How far does one go?

[Elijah John]

The Puritans of New England, and the Jehovah's Witnesses of today forbid the observance of Christmas, as being "of pagan origin".

To be consistent, hadn't one ought to rename the days of the week?

In English,

Sunday = Sun day.
Monday = Moon day.
Tuesday = Tiw's day.
Wednesday = Woden's day.
Thurday = Thor's day
Friday = Freya's day.
Saturday = Saturn day.

The English days of the week were all named after gods of the pagan Norse pantheon, with a few Greco-Roman planet names thrown in.

For debate, how far should a good Christian go to purge paganism from the culture?

Or should we all just "lighten up" and observe Christmas as well?

[2timothy316]

[Replying to post 30 by marco]

If a person wants to follow only what the Bible says to observe then there is only one thing to observe. It's found at Luke 22:15-20. Anything else outside of that commandment is not really backed by God's Word the Bible. The celebration of Jesus' birth nor his resurrection are commanded. It's the last meal on eve of his death that a Christian should keep doing to remember what he paid for mankind and the Kingdom that will be established because of that sacrifice.

[marco]

[Replying to post 30 by marco]

If a person wants to follow only what the Bible says to observe then there is only one thing to observe. It's found at Luke 22:15-20. Anything else outside of that commandment is not really backed by God's Word the Bible. The celebration of Jesus' birth nor his resurrection are commanded. It's the last meal on eve of his death that a Christian should keep doing to remember what he paid for mankind and the Kingdom that will be established because of that sacrifice.

I am always interested when people quote a passage to me and then take their own interpretation. Luke's words, as interpreted by Catholics, change the communion host into the body and blood of Christ by what is called transubstantiation.

It is not absolutely clear what the instruction: Do this in memory of me was supposed to mean.

I fail to see how it has any bearing on Christians celebrating the birth of Jesus. He was born on ONE day in the calendar; we don't know which, so choosing one and commemorating it each year is holy and wholesome.

[2timothy316]

[Replying to post 32 by marco]

I didn't give an interpretation. I stated what was in the Bible as a commandment and what isn't concerning what to observe when it come to Jesus. If Jesus wanted us to celebrate his birth or death, that would have been the time to announce it. As far as when we should observe the Lord's Evening Meal, it taking place on the yearly Jewish Passover was no accident. It was all part of the prophecy. So yearly seems likely as it's the really the only evidence we have to when the LEM should be observed. There is no evidence of daily, weekly or monthly.

[marco]

[Replying to post 32 by marco]

I didn't give an interpretation. I stated what was in the Bible as a commandment and what isn't concerning what to observe when it come to Jesus. If Jesus wanted us to celebrate his birth or death, that would have been the time to announce it. As far as when we should observe the Lord's Evening Meal, it taking place on the yearly Jewish Passover was no accident. It was all part of the prophecy. So yearly seems likely as it's the really the only evidence we have to when the LEM should be observed. There is no evidence of daily, weekly or monthly.

Since you gave no interpretation then it is fair to suppose you agree with the Roman Catholic interpretation, else you would have stated a rival meaning.

It is of course unlikely that Christ himself would have boastfully set up days on which his birth should be remembered; but clearly he was in the habit himself of observing certain important days. Thus people who honour Jesus would want to celebrate his birth and remember his death.

When we get preoccupied with our own version of how to read Scripture, we do other people as pious or more so than ourselves a great disservice. So it is fine to quote some words as long as we are aware that our fallible little brains take ONE interpretation; others may find richer, truer interpretations.

The simple question is: from reading Christ's words and his advice, is it likely he would have frowned on carol singers? I am certain he would not. Suffer little children to come unto me - and he didn't specify that they had to come in special uniform. If they approach with a hymn, I'm sure that is acceptable. I am always reminded of the Pharisee looking down on the poor publican who prayed in his own way, while the Pharisee, who knew the letter of the law, looked on contemptuously. And Christ warned us about this attitude.

[OnceConvinced]

Seriously, this tantrum has nothing to do with the thread theme.

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[Blastcat]

[Replying to post 29 by tigger2]

!

[center]Do they get to annoy me because they NEED to?[/center]

Just stop knocking at my door expecting me to graciously accept a pamphlet. There is enough proselytizing going on in this forum.

However, if you have informed them, they are supposed to put you on a 'don't call' list, and they should not be coming to your door (for a number of months at least).

And if you haven't informed them, the 'problem' is of your own making.

I don't want to be proselytized to. Is that acceptable?
I don't want their stupid sticker on my door.. is that ok?

And you certainly don't have to accept anything (graciously or not) from them when they call. A polite "I'm not interested, goodbye" should suffice.

Oh, I have no problem getting rid of them.
But they have ANNOYED me anyway.

[Zzyzx]

.
[Replying to post 36 by Blastcat]

My Dad had a solution -- a sign in his yard:

"No Peddlers allowed, includes religion"


Another from somewhere on the web:

"This household charges $100 an hour (or part thereof) to listen to religious commercials -- payable in advance."

[Talishi]

Christmas commercialism has given most nations that celebrate it an Achilles Heel. A day to make or break a company called Black Friday. It's called this because it determines if a company will be in the black or in the red in their financial books. A nations whole future financial outlook is based on that day.

Not correct. The day is called Black Friday because typically a company will run red ink until that day, when their accounts receivable finally exceed their accounts payable. But the day itself is not make-or-break as you indicate. it's more to do with its position in the year.

[onewithhim]

Good point! He does prefer anyone who accepts that point, including Jehovah's Witnesses who are not atheists.

If one judges by the jollity of innocent young carol singers, God is well pleased. Jesus did say "Allow little children to sing carols if they want to and stop being so rule-driven.
Heal on the Sabbath if you have to - and celebrate my birthday when you see fit!"

Or words to that effect!

He focused on the Kingdom---his Father's own government. He said that we must be like the little children if we wanted to see the Kingdom of God. Does most religion today teach people about that Kingdom? No. The religions concentrate on holidays and rituals, which are actually pointless and meaningless.

He did advocate healing on the Sabbath if it was going to help someone, but singing carols and celebrating his birthday? LOL.

"Truly I say to you, Unless you turn around and become as young children, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens. Therefore, whoever will humble himself like this young child is the one that is the greatest in the kingdom of the heavens." (Matthew 18:3,4)

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 32 by marco]

I didn't give an interpretation. I stated what was in the Bible as a commandment and what isn't concerning what to observe when it come to Jesus. If Jesus wanted us to celebrate his birth or death, that would have been the time to announce it. As far as when we should observe the Lord's Evening Meal, it taking place on the yearly Jewish Passover was no accident. It was all part of the prophecy. So yearly seems likely as it's the really the only evidence we have to when the LEM should be observed. There is no evidence of daily, weekly or monthly.

I think you may have overlooked or forgotten how Paul wrote on this issue.

See 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.