I want to elaborate on what I think about the whole Xmas season. Despite my efforts to enjoy myself, and beyond the 10 things I like about the season about which I wrote a few days ago, I dislike the season.I don’t celebrate life during Xmas, I tolerate it. I can’t go anywhere or do anything without Xmas being involved. I see Jews, Muslims, and Atheists with Xmas trees, pretending they are “Chanukah bushes” (nonexistent) or “Solstice trees” (outdated and also religious), which they do JUST to fit in. It should not be.Chanukah, the Jewish holiday that is so small and insignificant that even Orthodox Jews work during it’s full course, has become major just to be the Jewish version of Xmas. Since my wife is Jewish-by-religion, we light candles and give way-too-many presents to my daughter, just so she doesn’t feel left out. It should not be.Don’t get me wrong, I love the parties and I love the eggnog (especially with Capt Morgans), I just feel like it’s required. It’s mandatory, coerced celebration. Forced fun. I guess there are worse things in life. See you at the solstice party… and the Chinese restaurant.

AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.http://www.atheists.orghttp://www.americanatheist.orgFor more information, please contact:Ellen Johnson, President (908) 276-7300Dave Silverman, Communications Director (732) 648-9333′TIS THE SEASON, EVEN FOR THE GODLESS ~ MANY ATHEISTS AND OTHERNONBELIEVERS CELEBRATE WINTER SOLSTICEJust what is an Atheist to do during the “Christmas” time? Nonbelievers– a segment of the American demographic landscape which comprises up to13% of the population (that’s nearly 30 million people!) — face thisdilemma during the so-called Christmas season. Among their ranks arethose who use terms like Atheist, Freethinker, Humanist, Bright,Rationalist or other appellations to describe lack of dogmatic religiousfaith.Yet at a time when the majoritarian Christian religion — and evengroups like the Jews who celebrate Hanukkah — see this time of year asa celebratory period, many Atheists and other nonbelievers look to theWinter Solstice to mark this time of year. Many give (and receive)gifts, host dinners, and in general have a good time partying withfriends and family. Why?Decades ago, Madalyn Murray O’Hair, the famous Atheist who founded ourorganization and won an important Supreme Court battle to end mandatoryprayer and bible verse recitation in the public schools, called for thecelebration of four “natural holidays,” the Winter and Summer Equinoxesand Solstices. These ancient holidays were acknowledged by almost allof our ancestors. The Winter Solstice, which occurs this year onSaturday, December 22, 2007 at 1:08 AM, marks the time of year when thesun is at its lowest point in its annual journey across our sky. ManyAtheist-Freethought and other nonbeliever groups will host parties onthat day (See http://www.atheists.org/wintersolstice.html).Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists, said that the celebrationof the Solstice is a growing phenomenon in the United States. “More andmore non-religious people are joining in, because there are more of us,”said Johnson.”This is a time of year when everyone, both religious and non-religious,can celebrate life,” said Dave Silverman, Communications Director forAmerican Atheists. “What we don’t appreciate, though, is governmentpromotion of particular religion, or religion in general in the form ofnativity displays and other religious symbols on public property.”If you would like comment and background on the growing celebration ofWinter Solstice, please contact us.AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights forAtheists; works for the total separation of church and state; andaddresses issues of First Amendment public policy.American Atheists, Inc.P. O. Box 5733Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733Tel.: (908) 276-7300Fax: (908) 276-7402

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