I Propose A Dudeist Christmas-Alternative Holiday: Dudecember

[Rev Nicholas Rehfeldt]

I'll be perfectly frank, prior to Dudeism I was pretty much an atheist. A Nihilist. Ya know, I got older and when you get older that magic the Christian holiday holds on ya kinda slips away... And I was never one that was strongly influenced by the judeo-christian religions so years go by, started becoming increasingly uncomfortable acknowledging the holiday that claims to be about Peace On Earth, Family, Good Will Towards Man, and celebrating the birth of... Well, I won't Lord, cause after all what's a Lord? But definently a righteous Dude who was the man for his time and place a long time ago... that unfortunately people kill each other... Well I'm rambling, but you know what I'm trying to say.

So I'm proposing an alternative holiday that tries to capture the magic, and maybe some rituals. I got some ideas in my head about rules that should be followed, but ya know these aren't rigid. If one's toe where to slip over a little, it's about the holiday spirit, man.

I propose we call it Dudecember.

I toyed with the idea about calling it Dudemas... but I think, like most of us, I'd rather not invite more criticism that we're not a "real religion" by the reactionaries. Plus it fits better with the rules I'm about to list.

Dudecember takes place in the Month of December, between the dates of December 10th and January 1st.
Dudecember is made up of few "Holy Days" that can take place anywhere in that time frame, according to each Dude's leisure.

Dudecember Decorations- At the start of Dudecember, a dude's Rug (either new or old) should be attached to a wall. It may be decorated with ornaments or lights or what-have-yous. In place of a Christian Christmas Tree, Tumbleweeds as well may be decorated in a similar fashion. Please note, that any rugs that have been micturated upon may not be hung.

The Dudecember Spirit- During Dudecember, Dude's are encouraged to dig the style of any other celebrations going on during it's time. This, of course, allows a Dude from taking part in other religious holidays of family members that may not be Dude. It also can be as little as enjoying holiday lights. Dudeist, however, are strong discouraged from taking part in heavy retail shopping during this season or any other action that may make a retail worker more uptight than they already are. The point is to fill oneself with holiday joy, and by proxy the rug, with the idea that this positive energy will give a big boost to abiding for the rest of the year.

The Day Of Donny - An event to commemorate the souls of those who have left this earth over the past year. A Coffee can should be bought, brought and emptied near a body of water or equal tranquil place, and poured out. Prefarably, face the wind so said coffee ashes scattered in the wind. Words may or may not be spoken, the point is to reflect on the lives lost.

The Day Of Walter - An event this day to mark the things in the past year that have made us uptight. A Dudeist is to take a decent size handbag or subsitute and fill said bag with pieces of paper, each detailing the stresses and struggles of the past year. Once complete, The Dudeist is expected to dispose of the bag in the manner of their choosing... Preferably chucking it from a movie automobile and/or given to a nihilist.

The Day Of The Big Lebowski - A day of charity. Donating a Toy, soup kitchen, whatever. Some handout must be given. Dudeist are also encouraged to squash any personal disagreements with human paraquats that earnestly seek it, as even The Dude helped a crying pitiful Lebowski back into his chair. It is also a day of remember to be somewhat detached, Dudeist are encouraged to reflect on acheivements or lack their of, but comforted in the fact that such things do not define oneself.

The Dudecember Celebration - This is the day that would most closely resemble christmas. Dudeist are encouraged to spend the day with loved ones, being limber with merryment, and have a huge meal. Gifts should be given to Children, as much like a Pine Tree is in Pagan Religions, their existence is the promise that the whole human comedy with keep perpetuating itself.

and finally,

The Rug Day - Similar to January 1st, the Rug, now filled with positive energy should be removed from the wall and placed on the floor so that it may tie the room together.

I'd really like to hear everyone's idea about it, take suggestions and what not. I'd like to write everything up formally and submit it to the Dudespaper or what-have-yous.

[ZenDudeist]

I'm dreaming of a White Russian.

[Reverend Al]

Sounds exhausting.

[BikerDude]

Well the nice thing about Dudeism is that if you like the idea then have at it.

