Why We Don't Celebrate Christmas
If you have perspectives you would like to contribute, especially to replace those below that only have links, please see contact page
Jewish Perspectives (why assuming can be offensive)
There are many aspects to why it can be offensive for a gentile to assume a Jew celebrates Christmas, and especially to convey this to them either intentionally or incidentally:
- pressure of assimilation (what's wrong with us how we are?)
- practice of being considered the "other" (it doesn't feel good to feel like an outsider)
- forced conversions and expulsions (1800 years is more than enough!)
- pogroms (massacres) scheduled or perpetrated on Christian holidays (please don't remind us!)
The fact that we have been persecuted and disdained by some folks who have celebrated Christmas during various periods in history does not always make us feel comfortable, safe or included when folks who celebrate Christmas now assume that we wish to be part of their festivities, or even more so when someone express their sadness, disappointment, disapproval or disdain when they discover that in fact, no, we do not celebrate Christmas in any way; for many of us it is only December 25th.
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There are of course Jews who do celebrate Christmas, but even knowing this it is still never a good idea to assume that we do - for those of us who do not it can be very upsetting to be locked under this assumption, and it often makes us feel excluded, even if the intention of the assumer was to make us feel included. The good news is, if you have ever assumed and conveyed to a Jew in the past that of course they must celebrate Christmas, do not despair, we will most likely forgive you if you make even a small effort to indicate to us your mistake.
Muslim Perspectives
Christian Perspectives
Atheist Perspectives
I see Christmas as a largely secular holiday. By that, I mean that most people who celebrate Christmas in the U.S. are not focused on the birth of Jesus but are more focused on gift-giving, eating sweets, decorating their homes, and having social gatherings. Most of my social circle, with the exception of some Jewish friends, celebrate Christmas. By nature, I am ill at ease celebrating any type of holiday, and Christmas is no exception. I am especially uncomfortable selecting gifts for people, and for the past 25 years I have mostly chosen not to give gifts at Christmas, even to those who give gifts to me. This used to cause me discomfort but it no longer does. I also especially dislike gatherings on Christmas Day, but I usually accept invitations from my family to attend Christmas Day gatherings because it is a rare opportunity to connect with relatives and because there is so much pressure to attend. I feel cranky about the ubiquitous Christmas music and commercialism. However, I do enjoy the decorative lights in the dark Seattle days and sometimes put up a few small lights in my home
Perhaps contrary to all of the above, in the days just before Christmas, and also on Christmas day itself, I generally say "Merry Christmas" when parting ways with someone, whether friend or stranger. Even though I am ill at ease with many of the trappings of Christmas, it gives me joy to say this greeting. My intention in saying this is, "Whether or not this day has special meaning for us, it is undoubtedly a shared Western cultural experience, one that you and I share, and I wish you happiness on this day." I despise the greeting "Happy Holidays". I think Happy Holidays is "Merry Christmas" with brown paper wrapped around it to attempt to make it unoffensive to Jews. Everyone knows that the only reason we have a "holiday season" with days off of work, big parties, and garish decorations is because of Christmas; Hanukkah and Solstice just happen to be nearby on the calendar. However, if I know someone is Jewish or Muslim, I will not say Merry Christmas because I am unwilling to bear their possible angry reaction. Instead, I just feel awkward and say something neutral like, "Good evening". I do not argue that any of this makes sense.
Terry Farrah
Seattle, Washington, USA
Other Atheist Perspectives:
.I'm an atheist and anti-consumerist, which makes Christmas pretty difficult
Some Atheists Do Not Celebrate Christmas
This Is Atheists’ Alternative Christmas ‘Holiday’ That Rejects ‘Supernatural Religious Beliefs’
Perhaps contrary to all of the above, in the days just before Christmas, and also on Christmas day itself, I generally say "Merry Christmas" when parting ways with someone, whether friend or stranger. Even though I am ill at ease with many of the trappings of Christmas, it gives me joy to say this greeting. My intention in saying this is, "Whether or not this day has special meaning for us, it is undoubtedly a shared Western cultural experience, one that you and I share, and I wish you happiness on this day." I despise the greeting "Happy Holidays". I think Happy Holidays is "Merry Christmas" with brown paper wrapped around it to attempt to make it unoffensive to Jews. Everyone knows that the only reason we have a "holiday season" with days off of work, big parties, and garish decorations is because of Christmas; Hanukkah and Solstice just happen to be nearby on the calendar. However, if I know someone is Jewish or Muslim, I will not say Merry Christmas because I am unwilling to bear their possible angry reaction. Instead, I just feel awkward and say something neutral like, "Good evening". I do not argue that any of this makes sense.
Terry Farrah
Seattle, Washington, USA
Other Atheist Perspectives:
.I'm an atheist and anti-consumerist, which makes Christmas pretty difficult
Some Atheists Do Not Celebrate Christmas
This Is Atheists’ Alternative Christmas ‘Holiday’ That Rejects ‘Supernatural Religious Beliefs’