Data doesn’t Lie. Not even once. A rather interesting holiday poll sought out the true meaning of Christmas. Is it religious? Is it the secular holiday wrapping-papered-gift exchange? This Christmas poll sought to bridge where we stand in our nighties, into the unknown.
According to the Religion and Public Life Project at the Pew Research Center, many interesting finds appeared once number crunching was complete, along side savory-snack crunching.
The data verifies that 9 out of 10 Christians celebrate Christmas, as well as 8 in 10 non Christians. Note that this figure includes 87 percent of “religiously unaffiliated people.”
Coming out of left field, Santa Claus, according to Bloomberg, will be expected at “69 percent of homes occupied by a child who believes in him.” This number includes homes where parents are going to “pretend” that Santa dropped by.
31 percent of homes agree that Santa actually does come and visit, and that no pretense is necessary for the holidays in the least. In a moment of whimsy, 20 percent of adults without a minor living with them have reported that Ol’ Saint Nick will be stopping by, with Rudolph guiding his sleigh.
Controversially, Americans represented in the poll were divided on the question of whether Christmas was more religious or more cultural. 51 percent said religious, and 32 percent were more on the secular/cultural side.
Interestingly, no group was antagonized by the other, and both groups got along perfectly well. What they had in common was that the commercialism/material aspect of the holidays was considered the most annoying thing about Christmas by both groups. 6 percent of people said they wanted more Christ in Christmas. Just 6.
Finally, no matter what Americans disagreed on, the majority in the poll agreed that spending time with family and friends made it the most wonderful time of the year. Have a wonderful holiday everyone, and a have very Merry Christmas!
Images: Getty & Bloomberg