Post-Christian Atheists for Christmas
December 22, 2006
In an article entitled "An Atheist Can Believe in Christmas," Randy Kennedy asks how some prominent atheists are (or are not) celebrating the holidays. It turns out that Sam Harris (Letter to a Christian Nation) has a Christmas tree up at his house, albeit a small one -- "a tree that even an atheist would be comfortable with," he says. Then there is Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion), who participates in Christmas for family reasons.
Both writers perceive that Christmas has become a largely secular enterprise (many Christians would agree), and for this reason are willing to participate in some of its traditions. Dawkins writes: "So divorced has Christmas become from religion that I find no necessity to bother with euphemisms such as happy holiday season. I acknolwedge that I come from Christian cultural roots. I am a post-Christian atheist. So, understanding full well that the phrase retains zero religious significance, I unhesitatingly wish everyone a Merry Christmas."
Rather than reciprocating, I would prefer to wish Professor Dawkins and his fellow atheists a Holy Nativity -- one that finds its true meaning in the manger, the cross, and the empty tomb.
Both writers perceive that Christmas has become a largely secular enterprise (many Christians would agree), and for this reason are willing to participate in some of its traditions. Dawkins writes: "So divorced has Christmas become from religion that I find no necessity to bother with euphemisms such as happy holiday season. I acknolwedge that I come from Christian cultural roots. I am a post-Christian atheist. So, understanding full well that the phrase retains zero religious significance, I unhesitatingly wish everyone a Merry Christmas."
Rather than reciprocating, I would prefer to wish Professor Dawkins and his fellow atheists a Holy Nativity -- one that finds its true meaning in the manger, the cross, and the empty tomb.
