Christmas and what it means to us?

[chriscase]

Reopened. Bear in mind that references to personal characteristics of members are off topic here. Further rule breaks will result in penalties.

(The merits of Salvation Army is also off-topic. - pacifism)

[basics]

chriscase,

So, in the spirit of Christmas may I say that if I have offended anyone may they forgive me and if anyone has offended me I pray to have the power to forget completely the offence. That said and said with a full belly stuffed by meats, trifle and sweeties, it was a quiet Christmas this year for obvious reasons although last night it began to snow which pleased our Husky very much but not so much our German Shepherd. This morning the area was just like a Christmas card when walking the Husky and in a few minutes I'll be off again this time with the German Shepherd. So, carry on enjoying this wonderful time in whichever manner you choose to.

[Akar]

I do not accept your apology.

[basics]

I do not accept your apology.

Akar,

Then you will carry that not me.

[mishkin]

why exactly did you apologize basics? what did you do wrong?

one might really think that on christmas/new year people could reflect for more than three seconds and sincerely apologize, really wish a happy new year or show real affection to those around you. but I suppose that, after all, everything is as superficial at this time as the rest of the year.

[Akar]

Nah, it's easier to just pretend to care about everyone than to actually care about everyone.

[basics]

why exactly did you apologize basics? what did you do wrong?

one might really think that on christmas/new year people could reflect for more than three seconds and sincerely apologize, really wish a happy new year or show real affection to those around you. but I suppose that, after all, everything is as superficial at this time as the rest of the year.

miskin,

I apologized because as it is Christmas I didn't want Akar to be offended by anything I have said to him. That Jesus Christ our Creator was born at all as a man to get us forgiven it surely follows that I should forgive anyone who has offended me. The birth of Christ was the greatest gift ever to mankind.

[Akar]

You only care about that on Christmas?

The birth of Christ was the greatest gift ever to mankind.

What does this sentence have to do with anything lol

[basics]

You only care about that on Christmas?
What does this sentence have to do with anything lol

Akar,

That your Creator came into the world as a human was the greatest Gift to mankind, why? Because without that appearance mankind would die off wothout any hope of a life after death. By His death and resurrection on that cross He substituted for sinners like you and me to take the curse from off our backs thus satisfying the Law meaning it no longer had a condemnatory hold over those for whom He died. So, if you stay in your unbelief that will haunt you forever, even after you take the knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

[Akar]

So what does that have to do with this thread, or what we were talking about before?

[AqD]

That your Creator came into the world as a human was the greatest Gift to mankind, why? Because without that appearance mankind would die off wothout any hope of a life after death. By His death and resurrection on that cross He substituted for sinners like you and me to take the curse from off our backs thus satisfying the Law meaning it no longer had a condemnatory hold over those for whom He died. So, if you stay in your unbelief that will haunt you forever, even after you take the knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Why should they be given hope? Why shouldn't they be haunted?

If people want anything, they should fight for it and take it themselves, or die knowing they've been useless, their life wasted and there is no redemption.

We've come this far. Haven't we doubled human lifespan since Jesus' time, unlocked mysteries of life, cloned sheep and on the path to immorality and all sort of wonders? We can defy his laws and whatever laws of nature, to have life without death, and to build a heaven right here, where he failed.

So, why should we kneel?


PS: and let's not forget religious factions are among the ones who're blocking key researches for silly reasons.

[basics]

So what does that have to do with this thread, or what we were talking about before?

Akar,

The thread begs the question, " Christmas and what it means to you?" Therefore it has everything to do with the question, why? Because it is why we celebrate it.

[Akar]

Because it is why we celebrate it.

No, not really.

[basics]

No, not really.

Akar,

Then why is there a Christmas Day?

[Akar]

Because Christmas day (Dec. 25) is the date of the winter solstice on the Roman calendar, gaining further import when Charlemagne was crowned emperor on the 25th of December, 800. It's worth noting that celebrations of "christmas" weren't common at all amongst the early christian church, and was even outright banned in England. It wasn't until a revival movement that christmas would gain it's current position.

[basics]

Akar,

Born again Christians know that December was not when Jesus was born. In fact we celebrate His birth every time we pray, every time we gather together to remember what He did for us on that fateful day at Golgotha. Since I don't worship other gods at all never mind 25th December I don't have any problem with it. Perhaps it's just another moan you have to get your message across?

[Akar]

You literally just asked me a question and are whinging and attacking me about the answer I gave to you? You can never be happy, can you?

Since I don't worship other gods at all never mind 25th December

Wait, are you saying you think people were worshiping the day "25th December"?

[basics]

You literally just asked me a question and are whinging and attacking me about the answer I gave to you? You can never be happy, can you?

Wait, are you saying you think people were worshiping the day "25th December"?

Akar,

You really are scraping the barrel now for don't tell me that Pagans actually worshipped Jesus Christ our Creator?

[antaeus]

Akar,

You really are scraping the barrel now for don't tell me that Pagans actually worshipped Jesus Christ our Creator?

Ironically, this statement itself is silly. there are a plenty of polytheistic religions that consider Jesus a part of their experience - both past and present. Plenty of Hindus include Jesus in their belief systems and even Islam makes space for him.

The phenomena of new religions and prophet movements that often occurs during times of social upheaval or collapse has created countless religions over the centuries that actively worship Jesus amongst a localised pantheon. One of the hallmarks of this new religion phenomena is a combination of beliefs from existing and new cultural influences. It is a response seen in colonisation especially, as the colonised reconcile the failure of their indigenous structures. There are local polytheistic religions across Africa, the Americas, the Pacific that include elements of the Christian story. You could look to Voodoo beliefs for example. In fact, Christianity's rise itself is an example of this hybridisation of beliefs occurring during hard times - Jesus representing and updating or reconciling of beliefs with the failure of traditional Jewish structures to cope with Roman dominance.

[Morticia Iunia Bruti]

24/25 December is the birthday of the pagan god SOL INVICTUS.

Christians used this date for the birthday of Christus to replace this popular pagan god.