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Atheists who celebrate Christmas vs. Hanukkah?

Discussion in 'Religion & Philosophy' started by ArmySoldier, Sep 15, 2017.

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  1. The Wyrd of Gawd

    The Wyrd of Gawd Well-Known Member

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    The Wyrd of Gawd, Sep 17, 2017
    #51
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  2. dairyair

    dairyair Well-Known Member

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    Santa Claus
     
    dairyair, Sep 17, 2017
    #52
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  3. robini123

    robini123 Well-Known Member

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    Most of my friends and family are Christian so just kind of going with the flow in a traditional Christmas season sense. If nothing else it is a time to gather with friends and family.
     
    robini123, Sep 20, 2017
    #53
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  4. Colonel K

    Colonel K Well-Known Member

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    The USA celebrates it a lot more than Ireland ever did. (Until the tourism industry saw an opportunity!)
     
    Colonel K, Sep 20, 2017
    #54
  5. Guno

    Guno Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    http://www.shj.org/
     
    Guno, Sep 20, 2017
    #55
  6. HereWeGoAgain

    HereWeGoAgain Banned

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    Christmas is a national holiday.
     
    HereWeGoAgain, Sep 20, 2017
    #56
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  7. The Wyrd of Gawd

    The Wyrd of Gawd Well-Known Member

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    Even the Israelis don't make a big production out of hanukkah so why should anyone see?

    "Hanukkah is a school holiday only, with businesses opening as usual."
    https://answers.yahoo.com/question/...HZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?qid=20130308213624AA8eFCH
     
    The Wyrd of Gawd, Sep 21, 2017
    #57
  8. jack4freedom

    jack4freedom Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Christian Holidays are more celebratory and have positive themes. Most Jewish Holidays are celebrations regarding dead infidels. Unless you are a Jew, most of them are real bummers.
     
    jack4freedom, Sep 21, 2017
    #58
  9. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    Pardon my oblivion (I live in a country with very few Jews, and probably 90% of people here wouldn't know what Hanukkah was, much less have ever heard the word), but why would your average northern european-anglo-celtic person go out of their way to learn about a highly exotic middle eastern religious festival? Christmas is a European festival, so it makes sense to stick with what is known traditionally.
     
    crank, Sep 21, 2017
    #59
  10. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    Because we live in nominally Christian nations? Obviously :p
     
    crank, Sep 21, 2017
    #60
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  11. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    6 million .. wow

    we have about 137, here :p
     
    crank, Sep 21, 2017
    #61
  12. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    Christmas has improved a lot since Jesus was removed from the equation. It has more depth and meaning now, for many folk with European heritage.
     
    crank, Sep 21, 2017
    #62
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  13. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    We still appreciate the traditional link with Christianity, but not in the sense the religious do. It's just another layer of tradition - which sits alongside and slightly to the rear of the pagan European elements :p
     
    crank, Sep 21, 2017
    #63
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  14. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    Swens reveals personal information

    Red letter day!
     
    crank, Sep 21, 2017
    #64
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  15. xwsmithx

    xwsmithx Well-Known Member

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    I'm atheist and celebrate Christmas because I'm a former Christian and all of my family and most of my friends are Christians (actual or nominal). This is very funny no matter what your religious beliefs:



    I agree with a previous poster's sentiment: most Jewish holidays are too depressing to celebrate.

    Probably because there are no atheists in Muslim countries (punishable by death), because Kwanzaa's a fake holiday for blacks invented by a violent Marxist revolutionary in 1966, and because no one else celebrates full moon festivals, so it would be a lonely party.
     
    xwsmithx, Sep 21, 2017
    #65
  16. Pisa

    Pisa Well-Known Member

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    One Hanukkah evening at the bank, as I was waiting for my turn, all banking activity ceased. Clerks leaved their seats and gathered around a large Hanukkiah. Jam filled doughnuts (traditional Hanukkah dish) were distributed among both customers and employees. One of the bank employees was tasked with lightening the candles and we all sang traditional songs.

    You obviously don't know anything about Judaism, Jews, or Israel. Last night I celebrated the Jewish New Year with family and friends. I wouldn't dream of ignoring any of the major Jewish Holidays, even though I'm an atheist. It's not a religious thing. It's my people's culture, history, and customs. It's a hallmark of belonging.

    I know atheists - even an Arab supposedly Muslim atheist - who keep religious holidays for the sake of their children. Identity and belonging are very important for children.

    Some Jewish atheists respect tradition, some don't. As it should be.
     
    Pisa, Sep 21, 2017
    #66
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  17. Pisa

    Pisa Well-Known Member

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    I could answer you so:
    "Positive themes? Is the slaughtering of the new-born a positive theme? Is the violent death of your god a positive theme? Is eating the flesh and drinking the blood of your sacrificed god a positive theme? Now that I think of it, you actually sacrifice your own god, and eat him...eww..".

    However, ignorant hater is not my thing. I'm well aware that there are many interpretations of Christian holy texts I know nothing about. I wouldn't dare insulting millions of people like that, based on my own very partial knowledge of their religion and customs.

    Pfftt.
     
    Pisa, Sep 21, 2017
    #67
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  18. The Wyrd of Gawd

    The Wyrd of Gawd Well-Known Member

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    6 million is like 40 days and 40 nights.
     
    The Wyrd of Gawd, Sep 21, 2017
    #68
  19. Deckel

    Deckel Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Aren't Jewish holidays more an observance of than a celebration of ?
     
    Deckel, Sep 21, 2017
    #69
  20. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    I don't understand :D
     
    crank, Sep 21, 2017
    #70
  21. Pisa

    Pisa Well-Known Member

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    Both, mostly.
     
    Pisa, Sep 22, 2017
    #71
  22. Pisa

    Pisa Well-Known Member

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    The biblical flood.
     
    Pisa, Sep 22, 2017
    #72
  23. ArmySoldier

    ArmySoldier Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I'm not sure. I'm not Jewish.

    Not saying that to be a smartass, that's just a really good question
     
    ArmySoldier, Sep 22, 2017
    #73
  24. Deckel

    Deckel Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    That is why I was asking. I know the JW's that come calling always point out they they "observe" instead of celebrate various holidays. I kind of always have had the same impression of Jews.
     
    Deckel, Sep 22, 2017
    #74
  25. Skruddgemire

    Skruddgemire Well-Known Member

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    Does it represent All the Americans? No, no it does not. But it does show that your statement that "only Irish people celebrate it" is incorrect.

    And here's some demographics.

    Cities that have major parades.
    Cities that hold Major Celebrations:
    Now that's a fair number of cities each with a goodly number of people who hold parades and/or celebrations and I rather doubt that only the Irish Celebrate it. Remember that America is a country that loves its celebrations and even the flimsiest excuses to do so will suffice.
     
    Skruddgemire, Sep 22, 2017
    #75
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