1. Comment #305831 by Jabee8 on December 23, 2008 at 5:09 pm

Thank you for the interview :)

Other Comments by Jabee8

2. Comment #305832 by heathen2 on December 23, 2008 at 5:10 pm

I was just listening to a public radio show about humanists and athiests and what they do around the holidays. The humanist chaplain at Harvard was on and there was mention of how Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris and others just want to get rid of all festivities around the holidays. Well as Dawkins just explained, that certainly is not true. It's irritating that people just assume. Most of my family consists of nonbelievers, and we have a great time at Christmas every year.

Other Comments by heathen2

3. Comment #305836 by phasmagigas on December 23, 2008 at 5:25 pm

thats a bit of a no brainer, if im visiting the UK its mince pies and real ale all the way.

Actually a better question would be 'what does a real christian honestly do at christmas thats any different than what the average 'secular' brit does at christmas''

Other Comments by phasmagigas

4. Comment #305839 by steveroot on December 23, 2008 at 5:59 pm

I will spend a lot of time at home with my wife and two kids. We'll visit the extended family, exchange gifts, express wishes for a happy, healthy holiday season and year. I'll listen to Handel (The Messiah, of course). At no time will I feel awkward, and neither will it cross my mind that there might be a god.

Merry Christmas!
Ste5e

Other Comments by steveroot

5. Comment #305842 by Laurie Fraser on December 23, 2008 at 6:06 pm

Lunch with my mother and sister and our families, then off to Boat Harbour for swimming, fishing, and the great Boat Harbour Boxing Day street cricket match (complete with streakers). No gods involved.

Merry Christmas to all at RDnet

Laurie

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

6. Comment #305843 by j.mills on December 23, 2008 at 6:08 pm

Ohmygod, didya catch that bit at the end? One of next week's guest editors on the show is Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor. Heavens preserve us!

Good to hear of Richard precociously puncturing the Santa Delusion!

Other Comments by j.mills

7. Comment #305845 by vivaldian67 on December 23, 2008 at 6:16 pm

It sounded from the tone of his questions that the great Jarvis Cocker might be an atheist himself. Time to plough through my Pulp collection for lyrical clues.

Other Comments by vivaldian67

8. Comment #305846 by digibud on December 23, 2008 at 6:17 pm

We'll have a family dinner next to a nicely decorated tree with too many presents for our grandkids. We won't be praying at the table or thanking any spirit, but we'll have a happy, fun filled time with a full house. Just because I don't believe in a god doesn't mean I can't believe in Santa Claus!

Other Comments by digibud

9. Comment #305847 by Fuller on December 23, 2008 at 6:20 pm

Same as every year - copious amounts of drugs, sadomasochistic sex acts, and concocting a new evil destructive substance from stem cells in my science lab. Maybe I'll run over a kitten as well, just to spice things up.

Other Comments by Fuller

10. Comment #305848 by 8teist on December 23, 2008 at 6:25 pm

Christmas ,time to nail a xtian to a tree? No?


Fuller ,I ran over my neighbours chicken ,does that count? Why it decided to cross the driveway I`ll never know.

Other Comments by 8teist

11. Comment #305851 by Dr. Hameer on December 23, 2008 at 6:37 pm

You just gotta love Prof. Dawkins' clarity of thought!

Merry Christmas Professor Dawkins and all the atheists and agnostics on this website. And a very happy New Year in advance as well :-) Peace!

Other Comments by Dr. Hameer

12. Comment #305852 by j.mills on December 23, 2008 at 6:39 pm

In all likelihood, I won't see anyone on the 25th - which is usual. I'm toying with watching the entire 8.5-hour RSC production of Nicholas Nickleby at a sitting - I love it to bits, and it's quite Christmassy. :)

(http://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Adventures-Nicholas-Nickleby/dp/B0000AM73S)

Happy Solstice, everyone! :)

Other Comments by j.mills

13. Comment #305855 by BrandySpears on December 23, 2008 at 7:12 pm

It's heresy to say you don't like "Frosty the Snowman" and "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer"! I'll suggest this other American mockery for Richard:
http://www.links2love.com/christmas_songs_grandmarunover.htm

Grandma got run over by a reindeer
walkin' home from our house Christmas eve.
You can say there's no such thing as Santa.
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

She'd been drinkin' too much egg nog.
And we'd begged her not to go.
But she'd forgot her medication,
and she staggered out the door into the snow.

Other Comments by BrandySpears

14. Comment #305862 by He-man Daunted World on December 23, 2008 at 7:55 pm

We sit around the christmas tree and listen to traditional Aussie christmas songs, such as this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEe55NxFSSU

(includes some swearing)

Other Comments by He-man Daunted World

15. Comment #305874 by Gmork on December 23, 2008 at 8:25 pm

Atheists can do whatever they want.
Celebrate whatever. Not celebrate whatever.
At least we are honest about our cherry picking.

