The Real Root of Atheists' Anti-Christmas Rage

Townhall.com ^ | December 2, 2012 | Doug Giles

[Kaslin]

Why do some atheists embarrass themselves year after year trying to eradicate Christmas from American culture? Why do they make themselves societal hemorrhoids during this hallowed season? Is it because they are crusaders for equality, secularism’s saviors and humanism’s heroes? I’m sure that’s what they tell themselves when they’re pouting on their couches all alone on Christmas Eve after every single one of their friends has dumped them for being a rabid jackass.

I believe, however—and I could be wrong—that the reason some rage against the machine is that they hate God and love their sin, and bringing up Jesus in December is not the way they wanted to finish off the year. Indeed, Christ really rains on their parade … and they love their parade.

Christmas, if you really get down to the brass tacks of it, isn’t about reindeer, elves, iPhones or Lindsay Lohan punching a gypsy, but about mankind’s sin problem and what God did to remedy it by sending His Son.

I know the chief facet most people focus on regarding Christ’s birth has been the peace on earth and good will toward men stuff, but if you dig around in the gospels a tad you’ll quickly see that the “peace on earth” thing is an ancillary perk to the main reason the second person of the godhead donned an earth suit and decided to hang out with us dunderheads. The core cause that necessitated Jesus’ incarnation was our jacked up carnality. Yep, Hambone, it was our sin. There, I said it. Sin. Yours, mine and ours.

Transgression was the reason for the season.

This is why El Diablo didn’t pass out cigars at Jesus’ birth. Happy he was not that the Son was not only going to address our sins but He was going to eternally and temporally salvage those who believe from sin’s fetid effects. This is why slewfoot energized Herod to put a hit out on the Nazarene when He was a wee little baby and why Satan’s demon inspired ilk are anti-Christmas to this day. Jesus’ birth equated to Satan’s demise.

This is not good news to some, though. Indeed, many atheists are up front about it and don’t want to leave their wantonness. As Jesus Himself said, they prefer darkness to light and don’t like to be reminded of their personal accountability for their sin—and thus their need for salvation—and therefore we should not expect them to be stoked about Jesus’ birthday party.

This is easy math, folks: A person who has no remorse and thus no desire to repent from their sins is probably not going to be a big advocate for the celebration of the person who reminds them they’re wrong and calls them to repent and believe.

Call me goofy, but I’m forever grateful for Jesus’ birth, His attesting miracles, His sacrificial death, burial and resurrection. While most atheists this Christmas will be drinking to forget, I will, as Martin Luther said, drink to remember the One who was and is and is to come.

[johnthebaptistmoore]

Inspector Clouseau would say that they are having a rit of fealous jage.

[F15Eagle]

bump

[firebrand]

There is a certain kind of person who finds fault with everything you say. Anybody else know one of these?

And it’s because you’re a believer in Jesus. That’s the conclusion I’ve come to in my case, anyway. To agree you’re right about ANYTHING means you COULD be right about Jesus! Not everyone who disagrees with you now and then falls into this category, but some do. I try to nip these “friendships” in the bud when I recognize them. It can take a while to see them as what they are.

The great Kingsley Amis has a line about some character in one of novels “always looking for the first chance to go at cross purposes to me” in conversation—or somethng like that. Oh boy did that sound familiar. Of course in Kingley’s experience it probably had something to with contradicting the great Kingsley Amis.

I’ve also started coming to the conclusion that political differences are not fundamentally political differences—i.e., socialism versus free markets. They are basically atheist-versus-believer differences. After all, giving up atheism would mean you’d have to change your life in a very big, deep, meaningful way.

This is why we can’t abandon the social-conservative causes. Not in politics and not in our lives. They are the crux of the matter, not a tangential issue.

[MarDav]

The Bible covers it with this verse:

“[And this is the condemnation] that light is come into the world but men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.” ~ John 3:19

[AdaGray]

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. They’re the smartest people in the room. How dare people have faith when they ‘know’ better.

[Reeses]

The Real Root of Atheists' Anti-Christmas Rage

It's intense envy, which is a side effect of vanity, thinking way too highly of oneself. Vanity is a much easier trap to fall into when someone believes they are the top of the intellectual food chain, with nothing to look up to and many less "enlightened" people look down upon. Statistically Christians tend to live longer happier lives, have more successful marriages, have more children, drive bigger cars, live in bigger houses, do better in school, sports, business, and life in general. No fair! The nature of envy is to not acquire the object of their envy, but to destroy it. Thomas Aquinas noted that "inordinate self-love is the cause of every sin ... the root of pride is found to consist in man not being, in some way, subject to God and His rule."

[randog]

I’ve heard this explanation before, that atheists love their sin more than God, but to hate God implies that one knows God and then rejects Him, and I don’t think that flies. We could get into some heavy theology like predestination, our will vs. God’s will, etc., but I can’t believe that atheists have ever met up with God and know Him. To do so is a life-changing experience.

