, so I can dominate a lot of conversations regarding quite a lot of pseudoscience/religion/evolution/etc. etc. And people don't like it when I tear their beliefs down. Otherwise they don't mind me. I think that's hypocritical, because I only do that when they try to tear my disbelief apart. So fair's fair, you know. I don't mind being proselytized to, provided that I get to respond.

9) Uhm ... Christmas to an extent. If my friends are celebrating (I move around a lot, so depending on the group I'm with during the holiday), I'm happy to celebrate. I can celebrate all kinds of things as long as it's fun. I don't know much about Hannukah, but I do celebrate the muslim new year, ramadan, deepavali, etc. etc. when invited to. But I won't hold a xmas party, xmas doesn't mean much to me.

10) The effect isn't that good, aesthetically. I find xmas deco only looks really good when everyone does it and xmas songs are playing.

11) Don't bring up religion and pretend like xmas has anything to do with it. It's intellectually dishonest and just bleh. It's lame.

12) First year in university.

13) Yes. Not too well. Rather regret it. Came out to my parents. I moved to a new place at that time, so my friends never knew I was religious. Religion barely comes up in real life, if it does and someone asks, I say I don't believe, most of my friends aren't religious.

14) Don't give a shit. I want them to respect my stance and my rights, but if they disagree (think there's a god), that's fine by me. I have a few religious friends, they tolerate me, I tolerate them. I don't make them do things that they're uncomfortable with, and they don't do that to me. That's how I think people should behave.

15) If no one around me were celebrating, it's highly unlikely I'd celebrate. Unless you count extreme shopping (not for gifts) as a celebration.

[Minimalist]

It was reported on the news tonight that K-Mart unveiled a holiday ad today - Sept. 11 - over 100 days from xmas.

Yes. It is too fucking early.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

It was reported on the news tonight that K-Mart unveiled a holiday ad today - Sept. 11 - over 100 days from xmas.

Yes. It is too fucking early.

Marks and Spencers here in the UK next to where I live has Xmas decoration stuff sitting in boxes next to one of the front windows.

I really don't like Christmas TBH.

[Cyberman]

Hello all,

I'm a screenwriter working on a new project that involves an atheist character. Instead of relying on stereotypes like most in my profession do, I'm looking for real insight from an atheist about what they believe/don't believe - etc.

Most importantly - The project involves Christmas time and people overly obsessed with Christmas. I have a few questions I am curious to have answered;

I don't particularly have any interest in xmas anymore, due to personal reasons which I will not rehash here as being both unnecessary and a risk to everyone's patience. However, I can still try to answer your questions from the POV of myself from back in the day. Like Mister Agenda, I too haven't read through everyone else's replies before considering mine.

1) What is the general feeling towards the Holiday by you as an atheist?

I rather like it. Not as an atheist specifically, more as a human in a society that recognises the desire for people to take time out to socialise and be with family. Good food, good booze, xmas telly - some of which isn't totally annoying - and making others happy.


2) What are your feelings towards the display of Christmas lights on houses?

They can be rather jolly. Beyond that, nobody's forcing me to look at them.


3) What are your feelings about Christmas displays in stores?

They get people in the mood to splash the cash. No worse than any other form of promotion and arguably better, or at least prettier, than some.


4) What are your feelings about the mad dash for gifts?

I'm forever doing that, no matter how much I plan to do the shopping early. Several years ago, the last time I really bothered, I actually went out to do the xmas shopping a whole twelve months in advance; if anything, the shops were even more crowded than ever.


5) What are your feelings about it being a federally recognized holiday?

Not American (yet!) so I don't really have an opinion. I suppose if the idea is meant to be taken consistently, all other nominally-religious feast days have to be recognised as well.


6) What are your feelings about people telling their children that Santa is real?

Children are far more canny than people tend to realise. They enjoy, generally, a world filled with magic and make-believe and, equally generally, can differentiate between fantasy and reality; probably much better than we grownups can. Fantasy worlds are exciting, far more so than mundane reality. I firmly believe that characters like Santa are a major part of the magical fabric of childhood and should be a spur to the child's creative imagination. Even growing out of the need for such beliefs can be made an exciting part of growing up; of finally stepping across the threshold into another world in which the strings are obvious, finally being part of the game.


7) What are your feelings towards Carolers or Christmas music on the radio?

I tend not to pay much notice. It's all part of the xmas wallpaper to me, merely there in the background. One or two xmas songs I like, including the best ones of all: Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody", Wizzard's "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" (notice they are both entirely secular in theme) and Mike Oldfield's "Il Dulce Jubilo". Runner up is probably that old standby "Feed The Welsh".

Just don't give me any "Stop The Bastard Cavalry", as my brain interprets it. I mean, two mentions of the word xmas and a snatch of sleigh bells (not to be confused with the video of the same name) and that's enough to give it xmas immortality?


8) What are your feelings about how non-atheists perceive atheists?

I don't know how they perceive atheists, beyond what they choose to share around here and that has to be taken with the caveat that this place is designed for confrontation, among other things. So we're bound to attract the more, shall we say, inflammatory views.


9) Do you as an atheist celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah?

I celebrate neither as an atheist. However, I do (or did) observe xmas, on a purely secular level.


10) What are your feelings towards the Christmas people who start decorating their house before Halloween?

I've never met any, but I'd probably say they were overdoing it. Wait until at least the week before the actual day - then everybody doesn't get so bored with them.


