Suck it, past-version of me! I only let ~320 days pass in between updates! I am not going to bother with the math because no one has a gun to my head.
Today brings you the very exciting world of an Atheist during the Holidays. The modern term obviously comes from the old English word hāligdæg (hālig "holy" + dæg "day") for all those who study useless trivia [for the rest of us, Wikipedia provides]. Holidays in the USA can refer to nearly any federal holiday, but 'The Holidays' almost universally refers to the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas. People put up bizarre displays, become annoyingly cheerful, and start cultural wars over Nativity Scenes.
Everything that follows is my own opinion, but I would be surprised if it wasn't shared by a majority of the silent Atheist community.
I am not offended by someone wishing me a 'Merry Christmas'. Nor do I care if they wish me a generic 'Happy Holidays'. In both cases it's fairly easy to guess the underlying sentiment (please leave my store/abode without stabbing me) and to take it with a smile. I *am* offended when *either* side attempts to force other people to use their own wording of the sentiment, or when someone gets offended at their casual remark being greeted by the other.
I get that Christians are super excited about their history this time of year. I also get that a growing number of people lack any declared faith and just want to enjoy this month without getting preached at every time they turn around. Look, until I am forced to sit through a nativity play at gunpoint,I am willing to give a truly neutral statement to both camps: The same for you. It's impossible to find offense with, and leaves everyone feeling moderately happy.
Similarly, I could care less about a Xmas tree with religious connotations or a nativity scene being erected in public places. If I actually cared enough, I could reserve similar spaces to produce my 12 hour long screed about the All Powerful Atheismo. My only objection becomes if there is public money placed into these actions.
Why do I draw the line there? Well, it's time for a culture flip. Let's suppose you found out tonight that your local Islamic community had staked out space in the 'town square' for a dramatization of the Prophet's early life. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say that most of you would go 'meh' or even 'good for them' (I'll regret giving you that benefit of the doubt, won't I?). Now suppose you found out that your town council had given $10k to make the production happen.
I'd be fairly pissed off at that. Those are *my* tax dollars proselytizing uselessly. I didn't work that hard, and pay a total of $41 per year in local taxes, for my money to support a religion I didn't believe in.
Now re-read the last two paragraphs and insert your own religion for Islam. That is why I am opposed to public funding for religious Holiday events. If you are a follower of Islam, replace Islam with All Powerful Atheismo.
Finally, my own take on the two culturally prevalent holidays this time of year (sorry, I can't compare everything that falls in this window in one post).
Thanksgiving: My preferred name is Thankstaking. First, it's a cheap laugh at a simple inversion. Second, the name is fundamentally misleading. People talk about how thankful they are for the things they have received over the last year, and proceed to stuff themselves with food. Thanksgiving would seem from it's name to being thankful for the opportunity to give to others. I have a ton of respect for the minority who truly live this holiday as it is named - the people who gift food to the poor, their time to a kitchen, etc.
Christmas: Thanks to Futurama, this will always be X-Mas in my mind. Trailing slightly behind is my annual gift request email title 'Happy Atheist Gift Day' which involves some unwritten rules: receive more in useful $ value than you spent, with the twist that you average over multiple years (so giving crappy gifts one year will hurt your long term standings).
Bourbon count: 5
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