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In reply to the discussion: A Merry Christmas to all the other atheists here. [View all]ItsjustMe
(11,971 posts)11. How Christians co-opted the winter solstice
https://bigthink.com/thinking/winter-solstice-and-christianity/
Christmas was heavily influenced by the Roman festival of Saturnalia. The historical Jesus was not born on December 25th as many contemporary Christians believe. Many staple Christmas traditions predated the festival and were tied into ancient pagan worship of the sun and related directly to the winter solstice.
Christmas as we know it today is a relatively new holiday. Many traditional elements we associate with Christmas predate Christianity by many centuries. There is also a lot of debate as to how much corporate and commercial interests have influenced this holiday as well.
Nowadays, there’s a lot of hand waving when it comes to the Christian origins of Christmas. Inarguably, however, is the fact that the holiday’s modern iteration has been influenced by many pagan and secular festivities.
Christmas was heavily influenced by the Roman festival of Saturnalia. The historical Jesus was not born on December 25th as many contemporary Christians believe. Many staple Christmas traditions predated the festival and were tied into ancient pagan worship of the sun and related directly to the winter solstice.
Christmas as we know it today is a relatively new holiday. Many traditional elements we associate with Christmas predate Christianity by many centuries. There is also a lot of debate as to how much corporate and commercial interests have influenced this holiday as well.
Nowadays, there’s a lot of hand waving when it comes to the Christian origins of Christmas. Inarguably, however, is the fact that the holiday’s modern iteration has been influenced by many pagan and secular festivities.
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I have been an atheist since early childhood. I think the Christian Serenity Prayer is profound
Earth-shine
Dec 2021
#8
I really don't think like this... and mods, if you think it goes too far, just delete it.
albacore
Dec 2021
#13
puts it in perspective. all those others were nature-based and rooted in pre-sex on the wrong brain
certainot
Dec 2021
#79
Same here. Singers such as Josh Grobin and Celine Dion have maintained the appeal of that hymn. n/t
John1956PA
Dec 2021
#89
Or it teaches them to discount critical thinking. Or view reality (including science) as relative.
JudyM
Dec 2021
#32
I'm more nonreligious than atheist, but that's no reason not to be merry yourself today
Rocknation
Dec 2021
#47
We celebrate the Solstice because that is the real thing that happens Co-opted by religious groups.
LakeArenal
Dec 2021
#59
I like Alain de Botton's take on how to salvage what's good in religion and leave the rest.
meadowlander
Dec 2021
#63
I love Christmas & all other religious holidays. The spirit of human joy makes them relevant to all
ancianita
Dec 2021
#75
Christ was a good ethical philosopher that was trying to change Judaism. If the stories are true, he
Capt. America
Dec 2021
#78