I'm an atheist but don't have any problem with the traditional holidays which IMO have very little to do with religion anyway. Even to the faithful.
Trouble with changing things is where do you draw the line?
Should we change the name of Thursday (named for Thor) or Saturday (named for the God Saturn) or the planet names. Etc...
And I definitely don't consider being atheist synonymous with Nihilism.
It's only to the Theist that all ethical concerns evaporate with the loss of faith.
My ethics are not grounded in faith or dogma.
If I had to pick I'd say I consider myself a Secular Humanist.
https://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php/3260

[jgiffin]

Ha, that shit was funny. I like a lot of the underlying concepts. They're good things to remember throughout the year. A gathering of Dudeists performing the activities would be hilarious fun.Sadly, I'm already beholden to Festivus.

[Rev Nicholas Rehfeldt]

Well the nice thing about Dudeism is that if you like the idea then have at it.

I'm an atheist but don't have any problem with the traditional holidays which IMO have very little to do with religion anyway. Even to the faithful.
Trouble with changing things is where do you draw the line?
Should we change the name of Thursday (named for Thor) or Saturday (named for the God Saturn) or the planet names. Etc...
And I definitely don't consider being atheist synonymous with Nihilism.
It's only to the Theist that all ethical concerns evaporate with the loss of faith.
My ethics are not grounded in faith or dogma.
If I had to pick I'd say I consider myself a Secular Humanist.
https://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php/3260

I'm not talking ethical concerns, I certainly don't believe one needs religion to have a moral compass. I think we get that from stories, role models and the like.

but what I meant was more like, a point to living. When I kinda accepted being an atheist instead of an agnostic, I felt pretty shitty man. Just acknowledging everything was utter chaos and our existence is pure luck of the draw. Plenty of days where a battle for me, cause one faces the question of What's The Point? May of only been me, cause other friends I've had that also self-applied that label also didn't seem to suffer from that lack of purpose. People would label me as depressed, but I didn't feel depressed. I felt like I was acting very rationally to a very real thing. But anyway, I did not mean to imply that Atheist believed in Nossing or that they keep illegal wildlife for domestic purposes within the city limits.

I do think, as a religion, we need some rules or structure even if they're only like... suggestions man. But yeah, ultimately, it's just like a name I suppose.

[Rev. Jimmy]

I'm finding this very interesting, man. I do celebrate Christmas as it is part of my culture and family tradition. 3,000 years of beautiful tradition and what have you.
I think these days and rituals you suggest have much value. I think you should continue to flesh this out.

[ZoeAbides]

Rev Nicholas Rehfeldt, I dig your style dude.

Christmas has long been a secular holiday anyway.  Early American settlers, Puritans, Evangelicals and what-not successfully had it banned for awhile in some towns BECAUSE of its secular nature.  Wassilling (caroling) was about getting shitfaced and stuffed full of goodies at every house visited.  It was a drunken, revelrous, boisterous, debauched good time for all, moreso for the adults than the kiddies.  It's since morphed to what it is today.  Even the modern version of Santa Claus was created by the Coca-Cola Corporation to increase sales during the winter downturn.

Call it what you want, I like the distinctly Dudeist feel of your Dudecember.  Name it (or not), celebrate it, (or not), it's not "official" (as so little of Dudeism is), and purely optional (as so much of Dudeism is) so just enjoy yourself.

Way not to pee on anyone's rug and abide in ways that make sense to you, dude.  Again, I dig your style.

[BikerDude]

Well the nice thing about Dudeism is that if you like the idea then have at it.

I'm an atheist but don't have any problem with the traditional holidays which IMO have very little to do with religion anyway. Even to the faithful.
Trouble with changing things is where do you draw the line?
Should we change the name of Thursday (named for Thor) or Saturday (named for the God Saturn) or the planet names. Etc...
And I definitely don't consider being atheist synonymous with Nihilism.
It's only to the Theist that all ethical concerns evaporate with the loss of faith.
My ethics are not grounded in faith or dogma.
If I had to pick I'd say I consider myself a Secular Humanist.
https://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php/3260

I'm not talking ethical concerns, I certainly don't believe one needs religion to have a moral compass. I think we get that from stories, role models and the like.

but what I meant was more like, a point to living. When I kinda accepted being an atheist instead of an agnostic, I felt pretty shitty man. Just acknowledging everything was utter chaos and our existence is pure luck of the draw. Plenty of days where a battle for me, cause one faces the question of What's The Point? May of only been me, cause other friends I've had that also self-applied that label also didn't seem to suffer from that lack of purpose. People would label me as depressed, but I didn't feel depressed. I felt like I was acting very rationally to a very real thing. But anyway, I did not mean to imply that Atheist believed in Nossing or that they keep illegal wildlife for domestic purposes within the city limits.

