Can I invite a nonreligious friend to a religious holiday?
Yes. Many nonreligious people enjoy holiday meals, music and traditions, and plenty already celebrate holidays like Christmas as family and cultural time.Make it a real invitation, not a recruitment. Tell them what to expect, make it easy to say no, and let them join in as much or as little as feels right.
1 · MindWhat's true
About 29% of American adults have no religion, according to Pew’s 2025 Religious Landscape Study. That includes atheists, agnostics and a large group who say they are “nothing in particular.” Pew found in 2024 that most of these “nones” still believe in God or some higher power, while about 29% do not.
Many nonreligious Americans already celebrate religious holidays as cultural ones. In a 2013 Pew survey, 87% of religiously unaffiliated Americans said they celebrate Christmas, most of them as a cultural holiday rather than a religious one.
So a holiday invitation is rarely strange to a nonreligious friend. What matters is what kind of event it is. A family dinner is very different from a worship service. Being clear about which one you’re inviting them to helps everybody.
What each tradition or community says
Many nonreligious people say they are happy to be included in a friend’s traditions, the same way they’d enjoy a friend’s cultural festival. What they don’t want is to feel like the invitation was really about changing their mind.
For many believers, sharing a holiday is a way of sharing what matters most to them. Inviting a friend is a sign of trust and warmth, not pressure.
The American Humanist Association says humanism is not about ending religion but about building a society where people of all beliefs can live well together. Sharing a table fits that goal.
2 · HeartWhat it feels like
Being left out of holidays can feel lonely, especially for someone who is far from family or who stepped away from the faith they grew up in. An invitation can mean a lot.
At the same time, some nonreligious people carry hard memories from religion. A gentle, no-pressure invite respects that. If they say no, it may have nothing to do with you.
A seat at your table doesn’t come with a quiz. That’s what makes it a good seat.Neighbor Radio
3 · HandsHow to be a good neighbor
Say what it is. “We’re doing a big Easter brunch, then the kids hunt eggs” is clearer than “Come to Easter.” If there’s a prayer or a service, mention it.
Make “no” easy. “No pressure at all, but we’d love to have you.” Mean it.
Let them choose how to join. During a prayer or blessing, a guest can simply sit quietly. You don’t need to explain or apologize for your tradition, and they don’t need to pretend to share it.
Skip the sales pitch. Talking about what the day means to you is welcome. Pushing them to believe it is not.
This weekBefore your next holiday, think of one person who might be spending it alone. Invite them with a clear, no-pressure message.
Plain wordsWhat do these words mean?
Four questions to take with you
From the story of the Good Samaritan, the stranger who stopped to help. We call it the Good Neighbor Test.
- Did they see? Or look right past?
- Did they stop? Even when it was inconvenient?
- Did it cost them? Time, money, comfort, reputation?
- Did they treat the person like a person? Not like a label?
Try it on: a holiday table you’d feel nervous walking into. What would make you feel welcome there?
Quick questions
Do atheists celebrate Christmas?
Many do. In a 2013 Pew survey, 87% of religiously unaffiliated Americans said they celebrate Christmas, mostly as a cultural holiday.
Should we skip grace because a nonreligious guest is there?
No need. Your guest can sit quietly. You might give them a heads-up so they know what to expect.
Can I invite them to a worship service?
You can, as long as it’s a true invitation with an easy way to say no. Tell them what happens there so they aren’t caught off guard.
- Pew Research Center: Celebrating Christmas and the Holidays, Then and Now (2013)
- Pew Research Center: Religious 'Nones' in America, Who They Are and What They Believe (2024)
- Pew Research Center: Religious Landscape Study, executive summary (2025)
- American Humanist Association: Definition of Humanism
Fact-checked October 13, 2026 against American Humanist Association and Pew Research Center. Written in plain words by the Neighbor Radio team. Every fact is checked against what each community says about itself, in its own official sources, plus a neutral reference. Part of this community and something doesn't sound like you, or spot a mistake? Tell us. We read every note and fix mistakes.
Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.
