Poll for atheists - Do you still celebrate Christmas and why?

[Losty]

Hi Firefighter,
Welcome to AF. Feel free to make an introduction thread and say hello and tell us a bit about yourself.

[Expired]

I myself do. Although  not for any religious reasons, It just seems to me to be a good excuse to make kids happy. Am I a hypocrite for celebrating this holiday as an atheist?
I have no flipping clue how to add the polling options lol clicked "i want to post a poll" but theirs no where to add the options.

I celebrate Christmas, it's a good excuse for a piss up.

[account_inactive]

I myself do. Although  not for any religious reasons, It just seems to me to be a good excuse to make kids happy. Am I a hypocrite for celebrating this holiday as an atheist?
I have no flipping clue how to add the polling options lol clicked "i want to post a poll" but theirs no where to add the options.

I celebrate Christmas, it's a good excuse for a piss up.

Perhaps the most British statement ever.

[Faith No More]

You get to see snow if you go two hours away?  I have to drive 3 just to get a light frost lol. I'm sure up in the pan handle they get real snow but that is near 5 hours drive.

Yeah, they get some snow every once in a while. That's where my family is from.

It's a shithole anyway. You wouldn't want to waste five minutes driving there.

[Whateverist]

I'm here to perform a citizen's arrest. All you people have been cavorting with the dead. This thread doesn't want to play with you. It just isn't wholesome. Please stay where you are with your hands in the air. Someone should be along to erect a speed bump and cuff you. Thank you for your cooperation and have a nice day.

[Simon Moon]

Though in Denmark (And most of Scandinavia) it's known as "Jul" - from the old Jól that the Norse Pagans celebrated.
It's still VERY Christian though, with Christian songs, Christian decorations, dancing around a christmas tree and some people go to church.

None of those things are Christian (besides going to church).

The tree, mistletoe, yule log, decorating the house, caroling, giving gifts, etc, etc. All pagan.

[Faith No More]

I didn't think Christians were supposed to celebrate Christmas...

Jeremiah 10:2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

That's Old Testament. Didn't you know that they don't have to follow that because of the New Covenant?

Unless it's about gay people. Then they have to follow it.

[Expired]

I didn't think Christians were supposed to celebrate Christmas...

Jeremiah 10:2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

That's Old Testament.  Didn't you know that they don't have to follow that because of the New Covenant?

Unless it's about gay people.  Then they have to follow it.

I didn't think they followed any of it.

[Arkilogue]

I didn't think Christians were supposed to celebrate Christmas...

Jeremiah 10:2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

That's Old Testament.  Didn't you know that they don't have to follow that because of the New Covenant?

Unless it's about gay people.  Then they have to follow it.

This is all too confusing, I'm just going to throw my gratitude up into the air and whatever God want's he can keep.

[Firefighter01]

Hi Thump,
I just joined the forum. I read a few months back that hackneyed phrase “Peace on earth and goodwill to all men” is actually a mistranslation!  

Luke 2:14 English Standard Version (ESV)

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

and KJV changed it to ;
Luke 2:14King James Version (KJV)

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

That's cool, I don't really care about its provenance one way or another -- it's the thought that counts to me.

Former firefighter here, USAF variety, 1989-1993. Welcome to the forum.

Good to hear and thanks mate! I'm in Sydney Australia and was in from 1986 to 2011. I'm guessing you'd be very familiar with foam drill and incidents?  Regarding the thought, I agree. The original one though had "peace among those with whom he is pleased" which means that he doesn't wish peace to the ones which piss him off! 

---

Hi Firefighter,
Welcome to AF. Feel free to make an introduction thread and say hello and tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi Losty, great idea and ta for the welcome/encouragement!

---

Yes, my whole family are atheists and we celebrate Santa and the spirit of giving.  Love the decorations and don't even mind most of the carols. No Jesus required.

---

Hi Thump,
I just joined the forum. I read a few months back that hackneyed phrase “Peace on earth and goodwill to all men” is actually a mistranslation!  

Luke 2:14 English Standard Version (ESV)

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

and KJV changed it to ;
Luke 2:14King James Version (KJV)

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Ain't that a bitch....

Good research and welcome!

Thanks, it looks like I jumped the gun and forgot the intro. Doing one now.