Way of the Mind

A couple of weeks ago, in a Portuguese technology mailing list, someone suggested organizing for a Christmas dinner, and someone else (over)reacted by saying “sorry, wrong religion”. I don’t even know if that guy is an atheist, or religious but not Christian (probably the latter). Obviously, an argument ensued, with that guy even accusing others of “religious discrimination” for assuming that everyone is a Christian and celebrates Christmas. Needless to say, the argument (which I didn’t participate in) quickly descended into chaos and insults.

So… as an atheist, what do I think about Christmas? Well, I love it.

No, I don’t love the absolutely idiotic consumerism that makes it impossible to go into a shopping center during December, which creates huge queues everywhere, and which makes otherwise rational people go into a shopping frenzy, and actually panic because they might forget someone, or disappoint someone, or not be able to find the “right” gift for someone. As I said, I absolutely hate this, and refuse to take part in it.

But I love the rest of Christmas. The decorations, the Christmas trees, the songs, the Santas everywhere, the Christmas parties or dinners at work, the food (here in Portugal there are several types of traditional cakes and other foods that are only made near Christmas, and it’s probably similar in the rest of the world), the whole festive atmosphere of it. And the fact that I get to spend an evening with my family, include some of its members that I almost never see during the year.

No, I don’t feel like I’m “betraying my atheism” (which is a completely absurd concept, of course — you can’t “betray” a lack of belief in something ) by taking part in a celebration usually associated with Christianity (even though it comes from a much older pagan holiday, as everyone here probably knows). In fact, the kind of Christmas celebrated in Portugal has very little — if anything — to do with Jesus and religion, but instead with giving gifts (which unfortunately causes those ridiculous shopping frenzies I mentioned), with family reunions, and with and enjoying each other’s company. And I love it. I don’t need to believe in an invisible man in the sky to follow the traditions and “rituals” I enjoy.