The Education Network Best Ten List Articles
Christians worldwide celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th, but some religions do not celebrate it. Curious to find out what they are? Then read on, and let’s look at ten religions that don’t celebrate Christmas in no particular order.
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, you should help others on this blessed day.
10. Shinto
Shinto, or the way of the gods, is the faith of the people of Japan and the country’s primary religion (alongside Buddhism). As is the case with Hinduism, Shinto does not have a founder or sacred scriptures.
There is no propaganda, nor is there preaching. Kami are what the Shinto gods are called; they are holy spirits that manifest themselves in the form of things and concepts.
In Shinto, nobody is perfect. There is no absolute wrong and right; this religion believes that all people are intrinsically good and that evil can be kept at bay by purification and prayers.
9. Jainism
Jainism draws from Hinduism, and it is divided into two sects: Digambara and Svetambara. Its believers hold that through self-control and non-violence, one can obtain liberation. Jin in Sanskrit means to conquer, and it refers to the conquering of passions and pleasures.
Those who manage to win this battle are viewed as Jina or conquerors. One of the principles of this religion is that people cannot grasp the complexity of objects and things because human perception is finite.
This can be better illustrated by the parable of the blind men and the elephant in which several blind men are made to touch and feel several parts of an elephant (an ear, tusk, tail, leg). Each claims to understand the appearance of the elephant, but obviously, they do not. An only omniscient being, the Kevalis can understand everything, but no human view can comprehend the absolute truth.
Want to find out more about Jainism? Check the video below:
8. Scientology
Scientology is the newest religion on our list. It was created by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer, in 1952. For Scientologists, people are immortal beings who are no longer in touch with their true selves. A type of counseling called auditing will help people return to their natural state. Not many states recognize it as a religion. Some call it a cult (France) and others a commercial enterprise (Switzerland).
Want to find out more about Scientology? Check the unbiased video guide below:
7. Wicca
Religious studies categorize Wicca as both a new religious movement and as part of the occultist stream of Western esotericism. It was developed in England during the first half of the 20th century. Gerald Gardner, a retired British civil servant introduced to the public in 1954, just two years after Scientology.
The two Gods are based on gender bipolarity, and they are the mother goddess and the horned God, the divine feminine and the divine masculine. They are lovers and equals. Wiccans believe in reincarnation and sorcery and many practices it.
Want to know more about Wicca and Wiccans? Check the following National Geographic documentary:
6. Judaism
There is only one God in Judaism. Abraham is the father of the Jewish people, and God promised him that his son, Isaac, would inherit the land of Israel. When Jacob and his children were enslaved in Egypt, God told Moses to lead the Exodus, and at Mount Sinai, they received the Torah, the sacred book of Judaism.
Judaism does not recognize Jesus as being the son of God (thus making it a religion that doesn’t celebrate Christmas), and because of this, the Jews have been persecuted time and time again.
The Jewish do not celebrate Christmas, but instead, celebrate a holiday known as Chanukah (Hanukkah).
Chanukah is an eight-day festival of lights that is celebrated by a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, and foods (fried)
5. Jehovah’s Witnesses
This religion is the only Christian religion on our list that does not celebrate Christmas. While Jehova’s Witnesses believe in Jesus, they feel that Christmas is of pagan origins and thus, choose not to celebrate it.
They consider their body of beliefs as the only truth and think modern society is under the influence of Satan and try to limit their social interaction with people who are not Witnesses.
Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t celebrate any holidays or even birthdays.
Check the following 5 min short tutorial if you want to find out more about Jehova’s Witnesses.
4. Taoism
Tao means the principle, the way, and those who practice Taoism try to live their life in harmony with the Tao. Another important concept in Taoism is Wu-Wei – the common translations are non-action and action without intent. It refers to how Taoists should try and live their lives – not imposing their will upon the earth because the Universe works well according to its laws.
Once someone imposes their will, they disrupt the fine harmony. Living passively and avoiding violence is the way. Also, the Yin and Yang is probably the most well-known Taoist symbol in the world, and it represents the tension between good and evil, positive and negative, as one cannot exist without the other.
3. Islam
Islam is one of the three monotheistic religions that exist aside from Christianity and Judaism. Islam means submission to the will of God and is the largest religion on the planet with more than 1.8 billion followers.
Mohammed was the founder of Islam, who, in 610 A.D. at the age of forty, started getting revelations from the angel Gabriel. He then recorded these messages, which became the Qur’an.
It can be said that, in principle, the Christians and the Muslims worship the same God because, at the time when Mohammed began writing Islam’s holy book, he was doing so to try and combat the polytheism of the time. He believed that there only was one true God, but the Christian God and the Muslim God are very different: Jesus Christ is the one who made the Christian God much more lenient.
Check the video documentary below about Islam to find out more:
2. Buddhism
Buddhism is one of the world’s largest religions and originated 2,500 years ago in India. Buddhists do not believe in God. They follow the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), who is not a God, but an enlightened person. Basically, for Buddhists, this life that people are living is suffering, and the sole goal in Buddhism is to reach Nirvana which is a profound peace of mind.
The peace of mind is acquired with the liberation achieved when one has managed to let go of all desires, cravings, ignorance, and attachments. Until one has reached Nirvana, they will be reborn, according to their karma, into any of the 31 planes of existence.
Here is a video documentary about how is a day in life of a Buddhist monk:
1. Hinduism
Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. Today, with about 900 million followers, Hinduism is the third-largest religion behind Christianity and Islam. Roughly 95 percent of the world’s Hindus live in India.
It has no founding figure and cannot be traced as to when it appeared. Hinduism includes many related traditions but does not constitute a unified set of practices.
Some Hindus worship Shiva or Vishnu, while others focus on the divine Self, which is called the Atman, but most respect the Vedas, which are a collection of sacred texts, and the class of priests which are called the Brahmans (keep in mind that others do not recognize either). It is a complex religion, and if you want to know more, we urge you to start reading or watching documentaries about it.
Hindus in India do celebrate in December with a five-day holiday called Pancha Ganapati. The celebration begins on December 21 to celebrate the elephant-headed lord of culture and new beginnings.
FAQ on Religions That Don’t Celebrate Christmas
What is Christmas?
What religions celebrate Christmas?
What countries don’t celebrate Christmas on 25 December?
Conclusion
Any thoughts on these religions that don’t celebrate Christmas? Are you someone who doesn’t celebrate it? If you are, drop us a line and tell us what are your favorite winter holidays, we would love to find out what other religions celebrate in the wintertime!
Image sources: [10], [9], [8], [7], [6], [5], [4], [3], [2], [1]
