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25 December 2010

Christmas Time for an Atheist.

It is Christmas Day, and I am at work. By choice, I volunteered. So, I'm going to write about Christmas and me (my favorite thing to write about!).

Now, everyone knows that I'm an Atheist, and they are probably sick of me constantly talking about it. I don't care. I really don't. But I would like to clear a few things up about Christmas time.

My being an Atheist has nothing to do with why I do not like celebrating Christmas, nor does my not celebrating mean I hate Christmas. In fact, I love Christmas time. Everyone is a little be happier and children smile a little more. The songs are so cheery and catchy. The weather is perfect. It's awesome! I love it! The family time, the food, the music, the weather, the smells, etc. It is a great time of year. I just don't like feeling like I have to celebrate today, when I celebrate every single day of my life. Being forced to make today extra special, to me, is like saying the rest of the year doesn't mean anything at all. As if all of the time I have cherished with my loved ones means nothing compared to Christmas Day.

Bullshit.

So I don't believe in Santa, in buying or receiving gifts (not that I don't enjoy these things, I'd just rather it happen on random days when it isn't expected), or making today more important than any other day of the year. I definitely don't believe Jesus was ever even a real person, let alone a magic baby that was born on this day 2000 years ago.

^^^
See that last paragraph? Pretty small, eh? Well I don't believe any of those three things have much to do with Christmas time at all. Even the super religious aren't thinking about God or Santa when they are gathered around the television after a big meal, laughing and sharing stories, while posing awkwardly for family photos. They are just thinking about how happy they are to be with the ones they love, having a good time. Listening to cheesy Christmas songs and smiling with people you love, or even at the stranger you're passing down the street. THAT is what Christmas time is really about. All of that other bullshit is exactly that. BULLSHIT.

So, please, remember this if you are not an Atheist: Christmas is not just for the religious, or young at heart. It is for everyone that loves life and spending time with awesome people.

I do wish that I could be at home with my wife and son right now, but I wish that every single day of the year that I am not with them. Today is no different.

Merry Christmas everyone!

8 comments:

  1. I like the food and the excuse to see family, the rest is garbage.

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  2. I don't know, there is something about seeing people wearing ugly holiday sweaters and acting a litter nicer than normal, that just warms the cockles of my heart. And you have to admit, some of the songs are pretty fun to sing. Like Oi To The World and every other song on Christmas With The Vandals!

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  3. Really great post. I am not religious and I don't like Christmas very much, mostly bec of the cold weather and people can be a little nicer, but they can also be a little more angry (ex.the people that are stressed while shopping I can feel their short fuses, ick!). But I adore doing what I can to make it great for the kids and I like getting to see my family that is spread out, but get together for the occasion. Not this year though. I hope you get to be with your wife and son soon. Take Care.

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  4. Thank you. The people that are angry just blend in with the other angry people throughout the year. I never really pay them any attention anyway.

    I got to be with my wife and son shortly after posting this, and all day the following day. :)

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  5. Weird. This year I've noticed people being worse assholes than usual. I think it's because they feel entitled to everyone else's holiday cheer and kindness.

    I generally feel the same way about extra specialness of Christmas (and especially Valentine's Day), but I do love buying and giving presents to my niece and nephews...and Doug if I get a really good idea.

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  6. It's weird, but now that I'm a father, I want to celebrate these days even less. I don't want Xekan to be the weird kid that doesn't celebrate holidays because of his crazy father, but I also don't want him expecting things from us at certain times of the year like this. His birthday being the only exception.

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  7. I'm really glad to hear you got to spend time with them. :)

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  8. Me too. I ended up with yesterday off as well, and it was a great day!

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