[liberty or death]

I love Christmas for what it is but have never equated it to our Saviour. Jesus is Lord in my families life but Christmas to us is just a secular celebration bringing people together. I see no biblical reference to it but as a father and grandfather enjoy the season immensely.

[nathanbedford]

Leftists recoil from the image of Christ just as vampires metaphorically recoil from the cross because there is recognition of a mortal enemy, and one who is morally superior.

The leftist is a collectivist and the Christian is essentially an individualist. Salvation comes to us retail whereas acceptance by the group produces the this-worldly salvation for the collectivist. So the key to group acceptance is submission to the group and conformity. The great paradox of Christianity, its mystery, is that submission to Christ, the picking up of the cross and following, results in liberation and empowerment. So in Christianity the individual is liberated and empowered which is threatening to the group which seeks to empower the collective at the expense of the individual.

The miracle of individual liberation and empowerment in Christianity is not only anathema to the leftist but it is invisible to him. He believes that he alone is the master of his fate even though he is the victim of the greatest deception and is in a tragic and mortal bondage.

I could not agree with you more when you say:

I’ve also started coming to the conclusion that political differences are not fundamentally political differences—i.e., socialism versus free markets. They are basically atheist-versus-believer differences.

[Raycpa]

To agree you’re right about ANYTHING means you COULD be right about Jesus!

Wow! That might be it. That could explain some acquaintances of mine.

[Graybeard58]

There is a certain kind of person who finds fault with everything you say. Anybody else know one of these?

Are you kidding? F.R. is infested with them.

[SatinDoll]

LOLOLOLOLOL!!!

[elcid1970]

Go read Brad Pike’s “Atheists Need Their Own Christmas” on FReepers. It links to his blog and there you will see comments from angry atheists which will chill your blood.

His biting satire really set these people off. They are the “Flying Spaghetti Monster” crowd and revel in their own arrogance.

In fact, most of the atheists say “Stop calling me a pompous conceited jerk!!” in their replies.

Interesting........

[Skooz]

Bump

[kitkat]

BUMP

[New Jersey Realist]

that atheists love their sin more than God.

My best friend is an athiest (raised as a Jew) and whenever the topic is brought up he says he doesn't love his sins more than God because he doesn't sin and shouldn't suffer for what Adam did. There's no getting through to him that he can't earn his way into heaven.

Now before you jump all over me, the guy is a nice guy - he never tries to talk me out of my belief and never makes fun of Christians. This guy truly believes that a man has a right to believe in whatever they want. I've given up arguing with him because I figure he deserves the same respect I expect from him. If he doesn't want to go share a happy eternity, that's on him.

When my wife passed away last month he was there for me with great comfort. I didn't get the impression that he believed she would just rot in the ground, he supported me and my family and even nodded his head at the appropriate times. He says he is a typical athiest and the guys who go around like crusaders are a small minority.

I've learned to live with him.

[knarf]

I really enjoyed reading that, Kaslin.

Merry Christmas.

[nathanbedford]

can’t find it

[MosesKnows]

Why do some atheists embarrass themselves year after year trying to eradicate Christmas from American culture?

They do it because they believe it works and the results of the last 50 years support their belief.

[mountainlion]

When you believe in nothing you hate those with strong beliefs. Liberals and atheists have much in common.

[imardmd1]

... when He was a wee little baby ...

It would be good to keep this Scripturally factual. Herod sought to slay all male children under 2 years old, after he learned of His existence after the arrival of the wise men from Padan-Aram, about 2 years after His birth.

[CapnJack]

No ... the real reason they hate Christmas and anything Christian is that OUR rights come from God and not Gov’t.

They pray at the alter of Gov’t. And rights granted by Gov’t can be rescinded (especially the 1st & 2nd Amendments).

That is why they hate religion and especially Christians, nothing more complicated than that.

If you remove religion, you remove the Bill of Rights and replace it with what the Gov’t deems appropriate.

[Gritty]

I’ve also started coming to the conclusion that political differences are not fundamentally political differences—i.e., socialism versus free markets. They are basically atheist-versus-believer differences.

A pastor of mine used to say, "A man's morality will dictate his theology".

The same is true for his politics.

[Notary Sojac]

He says he is a typical athiest and the guys who go around like crusaders are a small minority.

I agree with your friend, and I like to think that I am the same sort of atheist.

I also think that in most churches and synagogues there are a number of silent atheists, people who go along to get along but in their heart of hearts just don't believe.

This guy truly believes that a man has a right to believe in whatever they want.

As indeed he does, and we all as well.

[Notary Sojac]

I'm pro-America, pro-life, and pro-liberty and I've been an atheist all my days.

And you are welcome to believe as you choose. I'll never insult your faith and never have.

I don't have a problem with a nativity scene on the courthouse lawn, either. In Jefferson's great phrase, "It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg".

But when anyone says I can't be a conservative because I am not a Christian, that ticks me off big time and I will respond, sometimes (despite my best efforts) in anger.

