I grew up culturally Christian,* but with a strong dash of Pagan thrown in, even before I knew there was such a thing as the Neo-Pagan movement; I think I was no older than 7 or 8 when my mother explained that the reason we celebrate Christmas at this time of year was because of the Winter Solstice, and that's why we have wreaths and trees and yule fires and give gifts.
In my late adolescence / early youth, I went all the way into polytheistic neo-paganism. But ever since then, I've been coming to realize I don't believe in any deity in any way that is described in any religion I've encounted so far -- I do have my own beliefs, but if I try to describe them, most people would say "that's not a god." So I'm just calling myself atheist, these days, to keep things simple(r).
As for "Non-Christians, keep away from Christmas"? Boy, that is a humbug (translation: "nonsense")! In early Christianity, "Christe mass" was a minor holiday. Easter was the biggie. December 25th only became big after Christian missionaries encountered other cultures, who were already celebrating the day. The fact that Chanukah is also celebrated at this time of year is a coincidence, but is also older than Christmas. Keep away from your holiday, Kiellor? Ahem. Non-Christians were here first! So either play nice, or go away, yourself.
*("un-programed" Quaker, which is silent meditation, and, in my family, at least, not at all Christ-centric)
no subject
In my late adolescence / early youth, I went all the way into polytheistic neo-paganism. But ever since then, I've been coming to realize I don't believe in any deity in any way that is described in any religion I've encounted so far -- I do have my own beliefs, but if I try to describe them, most people would say "that's not a god." So I'm just calling myself atheist, these days, to keep things simple(r).
As for "Non-Christians, keep away from Christmas"? Boy, that is a humbug (translation: "nonsense")! In early Christianity, "Christe mass" was a minor holiday. Easter was the biggie. December 25th only became big after Christian missionaries encountered other cultures, who were already celebrating the day. The fact that Chanukah is also celebrated at this time of year is a coincidence, but is also older than Christmas. Keep away from your holiday, Kiellor? Ahem. Non-Christians were here first! So either play nice, or go away, yourself.
*("un-programed" Quaker, which is silent meditation, and, in my family, at least, not at all Christ-centric)