Religions are important to people of that religion. Christmas and Easter are important to Christianity but no other religion. Ramadan is important to Islam and no other religion. And Passover is important to Judaism but no other religion.
Why would an atheist celebrate Hanukkah or Beltain? The religious festivals are unimportant to people who are not of that religion (unless the festival has been commercialized and not celebrating it would not be socially acceptable).
Poster, this is the book to answer your question. Pieper is simply excellent. I attach a website address that uses the book for a course and has questions related to dicsussion of the book. In Tune with the World: A Theory of Festivity by Josef Pieper In this stimulating and still-timely study, Josef Pieper takes up a theme of paramount importance to his thinking - that festivals belong by rights among the great topics of philosophical discussion. As he develops his theory of festivity, the modern age comes under close and painful scrutiny. It is obvious that we no longer know what festivity is, namely, the celebration of existence under various symbols. Pieper exposes the pseudo-festivals, in their harmless and their sinister forms: traditional feasts contaminated by commercialism; artificial holidays created in the interest of merchandisers; holidays by coercion, decreed by dictators the world over; festivals as military demonstrations; holidays empty of significance. And lastly we are given the apocalyptic vision of a nihilistic world which would seek its release not in festivities but in destruction. Questions from a course using this book http://www3.baylor.edu/~Scott_Moore/Pieper_info.html
Festivals are important to all groups of people not just Christians.
With that said; Christians are instructed in the Holy Bible to uphold 3 feasts in the year, none of which are currently practiced (Exodus 23:14).
Passover, Lent, Christmas, Easter, etc.... are not feasts the Bible commands should be practiced, they may be popular rituals but are not required of one who practices the teaching of Christ through The Bible. Many of the modern festivals, like the abuse of passover, are used solely to generate huge income streams. The passover example is the so-called kosher labeling of foods for a fee paid to the religious organization (of course).
Anyway the commanded feasts are:
1. Feast of unleavened bread.
2. Feast of Harvest
3. Feast of Ingathering
Religions are important to people of that religion. Christmas and Easter are important to Christianity but no other religion. Ramadan is important to Islam and no other religion. And Passover is important to Judaism but no other religion.
Why would an atheist celebrate Hanukkah or Beltain? The religious festivals are unimportant to people who are not of that religion (unless the festival has been commercialized and not celebrating it would not be socially acceptable).
* many people think it unites a community
Communities are so important to our culture, and there are many ways that communities are brought together, such as and not limited to; community gardens, festivals, concerts, fund raisers and school functions.
This can depend upon the specific religion as well as the type of festival. Many times festivals, religious or not, can be good times for communities to come together and individuals to bond. Community is a core component of many religions, so it can strengthen the bonds that believers have with each other. This can, in turn, lead to a support system of like-minded people. Having support by those of the same faith is important for growth and a deepening of faith.
The Roman government did not provide holidays. Holidays were religious festivals. The Romans had a great many such festivals.
From religious holidays, including Easter or Christmas.
The Ancient Greeks were polytheists, or they believed in many gods and goddesses. They went to temples to worship and had many religious festivals.
nearly 15,000 people attended the festivals each yearIt began in the religious festivals that honored Dionysus, the Greek god of wine.
nearly 15,000 people attended the festivals each yearIt began in the religious festivals that honored Dionysus, the Greek god of wine.
between 77 and 89
The sacrifice of war captives was an important part of many of the Aztec religious festivals. Warfare was thus the main driving force of both the Aztec economy and religion.
Many secular holidays and traditions have evolved from religious festivals, such as Christmas from Christian celebrations, Halloween from ancient Celtic festivals, and Easter from a combination of Christian and pagan traditions. Over time, these observances have taken on new meanings and practices that are often more cultural or commercial in nature.
nearly 15,000 people attended the festivals each yearIt began in the religious festivals that honored Dionysus, the Greek god of wine.
It was important to the Indians because they use it for many important celebrations and festivals for the queens and kings.