We're Not Putting X-Mas Trees Up!

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Aquila

True. But religious pride, arrogance, division, and strife doesn't appear to be so easy among those who highly prize their "no holiday" stance. I'm much rather see a warm humble family with a Christmas tree than an arrogant Pharisee who prides himself or herself on the fact that they don't have a silly tree and posts condemnation of their brethren on internet forums

Just a thought.

Maybe both are wrong.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Isn't that wonderful, and you have no messy pine needles to have to clean up, and all those white mites getting into the carpet, and bedding.

You have a great year this upcoming year!

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

Go artificial. It's easier to clean up and it really ticks off your pagan neighbors when you bag a god and toss it in the attic. lol

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by ronharvey

And, to you and yours as well!

Don't tell me that you begin counting the New Year on January 1st!!!!

*SCARY MUSIC BEGINS*

God didn't give you permission to begin counting the years where the pagans do with their solar calender that honors their pagan gods. Biblically speaking the New Years will be, sunset September 18, 2009 - nightfall September 20, 2009.

God's Word immortalizes the Biblical New Years,

This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. (Exodus 12:2)

How can you even wish someone a Happy New Year when biblically speaking it's not the New Year? Did God give you permission to change days? By living your life on their calendar, you live your life on pagan terms. How can you tolerate such paganism and still call yourself a Christian?

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

I'm sure you sound very intelligent, devoted, and spiritual to yourself on this subject. But bro, this is only an example to try to show you how you sound to the rest of us.

[Truthseeker]

We can't control the calender, but we can control what practices/customs we partake of.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

We can't control the calender, but we can control what practices/customs we partake of.

I care to differ. I married into a family that is part Jewish. They observe the Biblical calendar and celebrate the Jewish New Year. They don't give much attention to the calendar we use or it's holidays.

It's a contradiction to denounce Christmas as pagan only to turn around and observe a pagan New Year.

[ronharvey]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Go artificial. It's easier to clean up and it really ticks off your pagan neighbors when you bag a god and toss it in the attic. lol

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I care to differ. I married into a family that is part Jewish. They observe the Biblical calendar and celebrate the Jewish New Year. They don't give much attention to the calendar we use or it's holidays.

It's a contradiction to denounce Christmas as pagan only to turn around and observe a pagan New Year.

Sounds good to me..


I doubt a jewish family when talking with gentile world doesn't refer to the calender.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

Sounds good to me..


I doubt a jewish family when talking with gentile world doesn't refer to the calender.

It all depends. Most see no issue with New Year, but the point is, if the Bible's our sole guide on holidays, the New Year that we celebrate is pagan. It's a funny thing...most of the churches I know, even those who stand against celebrating Christmas, have Communion on the worldly New Year's Eve.

[nahkoe]

You ignored the question I asked.

What's different about the tree in your home than the tree that was in my home?

Originally Posted by Aquila

The bolded above is what I'd like to draw the reader's attention to. It's my conviction that those who have been involved in the occult may be tempted or have a tendency to think according to old paradigms. I don't fault one who was a witch for wanting to ride their home of pagan influence, such could serve as a temptation to revert to paganism. It could also disturb one's sensibilities.

lol It doesn't distrub my sensibilities. I can stand next to a tree and be fine, I can stand barefoot in the grass without any problems too. Oh my, I can even look at the full moon! And, fwiw, I'd probably be offended if you took your Christmas tree down if I were to visit. Mostly because it's displaying a serious level of ignorance regarding the true issue at hand.

It's not my conviction that those who have been involved with the occult may be tempted or have a tendency to think according to old paradigms. Unless you're trying to tell me that God can't actually change a person?

Originally Posted by Aquila

I fully understand this. However, I wasn't a witch, pagan, or anything of that nature. To me, a Christmas tree is just a decoration. It's like the decorative fencing I have in my back yard. It means nothing to me. It's artificial for one. Pagans prized having a "living tree" in their homes. It's decorated with traditional Christmas ornaments and festive things from places as far away as India. (We have a very nice set of ornaments from India made of very colorful straw that an Indian friend gave us.) I grew up in a home where a Christmas tree was just a family tradition. We'd go out, cut it down, put it up...together. It was a tradition that brought us together. I'm of European ancestry, and I know it has pagan roots, but it's no pagan any longer. The push-up has pagan roots, coffee (as mentioned above ) has pagan roots, our calendar has pagan roots. Do you have a calendar hanging on a wall in your home? The very names of the months and days offer honor to ancient pagan gods.

Would you like to educate me about anything else? You seem to think I somehow managed to study witchcraft and practice it for years without learning the basics.

Brother, I'm sure you have pagan symbols in your home that you do not know are pagan symbols. That's not the issue really. I could point them out to you, if you want me to. But ignorance is probably best anyhow (and fwiw..that's what the passage Bro Benincasa posted was saying...don't ask because by knowing and eating the meat anyhow, you could cause problems for someone). The only home I've been in where I haven't come across any pagan symbols (THE ONLY HOME!) is the home of someone who observes the Old Testament commands regarding idol worship. He didn't set out to avoid all pagan symbolism, he just set out to obey the Word of God. Oddly enough, it had the same result.

Originally Posted by Aquila

I believe that it's important to know the roots of a thing and to keep grounded in Christ, but c'mon, we can go to extremes that are unnecessary.

Sure we can. I just haven't found that edge for myself yet. Do you realize what Jesus did? Is there really too much one can do for him? And please remember that I do not care if you celebrate Christmas or not, or use trees or wreaths or ornaments or any other symbols of the season.

Originally Posted by Aquila

But I guess if I were a witch, I'd feel uneasy around some of this stuff too. But to me...it's just a decoration. A cultural thing. I strongly suggest that our readers read a book that can be found here,

But, I don't feel uneasy. lol You keep putting that on me, and especially now that I posted in this thread that I was a witch.

Originally Posted by Aquila

http://www.amazon.com/Stories-Behind...d_bxgy_b_img_c

While many of our traditions have roots in paganism, most traditions AS WE KNOW THEM have come to be within the past two or three centuries.

I'd gladly read it and offer my opinions (and I'd love to read the book on Easter too) but I can't afford it right now. I guess that'll have to wait.

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Nahkoe, you admitted that you were once a witch. That explains it all. For you, these things have a meaning that goes far beyond "decorations" as in my home. These things key certain aspects of your spirit and remind you of pagan ways. I don't doubt that there may be a spiritual temptation to return to paganism for you or one who may have also have been a witch. Just as with the early Christians, Christians who believed in pagan gods customs or practices, and Christians who may have been Jews and saw these things as unclean may have been repulsed at eating meat sacrificed to idols. However, Paul acknowledges that an idol is NOTHING. Those stronger brethren who can see through the religious haze know that there is no sin in eating meat sacrificed to idols as long as God is thanked for his provision.

No, according to God they have a meaning that goes beyond what you're applying to them.

Things don't do a whole lot about reminding me of my pagan ways. I can seriously look at the moon..lol If the things I used in witchcraft were an issue, I'd be in a lot of trouble.

Actually, that passage that Bro Benincasa posted was saying if you're aware that it's offered to idols, don't eat it. But if you're not aware, don't ask about it. That's a little different than saying it's ok to eat it even if you know it's been offered to idols.

It's not about you, and it's not about me, it's about others.

As far as a spiritual temptation to return to paganism? Not really. The spiritual warfare is out of this world though.