This clip below steals word for word without even mentioning it that everything he is extolling comes from this book (page 109 to be exact) SANTA - TIZING - What's wrong with Christmas and how to clean it up by Robin Main.
Here is what Biblos.com has to say on Chemosh, so where the author from the above book and the man in the Santa suit below got there information would be interesting to know. I would especially like to know where the historical references to Childmas can be found? I did a Google search for Childmas and found none.
If people do not believe in Christmas that is fine by me. I do however have a problem with making things up to better your case (cough,cough). I also know for a fact most Christians know Jesus was probably born at some other time of the year. So you cannot base your argument around that.
Yes, Christmas was developed from a pagan practice but that doesn't mean it is an abomination and that if you "practice" Christmas you are going to HELL. Which is what the man in the red suit in the video above will tell you. Although to me he seems quite cozy dressed as Santa and sitting in front of his pagan fir tree. Did he hang ornaments of Ra's Testicles on it?
First off who practices Christmas? He must mean celebrate? No, he means practice, because pagans practice things not Christians or Jews waiting on the Messiah. Once again a tricky use of semantics to make a case as weak as that case may be. He is right that the Puritans didn't celebrate Christmas but who in their right mind practices Puritanism anymore, and when where they ever a model held up for a good Christian to follow? Another empty fact to add to a weak case.
Christmas as we know it came into its present favor via the Victorian Days. Our Christmas as we celebrate it today is a relatively new holiday. Any pagan roots are long obscured. It became Christmas (not Childmas...where is a historical reference to this?) in celebration of Christ's Mass. It makes sense as newer religion's gain power and influence to usurp former days of importance as their own. However, that does not mean the new holidays hold the old significances? See my point?
Christmas has a wonderful message about peace and good will. Any semblance to Chemosh or Molech is a real reach today and quite insulting. Yes, it has become a commercial holiday. Yes, people do commit suicides at a higher rate this time of the year, but that is because of factors having to do with them as individuals and their personal hardships and shortcomings, be they real or perceived, and nothing to do with the celebration of any holiday. There is also a medical condition known as SAD which could be a much more likely culprit for their suicidal actions than the doings of a little old man in a Santa Suit.
Christmas means many things to many people and no doubt it can be stressful especially for people who are unattached or far from home. That is not evidence though of it being a pagan influence of which if you participate damns you to HELL. Heck we could be living in HELL right here presently. Who knows? Hell or Heaven could be nothing more than what you make of your life. Maybe they are metaphors for your own devils within.
Celebrating a Birthday of someone who spread Good News to all who would listen shouldn't be demonized so as to gain converts to your own belief systems. Don't you have anything magnificent enough to influence people other than damning them to HELL for their current beliefs?
With all the different religious denominations that exist and with all of them extolling the truth, it seems you have a better chance of hitting the lottery today then hitting on the one TRUE WAY. Maybe the true way is the way that makes you the best possible person. You know the type of person that doesn't judge his brothers or sisters and then damn them to HELL for believing something that you don't.
Any religious denomination that declares theirs is the only way to go or else, is a problem for me. Three of the world's most popular (only by the numbers of supposed followers) are the biggest cause of the unrest on this planet. What I call....the God Wars. My God is better than yours. I say supposed followers, because one of these current religions will kill you if you convert. The fear of death will I assume make you outwardly say you believe even if inside you think .... this is NUTS. And nuts it is. Trying to make religious texts that were written thousands or even hundreds of years ago fit in today is ludicrous. God gave men free will and part of that gift was developing as a people and adapting new discovered knowledge in a positive way. How does killing nonbelievers serve any purpose? That is a million dollar question I'd like anyone to answer for me. Isn't a religious belief supposed to make you a more enlightened person? Isn't religion supposed to make you a better person?
This is a new millennium and time to recognize that something is truly wrong. Maybe it is time to believe in yourself and your own vision of God. If you follow your heart and mind you actually might come upon something that works for you. In the end you'll need to answer for your beliefs to God when your life is judged. Part of that will involve explaining away the negatives of whatever organized religion you follow. Do you have your arguments ready? If you do are you convinced of there validity?
I believe in Christmas because it is a time to celebrate our families and communities. What is so awful about giving to charity, or buying gifts for those you love, or having a few days off to relax? Why must my giving a gift to my boss or co-workers be evidence of my unknowingly paying homage to some pagan God, when all it is really is a show of appreciation for having a job that allows me to pay my bills and exist. Why must it be demonized?
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