This wasn't supposed to come off sarcastic or anything. If you knew me you would know I'm pretty religious, but whatever maybe that's why it got downvoted.
Since we have this day off because it is a Christian high holy day, and since Christianity was the primary religion of our civilization for the last 1,700 years or so, I don't have any problems celebrating Christmas as an unbeliever. I even went to a Christmas service and listened to some solid carol performances and a nice little speech by a priest. It makes me feel connected with my history.
For somewhere around 1,500 years (since the Christians co-opted Christmas), people have been doing almost exactly the same thing on December 25th. That's kind of cool to think about and participate in.
On the down side, it makes me realize just how radical the coming post-religious world is. This is going to be a century that is more eventful than we would probably like.
We've been through several anti-religious periods in history, so I doubt we're anywhere near "post-religious". The arguments today are basically the same as two hundred years ago.
I'm with you that it is interesting and pleasurable to participate in historical traditions and ceremonies revolving around religion/philosophy -- as long as no coercion is involved. And it isn't.
Most of western thought came out of either Athens or Jerusalem (or a combination of the two). It's neat to see what parts of modern thought are still in various religious traditions and vice-versa.
As the time comes for sharing and giving of special gifts to our beloved ones and even to the neighborhood, we are also having the chance to forgive people we used to feel bad before. What could be our minor problems regarding the season holiday and celebration? A lot of people are really fed up with the commercial aspect of Christmas. The decorating and advertising for it begins earlier and earlier every year. If it ever gets to the point where we start advertising for Christmas right after New Years, I am going to swear Christmas off forever, and I'm going to start celebrating Festivus. I remember seeing the episode of Seinfeld on TV, where they describe the made up holiday. That is starting to hit pretty close to home every year with that Christmas stuff starting earlier and earlier. . For more about The Festivus for the Rest of Us, check out this article on the <a> http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2008/12/23/the-festi...;
Not a pointer was dangling, the place was a hack
The coders were all zonkered and crashed out on couches
With their screens all dimmed out and hands on their mouses
And I in my Code Monkey Shirt, and Maw in her cap
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap
When out on the quad there arose such a clatter
I sprang to the window to see what's the matter
When what to my wondering eyes did appear
But PG riding a sleigh, and giving out free gear!
That's all I got folks -- it's late and time to do the dad duties before sacking out. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!