Screenwriter needs Atheist insight

[Captain Colostomy]

Next time you could read through the rules before posting a survey, since it's actually against the rules to do so without the permission of the staff, mmmkay?

Lol! An introductory thread would have been nice, too.

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Well, my answers are cynical. Guess I won't apply.

Some of mine were cynical, but I still replied.

And can you really expect Min to not be cynical? He replied with wondrous cynicism.

Fair enough. That said, I'm also incredibly lazy. 'X-mas sucks ass' is about as involved an answer I can see me giving.

[Minimalist]

Well, my answers are cynical. Guess I won't apply.

Some of mine were cynical, but I still replied.

And can you really expect Min to not be cynical? He replied with wondrous cynicism.

Cynical? Moi???

[max-greece]

Not an American but you might find something useful - who knows:

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

Its the middle of winter and an excuse for a party - what's not to like?

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

Depends on how they are done. If they are done well and not over the top then I quite like them.

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

Doesn't really affect me - we have summer displays too, and Easter ones over here (Greece).

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

Wife handles that in the main.

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

Not really applicable to me but doesn't bother me.

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

I did tell my daughter about Santa - I am not sure she ever really bought it, but she was quite happy to take the presents.

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

Not bothered although it does help if the damn Carolers can sing a bit - otherwise its painful.

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

I think you would be better off asking that of theists. Ones I have come across are sometimes surprised that I live a "moral" life. I tend to forgive ignorance as much as possible.

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

Christmas due to wife and daughter. I was borne Jewish but we never really did anything for Hanukkah.

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

Don't see that around here. Generally it starts at the beginning of December.

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

Drop the pretence that this is anything to do with Christianity. Easter is the holiday for that. This is just an ancient mid-winter party.

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

I was 9.

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

No - my parents are both atheists.

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

Happy to discuss and explain - not looking for converts.

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?

We do - so not applicable.

[Jiggerj]

Hello all,

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

Woj

This is the one holiday that makes me wish god was real. The religious would go to church, say a few prayers, and be done with it. This holi'DAY' starts around November 1st and ends just after all the stores mark down their prices around January 1st.

A two month holiday is too much!

[Raeven]

Well, the dang dog started barking at a hooty owl in the middle of the night and now I can't sleep. So whutthehell.

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

Mixed. Always glad for a day off and not too picky over the reason for it. OTOH, it galls me when people use their faith like a weapon, as in getting angry if you wish them, "Happy holidays!" instead of "Merry Christmas!" Christians don't have a lock on the reasons to celebrate at this time of year, ya know?

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

Again, mixed. Their house, their nuttiness. I do regret the needless squandering of resources. And it also seems so "in your face." OTOH, it's nice they're willing to so clearly identify the homes of Teh Crazy.

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

It's become such a commercial occasion in this country... what else does one expect? I avoid the shops at the holidays.

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

I'm always sad when people permit their behaviors to be mindlessly dictated by others. Nice to give gifts, but not for the sake of it. I give gifts, but there are two rules: They must be homemade, and they must be consumable. Candles, liqueurs, wines, jams, candy... that's the sort of stuff you'll get from me.

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

I have a problem with this. I'd rather see a non-specific holiday designated for people to use on Christmas if that is meaningful to them, or some other day if it is not.

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

I think it's good training for the kid to figure out how similar the Santa story is to the god story... and arrive at the truth.

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

I haven't heard live carolers in years -- live too rural. (Don't get trick-or-treaters, either!) I can turn off the radio.

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

It makes me sad. It's odd to have characteristics of evil attributed to me solely on the basis of my non-belief. I take people as I find them, irrespective of their religious or non-religious views, and always assume others do the same. Sadly, it is not the case. There is proof all around theists that atheists can be and are good people or bad people, yet they don't see this. But since there is proof all around theists that there is also not a god, can't say I'm surprised.

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

No, but as someone who pays great attention to the seasons, I celebrate the Winter Solstice. It is meaningful to me for many reasons.

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

Their money, their time, their lives. I don't judge.

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

I would ask them to understand that not everyone sees it the way they do, and the rest of us ought not be made to share in their celebrations according to their strictures. All the best to them. All the best to me, too.

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

I can't remember a time when I wasn't an atheist. I did wonder at times if there was something I was missing, but having had a good hard look around for it, I concluded I was one of the fortunate few whose mind was never cluttered with all that strange nonsense. Mass psychosis at its best.

