Should an atheist get Christmas presents?
 

As you may know, my daughter is living with us and today she said again that she can't wait for Christmas and she wants a laptop.... 1) what makes her think we can spend $300.00+ on her present and 2) should she get presents just because everyone else does? That's the question of the day.
She says all the time that there is no God and all religion is made up.

Thanks for your replies. Talk to ya soon.

I guess it depends on whether your concept of Christmas is about giving or receiving. Law or grace.

I vote yes it is okay to give an atheist gifts so long as they are okay with it and you are okay with it. People approach atheism differently. Some atheists appreciate the tradition that goes along with Christmas and other religious based holiday. Some atheists would view it as hypocritical to participate in the the tradition.

I voted no. It's just my personal belief. But......I think Christmas has gotten waaaaaay too commercial. Way too much. Christmas isn't about getting presents. It's about the birth of Christ. We (Christians) should be celebrating that on Christmas. Other religions have specific dates that they celebrate specific things on.....and there doesn't seem to be a big hoopla about that.

Can I say "thanks for this" more than once?! :D

What is the religious reason for gift giving on xmas?

What religious tradition does it follow? What does it mean to give a gift on xmas? Is it a more holy gift, have a larger significance?

And what role does Santa play in this? I know Santa is not religious but your granddaughter is so young. Will you take her to have her picture with the red suit guy?

Earl, how do you feel? Have you ever given a xmas gift because it is the "season of giving?"

As a kind of atheist, who may or may not find religion in a foxhole or jail (hope and think I'll never be in either), I embrace Christmas as a be nice holiday. Religion does not equal morality to me. My kids were brought up with no religion, we do a tree, when they were little the whole Santa thing and I really like egg-nog and Rum. I respect the beliefs of others but that doesn't mean I am that too.

Some of the kindest and best people I read are religious ( Kitty and B2Y) for instance or Atheists (Bets. Arrcyn?). At home, we spin the Dreidel, put up a tree and drink egg-nog with rum (like a million calories!). I like potato pancakes. Nice- nice counts. Presents are fun, I like them. Who doesn't?

:) I think it's wonderful that we can all have differing views and understand and accept them all.....regardless of personal or religious beliefs. I think we're all nice! And I think that speaks volumes! :)

FWIW, I was raised a Christian, but lately, I find myself believing that morality and spirituality aren't about fancy buildings and elaborate ceremonies, but instead are about trying to live right and do right towards others. I don't think that makes me atheist or agnostic, but I definitely place less value in organized religion than I used to.

I guess the answer depends on why you are giving the presents. Are you giving them to reward others for behaving well? Are you giving them only to other Christians? Or are you giving them because you are getting into the spirit of giving that comes from the season? I personally wouldn't withhold a gift just because somebody was atheist or agnostic.

If you don't like them "requesting" gifts that are more than you can afford to give, you might go about setting a "gift limit" in the family so that nobody has unrealistic expectations about what they might get (or be expected to give).