Let's Get This War on Xmas Started!

'tis the season

Hey there, Secular Fam, how are you hanging in there? 

If you’re like me, it probably varies from minute-to-minute. 

Already, several of my friends have begun the process of moving out of the state, and even out of the country, so there’s that. 

There is so much uncertainty and so much outside of our control at this moment, I wanted to focus on one thing I can control, and that is The War on Christmas™. Normally, it doesn’t start until after Thanksgiving, but there are no more rules, so let’s get this party started!

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Some of you may be surprised to hear this, but I freaking love Xmas. My tree is already up, and this year, I decorated it while listening to Rage Against the Machine and Pussy Riot instead of Mariah Carey and Bing Crosby. 

It just felt right. 

Already, we’ve gotten many reports of attacks on individuals based on their race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation, and it’s been less than a month. So if some snarky memes piss off the fascists, so be it.

Normally, I don’t defend doxxing people, but when antisemite and generally horrible individual, Nick Fuentes posted to his Xitter account, “Your body, my choice. Forever,” and a bunch of women doxxed him, I was kind of living. 

Nick Fuentes “your body, my choice. Forever” comment comes straight from the pages of the Bible. It’s the origin story of Jesus. The Purity Culture movement reinforces the worthlessness of women and girls, and demands that they “keep sweet” and obey their pastors, fathers, and husbands - even when they abuse them. If you don’t believe me, check out our recent discussion with author, Tia Levings. Her story is harrowing.

It looks like the President-elect will be nominating a who’s who of rapists, pedophiles*, and “vaccine skeptics.” 

*

For many of us, our own family members, work colleagues, and friends voted for this kind of “leadership,” and now we may even be expected to break bread with them over the holidays. This is where I find myself this week. I have family visiting, and I know that they voted for a rapist. Not only that, they chose my SAbuser over me, so I’m not trying really hard to clear my schedule to see them. 

I won’t normalize voting for a convicted felon and rapist, and you shouldn’t either. If you’ll be spending time with racists, xenophobes, misogynists, and/or transphobes in the coming weeks, you don’t have to be tolerant of their intolerance. This isn’t an “agree to disagree” moment in time, so let them know exactly what you think of them. 

If you’ve been invited to holiday festivities with people who are racists, xenophobes, or any other kind of phobe, you don’t have to go. You don’t even have to tell them why if you don’t want to. Or you can tell them exactly what you think of them, and enjoy living rent free in their heads while they talk about how wOkE you are during their dinner.

If you’re hosting the holiday shindig this year, you get to create the guestlist. If you don’t want to engage with your racist family members, don’t invite them. 

If dipping out of family (dys)functions isn’t feasible for you, then make a plan, bring a kickass plus-one to rescue you whenever needed, and leave when they start going off on their weird tangents. Life is too short to spend time with fascists. 

Here at Secular AZ, we know that this is a very difficult time for our atheist, agnostic, humanist, or compassionate religious friends. Not only are we coming off of an election that will surely usher in an oligarchical authoritarian Christianity and Project 2025, but now we’re diving into potential holiday landmines. 

We wanted to provide a safe space for our freethinking friends and followers to celebrate, so on Sunday, December 29th, we’re planning a hybrid event. We’re still ironing out all the details, but we want this to be about fun, fellowship, food, and merriment. 

Keep checking our website and social media channels for updates about this event, but in the meantime, hang in there, Secular Fam, and do not capitulate to Christian nationalism. Not even if they’re blood. 

Be sure to continue your support for the work we do at Secular AZ, and if you are one of those poor souls who absolutely must spend time with MAGA family members, be sure to check out our new t-shirt designs, so you can properly occupy free real estate in their brains through the holidays and beyond!