[A_perfect_lady]

He says he is a typical athiest and the guys who go around like crusaders are a small minority.

He is. Those types are about as representative of us as Westboro is of you. Most of us you'd never know unless you bring it up first.

[A_perfect_lady]

Same here.

[Vor Lady]

You are absolutely correct. It all boils down to world-view.

[RugerMini14]

I'm pro-America, pro-life, and pro-liberty and I've been an atheist all my days.

It is shocking to the majority here but, yes, you can be a liberty loving atheist. Far too many atheists are statist turds, but far too many Christians are too.

[Notary Sojac]

Far too many atheists are statist turds, but far too many Christians are too.

I've had many, many occasions to observe that some Christian Freepers are far, far more upset by the small number of atheist conservatives who are out there than they are by the millions of Christians who voted for Obama.

[A_perfect_lady]

I’ve seen that too. Huge swaths of Catholics and almost all black Christians are liberal. But conservative atheists bother them more (well, some of them.)

[MayflowerMadam]

The root? Could it beee... SATAN?

[Thorliveshere]

Then call me goofy, too. I appreciate the Lord God coming into the world for us, to us. Thank you, God.

[Jack Chance]

Why do some atheists embarrass themselves year after year trying to eradicate Christmas from American culture?

Because some atheists are jerks, just as some Christians are jerks, just as some Hindus...etc.

Christmas, if you really get down to the brass tacks of it, isn’t about reindeer, elves,

It is to some. It isn't to others. To each their own. While I'm an atheist myself, I've always enjoyed Christmas. Granted, I only celebrate the secular aspects of it (gift-giving, watching Rankin-Bass tv specials, lights, and so on).

[RugerMini14]

I certainly see atheism as far more in tune ideologically with small-government libertarianism than Catholicism can claim to be.

I’m more dubious of Catholics who claim to be conservatives than atheists.

*cough* Michael Pfleger *cough*

[A_perfect_lady]

I do too. I mean, in a sense, Christianity is like a spiritual socialism. Instead of the rich man’s taxes paying for the poor man’s social services, it’s the spiritually rich man’s death that pays for the spiritually poor man’s sins. A really “conservative” religion would posit that you’ll burn in hell until your sins are paid for, and then when you deserve to go to heaven, you do. Pay your own way, you know? But... whatever. Humans are inconsistent creatures, by and large.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

I found this book:

The Theme is Freedom:

Religion, Politics, and the American Tradition
by M. Stanton Evans

to be highly informative. It cites voluminous evidence in support of the proposition that John Locke, who anticipated the Declaration of Independence, in fact had much written Catholic thought to draw support from. Very interesting and impressive.

At the same time, the Catholic Church has plenty of history as an established religion used to a cozy relationship with the state.

But in reality socialism is a self-centered religion which promotes conceit and is a direct attack on, of all things, charity. Socialism claims to be charity, but it is a strange sort of “love” which puffs itself up and has the effect of denigrating the efforts which it does not control.

[firebrand]

Nice post, Nathan.

[firebrand]

I wasn’t saying that. The Tea Party is working this out right now, trying to determine whether social conservatism should be part of their platform. That doesn’t mean everyone in the Tea Party has to be a social conservative or not, depending on what the Tea Party decides.

The Republican platform is pro-life yet we have many members of the party who are not.

[Secret Agent Man]

no god == no absolutes == no sin

[daniel1212]

I have seen that (even here) in exchanges with some who absolutely refuse to even allow any alternative and reasonable explanation of Scriptures which refutes their misconstrue which is used to justify their angry scorn and rage against God and the Bible.

[Liberty Valance]

Baby Jesus Birthday Bump!

[blackpacific]

If I am not mistaken, in a Jewish court of law, there need to be two witnesses to convict one of a serious crime.

Society affirming the Incarnation is the second witness.

[Notary Sojac]

A really “conservative” religion would posit that you’ll burn in hell until your sins are paid for, and then when you deserve to go to heaven, you do.

Indeed!!

When I am asked by a Christian to read some particular work of apologetics, I agree to do so, provided that my Christian friend will read "Who Knows?" by Raymond Smullyan. A book which I strongly recommend to you, his concept of hell is somewhat in line with yours.

[DuncanWaring]

I was not aware that Michael Pfleger claimed to be a conservative.

[oprahstheantichrist]

"...it was our sin. There, I said it. Sin."

The most dangerous, frightening, politically incorrect word in the English language. Try using that in a sentence, regardless of context, at any fashionable cocktail party.

I've always loved Doug for his boldness.

[RugerMini14]

true.

But he does claim to be a Catholic. And the Catholic church does seem to accept him.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

[DuncanWaring]

Lots of people claim to be Catholic, with no supporting evidence, and no response from the Church.

Much to my eternal dismay.

[A_perfect_lady]

Oh, it’s not my concept of hell. I think when we die, that’s it. I’m just saying that the Christian construct is rather uncomfortably in line with liberal thinking.