Christmas is one time I allow myself to try to all-out 'hark back', not to
any religious or ideological basis for yuletide, but to the memories that
amount to a warm, love-infused nostalgia & a time when we are the least
alone, even if it's in >being< alone. that's all I need from this particular
holiday, or any holiday.
sorry to sidetrack
KS
2008/12/3 andrew burke <[log in to unmask]>
> 'If I affirmed my beliefs here thrice yearly the way other people affirm
> their atheism, I'd be drawn and quartered.' Kenneth
>
> Well, as atheists, we don't have a forum in which to celebrate our beliefs,
> or the ceremonies and such which go back to ancient times. So, we do speak
> in public sometimes about our beliefs in a public forum (or post-private
> list). Interesyting that you mention this: I think about it as Christmas
> comes up. Some of my clan are Bahai and don't celebrate Christmas, and my
> dislike of commercialism has led me to shy away too as I no longer believe
> the religious basis of the occasion. Perhaps I will celebrate a la Harvest
> Fest or somesuch. Or simply celebrate the human spirit - not the vengeful
> kind, but the positive loving kind. (It's just a matter of emphasis.)
> That's
> the Higher Power I base my hope on.
>
> Andrew
>
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