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

I consider one's beliefs or non-beliefs a private matter, so no, no "coming out" for me. For most of my life, it was a non-issue. In recent years, however, there is a more militant version of Christian who seems to have a need to ferret out this information almost immediately about everyone they meet. I am not shy or retreating about my atheism if pushed on this point. I am happy to have the debate, facts being on my side and all. But I don't foist it on others unless asked directly. Sometimes I am asked about it because I do not participate in godly rituals, such as saying, "under god" when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, or represent that I am "praying" for someone. (I don't.) Happy to share my reasons why.

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

See #13. To elaborate, if pushed, I will have no mercy in pointing out the weaknesses of their belief system. I've deconverted more than a few.

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?

Again, I celebrate the Winter Solstice. I often have a party with like-minded friends, give them gifts and a lavish dinner with a Yule log, no artificial lights on in the house, only candlelight, firelight and hurricane lamps. I decorate a tree if I feel like it. Mostly it's an opportunity to share good fortune, laughter and joy with others whom I love. But I am grateful in only the most general sense -- never to a deity. And I do similar celebrations throughout the year for no reason at all other than that I enjoy doing it.

[ManMachine]

Hello all,

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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.

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Thank you again,

Woj

1. I feel drunk, mostly.

2. Lights are fine, pre-recorded music and singing played loudly through speakers which distort the sound to slush should be punishable by death.

3. Generally ok but our local undertaker should reconsider the 2 for 1 offer they usually have over the holidays.

4. I feel like practicing my rugby skills.

5. We have one every year, they ought to recognise it by now.

6. What are you suggesting... he is real.

7. Fairytale of New York is a song I can listen to over and over so no problem there...

8. Non-unbelievers will burn!

9. Yes. Free stuff and time off, what's not to celebrate?

10. The 'Christmas people'... what, christians? Actually I prefer 'the christmas people', I think I'll call them that from now on.

11. Fit massive bumpers to cars and repeal the drink driving laws for 2 weeks.

12. God told me to become an atheist, Christmas day 1989

13. I came out last year, it was very emotional, my mother was very supportive but my father got a bit atheophobic and went off to shoot some small furry animals with his big gun...

14. I sit non-unbelievers down and read them Darwin's Origin of the Species until they start to feel guilty about their lack of unbelief

15. I get drunk and argue with the TV, and on boxing day I have cold turkey.



MM

[Rev. Rye]

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

I like it. I haven't stopped celebrating it.

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

Good as long as it's tasteful.

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

See #2.

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

It sucks, and that's why my parents preferred to get the shopping out of the way as early as possible.

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

Hey, if most of the people in the country is going to celebrate it anyway, and its celebration is more often than not divorced from its Christian origins, why not?

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

They'll learn it's fake sooner or later.

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

It would be so much better if it wasn't the same couple dozen songs being performed over and over and over for a month.

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

They tend to not notice that the only real difference between the average Joe who only goes to Church once or twice a year and the atheist is that the atheist doesn't bother with church.

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

Yes, I do.

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

Now that, I think could be saved for later. In my neck of the woods, it's usually done after Thanksgiving.

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

The people who seriously believe in a "War on Christmas."

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

Early Teens.

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

Not really.

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

I don't really talk about it unless the subject comes up, but I do try to be fair. Unless, of course, the other guy proves himself to be a complete asshole.

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 read Capote's "A Christmas Memory."

[Bad Writer]

Hello, Woj. I'll take a crack at these answers. Mind you, my birthday coincides with December 25, so my answers are either a little biased against Christmas, or they're exactly what you're looking for.

