Only 4% of Americans Do Not Celebrate December Holidays

[rug]

December 21, 2016
Posted by Jack Vance

The Public Religion Research Institute just released some interesting data about the ongoing "merry Christmas" vs. "happy holidays" debate known in some circles as the war on Christmas. A few of the greeting-related highlights of their poll included the following:

47% of Americans believe businesses should greet customers with "happy holidays" or "season's greetings" instead of "merry Christmas" out of respect for those of us who are not Christians; 46% reject this.

People between the ages of 18 and 29 were more likely to prefer inclusive greetings; those 65 and over preferred "merry Christmas."

Republicans preferred "merry Christmas;" Democrats preferred "happy holidays."

Nothing too shocking there, although I was somewhat surprised to see that only 58% of those without any religious affiliation (e.g., the "nones&quot preferred a more inclusive greeting over "merry Christmas." Then again, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. After all, I have long suspected that the vast majority of atheists living in the U.S. celebrate Christmas. And why not? 89% of those polled said that they were celebrating Christmas, and an increasing number said they were treating it as a secular holiday. There is no reason atheists cannot celebrate Christmas if they wish to do so (and there is no reason they should celebrate Christmas if they would prefer not to do so).

Only 4% of those surveyed reported that they are not celebrating any holidays in December. I suppose I'll claim them as my people and start referring to myself as a 4-percenter. Maybe I'll get a "4%" tattoo and go around flashing 4 fingers at people like a gang sign. I'm only kidding, of course. It wouldn't make much sense to take pride in not celebrating something I don't enjoy.

http://www.atheistrev.com/2016/12/only-4-of-americans-do-not-celebrate.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AtheistRevolution+%28Atheist+Revolution%29

http://www.prri.org/research/poll-post-election-holiday-war-christmas/

[Ron Obvious]

1. We happy 4%!

I've nothing against the holidays, as such. I'm an atheist but I'll cheerfully return a Merry Christmas with the best of 'em while feeling a sort of yeasty benevolence towards all mankind at this time of year.

That said, boy am I glad not be going through the stress I see on the faces of Christmas shoppers at the mall and department stores this time of year. No do I feel the pressure to risk life and limb to go on the roof to mount a kitschy plastic Santa and advertise my bad taste to the neighbourhood.

Instead, Mrs. Obvious and I will once again spend Christmas day watching an all-day movie marathon of related movies. We've done all three Back to the Futures last year, all the Planet of the Apes the year before that and all Lord of the Ringses before that. We'll not shower or get dressed properly and gorge on brick oven-baked pizza.

Ho ho, and indeed, ho!

[Angry Dragon]

2. and for years the church gave little notice of the birth

Christians are under attack again ............ hear them whine

[rug]

3. Whine? Like this?

Dan Barker tuned his radio to 92.1 FM (“the Mic”) in Madison, Wis., on Nov. 12 — just as he’s done almost every Saturday for a decade.

Usually, he hears his own voice waxing philosophically about issues important to atheists and other “cultural outsiders.”

But on that day, he heard something else: Elvis Presley crooning “Winter Wonderland.”

There was also “Carol of the Bells.”

And “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”

That’s as far as Barker got before he cut off the radio, disgusted by the thought of Christmas music a month and a half before the actual holiday.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/11/22/my-reaction-to-all-this-is-bah-humbug-atheist-radio-show-is-replaced-by-247-christmas-music/?utm_term=.fc45a046d2bd

[Angry Dragon]

5. No ...more like the poor christian talk show hosts talking about the war on christmas

[rug]

6. Barker would be whining about Christmas on his radio show. If he still had a radio show.

[Mariana]

4. Why do people expect businesses to do this in the first place?

I don't understand that at all. I expect a good product or service for a fair price from a business. That's all they owe anyone. It shouldn't be on them to try to divine every customer's preferred holiday greeting.

Christmas is a federal holiday and I believe it is also a state holiday in every state. As such it is a secular holiday for everyone.

[okasha]

7. People who feel the need to argue

about proper greetings for the various December holidays need to pour themselves a good double cup of 80-proof eggnog, kick off their shoes and take to the recliner. Or rocking chair, if so minded.

On one hand, it's a much better way to make sure they offend no one. On the other, after a couple cups, they won't be offended by much of anything, either.

[rug]

8. It really isn't hard to navigate the holidays, is it?

[okasha]

9. Not at all.

Artists, like academics, tend to be a pretty motley crew, and my circle of friends generally seem happy to celebrate everybody's holidays indiscriminately, especially when there's food and drink involved.

[Humanist_Activist]

10. I would imagine a large chunk of that 4% would be Jehovah's Witnesses and other...

Christian denominations that feel that Christmas is too pagan, and/or simply don't celebrate holidays at all.