Hi y'all - I got the urge for an argument - is this the right room? I'd like to get some views on Christmas which is a Federally designated religious holiday. Federal employees are forced to take this religious holiday, so banks, post offices and Government offices etc. etc. have to close. How many atheists OBSERVE this religious vacation? Considering myself a non-hypocritical lifetime member of the atheist community, I have followed a pattern similar (different locations) to the following, on the sacred holiday to recognise Jesus' birthday, (yeah I know) over the last 30 years. Awake as usual around 8am at the casino hotel. Use the computer these days for a couple of hours organizing finances and trying to trade with markets which are open (Muslim etc.) Jog around the parking lot or excercise and take a shower. Drive to the I 55 and eat lunch at either Waffle House or IHOP which are the only two restaurants open - none to my knowledge in Memphis. I stand in line happily despite my normal aversion to lines. As the parking lots are full, I'm happy to walk - even in the rain. What a glorious feeling! I buy a newspaper in the restaurant. This is the only day of the year that I buy one, because they are published on the special day! I tip the waitress well, and thank her for being a good atheist and working on the holy day. After lunch comes the biggest shopping day of the year. I visit several Walgreens stores and stock up on 12 months supply of toiletries, vitamins etc., again feeling quite happy to stand in line and search for parking spaces on their busiest day of the year. I then find a Mom & Pop gas station and fill up the car while spending a half hour buying stuff I don't need in their store. Next is a trip to West Memphis and a shopping spree at all the truck stops. This year I'll be replacing my old radar detector etc. As early evening comes, I return to the Southaven/Horn Lake area to find a restaurant and bar. I know of none open in Memphis. Last year it was Hooters for dinner and on to the Fox and Hounds for drinks, despite the fact that I can eat and drink free of charge at the casino. I end the day with a gambling session where there are no clocks, no windows and I'm sad to say a few decorations these days. I call this "business as usual." I wonder if anyone else is as committed/crazy/daft/non-hypocritical as I am?
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