why are Christmas trees a symbol of paganism allowed in christen churches?

Question

I find the practice of putting christmas trees in churches, with blinking lights and decorations et al, completely out of place in the christian place of worship

Answer 1

And why is Christmas celebrated in December when Jesus was probably born in the spring? Why do they allow a plethora of other Pagan symbols?


The simple explanation is Constantine. When he declared his nation a Christian nation everyone had to comply. The ways and religion of the people became merged with the Christian one. Christians don't normally like hearing this, but its true. It happened with many other government enforced religions. Its the reason we have so many Gods in the old pantheons that have different names; get taken over by someone who has a God similar to yours, just accept its the same God as the one you recognize with a different name. The same idea exists with concepts, traditions, and holidays.

Answer 2

The Christmas tree, like many other religious and holiday symbols, was simply borrowed from the so-called "pagans" and used as a symbol of the universe and natural beauty. Since ancient times Judaism and Christianity have borrowed and adapted many popular elements from their religious predecessors such as "angels" - the "messengers of God" which were originally a Zoroastrian (Iran) religious belief. The ancient Romans celebrated a Roman god's birthday on December 25th. The "wreath" comes from ancient Roman culture as well as the "Mother and Child." While not harmful, still it has nothing to do with growing in Christ consciousness, with carrying on the Christ ideal of bringing the presence of Divine Love and its' peace and healing to this materially-minded and troubled world.

Answer 3

It is custom. When Christianity started trying to convert what they called the Pagans, they adopted their practices and ways, and made it Christian, so people would join. This included the tree. It is a carry over from these days.

Answer 4

There are many symbols in are world that mean something different in other culture and religions. Take the iron cross for instance. It's a symbol for a skate bording company, It's a symbol for Hitler and his followers but it's also a religious symbol. Then there's the swatstica which is a symbol for the 3rd reich, also an ancient cristian symbol. If you don't like it find a different church...

Answer 5

Because Christianity is a syncretic religion. Meaning that as it spread it picked up practices from the cultures of the people it spread to.

If you want to be a total purist, find a Jewish esoteric cult whose practices predate Paul the Apostle -- who moved Christian practices from being exclusively Jewish into the world of the Gentiles and got the whole syncretic process rolling

Short of that, what you're bitching about is just holier-than-thou posturing, IMO.

Answer 6

The church adopted a lot of it's symbols and some holidays from paganism. Even the cross is a pagan symbol. How can that be? Jesus died on the cross? Well, they stole Jesus/Joseph/Moses/Mary from other religions too.

The first Christians were also pagans, which I don't consider a religion in itself. It's more of a generalization for any form of ritual before Christianity.

Answer 7

People adopt symbols and give them their own meaning...the Nazis swiped the swastica, the Christians took the cross, a form of torture and made it a sign of salvation.

now they use a tree. It doesn't mean to them, what it means to the pagans. They've "baptized" it, so to speak, with a new meaning.

Answer 8

Then don't go to that church. Seriously this getting offended by every little thing gets old after a while. If YOUR religious beliefs bother YOU then maybe YOU should reconsider them instead of parroting what your leaders want you to say.

Answer 9

There is Old Testament reference to the Cedar and we Christians actually have what is called the "Jesse" tree that is decorated with Christian symbols.

An evergreen tree is moderately symbolic of the promise of Christ for eternal life. Evergreens are always green and alive. When Christ's Mass and all the symbols are understood properly and observed properly it is a great thing. Stop adding to the worldly attempt to snuff Christmas out.

Answer 10

Except that they are usually adorned with the Star of the Wise Men>?>?>?

Easter Eggs aren't Pagan. I thought that for years, even my Catholic Religion Teachers said so:

It's related to Passover Seder and Mary Magdalene's visit to the Roman Emperor:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Egg