Should I

[Reefer Rogue]

accept X-mas presents if i'm Athiest? I don't think i should. Opinions?

Reefer Rogue Reviewed by Reefer Rogue on 11-13-2007. Should I accept X-mas presents if i'm Athiest? I don't think i should. Opinions? Rating: 5

[LuckyG]

I can understand if you didn't want to go to X-mas church services but you don't want gifts? To me X-mas is all about getting together with the people you like/are related to, and giving each other gifts to show your appreciation - or because you know they're going to get you something and you're going to look like a dick if you don't reciprocate. Ah, the joys of the holiday season. I don't see anything other than a passing relation to religion in the giving and receiving of gifts.

Unless they're labelled "To Reefer Rogue from Little Baby Jesus Who Was Born On This Day" I'd take 'em, although you're free to potentially offend people and pass up free swag if you want.

[Reefer Rogue]

I would rather give and not recieve. I can accept my birthday a lot more then the idea of christmas as of now, at least. My mind my change but i think morally, i am obligated not to accept gifts. Why would I, an athiest, celebrate a day where Jesus Christ was born. Christmas, i feel has lost it's true meaning, it is hyperbolic commercialism at it's best these days i'm afraid to say. I plan to spend time with my family and share nostalgic tales and share a delicious meal. I think all my family would want me too accept whatever gifts they shall give. I shall have to ponder, time is on my side. Though, i should not be dictated by a Christian Calender and wait for a specific day in a specific month. I should ignore those words, for they are only words are we are only human and as we only live once. If only we could live in peace.

[GreenLadyOfDankDowns]

I get where you're coming from. I'm pagan, so while I don't celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, I still observe it as a cultural event. I give my family and friends gifts because I love them and it has become a tradition. I don't feel bad accepting what they give me because I know they are giving me those gifts for the same reasons.

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

In my family we have Christmas, and at this point it's just for the sake of cultural tradition. We're actually considering doing away with the presents this year though, just because we're tired of the mandatory annual financial strain. Still, I think it's alright just as a cultral holiday; My father and brother are atheists, my mom secular, my sister and Anglican Christian, me an atheistic Buddhist with adopted practices from the Tao Te Ching as well as nature-based and (on the rare ocassions when needed) entheogenic spirituality.

It's all about what you do and how you see it, not what others do and how they see it.

[Coelho]

Well... the christmas is actually a commercial, cultural holiday... because no one knows for sure when Jesus was born. In fact, far before his birth, people used to make great parties at this time of the year (the summer solstice). This parties were VERY pagan ones, mind you. Then, when the church reached the power, they decided to rename this pagan party, and said that Jesus was born in that time, so the reason for making the summer solstice party was because of the birth of Jesus. This deceit remains until today, when most people actually believes in it.
So, giving or accepting christmas gifts has nothing to do with the belief (or disbelief) in Jesus. Its only a party. If you want give or accept christmas is a choice of yours alone.
In my own case, i never mind accepting gifts... in fact, for me, as more as better, and thats why i voted yes to the poll.

[TheSmokingMonkey]

1. You are allowing others to celebrate their own holiday, by giving you gifts. Just say thank you.

2. Do you think hypocrisy is worse than being a social pariah? Just say thank you.

3. Indeed, Christmas is a cultural holiday. Think of it as a winter solstice party! You don't have to tell anyone that's why you accepted their gifts. You don't have to make a scene. Just re-frame it in your mind, and say thank you.

It's better to be an atheist with a heart than an atheist who never, ever indulges in hypocrisy.

[TheSmokingMonkey]

Oh, and I would like to urge everyone to check out

Zeitgeist - The Movie, 2007

if you are curious about the origin of the Christmas holiday.

[twoguysupnorth]

Yes you can!! It will make the giver happy. "just do it"