I often wonder how others feel about the idea of "Festivus." The vast majority of us buy presents for friends and family at this time of year. We also enjoy holiday parties, both at work and at home.
But what is the purpose of those presents and parties? What exactly is it that we are celebrating? For many people, the holiday is about Christmas and the birth of Christ. The gifts represent the gifts of the Magi who offered gifts to the newborn Jesus.
However, the holiday seems to have lost much of its religious significance, but we haven't stopped celebrating by buying gifts and throwing parties. There is no denying that the Christmas season is a major US holiday. But what do atheists do? Can they not participate in all the festivities?The answer for many people is "festivus." What do you think about it?
But what is the purpose of those presents and parties? What exactly is it that we are celebrating? For many people, the holiday is about Christmas and the birth of Christ. The gifts represent the gifts of the Magi who offered gifts to the newborn Jesus.
However, the holiday seems to have lost much of its religious significance, but we haven't stopped celebrating by buying gifts and throwing parties. There is no denying that the Christmas season is a major US holiday. But what do atheists do? Can they not participate in all the festivities?The answer for many people is "festivus." What do you think about it?
What can atheists do? Do what people have always done: celebrate the Winter solstice. How? Well, why not follow the example of the Christians? The early Christians moved Christ’s birthday up 4 months so that they could co-opt the Roman Saturnalia, then took in the decorated evergreen from the pagans.
So Atheists should decorate trees, share gifts, throw parties, and call it whatever they want.
Using “Festivus” as a name is a fun idea, but there are too many people who will not be amused by atheists poking fun at Christmas. Just call it a solstice celebration.
Because God knows, on the darkest day of the year we could all use a celebration.
It’s like the non-religious Christmas pageant with minimalist music/dance by Philip Glass so as not to offend anyone in South Park (the show’s “Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo” episode) that’s well-intentioned but no one ends up liking it because it’s bizarrely awful. You can’t have a holiday about nothing, unless you’re inventing a reason to drink and party… if so, it’s just about drinking and partying (and nothing else) for its own sake.
If they have a name for their celebrations, maybe they will STOP trying to shut down Christmas for Christians!