There were once huge celebrations at this time of the year and followers of earth based religions still hold it sacred. Do you think that Christmas will one day be treated by the general public as just another excuse for candy or will we always hold it sacred?
2006-10-25 01:26:12 · 12 answers · asked by Ragdollfloozie is Pensive! 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
no, it's not "apples& oranges" because both celebrations reflect a religion.
2006-10-25 01:45:31 · update #1
meganerd is a doofus... I'm sure most people are aware of the placement of Christmas is not really on Christs birthday. I hope most people know that. But I think that Christmas will always be more of an event than Halloween anyway, although they are different motivations. At least with Christmas it attempts to glorify Jesus, where as Halloween (Hallows Eve.. the night before All Saints Day) glorifies the Catholic Church. So, the thought behind it is a little bit different. And I don't know where else I'm going with this, so I'm done.
2006-10-25 04:32:02 · answer #1 · answered by JIMBO 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The time of year that Christmas is celebrated, around the time of the Winter Solstice, has been associated with religious feast days since well before the time of Christ. It is a time of celebration for many traditions, not just Christians.
Its earliest celebrations were linked with the Solstice itself. Ancient astronomers paid close attention to the cycles of the heavens, and the sun was revered as the bringer of life and light. Hence, its "return" at the time of the solstice was a time of great celebration. In later years, the solstice became associated with the gods Mithras, Apollo, Horus, and yes, the birth of Jesus Christ.
Many of the Christmas traditions are steeped in Pagan symbolism. Christmas trees, yule logs and Mistletoe are just a few. Over many centuries, as Christianity spread across Europe, these traditions were incorporated into the holiday celebration as different societes longed to preserve their traditions, yet still embrace the new religion. Who were early church leaders to say no to the demand of the people?
In our modern Capitalistic ecomony, big corporations use any and every reason to make a buck, and so fun, happy holidays like Halloween and Christmas become exploited. People buy into it too, feeding the holiday frenzy, so it's a cycle that is not likely to stop as long as the consumer society we live in helps perpatuate it.
So in summation, the Winter Solstice season has been sacred for countless millenia, and will continue to be sacred for many more. The question will be whether we are celebrating spirituality or worshipping the almighty dollar.
2006-10-25 09:05:27 · answer #2 · answered by E D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dude, do some reading.
"Christmas" was straight-up STOLEN from the Pagan celebrations of the sun worshiping cultures of western Europe. It was ILLEGAL to observe the holiday currently known as "Christmas" until the 1800's in most European countries.
Ever notice that "Christmas" comes right around the time of the shortest day of the year? That's b/c the sun worshipping Pagans **knew** that it was the shortest day of the year (about Dec 21) and that the sun was "born" again at that time so the days got longer.
Where do you think they got the idea to put an evergreen tree (one that never seems to die like the others and therefor a sign of eternal life) in your friggin' livingroom and put a STAR on top of it?
Mistletoe? Ancient Celtic medicinal plant. Kissing under it? Said to have the properties of fertility.
Santa Clause? Ancient symbol of judgement who came into your house in the middle of the longest night of the year to bring rewards or punishment for your deeds of the past year. Not that long ago he had a dark sidekick called "Black Jack" who would beat bad children with his stick or (in some cultures) steal them away.
Pull your head out of your precious "bible" (which has over 300 DIFFERENT versions but somehow the one you are reading is the only one that's right) and do some independent research. Or maybe (gasp, will he say it, will he say it???) learn to think for yourself instead of being told what is allowed to think about.
Ask questions. Demand answers. Research those answers. Ask again.
The ignorance you people have about your own religeon is nothing short of astounding to those of us who actually think and aren't afraid to be called an "outcast".
That's why I'm PROUD to call myself a "Pagan" (from the latin "paganus" which means 'one who lives outside of the town').
