|
Post by mouse on Dec 8, 2016 20:50:31 GMT -5
"""I'll guess the whole point of Christians rejecting Christmas as a religious holiday""" what Christians..ive never heard of this before ... the dates we now celebrate was pure pragmatism by those imposing dates...that's one of the good things about christinaity....apart from the basic messages...it adapts and does not totally stifle its self in dogma and backwardnessany carrot and stick....much better than all stick or all carrot "it adapts and does not totally stifle its self in dogma and backwardness" can you please expand on this thought? Christianity is all about adaptation while the original message of redemption and love of god remains at the base the comparisons between Isalam and Judaism Christianity is a very good example ....as knowledge has improved so has Christianity...eg the original dietry laws..islam stays stuck in the old testament desert in regard to diet...Judasim gives a token nod[though some do keep ridgidly]... where as Christianity looked at the problem..and addressed the problems..took into account the differing environmental conditions ...and proceeded and solved the problems the same applys to music..dress..materials etc and what were the religious and cultural norms of the middle east area were not necessary in the environmemns of the west of Europe and so were disregarded in that they had no impact on a personal individual relationship with God....and Christianity is about a personal relationship and a personal beliefe as well as the impact on the wider society... islam[and I have to generalise] is more about the enforced all encompassing society and adhering to the group beliefe system...Christianity is a more individual and personal relationship within a greater group
|
|
|
Post by mouse on Dec 8, 2016 20:52:20 GMT -5
I skimmed it..but have listened to arguments about this for years..and taking into account the earliest time..conditions..social..knowledge and educational mores and politics etc ...i swing toward the pragmatism of the early chuch...and beyond up to the convocation of Nicia and its long reaching effects I don't see how else the beliefe system could have been transported from its eastern base the fact is it was never a religious holiday but was rather a religious festival over taking already existing religious and cultural feast days ..the holiday aspect is a very recent innovation festival....as feast days back in the day were not actually holidays It was transformed into a religious (Christian) holiday long before our time. Our traditions go back long enough that, in the western world, they prevail. We do celebrate it as Christians, but keep our family holiday favorite things as well. It is a joy to experience each year. I never tire of each and every holiday celebration. absolutely concur with you Jessie ..it is now an excepted holiday...religious or not and we deal with what is rather than what was...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2016 22:59:57 GMT -5
There is no where in the bible that we are instructed to celebrate either the birth or death of Christ....I had no thought about that before.
I still think it is up to each individual how they choose to celebrate...the boys and I decorated for Christmas but weren't able to buy presents until the income tax refund in February...did what we had to do...they had presents from relatives to open Christmas so it wasn't all that terrible
|
|
|
Post by mouse on Dec 10, 2016 8:07:14 GMT -5
there are a lot of instructions that have nothing to do with the worship of God its easy to see where social laws and norms got entangled in the religions...the social norms predate all the three Abrahamic faiths....but bit by bit they were added by man..not god..not prophets but man..as man proceeded to make god in his own image he made God some thing or a being that he man could relate to..and of course religion is a very powerful control system in dealing with population control...and very well used by the few to control the many and while we may not be instructed to celebrate the birth or death of Christ...its the most natural of human instincts to celebrate that which is held most dear and that which is important.. same with the building of churches..original they would be a small place ..we have several original chapels in the UK..very small purpose built and then came thegreat cathederals..built for the glory of God..afterall do you not serve an honoured guest with the very best you can afford..be it equisite stone work..stained glass...music...vestments etc etc
|
|