We're Not Putting X-Mas Trees Up!

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Trouvere

haha..when I went into the cell blocks this year during Ramadan and one of the guys said, Hey Nurse can you come see? I would reply naw.....its Ramadan dude ask me later. It worked for a while until Ramadan was over an now I have to think of other ideas.lol...the officers liked that one alot.
I thought it was cool though that the Muslims got up for early morning chow so they could eat before sun up. One day I heard they had catfish for breakfast. Its funny how being Muslim is situational when folks are in prison.lol.

Its also funny to me how those who say they don't celebrate a certain holiday don't mind getting gifts though they refuse to get one.
I wonder how many do this? Have you seen this before?
Its like those who don't watch tv but watch it in hotels.

Muslims don't go from strictly the Koran, but must go through the Sunna.
Sunna represents one of the two literal sources of Muslim Law, Sharia. Whether it is equal in value or inferior to the Koran, is a matter of definition and theology. In several instances, it can be said that the sunna has been used to understand the full meaning of the Koran. Therefore, the Muslims in the joint can take from their imam how he interprets the sunna concerning the Sharia law. So if a bottom feeder is on the menu, the imam, must of gave them the go ahead.

All the Brothers that I know you don't keep the Papal feast don't accept presents, and regard the day as any other day. When asked if they celebrate the birth of Christ, they reply that they celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection 365 days a year.

Myself personally disconnect the television, or ask the hotel to unbolt the television and remove it from the room. You would be surprised how many hotels I have had across America who obliged my family and I.

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I don't endorse abortion.

Isn't it great when Mark gives out information on those he loves.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

It also dosen't condem prayer beads (rosary) in worship.

It doesn't condem kneeling and genuflecting (making the sign of the cross)

It doesn't condem the painting of Icons.

It doesn't condem confesional boths.

It doesn't condem lighting candles for prayers.

Yet, it does say Not to incorporate the worship of the heathens into the worship of the almighty God. I really enjoy these discussions on the Catholic Mass with Pentecostals. It always shows me that no matter what, if a person wants to do something they will make arguments and fight like wolves to protect their traditions. Even when they are going down in flames they will use self justification and conjecture to up hold their sacred cow. They turn around and blast conservatives for standards of dress, but when their own practices are attacked they make heroic attempts to defend them.

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

Brother Benincasa, you're going to extremes. A Christmas tree is nothing but a seasonal decoration TODAY. It has no pagan meaning to it TODAY. I don't know a soul who bows down and worship's one TODAY. It's just a festive decoration.

By the way, I'd never consider you a "conservative".

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Do you believe in a spirit world?

Yes. But I assure you there is nothing spiritual about a Christmas tree. I'm a big believer in spiritual warfare, and I assure you I've never met a "Christmas tree spirit". You go ahead and fight those goblins if you like. Right now, there are bigger fish to fry.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Amen, it is truly sad. Yet, look at the "weaker brother" argument that has been parroted in this thread. They pull it like a gun, but why? It really sounds more like, "You are weak, and therefore if you are weak, then get over it, weakling." Nice, real nice. I have watched new converts bewildered when snapped at by spiritual gurus who wouldn't answer their questions.

New converts asking all different questions only to be sent off to the pastor's office like some misbehaving child. After a while of the "religious treadmill from hell" they throw up their hands in despair and move on.

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

The issue is that some are so "weak" that their superstition keeps them all bound up. It's all based in fear. TODAY a Christmas tree is just a decoration. But some are sitting, knees knocking, or being overly condemnatory over the prospect of a brother having one. That's "weak". To me, an idol is nothing. To me, a Christmas tree is just a seasonal decoration originating in my European heritage. Did it have pagan roots? Yep. But so does the push-up and we did them daily in the Army. Bro. Benincasa, I was in the military. I've done some things that I wish I didn't have to do. I've made some decisions I wish I didn't have to make. In the wake of the "real world" that I've experienced the very idea that a man of your caliber would beat a drum over a holiday decoration is downright laughable.

When it comes to new converts, I've seen how people react to Apostolics who don't celebrate Christmas. They typically don't stick around long. Dress codes are a factor too, we all know this. We pick and choose what battles are worth fighting, what hills are worth dying on. Modesty in dress is worth fighting.... but waging a war over a seasonal decoration. That's a hill I don't feel is worth dying on.

[SOUNWORTHY]

Evang Benincasa I suppose you'll be taking my coffee away from me next. I've never worshipped a Christmas tree. I put one up because my family liked them. My former mail man didn't believe in Christmas but he never returned a Christmas card or box of candy I left for him Do you accept gifts at Christmas?

If you don't believe in Christmas good for you but don't condemn us if we don't share your belief. Again I say, sometimes we become so holy we are hateful.

[Truthseeker]

Why the strong defense of past pagan customs?

Like all the decor really gives God honor or something.

[Sept5SavedTeen]

Originally Posted by Aquila

The issue is that some are so "weak" that their superstition keeps them all bound up. It's all based in fear. TODAY a Christmas tree is just a decoration. But some are sitting, knees knocking, or being overly condemnatory over the prospect of a brother having one. That's "weak". To me, an idol is nothing. To me, a Christmas tree is just a seasonal decoration originating in my European heritage. Did it have pagan roots? Yep. But so does the push-up and we did them daily in the Army. Bro. Benincasa, I was in the military. I've done some things that I wish I didn't have to do. I've made some decisions I wish I didn't have to make. In the wake of the "real world" that I've experienced the very idea that a man of your caliber would beat a drum over a holiday decoration is downright laughable.