11) If you could ask those that celebrate Christmas to change one thing (or several things) about it - what would it (they) be?

Some years ago, the BBC ran a series of 'special news reports', apparently breaking the story of the Nativity as though it were happening live. Please don't do that. It's not real, it's not history, so please don't package it all up as though it is.

Also, for those over here in the UK: stop going on about Winterval being "political correctness gone mad" and replacing xmas. It isn't and it was never intended to.


12) At what point in your life did you realize you were an atheist?

Probably when I started probing the fabric of my world as a child; I honestly don't remember. I know that my parents taught me to read before I started school and my Dad introduced me to backyard astronomy at about the same age, so as far as I can remember I've always seen the stars and never the heavens.


13) Did you ever have a "coming out" moment as an atheist? How was it received?

Doesn't apply to me, but I'll throw in a true story for you. A few years ago on another board, we had a young chap who was quite a rabid YEC and biblical literalist. Over time, the questions started to come and his rock-solid faith was showing signs of cracking. Eventually, all by himself, he threw off the shackles altogether and announced he was now an atheist.

Later he told us that he'd finally "come out" to his parents, after months of being petrified as to their reaction. In the event all his Mum said to him was "Oh, is that all? I thought you were going to tell us you're gay, like your brother!"


14) As an atheist, what is your goal or intention about informing others that disagree with you about your stance?

I don't have a goal or intention. If such people want to save or convert me, I will defend myself. If they want to belittle me, I will retaliate. If they want to lie to me, I will show where their information is wrong. If they want to present evidence to support their own stance, I will gladly discuss it.


15) If you do not celebrate Christmas - do you do anything in particular on Christmas day to celebrate anything at all? Family? A nice dinner with a loved one?

Visit family, lots of food and booze, xmas telly, play with the new toys, go to the cemetery to spend time with my own loved one, back home to my lonely little bed. Welcome to xmas.

[Manowar]

I think most Atheists would not care either way. It's kind of an odd question for a screenplay ( I write as well)

Manowar

[Cyberman]

Not necessarily (I write as well. I once submitted a screenplay for a sci fi competition, one of the judges was Douglas Adams. Sadly he died before the competition ended; I came this close to having something that I wrote read by one of the all-time greats). Anyway, I think the idea of gathering information in this way, picking our collective brains, is a sound one if this is what is going on here. Some of the actual questions might be a little, well, questionable perhaps but the acquisition of data is reasonable. As I say, if that is the intent of the OP; but without more information on which to base an opinion, all we have is his word at face value. We're a trusting lot, said no atheist ever.

[CapnAwesome]

Most Atheists I know celebrate Christmas. It's a pagan holiday that turned into a Christian holiday that turned into a secular one. What does Santa et al. have to do with Jesus? Not much. Myself I don't really celebrate any holidays except my own birthday.

[Zone]

1) I like the stress on family and such but I think it's too commercialised
2) It livens the place up a bit
3) Commercialized pap
4) Buy them online like I do
5) I don't really have any opinion
6) Fun for the children
7) Nicely cultural
8) They have the wrong idea
9) Like everyone else yes
10) Nob heads
11) Make it shorter get rid of presents (for adults)
12) When first I attained consciousness with my mothers womb
13) It would be like coming out as heterosexual to me
14) If someone has the wrong idea I'm happy to explain the stance
15) That's essentially how everyone celebrates Christmas.

[Mr Greene]

Hello all,

I'm a screenwriter working on a new project that involves an atheist character. Instead of relying on stereotypes like most in my profession do, I'm looking for real insight from an atheist about what they believe/don't believe - etc.

Most importantly - The project involves Christmas time and people overly obsessed with Christmas. I have a few questions I am curious to have answered;

1) What is the general feeling towards the Holiday by you as an atheist?
2) What are your feelings towards the display of Christmas lights on houses?
3) What are your feelings about Christmas displays in stores?
4) What are your feelings about the mad dash for gifts?
5) What are your feelings about it being a federally recognized holiday?
6) What are your feelings about people telling their children that Santa is real?
7) What are your feelings towards Carolers or Christmas music on the radio?
8) What are your feelings about how non-atheists perceive atheists?
9) Do you as an atheist celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah?
10) What are your feelings towards the Christmas people who start decorating their house before Halloween?
11) If you could ask those that celebrate Christmas to change one thing (or several things) about it - what would it (they) be?
12) At what point in your life did you realize you were an atheist?
13) Did you ever have a "coming out" moment as an atheist? How was it received?
14) As an atheist, what is your goal or intention about informing others that disagree with you about your stance?
15) If you do not celebrate Christmas - do you do anything in particular on Christmas day to celebrate anything at all? Family? A nice dinner with a loved one?

I appreciate the responses in advance. Cynics need not apply. I'm looking for level headed atheists who wish to put out a positive view of their "people", so to speak.

Thank you again,

Woj

1) It's for kids
2) Waste of resources, but it's their money
3) Corporate merchandising, possible mithering by kids
4) Certain stores I avoid due to preponderance of people without a clue.
5) Bank Holiday - day off work but awkward to plan anything round due to lack of open stores
6) Not arsed
7) Generally ignore, though Jona Lewi is OK
8) Invariably ignorant and usually hypocritical
9) Kids get presents, that's about it.
10) Point & laugh
11) Normal trading rules
12) Approx. Age 7
13) No
14) Depends on individual circumstances, Wouldn't go out of my way.
15) Nothing particular on the day