Is Christmas 'pagan'?

[historia]

[Difflugia]

[SiNcE_1985]

You can find claims similar to this all over the Internet, especially this time of year.

Yeah, usually by religious folks.

Whether or not Christmas is pagan, is usually not being debated in unbelieving circles.

It appears that certain members of this forum are the exceptions.

Questions for debate:

(1) Is Christmas 'pagan'?

Depends on what individuals do on the day.

(2) Should Christians celebrate Christmas?

If they so desire.

Next..

[1213]

(1) Is Christmas 'pagan'?

If you have it like a pagan.

(2) Should Christians celebrate Christmas?

The word Christ means Jesus Christ. He is in no way pagan.

The word mas, means a convention of Christians in this case.

Christians means originally disciples of Jesus.

So, when it is and means a Christian convention, I don't see why not celebrate it.

[JehovahsWitness]

Questions for debate:

(1) Is Christmas 'pagan'?

That depends on how one classifies something as "pagan". If one classifies "pagan" as something that has pagan roots ie. the original date and /or earliest known features of the celebration being non-Christian, then yes Christmas is definitely "pagan".

If by "pagan" one means that which is presently considered by believers that find it acceptable as such, then no.

(2) Should Christians celebrate Christmas?

No, absolutely not. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses I believe the origins of a celebration can disqualify it as a suitable celebration for Christians regardless of how it is presently viewed. In short, biblically, Christians cannot claim, rename and rebrand a pagan celebration and in doing so "sanctify" it to a higher purpose.


JEHOVAH'S WITNESS

To read more, please go to to other posts related to

CHRISTMAS , .EASTER and ... HALLOWEEN

[historia]

That depends on how one classifies something as "pagan". If one classifies "pagan" as something that has pagan roots ie. the original date and /or earliest known features of the celebration being non-Christian, then yes Christmas is definitely "pagan".

If by "pagan" one means that which is presently considered by believers that find it acceptable as such, then no.

Thank you for that clarifying remark. I am, indeed, asking about the origins of Christmas, and whether it has "pagan roots," as the article cited in the OP claims.

In that regard, why do you think Christmas is "definitely pagan"? And, more importantly, what historical evidence do you think supports that conclusion?

[historia]

Whether or not Christmas is pagan, is usually not being debated in unbelieving circles.

On the contrary, whether Christmas has pagan roots or not -- the question I'm asking in this thread -- is one that is regularly taken up by atheist critics of Christianity. I don't believe the author of the article cited in the OP is a believer, for example.

[historia]

The word Christ means Jesus Christ. He is in no way pagan.

Okay.

The word mas, means a convention of Christians in this case.

The suffix '-mas' here is from the ecclesiastical Latin missa, which is a direct reference to the Mass, the celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist.

[JehovahsWitness]

In that regard, why do you think Christmas is "definitely pagan"?

Because I view somthing as pagan if any features are of that thing have any links whatsover with non-christian factors. And I refer to Christmas as the sum of all modern day activities and rituals specific to the period leading up to, including and following of the winter soltace.

...what historical evidence do you think supports that conclusion?

See links below...

Do the festivities associated with Christmas have their origins in pagan religious celebrations? tigger)
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 06#p815406


Are there any links between pagan religious festivals and date 25th December?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 26#p897426

What are the origins of the Christmas customs? (lights, logs festivities ect)
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 32#p897432

[bjs1]