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Location: In a little house on the prairie - literally
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When Christians first attempt to convert indigenous religions, which they disparagingly referred to as pagans, which actually meant people who farmed, they knew they had to adapt the practices of those religions to be successful.
Virtually all the ancient religions, and most extant indigenous religions of today, recognized the major events of the solar year. One of the major events was the winter solstice. The ancients were well aware that occurred on December 21st, but the Sun appeared to stand still or have died for three days until it visually appeared higher on horizon on the 25th.
This was viewed as the rebirth of the Sun. As most peoples 2000 years ago were very much in an agrarian society, the seasonal changes were extremely important. We have lost much of that in our modern society.
The early Christians, adopted and adapted the practice of venerating the rebirth of that Sun. It is clear by reading the Bible that there's no way that Jesus could have been born in the winter time. The indigenous religions often deified the Sun, so what was not a huge jump to accept a different deity at the same time of year.
Christians adopted the rebirth and the three days of death in their tales and stories about Jesus's death and resurrection. Again, the indigenous religions, could refer back to their own practices and go along with this new religion. The practices and beliefs, were not so far removed from what they were used to. Of course, Christians call that time period Easter.
I get intrigued by all the hand wringing and consternation that Christians go about at this time of year on what it means, when the reality is, they adapted pagan customs. Denial of reality does not mean it didn't happen.
Of course, there's no question that to Christians the time of year does have real meaning. But there's also no questions, that it had real meaning, and still does have real meaning, to those religions that were so tied into the natural order of things.
Many of us in the Western world, have lost that connection to the natural cycles of things. The Abrahamhic religions put a very esoteric spin on what is the natural order. They teach that mankind should dominate nature, as opposed to being part of it and being stewards of nature. That domination has caused all sorts of problems, but because of man kind ego, this will likely continue.
Perhaps it is time for us to contemplate at this time the year, the real origins of the celebration of December 25th, and reflect on how we can reconnect with the nature that is around us.
This should go in Wiccan/Pagan section. Not that it isn't a good post, but that section sorely needs new threads. And yea, the same is true of Halloween/Samhain.
When Christians first attempt to convert indigenous religions, which they disparagingly referred to as pagans, which actually meant people who farmed, they knew they had to adapt the practices of those religions to be successful.
Virtually all the ancient religions, and most extant indigenous religions of today, recognized the major events of the solar year. One of the major events was the winter solstice. The ancients were well aware that occurred on December 21st, but the Sun appeared to stand still or have died for three days until it visually appeared higher on horizon on the 25th.
This was viewed as the rebirth of the Sun. As most peoples 2000 years ago were very much in an agrarian society, the seasonal changes were extremely important. We have lost much of that in our modern society.
The early Christians, adopted and adapted the practice of venerating the rebirth of that Sun. It is clear by reading the Bible that there's no way that Jesus could have been born in the winter time. The indigenous religions often deified the Sun, so what was not a huge jump to accept a different deity at the same time of year.
Christians adopted the rebirth and the three days of death in their tales and stories about Jesus's death and resurrection. Again, the indigenous religions, could refer back to their own practices and go along with this new religion. The practices and beliefs, were not so far removed from what they were used to. Of course, Christians call that time period Easter.
I get intrigued by all the hand wringing and consternation that Christians go about at this time of year on what it means, when the reality is, they adapted pagan customs. Denial of reality does not mean it didn't happen.
Of course, there's no question that to Christians the time of year does have real meaning. But there's also no questions, that it had real meaning, and still does have real meaning, to those religions that were so tied into the natural order of things.
Many of us in the Western world, have lost that connection to the natural cycles of things. The Abrahamhic religions put a very esoteric spin on what is the natural order. They teach that mankind should dominate nature, as opposed to being part of it and being stewards of nature. That domination has caused all sorts of problems, but because of man kind ego, this will likely continue.
Perhaps it is time for us to contemplate at this time the year, the real origins of the celebration of December 25th, and reflect on how we can reconnect with the nature that is around us.
That is the real reason for the season.
Those three darkest days were also referred to as "being in the belly of the whale"...And, if I remember correctly, was adapted as a metaphor for being in rebellion or sin...
This should go in Wiccan/Pagan section. Not that it isn't a good post, but that section sorely needs new threads. And yea, the same is true of Halloween/Samhain.
Please!...I hope that you are not pronouncing that as "sam-hayn"...
The meaning and intent of christmas is far more sinister than the OP suggests.
Christmas is essentially a mind-control/propaganda campaign in every possible way. The most obvious of which is to instill the belief that "love" is actually measured by financial expenditure. It is truly sad watching tens of millions, and even hundreds of millions of people going broke in just a few weeks' time year in, and year out. The only outcome of which is to place all of us under the crushing burden of debt for most of our natural lives. Some lessons to learn:
1. money = love
2. be a good boy or girl, not because it's the right thing to do, but because you'll get a toy from santa
3. you can be a miserable azz 364 days a year, just be nice on christmas, and that will make everything all right.
4. make sure the homeless have a meal to eat; but only on christmas day.
5. christmas = credit card debt.
The holidays are so damn phoney, I don't even know where to begin.
They teach that mankind should dominate nature, as opposed to being part of it and being stewards of nature. That domination has caused all sorts of problems, but because of man kind ego, this will likely continue.
.
Hasn't that domination brought about far more benefits than it has negatives?
Do you live in a city or in some self constructed hut in the woods? Do you drive a car or walk everywhere you go? Do you purchase food from stores or hunt and grow it yourself?
Do you shun the use of electricity and home school your children? Does your peace and stability depend upon the government and laws, or on the ferocity of your home defenses?
What is so vital about being "part of nature?" as opposed to overcoming it to become something greater?
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