why do christians deny using pagan traditions?

Question

I know that there are a lot of christians who use plenty of pagan traditions in their holiday merriment... including churchs, with the hanging of the greens, and some even put up trees inside. Many symbols and practices associated with Christmas are of Pagan origin: holly, ivy, mistletoe, yule log, the giving of gifts, decorated evergreen tree, magical reindeer, etc. Polydor Virgil, an early British Christian, said "Dancing, masques, mummeries, stageplays, and other such Christmas disorders now in use with Christians, were derived from these Roman Saturnalian and Bacchanalian festivals; which should cause all pious Christians eternally to abominate them." So why do they still use them, and then deny that the celebration of christmas has ANY pagan ties?

Even the christmas plays are partially pagan, as Polydor Virgil says. This is because they were used to replace the plays that were done in honor of the pagan gods.

LOOKN2CJC: if you say that you can do pagan things to the glory of god, then why do you condemn those that claim to be wiccan christians or other things, are they not essentially doing "all to the Glory of God"?

FIVESHIFTONES: I am not saying pagans are bad people in any way shape of form, I am just getting sick of "christians" who think they can take whatever they want and make it "theirs"... have you read any of the other answers? they say that none of those things have any pagan meaning BECAUSE the christians adopted them!

Answer 1

Then they wouldn't be able to say anything to us Pagans anymore. About how our practices are "demonic". There are very few Christians I have run across that can admit to it. And even then, they do not give it up. They make it their day. No problem there. Just a tad hypocritical to be calling Pagans and Wiccans Satanic when they are doing the same rituals we do. *smile*

Answer 2

I don't exactly deny it, but I do question it because there is scant evidence to support that claim, even though it is often discussed as though it is a fact --it is not based upon scholarship. For argument's sake, let's say it is true that Christian holidays were set on the dates of previous pagan holidays. So what? It would not make the celebration of the birth of Christ any less meaningful or legitimate. However, the historical documentation to support the claim that Christians stole this date just isn't there. In fact, in the case of Christmas, the reverse is shown. For example, the earliest written mention of Sol Invictus being on December 25 dates from 274 (a proclamation of Emperor Aurelian). But, the earliest mention of the celebration of Christ's birth being on that day dates from the year 202 (St. Hippolytus of Rome's Commentary on Daniel). Obviously that is well before Constantine came upon the scene. Likewise, earlier than the date mentioned on the Philocalian calendar. So even if it was not yet the "official" date, it was already being celebrated prior to any historical mention of Sol Invictus (et al) being celebrated on that day. It is a strong possibility, then (Roman emperors being Roman), that Aurelian tried to usurp a widely-held Christian holy day, rather than the other way around. Also the Catholic church did not have to make it easier for pagans to convert by overtaking the pagans' holidays. Pagans had already converting in droves long before the official establishment of the Catholic church simply based upon the message of the gospel. ________________ @ Freedom: Again with the unsubstantiated drivel? Christ has nothing to do with Mithras. There are no similarities which can be actually documented. Candles? Really? Please explain how ELSE were early Christians supposed to light their homes and meeting places? It's an absurd premise. Virtually everything you are claiming cannot be substantiated by any historical document, and especially any alleged connections to Christianity and the practices thereof.

Answer 3

Yes, we admit it, they are pagan in origen. My church has never denied it. Why though? What happened to the church.

This little thing called, being part of an illegal religion made the church go underground. The Jews would not tolerate the Christians their holidays, even though the Christians had the right to worship on those holidays also. If Jews found out about any believe in Jesus Christ, they would turn them in. Eventually, the church had to put a stop to fasting on tuesdays and thursdays and change the fasting days to wednesdays and fridays, so not to be found fasting on the same day as the Jews.

So, the church is underground, and they would worship on the same days as the pagans, because they had to appear to be doing something. They would meet in each others homes and instead of focusing on the pagan diety, they would focus their worship as they always have on Jesus Christ. After a few hundred years or so of this, and with the pagan religion basically dying out over the years, it became tradition. Also, in the history of the church, their have been some miracles that were associated with certain pagan symbols.

