they dont [want to] have anything to do with santa - even though santa was derived from Saint Nicholas who was a devout christian and gave anonymously to those in need.
however they dont mind practicing the pagan traditions of putting up a tree, giving presents, hanging holly/mistletoe and what not.
2007-12-10 05:05:31 · 19 answers · asked by Chippy v1.0.0.3b 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This is one example of many.
The simple fact is, if "Christians" today learned anything at all about their religion, they would cease to be Christians.
It really is that simple.
That is why the "non-believers" here are always the ones with the proper answers about religion (and I'm not talking about bad stuff, either. I'm talking about understanding and quoting scripture, for good or bad)
Religion is the domain of the spiritually ignorant.
And boy does it burn them up when I say that. But it's simply the truth.
If these people truly understood what their religion stands for, what its origins are, and why it is such a dominant religion in the world today... they would be well on their way to becoming agnostic/atheist.
2007-12-10 05:33:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I have yet to find a Christain who does not want to have anything to do with Santa Claus.
In fact, he seems to be more of the center of Christmas than Christ ever was.
Basically all Christians from Roman Catholics, to the various Protestant sects and denominations have all fully bought into the secualr idea of "tis the season to be greedy, fa la la la la fa la la la...". Santa comes by the various church youth groups to meet the kids, they have Christmas parties with santa figurines and images, etc., while "Jessie" hangs out in the santurary, nailed up there and long forgotten.
Of course, the pagan practices have always been popular. How do you think the church sold the idea of Christmas to the pagans when the Holy Roman Army said convert or die?
Now during all of this modern Christmas hodown, most "Christians" don't seem to be noticing the homeless man, woman, child or family on the corner, they forget the old lady who lives next door, they forget the sick, the disabled, the wrongfully convicted and imprisoned and those who are hungry, etc.
Thank god for those old Bing Crosby records and spiked egg nog, blinking colored lights and a national as well as personal debt that is up past our noses!
Happy holidays!
2007-12-10 13:17:31 · answer #2 · answered by Big Bill 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi chippy! I come from a very Roman Catholic family. One cousin collects Santas from around the world. I can't tell you how many she has, but she's been collecting for a long time. We always had Santa in our house, and as a kid, my mom would take us to sit on Santa's lap.
When I lived in Germany, we actually celebrated St. Nick's day. It was like an extra Christmas in December. A lot of fun.
There is nothing wrong with a tree, giving presents and what not. It's a time of family, of love and peace. You can come on over. We're having lasagna for dinner.
2007-12-10 13:22:11 · answer #3 · answered by sister steph 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
hi there atheists, respondents to this question, i dont understand why you think only atheists have a monopoly on knowledge on paganistic traditions? yesterdays reason do not necessarily apply to why todays christian follow ancient so-called paganistic tradition.
i was raised by a converted catholic...my father never allowed the tree, holly and mistletoe thingy nor did us kids ever see a christmas present from our parents...his reason?..."its not YOUR birthday". He did not begrudge those who gave presents to others. He just firmly believe Jesus should be the sole focus in the Christmas festivities.
Edit: Captain Atheist: no it is not that simple...your attitude is simple. God exists...that is why we differ in attitude. no im not saying you are an idiot and i am not...i am saying we are the same but i believe and you do not..its that simple
2007-12-10 13:28:35 · answer #4 · answered by Orita 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You know Christians pick and choose Not knowing anything aobut thier own religion. But I believe 50% of them do! See when the whole religion is derived from and/or flip from hypocrisy in the begining you have a majority of a mislead population. I ask a lot Christians about Saint Nicholas, and they know nothing about this man!! Isn't that amazing are these Christians or are these christians!?!?!?
2007-12-10 16:18:02 · answer #5 · answered by The King 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I knew about St. Nicholas, and pagan practices from my Church as a child. What's amusing is you believe we don't know this.
2007-12-10 13:13:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
yeh, i think it's sad that few people remember the real meaning of Christmas..... the birth of Santa Claus.
2007-12-10 14:16:03 · answer #7 · answered by deva 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
People have their own ideas about everything....so I'm never surprised or amused.
I just respect their choices....it's a non-issue for me.
2007-12-10 13:13:48 · answer #8 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hypocrisy is the chief cornerstone of christian America.
2007-12-10 13:11:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
Christmas is pagan in origin, not Chrisitan. And Nicolas was a pagan as well.
2007-12-10 13:13:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