Uncut

As it is December 25th, I have decided to write a blog about Christmas. Several people recently have attacked my mentioning of this holiday as I am a pronounced atheist, here is my official addressing of it.

First of all, you are incredibly rude and expressing prejudice against someone because of their non belief, the very problem with this “Christian nation.” Second of all, it is very foolish to assume Christians were the only ones to have a celebration of the winter solstice. Only the most ignorant attest their belief to be the way of the world has always been and always will be. For example, my father is a practicing Pagan a tradition of the Norse Viking variety that was common throughout all of Europe before Christianity. That’s right, I said BEFORE Christianity, the trendy religion you are currently practicing is just a phase, who knows maybe everyone will think Scientology is cool next, it would certainly be more interesting. But I digress, back to the point. Conquering nations, as conquering nations do, came to take over European Viking territory, Celtic, Scottish peoples and the like. These nations brought with them their religion, conversion to Roman Catholic and Christianity. 

The transition to monotheism was made easier by the reassurance of afterlife guarantees and the many spirits, angels and holy ghosts that resemble the polytheistic parthenon of their older Pagan Gods. Before Christianity the end of December was part of the Winter solstice and the 12 days of Yule were celebrated. Obviously remnants of the old Pagan ways can still be observed in the post Christian world, not only the twelve days of Yule which became the twelve days of Christmas, but also the yuletide cheer. 

However what most of America celebrates today is nothing close to the Pagan tradition or the later assigned birthday of Christ. It has become a Hallmark holiday not far from the false marketing of Valentines day, but with far more cheesy movies, we know and love. The sheer creation of a day purely for shopping like the retail holiday “Black Friday” only further emphasizes the point of Christmas being nothing more than a gathering of family for expected gifts. What child on Christmas morning tears open their gifts and thanks God or the baby Jesus for it? The answer is none. I do not denounce the practice of Christmas, I partake in the buying and exchanging of gifts, but see no religious sentiment in it. 

Christmas is the birthday of my mother, the feeling of nostalgia for the simplicity of childhood, the tired family tradition of traveling to my grandmothers, not one aspect of that has ever had any significance to anything Christianity bears. So to those who may a accuse an atheist of being hypocritical for exchanging gifts today, stop a moment to ponder before jumping to your judgemental conclusions. The fact is everyone likes presents, especially the economy, therefore we have devised a perfect excuse to give them. The Jewish religion that practices Hanukkah had no tradition of exchanging gifts originally, they adapted it in jealousy of those on Christmas, to also partake in the meaningless joy of gifts with no religious reason. 

Who are you to deny that to anyone? So with that, happy winter solstice.