Atheism has no holidays. The Jewish comedian Henny Youngman joked about atheism, "I once wanted to become an atheist but I gave up . . . they have no holidays."[1]
Atheism is a worldview (see: Atheist worldview). Another worldview that lacks holidays is the Jehovah's Witnesses religion (See also: Retention rate of American atheists and Jehovah's Witnesses).
See also: Atheist cults and Atheism and science
Darwin Day is an unofficial celebration of Charles Darwin's birthday, February 12. It is supported by various atheist, irreligious, antichristian, and evolutionist groups and organizations as well as schools and biology programs.
Since World War II a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the evolutionary position which employs methodological naturalism have been atheists and agnostics.[2]
There is a cult of personality and type of religiousity currently surrounding Charles Darwin. Stephen Jay Gould wrote the following in 1978: ""... all theories [of natural selection] cite God in their support, and ... Darwin comes close to this status among evolutionary biologists ...".[3] In 2002, Michael White similarly wrote: "Of course today, for biologists, Darwin is second only to God, and for many he may rank still higher."[4]
See also: Atheism and Christmas
In December 2003, the University of Warwick reported:
“ | Dr. Stephen Joseph, from the University of Warwick, said: "Religious people seem to have a greater purpose in life, which is why they are happier. Looking at the research evidence, it seems that those who celebrate the Christian meaning of Christmas are on the whole likely to be happier.[5] | ” |
The apologists Ray Comfort and Grady Scott have suggested that April 1st should be International Atheist Day, in reference Psalm 14:1, which states "The fool hath said in his heart, 'There is no God'."[6][7]