2006-10-25 08:56:09 · answer #3 · answered by MegaNerd 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it is there already. Just look at all the Halloween decorations and look down the isle and look at the Christmas ones. If Christmas was about religions, why do the stores sell all the things that have nothing to do with religion? They are no different as far as the market goes. Just big money makers. Why do you think the Christmas shopping season can make or break the market?
2006-10-25 08:41:08 · answer #4 · answered by Mimiat41 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At one time, Christmas was banned in the United States.The ban existed as law for only 22 years, but disapproval of Christmas celebration took many more years to change. In fact, it wasn't until the mid-1800s that celebrating Christmas became fashionable in the Boston region. The Puritans who emigrated to Massachusetts to build a new life had several reason for disliking Christmas. First of all, it reminded them of the Church of England and the old-world customs, which they were trying to escape. Secondly, they didn't consider the holiday a truly religious day. December 25th wasn't selected as the birth date of Christ until several centuries after his death. Thirdly, the holiday celebration usually included drinking, feasting, and playing games - all things which the Puritans frowned upon.
Celebrating Christmas was illegal and fines were imposed on those doing so---
"For preventing disorders, arising in several places within this jurisdiction by reason of some still observing such festivals as were superstitiously kept in other communities, to the great dishonor of God and offense of others: it is therefore ordered by this court and the authority thereof that whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas or the like, either by forbearing of labor, feasting, or any other way, upon any such account as aforesaid, every such person so offending shall pay for every such offence five shilling as a fine to the county."
(From the records of the General Court,
Massachusetts Bay Colony
May 11, 1659)
Soon, as foretold in the book of Revelation, God will put it into the hearts of the political rulers to shut down all the churches of Christendom. All the worlds religions will be included. All religious holidays will be abolished. Holidays based on paganism and the traditions of men will be gone forever.
Revelation 18:23--and the light of a lamp shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the princes of the earth; for with thy sorcery were all the nations deceived."
God will then turn his anger against the world governments and all associated with them and they too will be put out of existance and only God's heavenly government will rule over the earth forever. (Daniel 2:44)
2006-10-25 09:14:11 · answer #5 · answered by Micah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeremyah 10:2-5—
2 This is what Yahweh says: DO NOT LEARN the way; religious practices, of the heathen; Gentile nations; and do not be deceived by the signs of heaven; though the heathen are deceived by them; using them to set their feasts.
3 For the religious CUSTOMS of the peoples are VAIN; worthless! For one cuts a TREE out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
4 They DECORATE with SILVER and with GOLD; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, so that it will not move; topple over.
5 They are upright, like a palm TREE, but they cannot speak; they must be carried, because they cannot go by themselves. Do not give them reverence! They cannot do evil, NOR is it in them to DO RIGHTEOUSNESS!"
1 Cor 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles (Heathens) sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to Yahweh: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with demons.
Yahweh has told us emphatically, "do not learn the way of the heathen!" The way of the heathen is written in the chapters of man's customs and traditions that have come down from Nimrod-Semiramis-Ninus-mother-son-husband adoration worship.
Yechetzqyah 16:2-3—
2 Son of man, make Yerusalem realize her abominations,
3 And say; This is what Father Yahweh says to Yerusalem: Your birth and your nativity are of the land of Canaan; your father was an Amorite, and your mother was a Hittite."
2006-10-25 08:52:11 · answer #6 · answered by YUHATEME 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What difference does it make? Halloween and Christmas are both holidays that are displeasing to God. True Christians avoid everything pagan no matter how much "fun" it is.
2006-10-25 10:17:14 · answer #7 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Apples and Oranges...
2006-10-25 08:31:42 · answer #8 · answered by 'Cause I'm Blonde 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Uh, it is already. Christmas is more about presents then the Lord.
2006-10-25 08:36:51 · answer #9 · answered by sister steph 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
That day is already here SISTER!
Because the word is out about all the PAGANISM mixed
with "christ"mas.
2006-10-25 08:30:03 · answer #10 · answered by Medicine Eddie 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