Athiests and Christmas: Why They Celebrate the Holiday
by Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell

Survey of atheist scientists asks why they go to church

LiveScience: “Why Atheists Celebrate Christmas”

If Jesus is the reason for the season, why do some atheists include church in their celebration of the “winter holiday”? Rice University sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund surveyed science faculty from “elite U.S. research universities,” and found half of the 2,198 surveyed considered themselves religious. Her research has appeared in the journal Sociology of Religion and the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. Ecklund’s findings concerning atheist parents surprised her and should remind Christians and Christian churches of our responsibilities, especially at Christmas.

“Our research shows just how tightly linked religion and family are in U.S. society — so much so that even some of society's least religious people find religion to be important in their private lives,” said Ecklund.

Taking a closer look at a sample of atheists, Ecklund found 17 percent attend a religious service more than once a year. Religious institutions varied and included churches, mosques, and temples. Their reasons included the desire for a sense of community and the willingness to please a spouse. This finding is not surprising, as religious rituals divested of actual belief are not uncommon.

Many atheist scientists took their children to religious services so they could “make up their own minds about God and spirituality.”
Ecklund was surprised, however, to find many atheist scientists took their children to religious services so they could “make up their own minds about God and spirituality.” “We thought that these individuals might be less inclined to introduce their children to religious traditions, but we found the exact opposite to be true,” Ecklund said. “They want their children to have choices, and it is more consistent with their science identity to expose their children to all sources of knowledge.”

For instance, one scientist surveyed rejected his own Catholic upbringing but takes his daughter to a smorgasbord of religious services including Christian, Islamic, and Buddhist. He said, “I … don't indoctrinate her that she should believe in God. I don't indoctrinate her into not believing in God.”

Some people are unconvinced truth actually exists and accept the fallacy that mutually exclusive things—like various choices for who is the one true God—can be simultaneously true. And many such people wish to raise their children without “forcing religion” on them, as if true belief could be forced on anyone.

But real choices require real information—real answers. Exposing children to a religious menu does not offer them a fair choice. Unfortunately, as detailed in Ken Ham’s co-authored book Already Gone, many churches fail to offer any more answers than an atheist parent conducting a tour of local religious establishments. When children and adults enter our Christian churches, they need to hear the Bible’s answers to life’s hard questions about sin and suffering and death. They need to be shown science and history are consistent with God’s Word. They need to understand why they should trust the Creator God of the Bible. If we fail to provide these answers, then we fail in our mission to reach the world for Jesus Christ because we fail to tell people why He came and died.

What about Christmas? Many people visit church only at a holiday. Amid the festivities and musical programs of the Christmas season, shame on us as Christians and as churches if we fail to explain why Jesus Christ came into this world. Christ was born into real history, and we should present that history so children and adults—even holiday visitors—will see how, from the time of Adam’s rebellion 6,000 years ago until Jesus was born in Bethlehem, God was preparing the world to receive—and crucify—His Son to pay the price for our sin. If we only tell visitors about the sweet babe in the manger and don’t tell them why He came to die and how each of us needs the salvation He offers, then we miss the opportunity of a lifetime. We may in fact miss the opportunity to influence someone’s life for all eternity. As Charles Dickens wrote in A Christmas Carol, “No space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused.”

OLAADEGBU:


https://answersingenesis.org/world-religions/atheism/atheists-christmas-why-celebrate-holiday/

OLAADEGBU:


https://answersingenesis.org/world-religions/atheism/atheists-christmas-why-celebrate-holiday/

MaxInDHouse:
People love to celebrate whatever comes with food and gifts it's obedience they won't accept so whether you claim to be a believer or atheist as long as you're not obedient to those teaching you God's word there's no difference.

"Christmas is IDOLATRY" says Kumuyi your pastor!

OLAADEGBU:


https://answersingenesis.org/world-religions/atheism/atheists-christmas-why-celebrate-holiday/

Maynman:
Before Christianity was created, there was Christmas.

In the Julian Calendar used by the Roman Empire, the winter solstice occurred around December 25.

jaephoenix:

To remain a christian, one has to be excessively ignorant.

jaephoenix:

As usual, a potpourri of beautiful bullshit.
Christians have 2 major holidays, right? Do you know their histories? If you do, y'all wont celebrate them. Easter and Christmas are pagan celebrations and their origins started with sacrifices to their gods. The Romans came in and converted them to Christian holidays after Christianity became their state religion. Some Christian denominations even know this and refuse to celebrate them. Like JW etc. Do your research yourself. I don't want to post links cos I know you won't read them.
The OP said sciences and history are consistent with the Babble. How? Most babble events aren't captured in history, from Egyptian enslavement of Israel to mass resurrection during Jesus death. Also science refutes Creationism
Hogwash!

Maynman:
Before Christianity was created, there was Christmas.

In the Julian Calendar used by the Roman Empire, the winter solstice occurred around December 25.

jaephoenix:

To remain a christian, one has to be excessively ignorant.

Maynman:


Why are you contradicting yourself?
Which "Christmas" over 2000 years ago are you talking about, the one the bible didn't talk about?

OLAADEGBU:


Your guess is as good as mine.

Maynman:

I asked a question, you can't read?

What century did the "pagans" took Christmas which was already a widespread festival?

"Before Christianity was created, there was Christmas.

In the Julian Calendar used by the Roman Empire, the winter solstice occurred around December 25."

OLAADEGBU:


When was the first Christmas?

Maynman:


When did the worship of Sol Invictus start?

OLAADEGBU:


Who is talking about your satanic worship?

OLAADEGBU:

Maynman:

You lack knowledge on your festival, yahweh worshipper 🤦🏾‍♂️

"Pagan Temple, Sol Invictus, built by Emperor Aurelian (AD 270-275) and Saturnalia was part of Sol Invictus worship. Since the ancients were primarily agrarian, they celebrated the Roman gods of agriculture during the Winter Solstice (Saturnalia) in December."

OLAADEGBU:


Speak for your dead gods not mine.

Maynman:


Crosscheck the picture you are sending, not everyone is a believer and empty like you.

Can you show me just ONE early church father or any early church that celebrated Christmas before Constantine 😂

OLAADEGBU:


Why don’t you open a thread about your dead gods and see who else is interested instead of trolling on threads you don’t believe in?

Maynman:


You are the one crying about atheists celebrating Christmas while lacking knowledge on the origin of Christmas.
Basing your life on a dead Jewish man that you read in a book and celebrating his UNKNOWN "birthday"😂
Do you know how crazy that is ? 😂😂

Next time don't mention "atheists" if you are not capable of them.

OLAADEGBU:


Are you an atheist? Address the OP if you think that you're an atheist.

watchwoski:


Well my advice for atheists is that they should repent .The end of the world is near but if some of them says they do not believe in God i can't blame them .Imagine going to church and still seeing some peoples behavior and things they talk about discourages some people from going to church .But go to the church to know God majorly .