We're Not Putting X-Mas Trees Up! - Page 101

ronharvey · #**1001** 12-23-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila

Furniture is just furniture.

I see you missed the point of the illustration.

I suppose Idols are just idols?

Pressing-On · #**1002** 12-23-2008, 01:55 PM

[QUOTE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila

The key is this...Christianity in Europe was attempting to redesign a pagan culture across an entire continent. Redefining ancient customs and bringing Christianity into focus during these celebrations was the best way to "overwrite" paganism and ensure that most of the worship of pagan gods was replaced with the worship and knowledge of Christ. Also much of the masses were illiterate. The holidays served as a time to teach Scriptural stories. Today, while we might put up a silly tree or place a wreath on our door...nobody would even know the first thing about the rituals or the pagan gods they honored. It also ended the revelries that terrorized the country side during the Yule season. It was a success. They successfully overwrote the culture of an entire continent. More than what I can say the "no Christmas" crowd can claim regarding taking America for Christ.

I haven't participated on this thread, but this is a very good post, Aquila - especially - what I highlighted in bold!!!

Aquila · #**1003** 12-23-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronharvey

I see you missed the point of the illustration.

I suppose Idols are just idols?

A wooden idol is just wood. A stone idol is just a stone. There isn't anything mystical, mythical, or supernatural about them. It's all just superstition. Notice what God's Law says,

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." - Exodus 20:4

Unless you bow down and worship it, it's a paper weight or decoration. Yep, "I'm a Christian, I decorate my house with your stinking gods." lol I have an old Hawaiian idol statue made of real lava that I keep on my desk at home. Every now and then I've been known to shoot him with a squirt gun. lol

StMark · #**1004** 12-23-2008, 02:51 PM

Aquila,
Please answer my PM i sent you almost 24 hrs ago - Thanks

ronharvey · #**1005** 12-23-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila

A wooden idol is just wood. A stone idol is just a stone. There isn't anything mystical, mythical, or supernatural about them. It's all just superstition. Notice what God's Law says,

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." - Exodus 20:4

Unless you bow down and worship it, it's a paper weight or decoration. Yep, "I'm a Christian, I decorate my house with your stinking gods." lol I have an old Hawaiian idol statue made of real lava that I keep on my desk at home. Every now and then I've been known to shoot him with a squirt gun. lol

Got a picture?

StMark · #**1006** 12-23-2008, 02:56 PM

[QUOTE=Pressing-On;665660]

Quote:

I haven't participated on this thread, but this is a very good post, Aquila - especially - what I highlighted in bold!!!

I thought so too. Of course I am at extreme odds with Aquila with his stance and endorsement of abortion, but I think he is doing an excellent job on this subject

nahkoe · #**1007** 12-23-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

That is not what the scripture means. The weaker Brother was a new convert, and one from paganism. There are people in the world and in other religions and sects who know the truth about the Catholic holy day. Now, they see you who claim to be in the "truth" celebrating the xmas. They are offended. To those like me and Brother Alex who don't celebrate the Roman Catholic feast day, we could care less what you do with your time. We speak are mind, you make excuses. End of story. Yet the new convert, and those who are in the world who know and understand the truth about the xmas, are the ones who lose out, because of your want for liberty to do as you very well please. Your position is that they just need to get over it.
Paul's position is that if what he was eating (meat offered to idols) offended a Brother, he would eat no meat that was used in pagan worship. Simple.
I don't care what you do, (I presented my arguments, my part is done) just as long as you don't pawn it off on my family or I.

Exactly.

I don't care what you do with your time, but frankly the world thinks you're ignorant when you don't even understand the history and origins of what you're celebrating. Do they care if you celebrate? Not for a second. Do I care if you celebrate? No. But don't try to tell me that I'm the one wrong about the origins and history. You wouldn't waste your breath telling a PhD in chemistry that H2O isn't water. Don't waste your breath telling me a Christmas tree isn't an idol, doesn't have pagan origins, or anything of the sort.

If you choose to celebrate Christmas, and choose to use the pagan symbolism (or cultural, whatever you'd like to call it) THEN DO SO. I don't care, that is truly between you and God. But claiming it's not what it is just makes you look foolish.

Truthseeker · #**1008** 12-23-2008, 03:14 PM

Funny thing here, out of all the OT feast/celebration none are celebrated today by most churches but they do celebrate the ones that orginated in pagan worship.

Digging4Truth · #**1009** 12-23-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila

The key is this...Christianity in Europe was attempting to redesign a pagan culture across an entire continent. Redefining ancient customs and bringing Christianity into focus during these celebrations was the best way to "overwrite" paganism and ensure that most of the worship of pagan gods was replaced with the worship and knowledge of Christ. Also much of the masses were illiterate. The holidays served as a time to teach Scriptural stories. Today, while we might put up a silly tree or place a wreath on our door...nobody would even know the first thing about the rituals or the pagan gods they honored. It also ended the revelries that terrorized the country side during the Yule season. It was a success. They successfully overwrote the culture of an entire continent. More than what I can say the "no Christmas" crowd can claim regarding taking America for Christ.

We of the no christmas crowd are a part of the crowd as a whole.

Some speak forwardly and lack tact in their approach.

Others of us keep our convictions in silence because questions lead to answers and answers lead to ridicule and ridicule leads to having to move on... again.

I have had to leave churches because someone finally found out that we don't do christmas.

They asked why.

I asked them to not ask me why.

They insisted.

I answered their questions.

I became someone who must be "dealt with"

i finally had to move on... again.

There are people of the "no christmas" persuasion who are rude, forward and press their beliefs on others.

The "no christmas" crowd does not have a corner on that market.

The "no christmas" crowd is intermingled with Christianity as a whole. We are not a lesser group who does less.

I pray at the altar with people and do not ask that they be ticked up as a score for the "no christmas" crowd.

They are converts of my Christ and His gospel.

There is no "no christmas" crowd outside the "normal" crowd and to say so or agree so is divisive to the body of Chirst.

Trouvere · #**1010** 12-23-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Why not do Ramadan? Any other non-Biblical holidays out there that we could bring into Christianity?

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.