It really grinds my gears when I see religious sites stating how true Christians, Pagans, Buddists, Jews, etc. should practice. I recently visited a website talking about the pagan roots of the most commonly celebrated holidays. Unless you've been living under a rock, you are aware of this. However, this site also goes on to say that "true Christians" do not celebrate any of these holidays because it is not pleasing to Jehovah God. I'm assuming that the website's author is Jehovah's Witness. As a former JW, I can attest to the fact that JWs do not celebrate ANY holidays whatsoever except the commemmoration of Jesus' death. Milestones such as graduations, wedding anniversaries, and baby showers are acceptable (unless of course you have a baby out of wedlock :/)
Since when was pagan such a bad word? I remember when I used to defend JW beliefs to my friends while secretly I was dying inside. What good is living when you have absolutely nothing to celebrate, nothing to look forward to other than school, Kingdom Hall meetings, and field service? But I digress.
So this author like so many others in their respective religions knows what "truth" is. Truth is like beauty; it's in the eye of the beholder. You can take 2 people in the exact same denomination and have 2 different versions of the truth.
Christians should know by now that yes, historically most if not all of Christian holidays were Pagan first. I have no problem with Christians or anyone else for that matter celebrating whatever holidays they want to. However, I urge all to be educated. Do not insist that Christmas is *the* birthday of Jesus. It's not. Halloween aka Samhain has been perverted from its original purpose. Easter has nothing to do with Jesus either.
What your spirituality, be true to yourself. After all, some wo/man made up the rules to whatever path you're following.
Since when was pagan such a bad word? I remember when I used to defend JW beliefs to my friends while secretly I was dying inside. What good is living when you have absolutely nothing to celebrate, nothing to look forward to other than school, Kingdom Hall meetings, and field service? But I digress.
So this author like so many others in their respective religions knows what "truth" is. Truth is like beauty; it's in the eye of the beholder. You can take 2 people in the exact same denomination and have 2 different versions of the truth.
Christians should know by now that yes, historically most if not all of Christian holidays were Pagan first. I have no problem with Christians or anyone else for that matter celebrating whatever holidays they want to. However, I urge all to be educated. Do not insist that Christmas is *the* birthday of Jesus. It's not. Halloween aka Samhain has been perverted from its original purpose. Easter has nothing to do with Jesus either.
What your spirituality, be true to yourself. After all, some wo/man made up the rules to whatever path you're following.
I don't think the 'pagan' connotation is bad, but it is more so alluding to something more "personally attributed". Pagan, my initial understanding of the word is something more "isolated" than "mainstream". To say "pagan holidays" I think is simply saying "holidays that are not traditional to the religion" :-/.
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