Should Christian’s Celebrate Pagan Festivals

[Guitar's Cry]

The one Almighty God of the Jews prohibited the worship of other Pagan Gods and also any festivals associated with them.

But, contemporary ‘Christian’s’ openly, and even advocate, taking part in pagan festivals so as to attract non-Christians and younger audience who indulge in the festivities with no regard to its actual Christian meaning for people who live in countries who’s religious belief is that of ‘Christian’.

Good thing is, the opposite of Christian conversion can take place. The beliefs and customs of a people pre-Christian can live on safely and can inspire new generations to seek out alternate spiritual ideas.

It's all syncretic anyway and adds to the available symbols and customs humans can derive meaning from.

 

[Secret Chief]

Good to see the Greengrocer's Apostrophe live's on..............

Saw it outside a beauty salon just yesterday: fingers + toe's

 

[Debater Slayer]

Saw it outside a beauty salon just yesterday: fingers + toe's

I saw fingers, toes and a lost Oxford comma the other day.

 

[exchemist]

You left out Easter.

Here is a longer list of pointless days

Wardipedia - 65. Pointless national days - Star Wards

Happy Pointless National Day! Introduction And what a choice you have. There’s National Donald Duck day, National Chip week (clearly too important to restrict to a single day) and (Jewish) Marion’s favourite – Hug a Jew day. (She hasn’t yet been able to persuade her therapist that this is the...

www.starwards.org.uk

Presume because even this poster recognises that celebration of the Resurrection is not exactly pagan.

But if we're not careful, this will activate @Riders, so I'd better shut up....................

 

[Secret Chief]

@Soapy
@Rival
...and anyone else...

Criminal?

"The Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in earlier centuries often called the Gunpowder Treason Plot or the Jesuit Treason, was an unsuccessful attempted regicide against King James I by a group of English Catholics led by Robert Catesby who considered their actions attempted tyrannicide and who sought regime change in England after decades of religious persecution."

- Gunpowder Plot - Wikipedia

 

[Rival]

@Soapy
@Rival
...and anyone else...

Criminal?

"The Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in earlier centuries often called the Gunpowder Treason Plot or the Jesuit Treason, was an unsuccessful attempted regicide against King James I by a group of English Catholics led by Robert Catesby who considered their actions attempted tyrannicide and who sought regime change in England after decades of religious persecution."

- Gunpowder Plot - Wikipedia

Yes, I'm just confused that @Soapy seems to think we're celebrating Guy Fawkes.

James I certainly wasn't a criminal, as far as I know, in the conventional sense.

So I am baffled.

 

[Secret Chief]

Multicoloured, mottled, brightly coloured….
It’s not about sex assignment!

The word, ‘Gay’, was hijacked from its original usage and used for the homosexual community (more in particular to men who acted in a ‘Flowery, highly colourful, effeminate manner’. But that’s no reason not to use it in its original meaning when appropriate.

"gay body waste coat and treats day" still makes absolutely no sense.

 

[exchemist]

@Soapy
@Rival
...and anyone else...

Criminal?

"The Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in earlier centuries often called the Gunpowder Treason Plot or the Jesuit Treason, was an unsuccessful attempted regicide against King James I by a group of English Catholics led by Robert Catesby who considered their actions attempted tyrannicide and who sought regime change in England after decades of religious persecution."

- Gunpowder Plot - Wikipedia

Though as far as I know the Jesuits had nothing to do with it - they were just convenient bogeymen at the time.

 

[Secret Chief]

So I am baffled.

I imagine we all are but it's entertaining while I'm waiting for my lunch.

 

[loverofhumanity]

The one Almighty God of the Jews prohibited the worship of other Pagan Gods and also any festivals associated with them.

But, contemporary ‘Christian’s’ openly, and even advocate, taking part in pagan festivals so as to attract non-Christians and younger audience who indulge in the festivities with no regard to its actual Christian meaning for people who live in countries who’s religious belief is that of ‘Christian’.

