# Christmas music and atheists **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 23, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684 "2010-11-23T18:32:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dhkendall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@dhkendall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhkendall)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/1 "2010-11-23T18:32:08Z")
I previously posed this question [on my LiveJournal blog](http://thecanuckguy.livejournal.com/27627.html) a few Christmases ago (I have a few atheistic friends who read my blog). With the Christmas season once again upon us, and the much greater concentration of atheists here who listen to what I say, I’ll ask the question again here - I’d like to know what non-believers’ thoughts are on this. (for simplicity’s sake, it’ll mainly be a cut-and-paste of my blog, meaning that it will be in the present tense, with some minor editing and clarifications added): We were listening to the radio today in the car on the way to/from an errand, and a thought occurred to me: we started out listening to [a local Christian station](http://www.chvnradio.com/) (mainly [CCM](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_Christian_music), ie Christian pop and light-rock - I like Christian music but I much prefer Christian hard rock or metal, analogous to my tastes in “secular” music) and, of course, it was playing Christmas carols (done by CCM artists), mostly the “religious” ones that actually talk about the birth of Jesus (Joy to the World, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, etc.) She then switched the station (my wife can out channel-surf any guy, she usually switches the radio station immediately if there isn’t music (ie DJ chat or ads), and usually switches the TV station the instant it goes to ads, often not returning to the original program) to a local [lite music](http://www.102clearfm.com/) station (“secular”, of course), and it too was playing mostly Christmas music, done by lite music stars. I realized that many of the songs were the same, and I’d hear the “religious” Christmas carols on both stations. It struck me that any other month of the year the light rock station (or any other non-Christian station) wouldn’t touch any song mentioning Jesus or God or religious matters with a ten foot pole and would refuse to play it, but in December they have no problem with a song that would say “Joy to the world / The Lord has come! / Let earth receive her King!” - as long as it’s coming out of the mouth of Rod Stewart or something like that. (For the record, I don’t care for either station, way too “light” for my tastes. I prefer the local [80s, 90s, and “whatever” rock station](http://www.999bobfm.com/), but I’m almost always in the car with the wife, so she picks … ) I wonder what non-Christian Dopers’ thoughts are about this. I’m sure that they’d have something to say if their local secular station played a song that mentioned Jesus being the Son of God, or dying for our sins (a few Christmas carols have that in there, which I’ve always found an odd juxtaposition) during the summer months (even I’d be startled at the least), but I’m sure is tolerated by them during December. (Again, not asking to mock or question your beliefs, but as genuine curiosity, having grown up in a Christian home and have identified as a Christian as long as I can remember, I don’t know what non-Christians think of things, and I’m the very curious-about-the-world-especially-things-that-are-outside-my-experience type.) What is your whole thought on the “Christian” carols? Do you sing them without much thought to the lyrics (much as I do with national anthems [I am an anthematologist and study, and sing (to myself) national anthems quite frequently] - I don’t profess any loyalty to a foreign nation, king, or God, despite the anthem lyrics I may be singing at the moment)? Do you refuse to sing them? [Added after to original:] My sister brought to my attention [this](http://www.frankmurphy.com/2005/12/is-pendulum-swinging-other-way.html) after seeing this post, that is of a similar tone. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/2 "2010-11-23T18:40:46Z")
I’m an atheist. A dirty _militant_ atheist at that. But I celebrate Christmas and I happen to like Christmas songs, even ones with religious lyrics. It’s as much a cultural celebration as a religious one. The overwhelming majority of my close friends are atheists and as far as I know they have similar feelings on the subject. None of us get our panties in a twist when someone says “God bless you” after we sneeze. In fact, we even say that to each other (scandal!). So yeah, as representative for all atheists I announce that we really don’t care one way or the other. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/3 "2010-11-23T18:41:27Z")
No way I’m giving up Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, or even Adeste Fideles, just because there is no God\*. That’s some of the best stuff ever written. * * * - Or at least may not be. ---
**Author:** ![filling\_pages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9bd4f/32.png) [@filling\_pages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filling_pages)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/4 "2010-11-23T18:44:20Z")
I’m not an atheist but I’m also not a Christian. I just want to point out that plenty of popular music that gets played all year 'round talks about religion, God, and Jesus. We nonChristians do not generally kick up a fuss about it. Why would we? Heck, I am a nonChristian country fan; there is plenty of Jesus to go around in the country scene, I can tell you that. ---
**Author:** ![dhkendall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@dhkendall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhkendall)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/5 "2010-11-23T18:47:37Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > I’m an atheist. A dirty _militant_ atheist at that. But I celebrate Christmas and I happen to like Christmas songs, even ones with religious lyrics. It’s as much a cultural celebration as a religious one. > > […] > > None of us get our panties in a twist when someone says “God bless you” after we sneeze. In fact, we even say that to each other (scandal!). :eek: Sacrilege! You’re going straight to heaven for that. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/6 "2010-11-23T19:01:02Z")
[moderating] Moved from GQ to IMHO [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/7 "2010-11-23T19:01:06Z")
Another militant atheist here, and I actually have a soft spot for _Silent Night_. I have better things to take offense at than the radio stations all getting into the season with the traditional stuff. If it makes you feel good about life and the winter, you go ahead and enjoy that. I rest happy in the knowledge that the original Latin says “Peace on earth _to men of goodwill_” and continue organizing to give them of no good will no peace. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAlecCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SmartAlecCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAlecCat)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/8 "2010-11-23T19:04:21Z")
