Happy Festivus!
Festivus for the rest of us!
I made a few e-cards (seen here, here, and here) for the approaching holiday season. I plan on making more Festivus and general holiday e-cards. Feel free to use any of them. I will update you when I have more.
Human beings are social. And we like holidays, days off, gifts, and decorations. No need to throw out holiday cheer all together. Does this make atheism seem like a religion? I don’t think so. Most holidays are secular anyway like birthdays, (the bullshit of) Valentine’s Day, and Independence Day. There’s no reason why atheists and secularists can’t have fun, too! While the feats of strength may not go over well in some households, there’s always room for changing how you celebrate. No two families celebrate Xmas or Hanukkah exactly the same way.
For many people I have known, their religious holiday is more about making winter (in the Northern hemisphere) bright and cheery. More about giving and receiving gifts (which could be done any time but rarely isn’t). More about lights, stars, and decorations. More about finding a new reason to spread love, peace, and joy. I don’t like the idea of not celebrating something but I think we need something new. So, here it is. Festivus for the rest of us!
As the one human who does not particularly care for holidays (okay, I’ll make an exception for Halloween), I’m ready to embrace Festivus as a worthy replacement for Christmas. The idea of being able to assemble one’s loved ones for an airing of grievances is simply too good to pass up.
I don’t really attach any more significance to the name ‘Christmas’ than I do for Valentine’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day, both of which also began as Christian holidays. What I mean is: I don’t mind using the term Christmas (or Xmas, if I want to annoy my more religious friends). But I support what you’re doing here. If people are more comfortable with something completely irreligious–more power to ‘em. For me, Santa and Frosty and yule logs and all that are completely harmless.