The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has written an illiberal attack on illiberal atheists who, he says, have decided that a Christian festival is offending other faiths. He fails to say exactly who these atheists are. I have never come across one either personally or through the media. However, I have come across many thinking Atheists who are very liberal and staunch defenders of the freedom of speech and conscience. Atheists are in the vanguard of those who oppose attempts to censor material simply because it offends Christians, Muslims, Sikhs or even Atheists themselves. It would be rather odd to defend the right of newspapers to publish the Muhammad cartoons earlier this year and then condemn aspects of Christmas because they offend Muslims! I don't have hard data, but it seems more likely to me that those who are avoiding the Jesus elements of Christmas because they might offend other religions are those who hold religion itself in some esteem, not those who believe that the whole idea of dieties is nonsense.

Dr Sentamu doesn't seem to understand what has happened in this country in recent times. He refers to Jesus as being at the heart of the Christmas celebration. Well, no. That may have been true in the past, but for most people it is not the case now, and has not been for decades. It is not for the Archbishop of York to tell the 85% of people who won't go near a church this holiday what their Christmas is about.

Dr Sentamu refers to the cultural traditions of this country, and there is no question that a significant part of our culture is of Christian origin (although, ironically, most of what goes on at Christmas is not - the holly, ivy, mistletoe, decorations, old man beating gifts and so on come from pre-Christian Pagan winter fesitvals). But culture evolves, and the fact that we have inherited names or features from past versions of our culture does not mean that we retain or accept the basic beliefs of those earlier times. We don't invoke the Norse god Thor when we mention Thursday, and Christians don't think of Imperial administrative districts when they refer to a diocese. In the same way, most of us don't concern ourselves with Christ at Christmas. For us, this holiday has moved on from the beliefs which gave it its name, and Dr Sentamu's references to its "true meaning" are just empty words of historic interest. Culture metamorphasises, meanings change. It was ever thus, which is how Christians managed to take over the Pagan midwinter holiday in the first place.

On one matter, I agree entirely with the Archbishop : "In a free society people have the right to describe themselves without an outsider – such as the aggressive secularist - imposing their will on others." But which is the greater imposition? The denial of an opportunity to promote a particular belief in a non-religious environment such as a workplace; or the insistence that the belief should be celebrated there, even though a majority of those present may not believe it? The quiet exclusion of nativity plays and carol services from schools, or the insistence that children attend these sectarian events? The quiet exclusion of jewellery from the garb of check-in assistants at airports, or the insistence than non-, or even anti-, Christian customers must have a crucifix - an instrument of torture - flaunted in front of them? Which is illiberal? Freedom of speech, or campaigns to shut down Jerry Springer the Opera? Freedom of conscience and expression, or laws against blasphemy and religious hatred? Freedom of action, or campaigns to limit Sunday trading?  Part of the historical Christian culture which Dr Sentamu mentions is the imposition of Christianity on the country by force and law; the burning of heretics, fines for non-attendance at church, and so on. A Christian bishop is one of the last people I will take lessons from about not imposing views on others.

As a very liberal Atheist, I say go ahead and celebrate your Christmas. I genuinely hope it is an enjoyable and fulfilling time for you. But please don't try and tell me or the millions of other non-believers and religious apathetics what Christmas means, or how and where we should be celebrating it.