Why Is The "Christmas Spirit" So Different?

[houston]

Originally Posted by mfblume

I used to be in the not-celebrate-Christmas thing, but realized it was somewhat hooey. No offence intended. All these pagan accusations are really moot today. No one views Christmas as a pagan act in honouring false gods. When the heart intends nothing towards any false god, but simply having a fun time with friends and family, God does not judge us for worshiping false gods by having fun. He knows the intents of the heart.

Y'all who refuse to celebrate Christmas need to leave that concept and simply enjoy the time as a time with family and friends and presents!

My two cents' worth. lol

Well, as looong as it's fun! All that matters, right? Let's apply the bolded statement across the board.


The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

[houston]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

What decorations would you like if they decorated the platform for halloween next year.

jack o' lanterns on the altar!

[houston]

Originally Posted by missourimary

My church recreated Narnia this Halloween and had a special night for children in the area in a safe setting. Each game they played had a Biblical emphasis, as well as a treat. Sam, there are three trees on our platform right now. I got to help decorate them.

Ohhhhh!!!! the future of pentecost!!!!!!!!!!

[houston]

Originally Posted by missourimary

D4T, following through with what you've said, taking the day off is acknowledgement of a pagan holiday. Those who don't celebrate such holidays surely shouldn't take the day off, since the holiday is not a by-product of the idolatry, but is part of the idolatry itself.

Stupid thought... and show up to work at an empty building?

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Sam

Let's remember that whether we are Grinches or Scrooges or pagans or heathens (heatherns?) here, we are all brothers and sisters who love the Lord and are doing our best to serve Him and lighten up on each other where we disagree.

Can a heathen be a brother?

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by houston

Well, as looong as it's fun! All that matters, right? Let's apply the bolded statement across the board.


The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

It's a far cry from intending to serve God and never doing it, and intending not to worship a false god by putting a mere gift beneath a decorated tree. lol

Even cliches can be taken out of context.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

This is indeed what Paul was saying.



I don't see Paul saying this.

I don't see where he ever gave an okay concerning actual practices & rituals. Only to the use of the byproducts. This seems as clear as day.

But... you don't see it that way and that isn't going to change.

Dead subject.

D4T, you spoke of actual practices and mentioned worship in an actual ceremony. In such activities there is conscious effort to participate in religious ceremonies that are pagan. Every one involved in such ceremonies in the temples are there for the purposed reason of worship. How can that be applied to gift giving at Christmas? Rituals with long lost intent and purpose are not the same as you are trying to make them. There is no concerted conscious effort nor intention to worship anything. Paul spoke against any activity in a pagan temple, but aside from that, meats offered to idols are free to be eaten.

Anyway, like you said, you don't see it that way and that is not going to change.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

We are not discussing days

Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc. are days

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

Can a heathen be a brother?

I was using the terms Grinches and Scrooges for those who do not celebrate Christmas and I was using the words pagans and heathens for those who do celebrate Christmas.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Sam

Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc. are days

Yeah, but the customs/celebration is what being discussed not observing days.