Posted on 12/08/2013 8:34:26 AM PST by Kaslin
Why do some atheists embarrass themselves year after year trying to eradicate Christmas from American culture? Why do they make themselves societal hemorrhoids during this hallowed season? Is it because they are crusaders for equality, secularism’s saviors and humanism’s heroes? I’m sure that’s what they tell themselves when they’re pouting on their couches all alone on Christmas Eve after every single one of their friends has dumped them for being a rabid jackass.
I believe, however—and I could be wrong—that the reason some rage against the machine is that they hate God and love their sin, and bringing up Jesus in December is not the way they wanted to finish off the year. Indeed, Christ really rains on their parade … and they love their parade.
Christmas, if you really get down to the brass tacks of it, isn’t about reindeer, elves, iPhones or Lindsay Lohan punching a gypsy, but about mankind’s sin problem and what God did to remedy it by sending His Son.
I know the chief facet most people focus on regarding Christ’s birth has been the peace on earth and good will toward men stuff, but if you dig around in the gospels a tad you’ll quickly see that the “peace on earth” thing is an ancillary perk to the main reason the second person of the godhead donned an earth suit and decided to hang out with us dunderheads. The core cause that necessitated Jesus’ incarnation was our jacked up carnality.
Yep, Hambone, it was our sin. There, I said it. Sin. Yours, mine and ours.
Transgression was the reason for the season.
This is why El Diablo didn’t pass out cigars at Jesus’ birth. Happy he was not that the Son was not only going to address our sins but He was going to eternally and temporally salvage those who believe from sin’s fetid effects. This is why slewfoot energized Herod to put a hit out on the Nazarene when He was a wee little baby and why Satan’s demon inspired ilk are anti-Christmas to this day. Jesus’ birth equated to Satan’s demise.
This is not good news to some, though. Indeed, many atheists are up front about it and don’t want to leave their wantonness. As Jesus Himself said, they prefer darkness to light and don’t like to be reminded of their personal accountability for their sin—and thus their need for salvation—and therefore we should not expect them to be stoked about Jesus’ birthday party.
This is easy math, folks: A person who has no remorse and thus no desire to repent from their sins is probably not going to be a big advocate for the celebration of the person who reminds them they’re wrong and calls them to repent and believe.
Call me goofy, but I’m forever grateful for Jesus’ birth, His attesting miracles, His sacrificial death, burial and resurrection. While most atheists this Christmas will be drinking to forget, I will, as Martin Luther said, drink to remember the One who was and is and is to come.
If atheism is a faith, then bald is a hair color.
Not really refutes (disproves) it. The section offers various criticisms, however.
And health is a disease.
This is often referred to as agnostic. Basically saying you are not sure in God's existence and know this existence is improvable.
I think the various criticisms are devastating to the Wager. That being said, Pascal's Wager isn't falsifiable, so aside from being an amusing topic for discussions on the internet, it's not as if it matters.
An agnostic, when asked if they believe if God exists will answer that they don't know, whereas I (a weak atheist) will answer, "I see no reason to believe that It does", with the caveat that I will change my mind if presented with sufficient evidence. A strong atheist answers, "No".
Granted, some see difference between weak and strong atheism as a subtle distinction.
The only thing religious about the various traditions in December is when people go to church and pray. Everything else during December and before and after is a winter festival. Christ mass = go to church. Christmas is only on the 25th in church.
Every holiday ever devised is just another excuse to party, get days off, eat and get fat, get drunk or get gifts.
When I was a young child we attended Church with my Grandparents and of course celebrated Christmas. Before my 2nd grade year we moved away from my Grandparents and stopped attending Church. We still celebrated Christmas, but not with Christ in mind.
As a young adult I paid no attention to religion, and for decades did not celebrate Christmas. I didn’t decorate, put a tree, give gifts or throw parties. I did wish everyone Merry Christmas, but it was more out of respect than anything else. I had no appreciation for the meaning behind the holiday, and the idea of celebrating without knowing Christ felt hypocritical. Christmas for me was a lovely time of year, but it was a holiday for Christians and children, of which I was neither.
A few years ago I came back to Christ, and now I celebrate Christmas with great joy. As someone who has been at both ends of the spectrum insofar as Christmas goes I genuinely don’t understand non-Christians celebrating Christmas. I couldn’t imagine doing that. What are they celebrating?
Sue you?
I think not.
Christians are too decent and charitable to kick party crashers out of a cultural celebration for the birth of an ideal the crashers do not believe in. After all, everyone is invited to the party, even to the moment after death, according to some near death experiences.
But I sure do get weary of snarky entitled comments from party crashers deriding the mentality and motives of the people throwing the party, crashers who insist it is their right to come to the party, even while demanding that the party givers censor the name of Jesus, the guest of honor
After all, isn’t everyone entitled to the decorations, food and gifts?
Lets see atheists come up with some modern day universal celebrations of what they believe in.
Happy Solstice. Happy Winter celebration.
Invite us over to share the joy and awe.
Or whatever.
Because we’re inundated with the worst music, movies, and TV specials in the history of western civilization. Really, Christmas themed entertainment is the worst dreck ever, ruins the whole season.
If just one year Christians decided to make Christmas a season of reflection on Jesus and not a gift giving season the country would be touting Christmas the next year like you wouldn’t believe.
Frankly, I’m tired of people using Christmas to promote their ideological ends, including this guy.
Not exactly, but you are begging a discussion. Let me clarify, I seek to evangelize, if you want to engage me.
Yes it does.
Do you want answers, or "sufficient evidence" or do you want affirmation of your beliefs?
Strictly speaking, I don't have a "belief" on this subject, but rather a lack of belief. In any case, I'm always open to verifiable scientific evidence on any subject.
Sounds like a plan!
The giving and receiving of presents. Christmas lights. Christmas music. Time with family.
It's fun.
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