Disprove the Scrooge

Let’s say that you’re one of the few people who doesn’t celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Christmas. You don’t even celebrate Festivus, as seen on Seinfeld. That’s why the Sacramento Atheists and Other Freethinkers and the Humanist Association of the Greater Sacramento Area are joining to throw a Solstice/HumanLight Party. The free event, which happens this Sunday, features an open-mic, potluck and auction for two tickets to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. It’s open to humanists—those who believe in doing good without a belief in God—and everyone else. Three reasons to celebrate include the arrival of the shortest day of the year, the upcoming new year and the beauty of a low-hanging sun.

Attendees can also partake in celebrating the HumanLight holiday, which was created in 2001 by the New Jersey Humanist Network as a celebration of tolerance, compassion and reason. The holiday quickly spread to dozens of other cities around the United States. It also provided an alternative to religious holidays for those who don’t celebrate them. If nothing else, it’s just another opportunity for humanists to disprove their “Scrooge” stereotype and to be able to say “Happy holidays” and really mean it.

The Solstice/HumanLight Party happens Sunday, December 19, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Common House of the Southside Park Cohousing Community, 434 T Street. For more information, call (916) 447-3589 or visit http://aofonline.org. Those who would like to perform a reading, song or other expressive talent should contact the organizers in advance by phone or by e-mailing <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">{ document.write(String.fromCharCode(60,97,32,104,114,101,102,61,34,109,97,105,108,116,111,58,97,111,102,98,111,97,114,100,64,103,111,111,103,108,101,103,114,111,117,112,115,46,99,111,109,34,62,97,111,102,98,111,97,114,100,64,103,111,111,103,108,101,103,114,111,117,112,115,46,99,111,109,60,47,97,62)) } </script>. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food and beverages to share with others.