Talk:Christmas/Archive1

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This is an archive page, last updated 31 December 2024. Please do not make edits to this page.
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Winter solstice?[edit]

I thought the winter solstice is either 20th or 21st December.... and not any date associated with Christmas. --Idiot number 58 (talk) 10:12, 25 December 2010 (UTC)

Only four days out, and there are similarities - neopagans celebrate the birth of the new solar year, Christians celebrate the birth of Mr "I am the light of the world." Rrose selavy (talk) 10:51, 25 December 2010 (UTC)
It's incorrect anyway. If there really was a Jesus born, his birth would more than likely have been in the spring, because of the mention of shepherds watching their flocks by night out on the hills during this event. Since spring is lambing time, it could not have been winter. The permanency of 25th December didn't occur until the 4th century under papal edict of Pope Julius I. Prior to that date, most Christians celebrated Christmas as falling on 6th January - Epiphany. The 25th also coincides with Dies Natalis Solis Invicti which means 'birthday of the unconquered sun' in the Mithraic religion. Mithraic religion was still very strong compared to other pagan cults in the 4th century, mainly due to Roman soldiers being adherents. FreeThought (talk) 11:23, 25 December 2010 (UTC)
I seems the solstice was really Yule. But everything has now been lumped into the Christmas 25th date.--BobSpring is sprung! 18:39, 25 December 2010 (UTC)

Atheists and Christmas[edit]

Some/most closet atheists go through the motions of celebrating Christmas and many atheists enjoy the secular part of Christmas. Other atheists refuse celebrate any holidays or choose alternative secular holidays. Many atheists celebrate Christmas because they do not want to stand out as different. Lying and telling young children that Santa Claus exists can prepare them to accept religious belief. [1] Atheist parents living in cultures that celebrate Christmas may choose to give their children Christmas presents, of course there is no need to pretend presents are from Santa. If children feel left out when their friends get presents this can cause resentment.

I think the above is relevant and it was referenced. Proxima Centauri (talk) 02:26, 26 August 2012 (UTC)