Kraichgauer wrote:
It's not that we doubt the paganistic origin of many Christmas traditions, it's just that we don't care.
What is this "we" thing? Being a Christian isn't some sort of Borg Collective. Christians are free to learn the history of the holidays they celebrate. I'd imagine there are many who wonder what does a decorated pine tree have to do with Jesus' birth, or why Jesus' birth is celebrated but gifts are exchanged with one another, or why parents tell their children there's a Santa Claus and that he brings them presents but in reality the gifts are purchased by the parents (at great financial expense)... and so forth. The first-century Beroeans didn't just take Paul's words at face value. They "carefully [examined] the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so." (Acts 17:10,11) And it reports "many of them became believers", because they put forth the effort to learn accurate truth. (Acts 17:12; 2 Timothy 2:25, 26)
Kraichgauer wrote:
For Christians, we celebrate the birth of Christ, not paganism. For non-believers, Christmas is still a time of celebration. Nothing that you tell us is going to make us say: "Why, golly, I'm so wrong to celebrate such an evil holiday! I think I'm going to stop doing it, and join my nearest kingdom hall, so I can await the new world while I lead an empty, joyless existence!"
If it bothers you so much you're more than welcome to ignore my Facts-About-Christmas post next year. (John 8:31, 32; Romans 10:13-15; Matthew 28:18-20)
Last edited by kxmode on 15 Dec 2012, 2:46 am, edited 5 times in total.