Other Comments by Gmork

16. Comment #305883 by BrandySpears on December 23, 2008 at 9:51 pm

He-man, I LOVE that Aussie song!

Other Comments by BrandySpears

17. Comment #305886 by Laurie Fraser on December 23, 2008 at 10:08 pm

Brandy - if you want truly crass, try this:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=f-b4i9GHM_Y

Warning: tasteless in the extreme (but strangely hilarious.)

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

18. Comment #305887 by mmurray on December 23, 2008 at 10:11 pm

Actually a better question would be 'what does a real christian honestly do at christmas thats any different than what the average 'secular' brit does at christmas''

Well said. It annoys me that people ask this question as if 99.99% of the population are involved in some special Christian religious festival. That's complete rubbish.

The only difference between the religious xmas I had as a (catholic) kid and the atheist one my kids have now was I went to mass and there was probably a mangy manger set up somewhere in the house. Of course we went to midnight mass so it didn't interfere with the presents and eating and family visiting. Midnight mass and declaring that 7.30 saturday night mass will cover you for sunday are such great catholic inventions. Nearly as useful as no mass.


Michael

Other Comments by mmurray

19. Comment #305889 by beebhack on December 23, 2008 at 10:17 pm

Vivaldian

yes, I think Cocker is an atheist. He appeared on the same stage as Dawkins in Sunday's Christmas Lessons for the Godless (see thread on this site). I never really liked Pulp, although I find Cocker himself interesting and intelligent, and I admire him for his anti-Michael Jackson protest at the Brits awards a while back. I may investigate Pulp further.

Other Comments by beebhack

20. Comment #305894 by Roy_H on December 23, 2008 at 10:33 pm

I loved the Father Christmas story. Even at an early age Richard was a "non believer" !

Other Comments by Roy_H

21. Comment #305895 by Sarmatae1 on December 23, 2008 at 10:39 pm

What do atheists do at Christmas?

I enjoy the company family and friends.
Especially since it is once a year. Absense makes the heart grow fonder. Don't think I could tolerate more than once a year.

I like holiday music. Most of it. Even some of the more tacky stuff with religious connotations. It can be beautiful. Much the same as one may enjoy the artistry of a buddhist temple without being a buddhist.

I very much have always enjoyed giving gifts. Although my charity is not confined to this time of year, I do tend to give a little more to strangers at this time. I don't see why some think the religious have a monopoly on charity and good will at this time of year.

I like to recieve hand made gifts. Store bought gifts that are given to me are donated to charity. (Some exceptions being something like a rare bottle of _____.)

I entertain more of a feeling of goodwill to all. (Suspicously usually after I indulge in the last of my supply of Bowmore Black Bowmore 1964.)

I like to take walks with the youngest in the family to look at light displays. I am 84 and can walk a brisk 3 mile jaunt with only a minor penalty the next day.

The rich food you don't overly indulge in regularly is nice.

My favorite part of the holiday. And one of the only lasting "traditions" our family has.
At the family "get together", My wife an I are privileged(since the death of my mother) to officiate at our families most "sacred" tradition. A ceremonial gift giving to the newborn of that year in our family. Money for a college education. It's sort of a welcoming ceremony too. Very fun. (Ok I will be quite honest here, The tradition is for the oldest and wisest to officiate. I am the oldest but not the wisest. But my wife lets me stand with her. lol.)

EDIT: I almost forgot. Nearly all including myself, in the family have very large decorated wreaths that the family makes instead of trees. This has been so since before my parents parents. I suppose it is a tradition. Though I can't explain why. If someone asked "Why do you have a large wreath" I would say "That's where we put the presents." They would ask "Why do you put presents under a large wreath?" I'd most likely reply. "Because we have a large wreath."

Other Comments by Sarmatae1

22. Comment #305897 by Laurie Fraser on December 23, 2008 at 10:41 pm

Good on you, Sarmatae.

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

23. Comment #305898 by BrandySpears on December 23, 2008 at 10:43 pm

Laurie, LOL, You win the best Christmas Caroler of the year!

Other Comments by BrandySpears

24. Comment #305901 by lastgreekstanding on December 23, 2008 at 10:47 pm

Here's a beautiful Greek Orthodox Christmas chant:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG_9qs_ZPZE&feature=related


CRONIA POLLA






p.s. Laurie, that was degalasse.

Other Comments by lastgreekstanding

25. Comment #305906 by madamelemon on December 23, 2008 at 11:36 pm

I love Richard's "KWAN-ZAAAAAH."

