Before the holiday spirit completely disappears, I wanted to interview a few people on their favorite holiday, so here you go!
Dreamgr22: What religion to you practice?
JaceDemon: I'm an Atheist.
Honeybbz9: I am a Muslim, therefore I practice the religion Islam.
xoxkitkat: I'm a Roman Catholic.
Xion2: I am Jewish.
Dreamgr22: What is one popular holiday that goes along with the religion you practice?
JaceDemon: Well, I celebrate Christmas.
Honeybbz9: Well we actually have two popular ones, I guess my favorite would be Ramadan.
xoxkitkat: Right now, Christmas!
Xion2: Hmmm . . . Let's go with Yom Kippur.
Dreamgr22: What are the outlines of this holiday?
Honeybbz9: Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims, where we fast for thirty days from sunrise to sunset. It is when the Quran was sent down and the month of Ramadan helps Muslims be closer to god, by staying away from un Islamic things like gossiping and other things. It also shows us what it's like for the less fortunate , who have nothing to eat.
xoxkitkat: December 25th celebrates Jesus' Nativity, but while most people usually stop celebrating then, it's the first day of the Christmas season in the Catholic church. It includes certain feast days like the Solemnity of Mary which is on New Year's Day, the Epiphany which is 12 days after Christmas, and then the feast of Jesus' Baptism 40 days later when the season officially ends.
Xion2: Basically, it is about one week (10 days) after Rosh Hashana, which is the Jewish New Year. You are supposed to spend the day repenting for your sins of the previous year, and trying to plan out how to do well in the next one.
Dreamgr22: What traditions go along this holiday?
JaceDemon: Decorating trees! Making cookies. And my favorite, giving gifts to people. I love giving gifts to people for no reason!
Honeybbz9: I'd say food. When we're finally allowed to eat, my family usually eat traditional Arabic food like hummus and falafel. And also family traditions like eating together, giving food to the neighbors. It's really amazing.
xoxkitkat: There are a lot of traditions that go along with Advent (the waiting period before Christmas) like lighting candles on an advent wreath and singing the "O Antiphons", but actual Christmas traditions include the usual going to mass, decorating Christmas trees, exchanging presents, visiting family, and all that good stuff!
Xion2: Well, the biggest deal for this cookie (me) is that you don't eat for about 25 hours. No coffee, no soda, no cookies . . . oh and none of that healthy junk either. Beyond that, the day is normally spent in the temple, praying.
Dreamgr22: What is one thing you would like people to know about your holiday, culture, or religion?
JaceDemon: Atheists don't hate Christians. I've gotten judged about this a lot around this time. I just don't believe there is any "god" or "gods" out there, I don't hate those who do believe in an omniscient being.
Honeybbz9: I'd like people to know that Ramadan is a very special and blessed month for Muslims, it helps us be patient and thankful for what we have. And fasting is actually healthy I hear!
xoxkitkat: About Catholicism, especially during the holiday season, I would just say take everything you hear with a grain of salt. The most religious education a lot of people get is CCD classes when they're young, and from there they either grow out of the fairy tales and "obey or die" rules or stick with them and pass them on without knowing what they really mean. Don't let people's actions, even priests or bishops, cause you to think negatively of the religion until you've really studied it yourself. And that's more than looking up obscure Bible quotes online.
Xion2: We do not speak Jewish. We speak Hebrew.
I want to thank JaceDemon, Honeybbz9, xoxkitkat, and Xion2 for allowing me to interview them about their religion and holiday! Let me say this; no matter what religion you do, or don't practice, respect others. People have a right to believe what they want to believe, so, please, give it to them.
