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Zanthius
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The reason why atheists are celebrating Christmas
« on: January 21, 2017, 03:36:27 pm »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8BkzvP19v4
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Death 999
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Re: The reason why atheists are celebrating Christmas
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2017, 04:20:31 pm »

Social conformity in the sense of wanting to do something that's fun and a lot of other people around you do, sure. Social Conformity in the sense of wanting not to hold (or at least not express) beliefs that everyone around you disagrees with, no.
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Zanthius
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Re: The reason why atheists are celebrating Christmas
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2017, 11:09:15 am »

I am sure lots of atheists think it is fun to celebrate Christmas, but just because something is fun, doesn't necessarily mean we should be doing it. Unhealthy food can for example be enjoyable, and drugs can be fun, without necessarily being good for us. Kids might think it is fun to receive gifts, and parents might think it is fun to give kids gifts since they get so happy, but giving gifts to kids might foster a materialistic mindset which isn't necessarily good for them.

More broadly, I would say that even if Christmas isn't necessarily so bad for us, we use cached thoughts way too often (http://lesswrong.com/lw/k5/cached_thoughts/). Because if we used less cached thoughts, we might be able to make another celebration that is just as fun, without all the religious background contained in the Christmas celebration.  A species that used less cached thoughts might argue: “Sure, Christmas was fun, but when we got less religious we invented another celebration which is much more in accordance with our modern mindset, and is even more fun”.
« Last Edit: January 24, 2017, 11:17:41 am by Zanthius » Logged
Krulle
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Re: The reason why atheists are celebrating Christmas
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2017, 12:22:33 pm »

Which is a kind of religion in itself.
So, you're proposing to celebrate a new religion's holy day, instead of further converting Christmas?

Anyway: black Friday already is one. It's very much about the Consumerism religion.
I know plenty people who enjoy that day more than the day before (Thanksgiving), which itself has long ago lost all religious meaning, especially in the US....
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Zanthius
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Re: The reason why atheists are celebrating Christmas
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2017, 01:20:58 pm »

Which is a kind of religion in itself.
So, you're proposing to celebrate a new religion's holy day, instead of further converting Christmas?

Depends on your definition of religion. Personally I would define religion as any ideology that has supernatural elements which are contradictory to the current scientific understanding of the world. Consumerism doesn't necessarily have any supernatural elements, but it might be contradictory to our current understanding of optimal child development psychology. It might for example lead to narcissism, which is a psychological disorder that Donald Trump might have.
« Last Edit: January 24, 2017, 01:23:40 pm by Zanthius » Logged
Death 999
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Re: The reason why atheists are celebrating Christmas
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2017, 02:25:00 am »

I don't see how pointing out DJT here helps the discussion any.
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Zanthius
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Re: The reason why atheists are celebrating Christmas
« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2017, 11:17:25 pm »

I don't see how pointing out DJT here helps the discussion any.

The good thing about him, is that we might wake up now and unite against almost everything he stands for. He has actually given me a much clearer picture about what we need to focus on, just to prevent people like him from coming into power in the future. Almost everything that leads to Trumpism we need to work against, and consumerism (or increasing cultural narcissism) might be one of the factors that has lead to Trumpism.

If you haven't already read this book, I would recommend it (https://www.amazon.com/Narcissism-Epidemic-Living-Age-Entitlement/dp/1416575995/).
« Last Edit: January 25, 2017, 11:29:00 pm by Zanthius » Logged
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Re: The reason why atheists are celebrating Christmas
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2017, 01:54:34 am »

As an atheist I see Christmas as a tradition, I mean the family's reunions, giving gifts, chilling and eating together. Also there are benefits like a free days at work/school etc.
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Death 999
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Re: The reason why atheists are celebrating Christmas
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2017, 03:35:43 pm »

Welcome to the forums, Ralph!
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