Humanists Keep the Ho-Ho-Ho in Christmas
For Immediate Release
Contact: Roy Speckhardt at (202)238-9088
(Washington, DC - December 5, 2005) “As this winter holiday season approaches, accusations that Humanists are out to steal Christmas have already begun,” stated Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. Fox News anchor John Gibson recently wrote a book on the so-called war against Christmas, claiming that the conspiracy “is embedded in the secular Humanist Manifesto (in its three iterations from the American Humanist Association).”
“This and similar misrepresentations are made by Christian conservatives every year,” stated Speckhardt. “Instead of outlining a plan for the demise of Santa Claus, our Humanist Manifestoes describe how we understand the world, explain the sources of ethics, and register our aspirations toward social justice, human rights, and better lives for all.”
“Humanists aren't opposed to celebrating Christmas—it has been a secular holiday since the 19th century,” continued Speckhardt. “And even before the advent of Christianity, ancient peoples around the world celebrated it as a festival of winter.”
“Humanists embrace this natural human tendency to celebrate the change of the seasons,” added Fred Edwords, editor of the Humanist magazine. Humanists have been celebrating the Winter Solstice for decades, recognizing it as the historical common denominator behind Christmas, Hanukkah, and other winter celebrations. “Humanists look for the positive potential in celebrations and eagerly explore new ways to rejoice in the togetherness and love that have long marked the winter holiday season,” said Edwords.
In 1966 a Humanist, Dr. Maulana Karenga, founded Kwanzaa to recognize uniquely African American traditions. And in 2001 Humanists founded HumanLight, a uniquely Humanist, but inclusive holiday. “HumanLight is an idea that goes beyond celebration. It’s a vision of hope, reason, and compassion that can be shared with those close to us and our communities. HumanLight represents a positive vision of an ethical, enlightened, Humanist future,” explained Edwords.
“Claiming a war on Christmas has become a fraudulent way for Gibson and others to attack the separation of church and state, religious pluralism, and Humanist values,” said Speckhardt. “Every year, some are willing to brush aside the First Amendment in their eagerness to place purely Christian holiday symbols on public property, but Humanists say that this holiday time isn’t the exclusive property of any religion. It belongs to everyone.”
“Christmas and other winter holidays shouldn't be seen as an opening for divisive political gain but as a time for putting aside differences and embracing our common humanity.” concluded Speckhardt.
The American Humanist Association is the oldest and largest Humanist organization in the nation. The AHA is dedicated to ensuring a voice for those with a positive nontheistic outlook, based on reason and experience, which embraces all of humanity.