Pagan Festivals include:

• Christmas (Otherwise known as Self Indulgent day)
• Guy Fawkes (UK) (Also known as Celebrate a Criminal day)
• Thanks Giving …
• Halloween (Celebration of non-existent disembodied spirits)
• Mothering Sunday (Weirdly called ‘Mothers Day’)
• Pointless Day (Weirdly called ‘Fathers day’)
• Animal Day (weirdly known as Celebrate your Pet with fluffy toys and gay body waste coat and treats day)

It’s an open question and no explicit pagan festival is implied in the question so you can add your own.

I have no problem with sacred, spiritual observances as a mark of reverent respect and devotion but that such celebrations and commemorations should never be commercialised and used for profit making. These days most remember the presents and Santa but forget God and Jesus. A real shame.

 

[Rival]

I have no problem with sacred, spiritual observances as a mark of reverent respect and devotion but that such celebrations and commemorations should never be commercialised and used for profit making. These days most remember the presents and Santa but forget God and Jesus. A real shame.

Well, this is half true.

Last year at the Christmas Midnight Mass I attended the nave of the Cathedral was full.

 

[Secret Chief]

Hey I just noticed the BBC Proms festival of classical music doesn't involve the one Almighty God of the Jews...

 

[exchemist]

"gay body waste coat and treats day" still makes absolutely no sense.

Gay body waste is what you get if you eat too many Smarties, perhaps?

 

[rocala]

"gay body waste coat

If you are of a nervous disposition I strongly advise you not to google it.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

. These days most remember the presents and Santa but forget God and Jesus. A real shame.

Children are more concrete and better understand Santa and presents than God and Jesus who are fairly abstract. As folks age, and we can grasp abstract concepts, the nostalgia of Santa and Christmas gifts has a power that Church, with its judgements and abstract customs and concepts can never live up to. And both are monetized and used for profit.

It's not a coincidence that the old gift-gifters with their judgements and punishments fell out of favor but Santa, jolly, all-loving, and only punishes by withholding treats and never with a whip, lives on as the ultimate Christmas symbol.

Is that so bad? God still punishes with hellfire and eternal damnation. Santa withholds candy and offers a year's redemption.

Christ also offers redemption but is a little ascetic about it. Santa is large and full of life and love. He is the kindly grampa who expects good behavior but loves just the same, with a ready laugh and open arms.

 

[Soapy]

Bonfire Night is not celebrating him. He is being condemned in effigy over and over again. It's celebrating the fact that he failed. You didn't know this?

Celebrating his death by burning an effigy of him on a bonfire!

Thousands of people in the UK took part (not so much these days, though) in these celebration of Guy’s death (having been Tortured and imprisoned).

 

[Soapy]

If you are of a nervous disposition I strongly advise you not to google it.

The point is that people celebrate their pets by buying and clothing ones like dogs and even birds in colourful body clothing - it’s not about your clothing - it’s about the ACT of celebrating the pet (Birthday, Christmas, Valentine …)

 

[Soapy]

Children are more concrete and better understand Santa and presents than God and Jesus who are fairly abstract. As folks age, and we can grasp abstract concepts, the nostalgia of Santa and Christmas gifts has a power that Church, with its judgements and abstract customs and concepts can never live up to. And both are monetized and used for profit.

It's not a coincidence that the old gift-gifters with their judgements and punishments fell out of favor but Santa, jolly, all-loving, and only punishes by withholding treats and never with a whip, lives on as the ultimate Christmas symbol.

Is that so bad? God still punishes with hellfire and eternal damnation. Santa withholds candy and offers a year's redemption.

Christ also offers redemption but is a little ascetic about it. Santa is large and full of life and love. He is the kindly grampa who expects good behavior but loves just the same, with a ready laugh and open arms.

… true… mostly true in a ‘balanced argument’ but who is ‘Santa’?

 

[Rival]

Celebrating his death by burning an effigy of him on a bonfire!

Thousands of people in the UK took part (not so much these days, though) in these celebration of Guy’s death (having been Tortured and imprisoned).

Yes, because it was State mandated.

 

[Rival]

The point is that people celebrate their pets by buying and clothing ones like dogs and even birds in colourful body clothing - it’s not about your clothing - it’s about the ACT of celebrating the pet (Birthday, Christmas, Valentine …)

What do you believe to be wrong in this act?