Pagan Holidays

Whenever someone says they don't celebrate pagan holidays, it is in reference to Christmas, Easter, Valentines day, All-Saints day, ect. It is because they say the RCC simply took all of the pagan celebrations and symbols and just put Christian definitions on them. So when you participate in them, you are keeping pagan practices and are worshiping the devil - you just don't know you are. Many that abstain from these holidays celebrate the Old Testament Feasts or they won't celebrate any except Thanksgiving (most I know do anyway) and maybe Independance day (fourth of July).

 

I do not celebrate pagan holidays. However, some of the things I celebrate or commemorate, or participate in, coincide with pagan holidays or festivals. Big whoop. Paul says we shouldn't let anyone judge us by those things, so I don't. Though many try.

 

And then some don't do those two because they see it as idolizing a nation and/or they think the colonies improperly rebelled.

Karen

 

Sorry, Thanksgiving was celebrated around the timing of another 'pagan' festival! You can't use Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc. You can't have birthday's. Valentines, St. Patrick's Day, Christmas, New Years, Ground Hog Day... it's all 'pagan' to legalists.

The History of Thanksgiving
and its Celebrations


Throughout history mankind has celebrated the bountiful harvest with thanksgiving ceremonies.
Before the establishment of formal religions many ancient farmers believed that their crops contained spirits which caused the crops to grow and die. Many believed that these spirits would be released when the crops were harvested and they had to be destroyed or they would take revenge on the farmers who harvested them. Some of the harvest festivals celebrated the defeat of these spirits.

Harvest festivals and thanksgiving celebrations were held by the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Hebrews, the Chinese, and the Egyptians.


The Greeks

The ancient Greeks worshipped many gods and goddesses. Their goddess of corn (actually all grains) was Demeter who was honored at the festival of Thesmosphoria held each autumn.

On the first day of the festival married women (possibility connecting childbearing and the raising of crops) would build leafy shelters and furnish them with couches made with plants. On the second day they fasted. On the third day a feast was held and offerings to the goddess Demeter were made - gifts of seed corn, cakes, fruit, and pigs. It was hoped that Demeter's gratitude would grant them a good harvest.

Click here for much more on Thanksgiving.

 

Once legalism like I've seen on this issue get a hold on a person, it can quickly turn to pride - see all the things I give up for God. When a person makes it to this prideful state, its only a small step in letting these wild accusations fly. I have been on the recieving end of these.

Personally, I think that just as God redeemed us and made us new and changes us so we can bring Him glory, these days on a calender can be redeemed and used for God's glory.

 

Funny thing is when I talk to those that decry the pagan holidays, they will jump through hoops to defend keeping and using things like the day of the week and whatever else they wish to hang onto.

 

I think people need to get a grip and not get hung up on legalities. If God can take sin out of a man can He not also turn the original sinful purpose of a holiday into something that will glorify Him?

 

Hey! I LOVE that song Betty!

Diane

 

I think it's largely a matter of where you're starting from. I you start out with all the American holidays and only remove everyting that has a compelling reason to be removed you'll end up with a different list than someone who starts with a clean slate and adds only those holidays that have a compelling reason to be added.

Since in general we're not to be conformed to the world, which do you think is the best place to start? (I guess you can easily see where I fall on this question, lol).

I think a similar thing happened with Luther/Calvin/Zwingli and company vs. Menno and the Anabaptists in the reformation. Should we tear down the church and rebuild it, or only remove what is clearly objectionable?

Of course this issue isn't a big deal, certainly each of our secular/pagan/catholic/nationalistic inspired holidays can be observed in a Christ honoring manner.

 

Some of us will take out of our holiday experience what we feel is not honoring to God. Santa Claus is not done in our home. Santa is made to be Christ like in...knowing all, punishing the naughty (or wrong), being able to be everyhwere in one night (Christ always), never dies. This is why we don't do Santa Claus.

Why are you all offended when we have a conviction?

Also we who do not celebrate certain things does not make us legalistic. Legalism is when someone believes that you have to do these things to get saved or keep your salvation. We do or don't do these things because we are saved.

 

I don't think people are offend by others not celebrating holidays. But when it becomes a judgment on those who do, one there is spiritual pride involved for those who do not, then there is certain offense. Too many times this is the result when some say they do not celebrate certain holidays. Some have said they are more blessed by God, or that those who celebrate are not, or call to question their salvation. This also is legalism.
To celebrate one holiday or another is nothing more then personal opinion. Personal opinion should be based on scripture, but it is not scripture itself. Some would treat it as such and then try and force others to do it also, this is legalism too.

 

Personally, I am not at all offended. You need to follow your convictions. But I would point out, in your specific example, that those of us who do enjoy Santa Claus are not necessarily doing what you are attempting to avoid.
My kids never confused Santa Claus with God. Nor did I ever tell them Santa Claus had attributes of deity. Not all who do an activity do it to the extreme degree.

Karen