I have to respectfully disagree with Steve Barnett, (Short Takes, 21/12): you are not a hypocrite if you want to say Merry Christmas as an atheist. Christmas is not a Christian monopoly - nor is being merry on Christmas. Our society is far too advanced for that nonsense.
I am sure 90 per cent of my Christian friends would agree that Christmas has evolved to be a festive period where all people from all religions and backgrounds can celebrate as they wish in a society where freedom of religious views is a key value, and no one person or group has the authority to take away that enjoyment of life.