Other Comments by madamelemon

26. Comment #305909 by Laurie Fraser on December 23, 2008 at 11:47 pm

Comment #305901 by lastgreekstanding

That's beautiful, LGS. Here's one for you:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=PxCckD_Nm30

Mormons may be complete wackos, but the Mormon Tabernacle Choir gets as close to ungod as you can be.

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

27. Comment #305918 by lastgreekstanding on December 24, 2008 at 12:12 am

Thanks, Laurie. It was lovely.




p.s. I think I'll go to your previous link (post 17) just one---and ONLY one---more time. Crass and disgusting, but friggin' hilarious!

Other Comments by lastgreekstanding

28. Comment #305919 by flying goose on December 24, 2008 at 12:14 am

I love christmas, but it is kind of bitter sweet, carols esp those like O du frohliche, remind me of a photo in my parents house, 'Weinachten 1942' picturing amongst other family members the young sailor, my uncle, who didn't make through. Like Richard I do love singing the old tradionals

Other Comments by flying goose

29. Comment #305921 by J.Robert on December 24, 2008 at 12:28 am

Re: 24. Comment #305899 by Brian English

Brian, I must admit that I was fooled for (almost) 5 min. with that website. Is it fake-looking enough for some people to not understand that it's fictitious?

For something just as fun, check out this "Kollege" that I found:

http://ncbible.info/

Other Comments by J.Robert

30. Comment #305945 by geneticreplicant on December 24, 2008 at 1:50 am

Jarvis Cocker is the man because of this;

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xMg8V3nGNuY&feature=related

Anthem for a generation.

Other Comments by geneticreplicant

31. Comment #305948 by DanDare on December 24, 2008 at 1:54 am

I get right into Xmass. We sing carols and string lights and do and christmas tree. I had a paid gig to wander around a shopping centre (in the glorious air conditioning)with my barbershop quartet singing carols. I tend to stick with ones that have sentiments I agree with or are just a bit of fun.

Nothing god bothery about it, its just a great festival with everyone joining in and feeling good, even the believers.

Other Comments by DanDare

32. Comment #305956 by BrandySpears on December 24, 2008 at 2:15 am

Sunday, I went to hear my friend do the continuo accompaniment for the Christmas section of Handel's Messiah and was deeply disappointed that the Methodist choir had no castrati. Handel traveled Italy collecting them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu1Z2PoaE5I

Other Comments by BrandySpears

33. Comment #305968 by gcdavis on December 24, 2008 at 2:44 am

As a miserable atheist I shall of course be alone over christmas. After breakfast I will spend the next three hours tearing pages out of a bible and cursing anyone who has the temerity to ring or call (I will save the quran for Boxing Day). Having loaded my air rifle I will take pot shots at birds and cats that enter my garden. Just before dusk I will spend an hour or two breaking into cars and if I am lucky, stealing children’s presents, I don’t want them of course so I will throw them into the nearest waste bin having stamped on them first. After having ordered pizza deliveries for a bunch of random addresses and hidden in the bushes to witness the horrified response when they are delivered I will move on to the church car park where I will deflate as many tyres as possible.

Having spray painted the message “You are just a monkey” on my neighbours front doors I will return home to indulge my unfettered carnal lusts. Yes this is a typical sad atheist christmas and with no god to guide my actions or restrain my disgusting impulses one that is thoroughly debauched and immoral. I cant wait for easter!

Other Comments by gcdavis

34. Comment #305971 by iType on December 24, 2008 at 2:49 am

Jarvis Cocker fans, this vid is for you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukDS4P4aKo4

Other Comments by iType

35. Comment #305975 by Philip1978 on December 24, 2008 at 2:56 am

gcdavis

Its so refreshing to see an atheist finally proving that without a god guiding them through life one can live a perfect moral existence on this Earth!

I salute you, well done!

:)

Other Comments by Philip1978

36. Comment #305981 by Bernstein on December 24, 2008 at 3:01 am

The girlfriends usually come over during the holidays. We just eat and have fun.

Other Comments by Bernstein

37. Comment #305986 by Steve Zara on December 24, 2008 at 3:14 am

We celebrate the life of the one who came down from the heavens to take care of mankind, and who died to save us all, and rose from the dead.

BBC1, 6pm. Doctor Who.

Other Comments by Steve Zara

38. Comment #305987 by Laurie Fraser on December 24, 2008 at 3:17 am

Comment #305968 by gcdavis

Fucking oath, mate - the perfect christmas!