1) What is the general feeling towards the Holiday by you as an atheist?
I like that it gives me an opportunity to take time off from work and spend it with my family.
2) What are your feelings towards the display of Christmas lights on houses?
My wife is also an atheist, but she loves the decorating aspect of it, whereas I am indifferent towards it.
3) What are your feelings about Christmas displays in stores?
This is where things get ridiculous. The entire country is getting tag-teamed by two imaginary men: Jesus and Santa.
4) What are your feelings about the mad dash for gifts?
I stay as far away from that as I can. Praise Amazon.com!
5) What are your feelings about it being a federally recognized holiday?
I don't mind this; it simply means I get to take time off. How other people choose to perceive the holiday is their own deal.
6) What are your feelings about people telling their children that Santa is real?
It's lying much the same way that telling children god is real. People need to be more honest with their children. This doesn't mean that people need to remove Santa from Christmas, but the children should at least have an understanding that he's a fictional character, much the same way Harry Potter or Frodo are.
7) What are your feelings towards Carolers or Christmas music on the radio?
Christmas music will never invade my iTunes playlists.
8) What are your feelings about how non-atheists perceive atheists?
Non-atheists? You mean theists? (The non here is atheism, as our position is the one taken in response to the claims made by theists, thus, a non position.) That's one of many things I hate: misconceptions made by the theist community. They are the one's making positive claims that a deity exists; we simply choose to disbelieve the claims. Nothing else usually beyond that. No baby eating, no raping or pillaging; in fact, you could best describe the majority of us as secular humanitarians.
9) Do you as an atheist celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah?
I do give and receive presents on this day. That's about the extent of it though.
10) What are your feelings towards the Christmas people who start decorating their house before Halloween?
Insane.
11) If you could ask those that celebrate Christmas to change one thing (or several things) about it - what would it (they) be?
They can celebrate what they want; I don't think it needs any changing.
12) At what point in your life did you realize you were an atheist?
Last year.
13) Did you ever have a "coming out" moment as an atheist? How was it received?
Many years ago I left the Mormon Church, and the reaction to that was mixed, from my mother accepting that I was no longer a member to my father refusing to talk to me for some time. Since then, I've learned my lesson about "coming out", so when I finally acknowledged my atheism I kept it very toned down.
14) As an atheist, what is your goal or intention about informing others that disagree with you about your stance?
I've never met someone that exactly disagreed with my stance (maybe "disliked" would be a better term used here). In fact, it's always been the other way around, that is, I'm the one doing all the disagreeing. Proselytizing isn't exactly a priority in my life.
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?
All of the above.

I'm looking for level headed atheists who wish to put out a positive view of their "people", so to speak.

You'd get some of your best material from cynics though.

[Walking Void]

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

It has become so secular in my experience that it does not even bother me.
2) What are your feelings towards the display of Christmas lights on houses?

None. Some are pretty, others are not.
3) What are your feelings about Christmas displays in stores?

Do You mean the nativity scene? If so, I find it boring to look at. If You meant displays of the Santa type, it depends on how much time was put into it.
4) What are your feelings about the mad dash for gifts?

None, but it does bother me when I hear about people thrashing each other to get a limited quantity item.
5) What are your feelings about it being a federally recognized holiday?

I like holidays, a day off work is a day worth rejuvenating.
6) What are your feelings about people telling their children that Santa is real?

Telling their children that Santa is real, violates science. It violates their understanding of science, dumbing them. There is no proof that Santa is real, especially when He originates from 1820's folklore. A story. Just like any fictional story. They do not become real out of some person's authority. It warps the reality of children who may not be able to distinguish reality from imagination.
7) What are your feelings towards Carolers or Christmas music on the radio?

I used to work part-time in a drug store and I can tell You that christmas music is cliché to the point of it making me delusional.
8) What are your feelings about how non-atheists perceive atheists?

If they do not communicate any problems with me, I do not have any problems with them. I do not go out initiating such conflicts.
9) Do you as an atheist celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah?

I do celebrate secular christmas, the same way religious people do.
10) What are your feelings towards the Christmas people who start decorating their house before Halloween?

None. There is no problem here. There is no worry here. There is nothing here that really enthralls my attention.
11) If you could ask those that celebrate Christmas to change one thing (or several things) about it - what would it (they) be?

Nothing, really. Unless people are authorizing their opinion for the purpose of scientific fact, then I have an issue. Example: "Yes, dear, reindeer can fly by themselves. Enough asking how they do it, now go yo sleep".
12) At what point in your life did you realize you were an atheist?

I asked questions and received no answers. And if I did, the respondent would be uncertain in their explanation. And often times, could only speak without demonstrating.
13) Did you ever have a "coming out" moment as an atheist? How was it received?

I simply became more bold against religious assertions, and the other parties would shut up.
14) As an atheist, what is your goal or intention about informing others that disagree with you about your stance?

My response: "Are You an independent person, or a dependent?"

[FlyingNarwhal]

I have a favor to ask the OP. I noticed that your religious view is Baptist. In the spirit of good discussion, would you mind answering the same questions you gave to us but answer them in the context of how you may have thought atheists would have answered these questions prior to hearing our responses. For example:

1) What are the general feelings you believe an atheist would have towards the Holiday?

2) What do you think an atheist's feelings are towards the display of Christmas lights on houses?

3) What do you think are an atheist's feelings about Christmas displays in stores?

...etc


Only reason I ask is because every year I can't help but notice that religious and conservative media tends to try and make it seem as though we are trying to destroy Christmas. But most of these responses seem to indicate that we pretty much don't care what happens on Christmas and during the season. So I'm mainly curious to see how you thought we thought.