When it comes to new converts, I've seen how people react to Apostolics who don't celebrate Christmas. They typically don't stick around long. Dress codes are a factor too, we all know this. We pick and choose what battles are worth fighting, what hills are worth dying on. Modesty in dress is worth fighting.... but waging a war over a seasonal decoration. That's a hill I don't feel is worth dying on.

My assembly is still doing well in this area...

It's about teaching this in a loving, holistic sort of way and preaching the Truth so strong that love for the Truth becomes so great that one's heart could almost burst at its reception... when this happens, giving up xmas trees is easy.

-Bro. Alex

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Aquila

The issue is that some are so "weak" that their superstition keeps them all bound up.

I'm not superstitious.

Originally Posted by Aquila

It's all based in fear.

I'm also not living my life based on any kind of fear.

Originally Posted by Aquila

TODAY a Christmas tree is just a decoration.

Do you realize you could have walked into my home when I was a witch and never known? I didn't display obviously pagan items. But every single piece I used in spellwork was sitting very openly displayed. Oh, other witches would have known. It's all very obvious when you're familiar with it, but Christians have no idea what to look for (most of them, IME).

Can you tell me what makes the tree you have in your home different from the tree I had in my home? I'm sincerely curious.

Originally Posted by Aquila

When it comes to new converts, I've seen how people react to Apostolics who don't celebrate Christmas. They typically don't stick around long. Dress codes are a factor too, we all know this. We pick and choose what battles are worth fighting, what hills are worth dying on. Modesty in dress is worth fighting.... but waging a war over a seasonal decoration. That's a hill I don't feel is worth dying on.

Brother, you don't want me to touch this. I won't do it openly, not on an Apostolic forum. But I will say this, I do not attend an Apostolic church due to exactly what you posted here. Clothing is not a war worth waging. And a Christmas tree? Should never be preached for, or against, from the platform.

If there were teachings regarding God's desires for His people, the rest really would take care of itself. It does in the church I go to. Do we all look alike, act alike, believe alike? Nope. But we're all pursuing God and God is faithful to make sure we'll all get where we're going.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Brother Benincasa, you're going to extremes.

I am just going towards the conclusions of your posts. You open a Pandora's box when you use the kind of logic that says because the Bible doesn't specifically condem a pine tree covered in jewelry, therefore it is a legitimit form of Christian worship. The Bible does tell us not to mingle the worship of God with that of Dagon. When the ark of the covenant was placed in Dagon's temple, the Lord God knocked the idol down on its face (position of worship) and then after the image was propped back in an upright position, the Lord removed its head (authority) and hands (strength). When the built a golden calf they also built an altar unto the Lord God, when Judah, and Israel split the upper northern kingdom's king set up his own priests and two calves, (created his own way to celebrate the Lord) so the people would not return to Jerusalem. We just don't make this up as we go along, and are admonished to follow the way of the apostles on who the foundation is built with Jesus being at the head of the corner.

The woman who followed the Paul and Silas had a spirit of Python (the Dragon who gaurded the oracle of Delphi), the woman said:

"These men are the servants of the most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation."

Although the woman proclaimed a truth concerning Paul and Silas, and although the woman seemed to celebrate the coming of the message of the Gospel and its messengers, the apostle turned and rebuked her.

The apostle turned and rebuked the woman, because he didn't want his message to be mingled with her message.

Originally Posted by Aquila

A Christmas tree is nothing but a seasonal decoration TODAY. It has no pagan meaning to it TODAY.

Were do you live? I Bible study with college students who have full knowledge of the pagan roots of xmas, and its pine tree. In our Bible studies we have all kinds of people join us that find it refreshing that we present a clear and thoughtful argument on the roots of paganism found within modern Churchanity. A Swastika is a symbol of good will and triumph, and yet it has had its meaning changed to mean evil. The SS of the Nazis were just rune symbols. Yet they were given the meaning of evil. Still no matter what meaning while it be good or bad, they all belong to paganism, and movement that is diametrically opposed to God, and worship that concerned Him.

Like I said once in this thread already, you can serve chicken soup and hot dogs, and call it gumbo and boudin. Yet to all who know the truth and want the truth it's still just hotdogs and chicken soup.

Originally Posted by Aquila

I don't know a soul who bows down and worship's one TODAY. It's just a festive decoration.

You don't have to bow down to it, you just have to take the time to construct the image, to decorate it with the symbols, and talismans, amulets, and top it off with a pentagram or hexagram. To the person who props it up and decorates the image he thinks it is just part of a season, and festive decoration? Festive? As in the word festival, and a the celebrate the festival without knowing much about its true meaning. Just like people who sit on pews and really don't have a deep understanding about all they do in a church service. Yet ignorance of the law doesn't free us from its judgements.

Saying something is not a duck, when it's quacking and waddling, doesn't make it not a duck.

Originally Posted by Aquila

By the way, I'd never consider you a "conservative".

What does being a conservative have to do with not celebrating xmas?

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com