When I was first assigned this project, I was very unsure about what I would be able to do or contribute due to my lack or religious knowledge. I figured that we would have to do lots of research and reading on typical and, in my opinion, boring religious topics. However, once my group and I came up with our topic, I became much more excited and interested in pursuing the project. Not being very religious, I still celebrate religious holidays, especially Christmas, Easter, Passover, and Hanukkah. My family concentrates more on the Catholic holidays, but celebrate only secularly—i.e., we don’t go to church. I feel that my family does give in to the secularization and commercialization of Christian traditions based on our typical celebrations. However, it’s not as if all we care about are gifts and shopping during the holidays—we do spend time together and enjoy each other’s company, which I think is equally important as cherishing the religious roots. Through doing this project, though, I have begun to question whether it’s “acceptable” to only personally take part in the more secular aspects of the holidays. Considering my lack of strong affiliation with any religion, I think that it is acceptable, because for me, holidays are meant to be a time to celebrate togetherness, especially with family and friends. I don’t need religion to be able to celebrate the holidays—they should be spent however people like. The over-commercialization of many holidays is much more of a problem to me because it reflects flawed values of many Americans. Overall, my holiday celebrations do not reveal any religious aspects of my life, and I am at ease with celebrating them secularly and in my own way.
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