I never had a problem going to religious celebrations as an atheist.
My family and friends, despite some of them being religious, are more important to me, than making some sort of 'statement' by not going.
In fact, many times I will go out of my way to go, just to be with family who I don't get to see very often.
I can be a pretty outspoken atheist, willing to debate anyone at just about anytime.
But avoiding family get togethers because my family will be pantomiming ancient superstitious ceremonies and rituals, is not a hill that is worth dying on.
But that's just me...
My family and friends, despite some of them being religious, are more important to me, than making some sort of 'statement' by not going.
In fact, many times I will go out of my way to go, just to be with family who I don't get to see very often.
I can be a pretty outspoken atheist, willing to debate anyone at just about anytime.
But avoiding family get togethers because my family will be pantomiming ancient superstitious ceremonies and rituals, is not a hill that is worth dying on.
But that's just me...
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.
