So if you want a good example of something that is *actually* cultural Christianity, check out this AITA post where the OP wants to know if they’re an asshole for telling their father in law not to tell their kid that Santa Claus (and the Easter Bunny, tooth fairy, etc) is real, because they and their husband made the decision to not raise their kids with that myth.
When I first read it, every other comment was some variation of “Well you sound joyless and miserable, children NEED to believe in magic and whimsy! Santa Claus is an INTEGRAL part of EVERYONE’S childhood and you’re an asshole for taking that away from them!”
I would hope I don’t have to explain how shitty it is to imply that all non-Christian faiths are “joyless and miserable” for the crime of not celebrating Christmas, or that non-Christian childhoods are “cold and lonely”. But I honestly think most of those commenters weren’t thinking of it in religious terms at all. Some of those that did backpedalled with “well of course it’s alright if you have a DIFFERENT religion they can believe in”, which isn’t any better. But THAT’S what cultural Christianity is. An element of Christianity that is so ingrained in the culture that people forget that it’s religious and insist that it’s mandatory for everyone, to the point of harassing and insulting anyone who doesn’t participate. Even people who are otherwise very open and accepting!
Worth noting is that OP never stated their religion. They mention they didn’t grow up with Santa Claus for religious reasons - whether they are non-Christian religious, atheist, or a Christian denomination that doesn’t do Santa is unclear. But it doesn’t matter because all of these people are targeted by cultural Christianity. All of these people get pressured to participate in Christmas because “it’s not even really religious” and “how could you hate Christmas you grinch!” All of these people are forced to constantly defend their right to not follow Christian traditions, and all of these people should be able to live their lives how they want without having to constantly defend their reasoning.
You don’t need a reason to opt out of Christianity, you don’t need a reason to opt out of Christmas, and I shouldn’t have to say this but telling anyone that they sound “joyless and miserable” because they don’t have the same beliefs as you is insanely fucking rude.
(via dat2ndaccount97)
