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Christmas is a pagan celebration to celebrate the winter solstice, adopted by the Catholic church, which they did quite often, with the date changed slightly. Easter is the same, but that's for another day.
If he wears it, disown him and send him to your relos in NZ to look after.
Thats the thing about beliefs. You cant tell me what to believe.
I’m an atheist so I have no horse in this race. I’m just here to clear up some misconceptions. Christmas has nothing to do with Saturnalia (which was celebrated from December 17 to 23) and the fact that it falls during the winter solstice is a coincidence and not a direct influence. The reason why we celebrate Christmas on December 25 is because Jesus was thought to have been executed on March 25 so his death must have been 9 months later (which happens to coincide with the date of the solstice). Christmas has barely any pagan origins and I see this talking point bandied about a lot but there’s no data to support it.
Then we basically agree. I wasn't there but I have read a lot about the festival being coopted by Christians around the 4th Century AD. You say its not related. Many researchers say it is so it comes down to a matter of belief.
Which researchers? I highly doubt any serious scholar would spread such blatantly false information. If you want further information this is a pretty good summary
historyforatheists.com
I disagree with the idea that history is merely about opinions. We have developed tools to reconstruct what most likely occurred in the past. We weren’t there when the first US president was inaugurated but by examining the data we can say there’s a very high likelihood that it was George Washington. Similarly there’s enough data here to say that Christmas most likely doesn’t stem from pagan origins.
Yes a high likely that he existed. Did he really never tell a lie or is that a embellishment?
I’m a history buff so when I see misinformation being spread I like to chime in to correct it. I already told you that it’s not a matter of opinion like you’re claiming because there’s sufficient data to refute the claim. You’re clearly not willing to change your mind despite the evidence so I think we should just leave it there. If you really are arguing in good faith rather than just trying to defend your initial position I would urge you to read the scholarship on the matter to see what the data says.
Ill refer you back to Ceaser the red nose Centaur.
I just think they lack resources, specifically enough kids who like soccer enough to play and become professionals. Combined with too few stakeholders with an incentive to fund junior development (i.e. professional clubs), the small talent pool translates to a weak national team.
Every part of the world (except on the equator) recognised the winter solstice. It's an observable seasonal feature, and a natural time to hold a cultural celebration. In Europe the culture was Christian so it made sense to celebrate Christmas (a Christian celebration, not a pagan one) during the winter solstice. Much like how Easter is celebrated shortly after the spring equinox. There's no good reason not to hold these Christian celebrations at these times. It's not like the dates are in the Bible, which doesn't even mention them.
It is indeed an atheist activist talking point. Supposedly lol gotcha at Christians. But the first European Christians were pagans, from pagan cultures, and it made sense for them to incorporate their new beliefs into their existing ritual system. The introduction of monotheism didn't override the observed world (e.g. seasons/farming), it just provided a framework for a shared morality and identity not tied to a particular place, language or tribal group. It was a f**king great idea and still is.Which researchers? I highly doubt any serious scholar would spread such blatantly false information. If you want further information this is a pretty good summary
Pagan Christmas - History for Atheists
Atheist activist Seth Andrews presents what he claims is the evidene that Christmas and its traditions are originally pagan. But his claims are nonsense.
That’s my entire point. Christmas isn’t a cultural appropriation of paganism and if you’re going to use it as a gotcha you’re going to look very silly.
The king of saying a lot while actually saying nothing. Its a skill.
Just a total coincidence.
The queen of reading words and not understanding the meaning. I forgot where I was and probably should've dumbed it down for you. My apologies.
