A group known as the American Atheists recently purchased an animated billboard above New York City’s Time Square that reads “Nobody Needs Christ for Christmas.”

Unlike other religions, instead of celebrating the birth of Christ, the 50-year outfit says the true meaning of Christmas is “family, friends, charity, food, music, gifts, snow, lights, decorations, stockings, fun, ice skating, Rockettes®, parties, movies, Chinese food, human life, and hot chocolate.”

American Atheists President David Silverman says that people should stop making themselves uncomfortable during the holidays by feeling obligated to make it about religion.

“This season is a great time of year for a hundred reasons—none of them having to do with religion,” he said. “This year, start a new tradition: Don’t go to church. You hate it, it’s boring; you probably only go because you feel guilty or obligated. Instead, spend more time with your family and friends—or volunteer. There are better uses of your time and money.”

He adds that while we all love the Christmas season, “Christianity has been trying to claim ownership of the season for hundreds of years. But the winter solstice came first and so did its traditions. The season belongs to everybody.”

Public Relation Director Dave Muscato says that most Americans are focused on other elements of the Christmas season besides Jesus Christ. “Many so-called ‘Christmas’ traditions celebrated by Americans have nothing to do with Christianity. For example, the North Pole and Santa traditions come from Nordic and Germanic pagan traditions, and caroling, yule logs, mistletoe, holly wreaths all pre-date Christianity,” he said.

It is important to understand that Atheists have nothing to do with evil or anything associated with Satanism; in fact, it is a completely different belief system altogether.

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