how to explain christmas to a child without religion
Bartkowski said there are many ways to pursue well-rounded development, and religion is only one avenue. What Should Atheist Parents Do for Their Children? The most secular aspect of the Christmas holidays is surely the most prominent one as well: the extensive commercialization that no one can entirely escape. Religious References on the Definition of Religion. Or any other holiday that might be based in religion, but still has traditions that don't require adherence to a specific doctrine. Introduce your child to our awesome God. Cline, Austin. Austin Cline, a former regional director for the Council for Secular Humanism, writes and lectures extensively about atheism and agnosticism. You of course may then have to answer the question, "Why, Mummy, do you celebrate something you don't believe in?". (2020, August 27). I struggle with that. If you have older children or teens and haven't celebrated a very Christian Christmas before they aren't going to understand the change. When talking about Jesus, I … But while over 90% of people in the U.S. celebrate Christmas, with over two-thirds having somewhat or strongly religious observances, it’s important to recognize—especially in the workplace—that there are non-Christian festivities also taking place at this … Wary of being attacked in the street, they took refuge in their homes, playing cards or chess with their families. The Holy Family, Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus ©. If you want non-religious songs at Christmas, there are plenty to choose from. These can conflict with Ramadan or Diwali. So if you want to celebrate Christmas, you can do so without religion. It's popular to talk about the "Christmas Spirit" during the holiday season, a reference to a spirit of good will, altruism, and generosity. Answer: No one created God- He always existed and depends on no one to sustain His life. The child hadn't asked how the baby gets there, yet this is what so many parents go on to explain to a very confused two-year-old. Cline, Austin. Originally derived from pagan religious celebrations in Europe, the Christmas Tree was adopted by Christianity but never entirely at home in it. He's very young, and you're doing what a lot of parents do. I know, you'll be lucky if you get away with just that, but at some point you are going to have to explain to your son things that you know very little about, don't believe in, don't approve of or that involve other people's beliefs or prejudices. How to Celebrate Christmas if You're Nonreligious. Or wait for him to ask questions and answer them simply and factually – and remember, answer just the question. My children, aged 7 and 4 are essentially being raised atheist. What Do Atheists Do During Christmas Holidays? Baptism is the first holy sacrament followed by: Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the sick, Marriage and […] Retailers start encouraging people to buy gifts, decorations, cards, and other associated items starting as early as Halloween and the pressure continues right through the after-Christmas sales. The most popular symbol of Christmas, except perhaps for Santa Claus, may also be the least Christian: the Christmas tree. Because it is a birthday. But you also need to consider if your own feelings of discomfort may be coloring your words. Instead, decorate it with colors and ornaments that are important to you personally. Each week, explain and discuss one of God’s attributes, names, or character traits. By remaining honest—and not reaching for fairy tales—you can help your child develop a healthy relationship with the human body, pregnancy, and sex. That's largely a development of modern secular culture which Christian charities are benefiting from. You know your child best and have an instinctive sense of what he or she is able to handle. By the way, if you get to the point where you are wondering if you should encourage your son to believe in a white-bearded character dressed in red, you may find my column of last year (theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/dec/06/family-problems-solved-father-christmas) helpful. And if you're struggling with something as benign as Christmas, how are you going to deal with the questions that will inevitably come, about war, say? Cline, Austin. You can still explain that this other child doesn’t believe in Christmas but it shouldn’t keep your child from showing their feelings toward a … Learn Religions, Aug. 27, 2020, learnreligions.com/we-wish-you-a-godless-xmas-249576. That is another reason that people who aren't religious celebrate Christmas; bringing joy to others in a stressful time. 4) Plan a project of good will this Christmas. "Celebrating Christmas Without Religion." https://www.learnreligions.com/we-wish-you-a-godless-xmas-249576 (accessed March 7, 2021). Explain why it's … Just knowing that you're making someone happy should be the best gift. So, taking Christmas. Pope Francis blesses a child as he arrives to lead the Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter’s square at the Vatican, on June 13, 2018. This is why you get otherwise sane people sweating at the question, "Where do babies come from?" My kids love Easter. “Don’t be silly,” says my … You are God without beginning or end (Psalm 90:1-2). Sooner or later you are going to have to face the fact that Christmas is a religious event. That can just be a part of the overall way you are bringing him up. 12. You can either get in there first by reading some children's Christmas books together. According to a February 2008 survey by the Pew Forum, 16.1 percent of Americans are unaffiliated with any faith. But remember – and I say this because I sense some non-religious baggage coming from you – your son will be coming to this fresh and new, with an open mind. So for "What is Christmas? There are lots of special foods that appear during the Christmas season and there is nothing religious about them. While there are many ways to celebrate Christmas in a Christian manner, the simple fact is that there are many important elements to popular Christmas celebrations which have nothing whatsoever to do with religion or Christianity. Some may give religious gifts and/or use religious wrapping paper, but there is no need to do so.