Thanksgiving vs Christmas

[jaxfam6]

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

But is it REALLY about the judeo-christian God???

I mean, when you think of the first Thanksgiving, between the pilgrims and the indians....only half of them were giving Thanks to the Christian God.

So technically doesn't Thanksgiving have pagan roots as well?

I think just to be safe you better shun turkey this year!

I understand your comments. I don't want Alex or anyone else to take that as a slam. They have the right to feel how they do. I really would like to understand more about how a lot of think and why.

[My Own Eyes]

Originally Posted by jaxfam6

I understand your comments. I don't want Alex or anyone else to take that as a slam. They have the right to feel how they do. I really would like to understand more about how a lot of think and why.

I didn't intend for it to be a slam at all, and I apologize if it at all sounded like it. I have no issue with the personal convictions of others whatever they may be. My only issue lies when those others try to take their personal conviction and use it to legislate morality for all others.

For example, I personally believe that people shouldn't spend money that they don't have, and incur debt. And I personally do my whatever is in my power to avoid it. However, I don't personal judge others who carry a balance on their credit cards. Nor do I feel that my debt free state makes me in anyway spiritually superior to those who have debt (regardless of the fact that it was due to conviction from God that I felt led to payoff all my debt).

Now, as to Thanksgiving, just because I find it interesting, I am including an article that I happened across...

http://paganismwicca.suite101.com/ar...ng_pagan_roots

Native American and Pagan European Roots

The Wampanoag had their own harvest celebration in which they gave thanks for abundant crops to Kiehtan, the Creator. They believed corn, the most valued crop, was a gift from him. The tribe expressed gratitude to the spirits of the game for the animals they killed for food.

By the time Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1861, other Europeans had settled in America and brought their traditions, some Pagan, with them.

Harvest festivals were celebrated by Europeans. Romans celebrated Cerelia by giving thanks to Ceres, Goddess of Harvest. Celtic and Anglo/Saxon Pagans celebrated Lughnasadh and Mabon, the first and second harvests. The Greeks gave honor to Demeter during the Thesmophoria. The New Englanders’ Pagan ancestors celebrated Harvest Home, the first reaping of crops, in August. There was a silent time for gratitude and reflection, followed by singing and dancing after which a joyous feast was held.

[jaxfam6]

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

I didn't intend for it to be a slam at all, and I apologize if it at all sounded like it. I have no issue with the personal convictions of others whatever they may be. My only issue lies when those others try to take their personal conviction and use it to legislate morality for all others.

For example, I personally believe that people shouldn't spend money that they don't have, and incur debt. And I personally do my whatever is in my power to avoid it. However, I don't personal judge others who carry a balance on their credit cards. Nor do I feel that my debt free state makes me in anyway spiritually superior to those who have debt (regardless of the fact that it was due to conviction from God that I felt led to payoff all my debt).

Now, as to Thanksgiving, just because I find it interesting, I am including an article that I happened across...

http://paganismwicca.suite101.com/ar...ng_pagan_roots

You do know you have just ruined Thanksgiving for several people now? They will no longer be able to celebrate in peace. This was the one last Holiday they could truly celebrate without fear of something pagan being brought into it. You have just SHATTERED their dreams.

[My Own Eyes]

Originally Posted by jaxfam6

You do know you have just ruined Thanksgiving for several people now? They will no longer be able to celebrate in peace. This was the one last Holiday they could truly celebrate without fear of something pagan being brought into it. You have just SHATTERED their dreams.

If I have, I don't exalt in it. I would rather they learn, as I believe that I have that God judges based on our hearts, our thoughts, our experiences, and our motivations. (Which is why we can never ever judge another person, because we are seriously lacking the big picture!).

You have two people... One is a wiccan/pagan, and they celebrate the holidays that we call Thanksgiving and Christmas as harvest festivals, or the winter solstice, and they chant and make offerings to pagan Gods.

You have another person, a Christian, and on Thanksgiving they get together with family, and eat turkey and stuffing, and show gratitute towards God for all the blessings in their life. And on Christmas they celebrate the amazing fact that God so badly wanted a relationship with us, that he became one of us, to ultimately save us. And they decorate their house, and eat cookies, and sing carols and rejoice with their families.

I just don't honestly see how the two people can be judged as both celebrating "pagan" holidays.

[jaxfam6]

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

If I have, I don't exalt in it. I would rather they learn, as I believe that I have that God judges based on our hearts, our thoughts, our experiences, and our motivations. (Which is why we can never ever judge another person, because we are seriously lacking the big picture!).

You have two people... One is a wiccan/pagan, and they celebrate the holidays that we call Thanksgiving and Christmas as harvest festivals, or the winter solstice, and they chant and make offerings to pagan Gods.

You have another person, a Christian, and on Thanksgiving they get together with family, and eat turkey and stuffing, and show gratitute towards God for all the blessings in their life. And on Christmas they celebrate the amazing fact that God so badly wanted a relationship with us, that he became one of us, to ultimately save us. And they decorate their house, and eat cookies, and sing carols and rejoice with their families.

I just don't honestly see how the two people can be judged as both celebrating "pagan" holidays.

I am with you.