Topic : 11/01 Is This Normal?

OMG!  Finally, a show that talks about Pagan holidays! LMAO!

Let me just say that, I didn't read anything about this (the info isn't up yet), but if it's Halloween she's talking about, she's right that is a Pagan holiday.  Easter and Christmas has Pagan traditions as well. =)

Should be a very interesting show to watch and I am anxious to see how the Doc "tells it how it is." LOL

I obviously understand and respect peoples views and opinions, but when it comes to people speaking about something they don't understand, and not only speaking about it, but down right disrepecting it....that is something I cannot tolerate to well.

 People should be informed about certain things, such as paganism, or should not talk about it at all! Paganism is a FAR cry from satanism, and if someone were to take the time and even TRY to understand what it's about, maybe they would be more tolerant of it and other religeons, such as this. Pagans respect the earth and all that abound on her, including other people. One of the first things we learn is  'an it harm none, do what you will'. Which in essence means that whatever we do, it cannot be against anyone, because it will come back to you, threefold.

 I have heard that ignorance is bliss....but come on now people...it can't be that blissful to think that everyone is out to harm you or those you love....am I wrong?

I'm glad somebody finally asked that.  People get much too wound up about atheists, agnostics, and pagans.  I mean, we're cool but we're really just ordinary people.

*****

I'm an atheist myself (which doesn't make me an anarchist, Satan worshipper, or debauchee, in spite of what you may have heard).  Got a quotation on my gmail homepage the other day that made me laugh:

"We are all atheists about most of the gods that societies have ever believed in.  Some of us just go one god further."  (Richard Dawkins)

Shelita is right...with just a little research, people will know that many of the holidays the world celebrates (including Christmas and Easter) have pagan origins.  Shelita is not wrong if she chooses not to celebrate these holidays.  Right now, it appears that she would be sinning against her own conscience if she did so.

As a Christian and a serious student of Christ's teachings, however, I believe that as she grows in her faith, she will realize that it is possible to celebrate these things as "holidays", not "holy days".  When each of these holidays comes around, we emphasize to our kids that these are not holy days...and exactly what the issues are with them.  We then conclude by saying, "but it is good that the world recognizes the birth (or the death, burial and ressurection) of Christ at least one day a year."  For us, Easter is about candy and colored eggs only; Christmas is about the spirit of giving, the love of family and presents; Thanksgiving is about family time and good food, etc.  I can not , however, find anything redemptive about Halloween.  I blast this holiday to my kids, but I do let them go to their school's Fall Festival to get some candy--no witch and ghoul costumes, of course!

Not trying to tell you how to raise your kids, Shelita, but balance can be created by distinguishing the difference between "holidays" versus "holy days."  There is scriptural basis for this.

I want to say up that I think Shelita is a NUT CASE.  I'm sorry that is just how I feel.  Last night was Halloween and my husband and I had a WONDERFUL doling out the candy to our dozens and dozens of trick or treaters.  We had lady bugs, and football plays and princesses galore.  I don't think God was frowning on me as I dished out Hershey Bars and Tootsie Pops to the children of my neighborhood.  For the past two Christmases my husband and I have participated in a program in which we buy Christmas gifts for a child who's parrent is incarcerated in a state prison.  Last year my husband went out and bought a few gifts for our unborn daughter ( I was eight months along) because he loved her and he didn't want her to feel left out!!!

It doesn't matter what the exact day of Christ's birth is, it only matters that we honor his birth and we try to follow everyday.

Jetta, I have to ask, (even though you probably won't give me an answer) do you decorate for Christmas?

I bet you do.  And sure, you'll say that the real meaning of Christmas is about Jesus' birth (even though he wasn't born in December) and is about family and loving one another.........where do you think those traditions started from?  Would you not decorate for Christmas the same way you do not decorate for Halloween?  Do you not get a tree and decorate it?  Do you not give gifts, or have wreaths, or sing Deck the Halls?  All of which are Pagan. 

I guess I don't understand why you can't do one holiday because it's Pagan, but you can do others.  Is it because Jesus is involved?  That's why the early Christians did that, to convert Pagans.  So you see, you are celebrating the Pagan traditions, even if you don't call it that or see it that way, you are.

Have fun with your holiday planning Jetta.  It will be here before we know it.

I obviously understand and respect peoples views and opinions, but when it comes to people speaking about something they don't understand, and not only speaking about it, but down right disrepecting it....that is something I cannot tolerate to well.

 People should be informed about certain things, such as paganism, or should not talk about it at all! Paganism is a FAR cry from satanism, and if someone were to take the time and even TRY to understand what it's about, maybe they would be more tolerant of it and other religeons, such as this. Pagans respect the earth and all that abound on her, including other people. One of the first things we learn is  'an it harm none, do what you will'. Which in essence means that whatever we do, it cannot be against anyone, because it will come back to you, threefold.

 I have heard that ignorance is bliss....but come on now people...it can't be that blissful to think that everyone is out to harm you or those you love....am I wrong?