{"id":5171,"date":"2008-04-26T06:51:13","date_gmt":"2008-04-26T06:51:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/reformedchicksblabbing\/2008\/04\/atheist-holidays.html"},"modified":"2008-04-26T06:51:13","modified_gmt":"2008-04-26T06:51:13","slug":"atheist-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/reformedchicksblabbing\/2008\/04\/atheist-holidays.html","title":{"rendered":"Atheist Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, how would you celebrate World Humanist Day<\/a>, atheists? Dress up like your favorite human? Haven’t we secularized the Christian holidays enough that you can just celebrate humanism then? You could do what the Christian church did and take over a pagan holiday and make it your own.<\/p>\n

The Institute for Humanist Studies, an Albany, N.Y.-based nonprofit, is calling attention to its calendar of atheist holidays on its Web site, www.secularseasons.org. The group wants nonbelievers (or at least noncelebrators) to have a handy reference guide of the calendar of holidays honoring free thinkers, banned books and nature, among other themes.
\nMatt Cherry, executive director of the Institute for Humanist Studies, says his group is trying to expand options and alternatives for secular holidays. He hopes even those affiliated with a particular religion will pay attention to the options.
\n“Some religious holidays are about culture and tradition, not theology,” he says. “Even people who go to church only on Christmas or to synagogue on the High Holidays do so out of cultural heritage, not because they believe the religious doctrines associated with it.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Darwin Day sounds particularly fun:<\/p>\n

Mr. Cherry says Darwin Day (Feb. 12) is growing in popularity. February 2009 would be Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday, and next year will also be the 150th anniversary of the publication of “The Origin of Species.”
\nHonoring the man who helped us understand science and humanity is a reason to celebrate, says Mr. Cherry. His recommendations: Throw caution to the wind and attend a biology lecture or even have folks bring fossils to a party.
\n“This year, there will be almost 1,000 events for Darwin Day around the world,” he says. “I hope Hallmark would come out with a card. There are lots of photos to celebrate evolution.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You atheists really know how to party!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

So, how would you celebrate World Humanist Day, atheists? Dress up like your favorite human? Haven’t we secularized the Christian holidays enough that you can just celebrate humanism then? You could do what the Christian church did and take over a pagan holiday and make it your own. 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