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

39. Comment #305993 by Vaal on December 24, 2008 at 3:26 am

Don't forget the Christmas lectures Steve. I always enjoy them, there have been some great luminaries present them in the past, including Richard Dawkins and the peerless Carl Sagan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Institution_Christmas_Lectures

I myself will be suffering from the effects of too much wine, port, beer, Xmas turkey and pudding to be capable of much. I will, as I do every year, think about doing the 2km Newbury athletic club boxing day run, but will probably just end up watching it, enduring the heckling of my old (much fitter) athletic mates :)

Laurie, I envy you out in that sunshine. I used to love spending Xmas at the beach, watching a sweaty Santa drive past trying his best to look happy and comfortable in 38C.

gcdavis, I bet many of the religdroids actually believe that.

Other Comments by Vaal

40. Comment #306110 by Azven on December 24, 2008 at 5:01 am

Does anyone have an MP3 version of this'

Other Comments by Azven

41. Comment #306128 by Baron Scarpia on December 24, 2008 at 5:16 am

Well, I'm going to visit my family and eat too much.

Comment #305986 by Steve Zara

I find the Doctor more plausible than Jesus. The Doctor never claimed that regeneration was a miracle. Also, when people try to start wars he goes around stopping them, which is more than you can say for Christ's Dad.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Other Comments by Baron Scarpia

42. Comment #306130 by Laurie Fraser on December 24, 2008 at 5:18 am

Merry Christmas to you, Baron. What - no Tosca this Christmas?

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

43. Comment #306133 by Naturalist1 on December 24, 2008 at 5:20 am

Personally...I celebrate Yalda...the ancient festival of the return of the sun...To ancient South European cultures it mean't the sun was coming back and they would have crops again...they would survive! It also came when the new wine was just barely drinkable too!
Merry Yalda Everyone!

Other Comments by Naturalist1

44. Comment #306135 by Baron Scarpia on December 24, 2008 at 5:23 am

Comment #306130 by Laurie Fraser

Well, I haven't seen much of her since she threw herself off a castle ledge. Silly woman.

Other Comments by Baron Scarpia

45. Comment #306137 by DWLehning on December 24, 2008 at 5:24 am

I have not posted here in a while. Anyway, I get together with some good friends on Christmas afternoon-evening for supper and exchanging gifts. They have two kids which really liven up the house. So, it is a very festive and fund time. They also happen to be atheists.

Other Comments by DWLehning

46. Comment #306144 by frannk on December 24, 2008 at 6:29 am

Bah, Humbug!

As far as I recall, 25/12 was chosen as Christ’s birthday by the early Christian missionaries to our northern isle to compete with Roman Saturnalia and Pagan Solstice celebrations. The indigenous population and especially the Roman invaders knew full well the need for a good knees up to get them through winter. There is nothing special at all about 25/12.

If, like me, you are into Astronomy and the wonders of nature and the Universe then the Winter Solstice IS something to celebrate. In our house (myself, Mrs.Frannk, Thing 1 and Thing 2), we get the presents out from under our decorated pine (pre-Christian symbol which smells nice) on the 21st. We make a big thing out of opening said presents, enjoy them until it is time for a slap up feed. Then we play some more until it is time for more grub and then snuggle up in front of the DVD player (our house is a TV free zone).

Also, Things 1 and 2 have always known exactly where their presents have come from. No imaginary menacing bloke coming down our blocked up chimney! The kids seem pretty well adjusted without the St.Nick myth and they are happy to open their presents four days before the 25th.

When I am celebrating the Solstice I am celebrating the natural world and the fact that Spring is on it’s way and I can put SAD behind me. I also think about the ingenuity of my species which built the megaliths all those thousand of years ago and aligned them to the stars. Although I love visiting ancient sites I don’t feel the need to dress up in long robes and dance in them.

On the 25th itself we will all be off for a long walk somewhere beautiful and upon our return I will pour all my culinary ingenuity into creating the best Christmas curry I can concoct whilst pouring whiskey, beer and wine into myself in varying proportions.

Other Comments by frannk

47. Comment #306145 by MPhil on December 24, 2008 at 6:29 am

...getting accused of being intolerant, psychopathic and paranoid becuase I flipped out when my mother suggest that I brainwashed my girlfriend into atheism etc... o happy days.

Other Comments by MPhil

48. Comment #306147 by Laurie Fraser on December 24, 2008 at 6:31 am

Comment #306144 by frannk

That's what I call a fucking great xmas, Frannk!

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

49. Comment #306148 by Laurie Fraser on December 24, 2008 at 6:33 am

Comment #306145 by MPhil

Get a pair of horns, Mike, and parade around in front of the family quoting A.J. Ayers - that'll put the wind up 'em!

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

50. Comment #306149 by chewedbarber on December 24, 2008 at 6:54 am

None of you volunteer at a soup kitchen -- on christmas day? Typical atheist selfishness.

:P

Other Comments by chewedbarber