from Slate
It is that time of the year again. The Season of goodwill, cheer, frost and a lot of love and Peace on Earth et al et al.
And of celebration. Even if it is not a cultural tradition or a religious one. Through the Friendly Atheist I came across this piece.
The last line says it all.
Sure most celebrations are geared around religious tradition. And sure one can be a non-believer. But why should the celebration be dampened by that.
God is like Santa Claus- I can enjoy it all- including the relgious music - Handel's Messiah is a really gorgeous work of art, religious iconography,. heavily sculpted temples, Sufi music- without "believing " in it. ( After all I do sing Clementine soulfully at "How I missed her" without an iota of feeling for the "real" Clementine). So, we do Christams, and we did Diwali, also Thanksgiving, we will try t remember Eid and the rest- just as we do our birthdays and "other special" days.
I just wonder why do we need to be "different" for the sake of being so. Or creating needless controversy. I was a non-believer in school- propah Catholi School- with prayer every mroning. So while everone prayed. I would stand quietly and think of something else- it was not a problem. I did it during most of the religious chanting at my wedding ceremony too( tell me I am not married, now!).
It is not even about conciliation. Just about being peaceful. I will not submit to people telling me I "must" believe or be saved or have their religious objections drive my life. Bute sure enough I am not going to be a wet blanket in the celebration. or mope and feel left out- of the cheer.
I will not attend a religious function if I can help it, but to socialize, why not?
And as the New Year rolls by I will party, and a week before it I will do a Happy Holidays, Hanukkah, Sphagettimas, Festivus, Solstice, Christmas- all together celebration.
Happiness is a rare, precious commodity and I need all of it to get by, presents anyone- and then we can listen to the Disney Christmas Carols.