I do think, as a religion, we need some rules or structure even if they're only like... suggestions man. But yeah, ultimately, it's just like a name I suppose.

You see I've never understood this reaction.
Nothing CHANGES when you realize you are an atheist.
It just was always that way.
The great works of art are not any different if they were the product of neurons firing rather than an angel reaching down or whatever.
The times of happiness are no different.
You and I and everyone are capable of greatness as evidenced by history.
I just don't get the "whats the point" thing.
The point is the same as it ever was.
Roll some strikes, have some oat sodas listen to Creedance whatever floats yer boat.
I heard a christian ask and atheist why he didn't just kill himself to relieve himself of endless sorrow.
Well because clearly it's not endless sorrow. I just can't understand how one could feel that way.
You mean without the childish promise that all the good people go to the greatest place ever and all the bad people go to the worst place ever you run out of reasons?
How does someone end up in this sort of predicament?
I really hope that things aren't that bad for you.
But IMO raising people to lean so hard on the faith thing reaches a point of no return.
And it's a dirty trick they play.

[Rev Nicholas Rehfeldt]

Well the nice thing about Dudeism is that if you like the idea then have at it.

I'm an atheist but don't have any problem with the traditional holidays which IMO have very little to do with religion anyway. Even to the faithful.
Trouble with changing things is where do you draw the line?
Should we change the name of Thursday (named for Thor) or Saturday (named for the God Saturn) or the planet names. Etc...
And I definitely don't consider being atheist synonymous with Nihilism.
It's only to the Theist that all ethical concerns evaporate with the loss of faith.
My ethics are not grounded in faith or dogma.
If I had to pick I'd say I consider myself a Secular Humanist.
https://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php/3260

I'm not talking ethical concerns, I certainly don't believe one needs religion to have a moral compass. I think we get that from stories, role models and the like.

but what I meant was more like, a point to living. When I kinda accepted being an atheist instead of an agnostic, I felt pretty shitty man. Just acknowledging everything was utter chaos and our existence is pure luck of the draw. Plenty of days where a battle for me, cause one faces the question of What's The Point? May of only been me, cause other friends I've had that also self-applied that label also didn't seem to suffer from that lack of purpose. People would label me as depressed, but I didn't feel depressed. I felt like I was acting very rationally to a very real thing. But anyway, I did not mean to imply that Atheist believed in Nossing or that they keep illegal wildlife for domestic purposes within the city limits.

I do think, as a religion, we need some rules or structure even if they're only like... suggestions man. But yeah, ultimately, it's just like a name I suppose.

You see I've never understood this reaction.
Nothing CHANGES when you realize you are an atheist.
It just was always that way.
The great works of art are not any different if they were the product of neurons firing rather than an angel reaching down or whatever.
The times of happiness are no different.
You and I and everyone are capable of greatness as evidenced by history.
I just don't get the "whats the point" thing.
The point is the same as it ever was.
Roll some strikes, have some oat sodas listen to Creedance whatever floats yer boat.
I heard a christian ask and atheist why he didn't just kill himself to relieve himself of endless sorrow.
Well because clearly it's not endless sorrow. I just can't understand how one could feel that way.
You mean without the childish promise that all the good people go to the greatest place ever and all the bad people go to the worst place ever you run out of reasons?
How does someone end up in this sort of predicament?
I really hope that things aren't that bad for you.
But IMO raising people to lean so hard on the faith thing reaches a point of no return.
And it's a dirty trick they play.

I mean for me, I think the root of the problem was I got heavy Annihilation Anxiety since I was like 8 years old. Apparently I've learned it's not something everyone experiences... Frankly I wish I never had it cause it's legit probably the most horrible feeling.

[reverinelizabeth]

I dig your style dude. Very thoughtful of you to come up with Dudecember. I am an atheist and a Dudeist priest. Dudeism is non-theistic which can coincide with other religions or not. It's up to each individual to find their own way. I hope you submit that to the Dudespaper.

[Father Bubba]

I can definitely get behind the Day of Lebowski and the Dudecember Celebration.

Far out, man. I dig your work.