Check in if you are an atheist who DOES say "Merry Christmas" to people.

[Binkie The Clown]

It's a cultural thing with me. I like making people happy and wishing them well in a way they can relate to.

Does that mean I'm a hypocrite? Or does it my I've learned to play well with others?

[Behind the Aegis]

1. Yup.

If I know the person's religion, I adapt. Usually, I say "Happy Holidays."

Jewish atheist.

[Freelancer]

2. Yes, I wish "Merry Christmas" Happy new solar year!

Last edited Thu Dec 22, 2016, 11:55 AM - Edit history (1)

From the seething dross of Germanic paganism, Christianity and Madison Avenue''s Mammon worship arose one great thing -- CHRISTMAS!

[FiveGoodMen]

3. Certainly

(But I do think merry xmas in my head)

[Ron Obvious]

4. Raises hand

I've always considered Christmas secular anyway, despite the name. Decorating a tree and putting up wreaths and plastic snowmen are clearly pagan anyway, and celebrate the ending of the dark days of winter and the return of the sun.

[Heddi]

5. I say Happy Holidays because I'm an RN, and many of my patients are non-Christian

I *generally* don't say anything because a large portion of my patients are Jehovah's Witness, and therefore they don't celebrate any holidays. If I'm told to have a good Christmas, I respond with "have a good Holidays yourself," as pre-end of November that will encompass T'giving, Christmas, and New Years. I still say "happy holidays" after t'giving because it covers Xmas and New Year.

I guess I am not the person who ever is the first one to tell someone (whom I don't know personally) to have a good ____ (holdiay, christmas, whatever). I wait for the person I'm with to open, and I respond with something generic (happy holidays), or even more generic (thanks! You too).

[Kolesar]

13. Lots-o-Jews around Cleveland and especially Beachwood

I am glad that the convention here is to say Happy Holidays.
Even the obvious Catholics and Protestants don't get uptight about it.

[awoke_in_2003]

6. I do...

it is almost reflex, kind of like "bless you" after someone sneezes.

[Kolesar]

14. I went to a Wedding-Mass and reflexively whipped off a "sign of the cross" when everybody else did

I felt stupid. At least I don't reflexively seig heil salute the boss.
And it's wedding mass, not "mass wedding".

[Brainstormy]

7. Of course I do

I say both.

[sakabatou]

8. Yep

[mountain grammy]

9. Yes!

[Duppers]

10. Sure do.

It's just a traditional thing. All my many fb atheists friends also wish others a Merry Christmas.

No big deal.

[frogmarch]

11. I always have, and I

now make a point of saying it because it irks the people who know I'm an atheist. How dare I, a heathen, lay claim to their special holiday, the birthday of their Little Lord Jesus?

[warmfeet]

12. Yeah. Have for a long time.

It's just something to say. Much like, "how ya doing buddy." I only do it if they say it first, however.