Should we emulate religious people in having 'our' exclusive festival

From David Deacon: in Newsline 09 November 2007

Paul Moylan suggests that we institute a festival dedicated to non-believers. I do not see how that is necessary.

Firstly, in our culture, we have secular holidays: New Year's Day, Spring and August Bank Holiday Mondays, and May Day (Boxing Day?). Some of them may have their roots in one tradition or another, but they continue to be taken, presumably on the grounds that time off work and having the opportunity to get together is inherently a good thing, whatever our outlook on life. To the extent that that we have public holidays, secularists and the trades union movement won the argument years ago. Many in society (although not enough shop workers) benefit from it.

Secondly, let's not make the mistake of emulating religious people in having 'our' exclusive festival. The evidence seems to be that for most us who join in with celebration days such as Valentine's Day (the 'Saint' reference is usually dropped nowadays), Mother's Day, Bonfire Night and so on, the occasions have become secular. Most of the public aspects of our culture are secular, I am glad to say. Secularism is inclusive: hurrah for that.