I have blogged about my views on religion before and I don’t think I need to again go into how oppressive and repugnant I find it as a sociopolitical phenomenon. However, I don’t think that should stop me saying here today that I hope the next few days are very enjoyable for everyone. Part of me is worried that, just by saying that, I’m playing into the religious narrative and reinforcing it’s control; yet, at the end of the day, Christmas is about getting together with family and friends, enjoying each other’s company, exchanging gifts and chilling out. In that case, I have nothing against it. After all, the pagan midwinter festival which the event we call Christmas essentially stems from has more or less nothing to do with a religious or cultural leader living in the Middle East two thousand years ago.

I’m going to visit my parents tomorrow and staying with them until Boxing Day, so mine should be a Christmas like the ones I had growing up. I’m really looking forward to it, and especially enjoying one of my mum’s Christmas lunches. Thus, putting all my concerns about social control aside, let me just wish everyone reading this a merry Christmas and a wonderful new year.