Ritual practices based on religion

[Chrawnus]

I know a guy who fits this description. He doesn't believe in God, but he keeps the outward forms because he's Jewish, and that's what Jews do.

"y u no let dead threads stay dead?!" - ლ(ಠ_ಠლ)

[lilpixieofterror]

Oh noes run for your lives! A zombie thread has rose from the dead to eat all of our brains.

[headheart]

I think that OBP watched the Family Guy triple play and thinks it's Christmas time again.

[One Bad Pig]

This one wasn't dead all that long.

[lilpixieofterror]

This one wasn't dead all that long.

Yep, only two years. You're slipping.

[headheart]

Pig,
Did you know that Dr. Carson's mentor almost fit your description to the 't' except that the guy was a Roman Catholic?
Eric.

[One Bad Pig]

Pig,
Did you know that Dr. Carson's mentor almost fit your description to the 't' except that the guy was a Roman Catholic?
Eric.

No, I didn't. I know there are plenty of Roman Catholics who do just enough to be confirmed, and don't come back except for marriage and burial, and all groups of Christendom seem to have markedly higher attendance at Christmas and Easter.

[headheart]

No, I didn't. I know there are plenty of Roman Catholics who do just enough to be confirmed, and don't come back except for marriage and burial, and all groups of Christendom seem to have markedly higher attendance at Christmas and Easter.

I think he talks about it on 'Sacred and Sure' (4 part series) at bethinking.org. From what I recall he spent quite a few months going backward and forward with letters just to be accepted to do his doctorate and was repeatedly denied by a guy who didn't believe in much of the New Testament but still partook in the Eucharist. Once this fact became apparent and part of their letters the doorway opened and he got to do be mentored with one of the best scholars possible.

Peace,
Eric

[shunyadragon]

I think that most atheists on this board were originally Christian. I was wondering if any of you continue with rituals and observances from your old religion? Such as decorating your homes with lights or putting up a tree during xmas, buying chocolate bunnies during easter, dress up in costume in October, or celebrating a new year on January 1?

I began to observe it more for the Pagan New Year as it originally was on December 21st when left the Roman Church and Christianity. Likewise, I believe most atheists do not have any illusions of celebrating the Birth of Christ.

[Tanakh Keeper]

Several of them said they still do some stuff for family relationship reasons.

[Cow Poke]

Several of them said they still do some stuff for family relationship reasons.

We had a Jew who was in charge of our "events" for our Company. She was the ONLY ONE of 800 people who protested us calling our "Christmas Party" a "Christmas Party". But since she was in charge of events, she's the one who designed and printed the "Holiday Party" invitations and announcements.

She would get SO FRUSTRATED when so many of us would RSVP to the CHRISTMAS PARTY instead of the Holiday Party.

And we didn't do it because she was a Jew -- I had been to Synagogue in the prior 12 years more than she had -- we did it because we loved her.

[Tanakh Keeper]

I used to get upset over stuff like that too, but not anymore. I enjoy the company celebrations with everyone, drink the eggnog, and do the gift exchanges. As several atheists have pointed out in this thread, none of these things are religious. It's just office fun with a theme.

For the past two xmas office celebrations, I helped out with hanging the wreathes and tinsel. But, hey! I draw the line at hanging up crucifixes.

[Cow Poke]

I used to get upset over stuff like that too, but not anymore. I enjoy the company celebrations with everyone, drink the eggnog, and do the gift exchanges. As several atheists have pointed out in this thread, none of these things are religious. It's just office fun with a theme.

Yeah, I think we talked once about my friend at the local radio station who (jokingly) offered to rent himself out as the "unoffended Jew" to attend Christmas parties and "drink your booze and eat your goodies"... and he even kept saying he was going to start a website - unoffendedJew.com!

For the past two xmas office celebrations, I helped out with hanging the wreathes and tinsel. But, hey! I draw the line at hanging up crucifixes.

Our Church doesn't use crucifixes -- just crosses. And you could pretend they were "plus signs".

[Tanakh Keeper]

Ewww...the sight of that figure hanging on the PLUS sign grosses me out!

[Cow Poke]

Ewww...the sight of that figure hanging on the PLUS sign grosses me out!

Maybe you missed it... we use crosses, not crucifixes, because we believe (and emphasize) that Christ is RISEN, and is not on the cross. I don't think you'll find many crucifixes in a Baptist Church, unless they're in the pockets or purses of visiting Catholics. Our crosses are "empty", just like "the tomb".

But I would definitely enjoy having you at our Christmas Party, TK!