The Holidays: The Big White Elephant in the Room
When one has deconverted, the holidays may look completely different, reexamining everything from family traditions to singing carols to dealing with those extended family members. On today’s episode, two returning guests, Arline and Lars and a new guest, Carlene, share how the holidays have and haven’t changed since deconversion.
Lars and Arline go into what it’s like to be an unbelieving parent during the holidays, navigating the mythologies of Santa and Jesus. Children ask genuine questions, and they expect genuine answers.
The group discusses what they have not given up, among other things, singing Christmas carols. Carols are different than singing religious songs at church, more cultural than sacred. For some, however, it takes a little self-discipline to sing along without critiquing the lyrics.
The guests also examine what they have thrown in the trash bin completely, including, but not limited to, the phrase “Merry Christmas” and all those nativity scenes.
Holidays spent with extended family can be especially challenging, regardless of religious beliefs. Each person is finding their own unique ways of making the most of their time with family, especially being grateful. Religion does not own the rights to thanksgiving.
Lastly, Carlene, David, Lars and Arline consider some new traditions they’ve started or would like to start. Nature is the easiest place to experience awe and wonder, and everyone discussed ways to be in nature more this winter. Also, creating new traditions can be awkward and may not always turn out quite like we hope.
It is a lovely conversation, full of hope and lots of humor.
Book Recommendations
#PaidLinks
Small Creatures Such as We by Sasha Sagan
https://amzn.to/3dobtFO
Grace Without God by Katherine Ozment
https://amzn.to/3oqmUmP
Good Without God by Greg Epstein
https://amzn.to/3opdjwg
Interact
Send in a recorded AMA question
https://anchor.fm/gracefulatheist/message
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/
Photo by Thomas Bormans on Unsplash

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