Atheists Hate Christmas Just to Make Christians Miserable

Okay, so hopefully most of us already realize the title of this article isn't true, but you wouldn't know it thanks to the media and the perceptions of many people during this holiday season. There's a misconception out there that atheists are trying to keep the word Christmas out of Christmas, at the very least. This time every year, irritated Christians get on their high horses and beat atheists over their heads with their delusions of Christmas pwnership [sic].

Here is a truth that many people won't want to hear: atheists in general are regular people who just want to live their lives (quietly) in a way that is true to them. Of course in a perfect world, we wouldn't want to be bothered with religion and the tales and war that come with it, but most of us are resigned to the fact that most people don't share our opinions - and that's just life.

We don't dwell on religion or a lack thereof at all, unless someone else brings it up, or we read articles like the ones on Associated Content, where perfect Christians bash and judge atheists' celebratory choices during Christmas. Then there's our friends and family who insist on spamming our inboxes with E-mails like "fighting-to-take-Christmas-back-from-those-pesky-atheists," knowing full well that we are atheist and aren't trying to take anything away from anyone. After receiving a few repeats, it takes all of your willpower to not place your "friends'" E-mail addresses permanently into your spam filter. I would never send them an E-mail preaching to them about atheism, but they don't get it.

Despite our opinions, atheists really don't care whether companies say, "Merry Christmas" in commercials, or whether teachers are allowed to say the same greeting in schools. We just don't care. Say it loud, say it proud, or don't say it at all; you aren't offending us and we aren't trying to take those words away from you.

Yes, there are times when I've felt like people assume everyone they run into is a Christian during the Christmas season and it does get a little old sometimes. I don't get irritated because I'm atheist, I become irritated because there are so many religions out there, and I could be Jewish for all they know. While the well-wishers don't mean any harm, it does make for an uncomfortable situation sometimes, but what can you do? There is nothing to do, because we as atheists, as well as people with religious beliefs other than Christianity, are the minority.

Neither me nor my husband believe in religion, yet we celebrate Christmas in the traditional Pagan manner, as do many Christians. We have a tree, buy presents for each other, and take time out for family. For us, Christmas is a peaceful and relaxing time for our family, yet many Christians out there are outraged that an atheist would consider celebrating this holiday at all. These same people are outraged that atheists are supposedly keeping Christmas out of the public. Do you see something wrong with this picture? I'll spell it out. If most of us celebrate our own version of Christmas anyway, why on Earth would we want to keep it away from the public? We love Christmas too - just for different reasons.

I'd be willing to bet the people who complain about the use of the word Christmas don't care about Christmas either way. They are just greedy individuals who wouldn't mind shoving a lawsuit in someone's face to get a little extra money in the name of equality and civil rights. These people aren't your average atheist.

Considering that the Christmas season is supposed to foster good will towards men, it's funny how many Christians spend a good part of the season feeling bitter towards people who are different than them. This holiday season, keep in mind that there are plenty of atheists out there who would love to see companies and schools celebrate Christmas like they did without shame only a few years ago. If you don't approve of us celebrating the non-theist version of the holiday, get over it. If nothing else, appreciate the fact that your religion has been able to make people of all kinds become a little more caring and charitable, even if only for one day out of the year.