My boyfriend and I are atheists. I celebrate Christmas, he does not.
After some examination, I’ve tried to formulate my own feelings on the subject – and I’m curious to know what others think.
To me, the central problem concerns what you are celebrating. Obviously, it would be a bit odd for an atheist to celebrate Christmas as the birth of the saviour God. However, given that time has been set aside - for initially Christian reasons - to celebrate, one can still celebrate in whatever way one chooses. There is nothing especially Christian about Santa Claus or Christmas trees, yet they tend to be integral parts of the occasion for many people. In other words, the celebration of Christmas has expanded to cover many expressions of celebration.
The point is obvious, but important. One issue atheism confronts is a sometimes accurate perception from others that it tends to be rather austere and nay saying. There are good reasons for that, but it needn't necessarily dominate.
I think atheists should celebrate Christmas because celebration is, in principle, a good human thing to do. If reasons are necessary, think of it as a time when, despite so much that is negative about what humans do, the possibilities and realities of humanity need also to be remembered, and minimally building on the Christian perspective that humanity is potentially redeemable. Sometimes for anything good to happen, a community of belief, not necessarily religious, is needed. Celebration plays an essential role in re-energising the dispirited. Just because there is no God does not mean atheism doesn't have much to learn about the positive (and yes, of course there is a negative, as atheists tend to be more acutely aware) social side of human capabilities and inspiration.
The problem for many atheists, in my view, is that their atheism is often – understandably - an individual rebellion against some social convention. There can subsequently be a built-in aversion to social expressions of whatever form, whether religious, sporting or political, because it seems to involve the individual being subverted or selling themselves in some way, and perhaps being manipulated to support nefarious ends. These are quite legitimate fears and there is always a place for such watchdogs of the spirit. However, if atheism were to become more general, then a new challenge is posed around the social-communal expression of that insight. One standard human response is to colonise other sites, as did Christianity with its re-signifying temples and the feast days of other beliefs.
It could be legitimately argued that atheists should confidently celebrate Christmas, but give it a new significance - if only in their own hearts initially. What do you think?
Imogen Bayley
Image: www.godswillchurch.com
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