Further to Kamran's Earlier Nativity Question?

Question

I was very interested in the responses and noticed that nobody seemed to know that Jesus wasn't even born on December 25th so all of the righteous Christian folk discussing the demise of the Nativity in the UK perhaps need to study their religion a little closer and realise that it is widely known that Jesus was born sometime between January and March but NOT on December 25th.

Christians took over 25th of December as their 'holiday' if you want to call it that as it originally was a Pagan festival and the Christians did not like this.

I know you will all say I am an Atheist hater - but actually I was Christened CofE, attended Methodist Church as a girl and my sister remains a devout and practicing Christian (it was she who told me this about Christmas)

Am I the only person who knew this?

If I am , Kamran's stats don't surprise me in the least.

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuN.wrqk6.UaS5eWpDUPjtEgBgx.;_ylv=3?qid=20071208040035AAx1sYw&show=7#profile-info-GNQqNi8Aaa

Forgive me for not recalling the name of the Pagan festival on Dec 25th, it has as far as I can remember something to do with light - 21st Dec being the winter solstice (and also my birthday - hence my interest in the pagan festival) You could google it for info.

2 weeks off work badgers!!! I want your job!!!!! NOW

Michele, non christians should not have to commemorate it, my children will never do a nativity, I will withdraw them

Answer 1

no youre not. thats what makes me laugh when religious people get all haughty about christmas - the whole thing is a farce, so why bother getting all moral about it? just enjoy it for what it is - 2 weeks off work and a jolly good p*ss-up

i think the original pagan thing was called saturnalia or something

Answer 2

I didn't read Kamrans post, saw it though. I did know it has been suggested it's in March but surely there's no way of knowing when it was, more to the point does it really matter, is it relevent? I'm not a Christian but Christianity has had an enormous effect on me, it's the principles that count, the ideals remain appropiate. The moral and ethical aspects of Christianity are what have bound us as a culture.

Answer 3

no i knew this

but the December 25th date has been used for a long time

many people think that it was January - but does it matter?

the date is not the important thing, it is commemorating the event that is the point

the winter solstice occurs just before this date 21/22 December - shortest day .....(my son's birthday - 22nd)

EDIT
as for Kamran's question.........

how many people were asked and who were they?

it is easy to get sensational headlines by carrying out unscientific and flawed questionnaires......

maybe the people asked were not Christians and didn't recognise Christmas....

i doubt the validity of surveys of this nature ... sorry xx

lies, damn lies and statistics - headline grabbing garbage
I've never met anyone who doesn't know the answers to those questions.....

EDIT
kamran, RE in primary school is now mostly focusing on other faiths - Christianity is rarely touched on

even a topic on angels - the focus is Islam and Judaism - not even the role of angel Gabriel in the nativity

EDIT
Sprocket- did i say that your children should? did i say any should?

i said that in some schools the children are not TAUGHT about the role played by Gabriel in the nativity - not that children should play him.

Angels are important in Christianity but my point is that many children are not being taught this.....

Answer 4

The pagan festival was the Saturnalia, and it was associated with a lot of sexual promiscuity. Naturally the Christians didn't want to participate, so they started celebrating the Nativity to counter the influence of Saturn.
And yes, Jesus was born when the shepherds were out at night with their flocks, i.e. in the lambing season, Spring, more or less.

Answer 5

I can assure you Sprocket that, as an RC, it is well known that the actual date of Christ's birth is a matter of debate. Christianity like many other religions based itself on older ones. For example the birth of Christ basically replaced the Roman Saturnalia. Decorating with mistletoe goes back to the Druids. There are many other similarities amongst the origin of the modern religions, which I don't have time to go into and suggest you check it all out for yourself. It was very much a 'help yourself to what you like' system.
You are certainly not the only person who knows this sort of stuff and this is not because you may be an Atheist, it's because you don' know much.

Answer 6

Dec 25 is the pagan festival of the invincible sun god, 4 days after winter solstice.

Answer 7

I knew that too. I remember my RE teacher telling us at school that Jesus was actually born around March I think. I went to a Roman Catholic school, although I class myself as atheist now.

Answer 8

its like our queen has to birthdays a private one then a public one so Jesus has two as well that's why we have Christmas but we only celebrate one Jesus got presents so we give presents and the angel Gabriel brought the news

Answer 9

Sprocket,

Get with the programme.

"Not many people seem to know &c &c": do us all a favour and declare your knowledge of;

Classical Hebrew

Aramaic

Koine Greek

Latin

Your ignorance - not to mention your astounding arrogance - simply surpasses belief.

Apart from that; keep up the good work = you are making us all laugh

Ho, ho, Ho

George
.

Answer 10

why do we have to wait for the sales til after the 25th , jeez!

:0)