Screenwriter needs Atheist insight

[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.