I too am a non believer(not sure believer????) of Christian(RC) descent. I do not call myself an atheist as I do not believe I can know with any more certainty than those of faith can know that, as a demonstrable fact.
I too celebrate Christmas. those who do not believe I should do that....can sue me.
Keep in mind there's more than one variety of athiesm. "Weak" atheism is simply a lack of faith in a deity: "I have no belief in a God or gods, but I do not affirm that it or they do not exist".
Whereas "strong" atheism is a positive affirmation: "I assert that there is not a God or gods".
I subscribe to the former, not the latter. Actually, ignosticism might describe my thoughts on the matter more accurately:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignosticism
Ignosticism is the view that a coherent definition of a given religious term or theological concept must be presented before the question of the existence or nature of said term can be meaningfully discussed. Furthermore, if that definition is unfalsifiable, the ignostic takes the theological noncognitivist position that the question of the existence or nature referred to by the term, for the given definition, is meaningless.
I am Christian and empathize! There is no way that I can prove God exists nor any way an atheist can prove that He does not exist. So both believer and non-believer are bound to taking a leap of faith in their declarations.
Just curious. Since you state that you are a "non-believer," just what is it that you are 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.