Saint Basil once cut down a tree that a group were worshipping on their high holy day. The pagans were frightened. Saint Basil said that on that very spot next year, Jesus Christ would allow that tree to regrow, to prove He is the True God. And it happened. So some things we do, have a significantly Christian to us.

Christianity isn't supposed to make everyone the same, and take away that which is holy and sacred, albeit, pagan in origen. Some Christians have done this over the years, and it just takes away our uniqueness. When the Eastern Orthodox Church went into Alaska, they retained the Natives Language in the Liturgy and many of their traditions as long as they could be somehow brought into Christianity. Some things were left behind because they could not be brought in. Christians are not supposed to deny a culture, but transform that culture into it's own particular beauty, that is unique.

I hope this makes sence. Doing things the other way, making eveyone speak the same liturgical language and denying everything that is part of them, is really denying them. The prophecies speak of all the nations worshipping God, all the gentile nations. How can they be separate nations if they are all doing and acting exactly the same way. You have to have some cultural uniqueness. The Eastern Orthodox Church, is the only church I know of, that acknowledges this truth, and acts accordingly.

Answer 4

True Christian's don't deny pagan holiday's or rituals. Unfortunately pagan rituals have been going on for so long that this society (including Christians) won't let go of the traditions they've become accustomed to. I have even heard some of the members at my church question the pastor on the issue of worshiping on Sunday instead of Saturday or Seventh day/Sabbath day. His answer was that Christians changed from Saturday to Sunday because Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday, appeared in the upper room with the disciples on a Sunday, and ascended into heaven on a Sunday. Christian leaders felt that meant that maybe God was sending a message that He has changed the Sabbath day to Sunday. That might very well be true. However, I can't deny the fact that Constantine also changed the Sabbath day to a Sunday but because Sunday was the original day of worship for his pagan sun god. Constantine wanted to make sure that he could keep his pagan beliefs and worship while gaining the popularity of the growing supporters of the Christian faith. He did it with such malice,executing those who did not comply in very grusome and gory ways, that no one would question him and the truth laid buried for centuries. Nevertheless, people, including Christians, are just people and no matter what faith you believe you are more likely to stick with your traditions than anything else. As for me and Sabbath day worship, I think it should go back to Saturday's but in the end, in God's eyes, the ritual isn't as important as the relationship we cultivate with Him.

Answer 5

This is to: lookn2cjcAbout Me, who said,
"This is a tired subject
That is NOT what I'm saying, as we are HONOURING GOD when we celebrate HIS birth; keeping in mind that He is the reason for the season; rather than than bowing down to some mythical god or goddess, and performing some paganistic ritual. GOT IT? "

Do you have any idea what Pagans/Wiccans celebrate during this season (Yule/Winter Solstice-December 21st)? We celebrate the Goddess giving birth to the God. Sound familiar? It should if you're a Christian.

Answer 6

Yes, we have things that have pagan roots but they do not have the pagan meanings anymore. They are simply part of tradition like having a Christmas tree or throwing rice at a wedding. They are harmless as long as we just see them as symbols of an event. If something had roots in Paganism but is no longer used in that way then it is not a problem. We are not pagans if we give candy to kids when they trick or treat. We just simply want to bless the kids. Remember, God looks at the heart.

Answer 7

Christianity was made into an official religion by a Roman emperor. He incoporated the pagan traditions into it to keep it popular with the people.

Answer 8

You are absolutely correct and if our Christian brethren were to admit it, that would force them to return to their Bibles and study it for themselves, and to find that God has only one Holy Day and that it is the Seventh day Sabbath, but we know that will not happen, they would rather have pleasing things preached to them, and to be soothed by words that no longer have any meaning, because the Holy Spirit is no longer with them.

Answer 9

Why is it necessarily a bad thing that the traditions have Pagan roots? We're not evil blood-drinking monsters. We just have different beliefs from you, that's all. We don't sacrifice humans or kill Christian children.

Answer 10

I understand all that you're saying, and know this as a Christian.
But what do want to have happen next? Many Christians know the same, it's a part of history. So what next?