BTW, How do Christians feel about songs about Santa, Frosty, Rudolph, etc.? Even if you know they aren’t real, you can still sing/enjoy the songs… ---
**Author:** ![SmartAlecCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SmartAlecCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAlecCat)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/9 "2010-11-23T19:05:37Z")
> [@SmartAlecCat](#): > > BTW, How do Christians feel about songs about Santa, Frosty, Rudolph, etc.? > > Even if you know they aren’t real, you can still sing/enjoy the songs.. Oops.. Sorry forgot the spoiler tag.. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/10 "2010-11-23T19:11:57Z")
I’m a definite atheist, but one thing you will not get from me until you pry them from my cold, dead hands is my collection of [Carols for a Cure CDS](http://www.broadwaycares.org/store). ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/11 "2010-11-23T19:12:07Z")
I find Christmas songs - even the pretty ones that I might otherwise like - annoying, just because they get SO OVERPLAYED. It is kind of mind-boggling to me that people actually listen to them intentionally, to “get into the spirit”, when they’re in every commercial and TV show and played over the speakers at stores at this time of year. But they aren’t inherently unpleasant or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/12 "2010-11-23T19:13:36Z")
> [@SmartAlecCat](#): > > BTW, How do Christians feel about songs about Santa, Frosty, Rudolph, etc.? > Even if you know they aren’t real, you can still sing/enjoy the songs.. Well, that assumes you enjoy the songs, doesn’t it? I really hate Christmas music (I’m Jewish and Agnostic) because they are so freaking dumb and saccharine. Honestly, “Jingle Bell Rock” makes me want to go on a killing spree. I have the exact same feeling towards “Channukah songs” ie “Dreidel, dreidel” and… well… are there any others? If anything I hate Channukah songs more for a variety of personal reasons that might wander into GD territory. “Traditional” (ie more religious) Christmas music is a lot less annoying, because its more musically meritorious. However, all christmas music on pop stations is basically annoying. Before Thanksgiving it’s a hanging offense. ---
**Author:** ![EristicKallistic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/85e7bf/32.png) [@EristicKallistic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EristicKallistic)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/13 "2010-11-23T19:16:05Z")
As a devout atheist, I admit that I have an aversion to this type of songs (particularly the execrable pap that is _The Little Drummer Boy_) but I’m not especially bothered if it comes on the radio. I can change the channel. ---
**Author:** ![dhkendall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@dhkendall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhkendall)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/14 "2010-11-23T19:17:34Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Before Thanksgiving it’s a hanging offense. Considering Thanksgiving was 6 weeks ago, I feel safe in bringing up the topic now. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/15 "2010-11-23T19:23:20Z")
> [@dhkendall](#): > > Considering Thanksgiving was 6 weeks ago, I feel safe in bringing up the topic now. 😃 I am American – Thanksgiving is thursday – and I heard Xmas music last FRIDAY and I almost had to kill the whole town like a crazed ninja. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/16 "2010-11-23T19:28:31Z")
I get irritated hearing ANY song over and over in a small period of time. The religious message doesn’t bother me in the least, why would it? Main stream songs also reference religion: God only knows - Beach Boys. Jesus is just alright - Doobies One toke over the line - Brewer & Shipley Dear God - XTC God save the Queen Thank God I’m a country boy - John Denver Of course stations play songs with “Jesus or God or religious matters.” ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/17 "2010-11-23T19:31:27Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > I am American – Thanksgiving is thursday – and I heard Xmas music last FRIDAY and I almost had to kill the whole town like a crazed ninja. Christmas starts the day after Halloween here (Canada). I’m not fucking kidding. ---
**Author:** ![MN\_Maenad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@MN\_Maenad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MN_Maenad)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/18 "2010-11-23T19:32:22Z")
I have such happy memories from childhood of listening to my parents’ old 1950s and 1960s Christmas albums, that I had them converted to CD and mp3. From the day after Thanksgiving until December 26 I listen to them almost constantly. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/19 "2010-11-23T19:49:02Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > I’m an atheist. A dirty _militant_ atheist at that. See? This is why nobody likes you. You really should bath at least once a week. > [@Hello\_Again](#): > > I am American – Thanksgiving is thursday – and I heard Xmas music last FRIDAY and I almost had to kill the whole town like a crazed ninja. Ha! I went to the mall last Thursday to get some See’s candy and not only were they playing Christmas music but Santa was there taking pictures with the kiddies. EDIT: I like christmas music and it does get me in the mood for the holidays. So that trip to the mall put me in a good mood. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684/20 "2010-11-23T19:59:47Z")
I was talking with a group of friends this weekend and one girl said that she didn’t have anyone to help decorate her super-big and fancy Christmas tree this weekend. Her eyes shifted to me as to say “What about you, hmmm?” I told her I thought it would awkward or insulting or something for a Christian (me) to help an atheist (her) decorate their Christmas tree. I told her I might get in trouble with…someone? We had a good laugh over that. Everyone did sort of think that it actually WOULD be weird. I’m not gonna do it, anyway - I only have a 2’ tree with like 7 ornaments on it. Because Christmas trees sort of bore me. Anyway I then asked if she’s into Christmas music and she got all excited and said she absolutely loves it and hopes to go caroling this year. I asked if she liked the religious songs too and she said she totally does. She plays them on the piano and everything (er, not while caroling!) I’m pretty convinced that Christmas is just a cultural thing anymore. If that means it fills everyone - Christians or not - with the spirit of peace, love, joy and giving then it’s all right with me! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music-and-atheists/561684.md?page=2)