Oh Pagan Tree

[Doubting Thomas]

I wish the same could be said of our cat, but then she is a fruitcake at the best of times and has endeavoured to remove the decorations from our tree at regular intervals thus far this December: last night she made off with a miniature Santa who had been hitherto hanging happily on an artificial branch and I caught her trying to disembowel him. Still, at least I can say with a reasonably straight face to the kids: "Santa's dead, the cat's killed him, so no stocking presents this year."

:laugh:

We used to have a cheap miniature doll ornament that we'd hang near the bottom of our tree (because it wasn't breakable), and one of my cats kept pulling it off the tree and cuddling with it...it was her 'baby', I guess. :smilewinkgrin:

 

[Jim1999]

Folk lore has it that the pagan tree was an oak tree. The Christian leader of the time took offence and cut the oak tree down. In its place was a fir tree and he took this tree to the people of Germany in the name of Jesus. Hence, it is a Christian tree honouring Christ.

I never have had a tree either. Father Christmas needed room for the charcoal in our stockings. Anyone seen the average English front room? Not exactly huge in my day! We could't have both a tree and Father Christmas's visit.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Palatka51]

Your points would have merit if any of us bowed down to and worshipped the baubles on our trees. We don't, so your points are devoid of any such merit.

I made no points. I simply posted scripture. I understand where one such as antiaging is coming from. My point is that it is not nice to laugh at someone's convictions.

 

[tinytim]

Maybe the fact that antiaging thinks the Roman Catholics can watch people through the TVs stems from the fact that he doesn't have tinfoil tinsil to hang on his pagan tree.

STupid convictions should be made fun of.

People who believe in aliens, and that the Pope can watch people through TVs have no authority in lecturing us about Christmas trees.

People, don't do without tinfoil tinsil this year.. the pope may know your every move...

OH< I bet that star we hang on top of the tree is actually an antanae that the RCC tunes into when our TV is not on.

 

[DHK]

Maybe the fact that antiaging thinks the Roman Catholics can watch people through the TVs stems from the fact that he doesn't have tinfoil tinsil to hang on his pagan tree.

STupid convictions should be made fun of.

People who believe in aliens, and that the Pope can watch people through TVs have no authority in lecturing us about Christmas trees.

People, don't do without tinfoil tinsil this year.. the pope may know your every move...

OH< I bet that star we hang on top of the tree is actually an antanae that the RCC tunes into when our TV is not on.

To post such things as to make fun of a person's conviction only demonstrates the ignorance of the poster. Antiaging has a right to his convictions. There is freedom of speech, and of religion in this nation, and on this board. If you think that he is wrong, then demonstrate it through the Scriptures. Making fun of a person only shows one's ignorance of the subject and their inability to intelligently carry on a subject.

Now, continue on.

 

[rbell]

Got any evidence to back up your assertions, Antiaging?

Catholic Aliens told him through is TV set.

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

The Westminster Christian High School chorus sang at the Wachovia Center in downtown Miami today. One of the songs in a medley was "O Christmas Tree." Hope that was OK -- I don't think they were singing to an idol or anything...

 

[ray Marshall]

Paraphrasing Joe Parsons, "Don't take away my Christmas. It's the only time of year I get new underwear."

Or was it socks? I can't remember now.

I'm of the opinion that a Christian can take any traditional holiday and make it what they want. I'm not bound to not worship Jesus my way just because it was originally pagan. I know many churches that put on a "harvest party" on Halloween. I also know churches that have a New Year's Eve service, as opposed to a drunken party in Time's Square. It's really all in what you make of it.

Now on to the jokes...

If you want to be really strict, and have scripture to back it up, try these out:

Santa Clause: [Zec 2:6] Ho, Ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the Lord: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the Lord.

Santa, turkeys, Easter bunnies, and Halloween spooks: [Rom 1:23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Read JEREMIAH chapter 10
I have not put up a Christmas tree for several years now.

 

[annsni]

Read JEREMIAH chapter 10
I have not put up a Christmas tree for several years now.

Jeremiah 10 speaks not of a Christmas tree because Christmas trees aren't carved. Instead it sounds like it's speaking of an idol similar to a totem pole.

 

[tinytim]

Jeremiah 10 speaks not of a Christmas tree because Christmas trees aren't carved. Instead it sounds like it's speaking of an idol similar to a totem pole.

Amen.........

 

[tinytim]

To post such things as to make fun of a person's conviction only demonstrates the ignorance of the poster. Antiaging has a right to his convictions. There is freedom of speech, and of religion in this nation, and on this board. If you think that he is wrong, then demonstrate it through the Scriptures. Making fun of a person only shows one's ignorance of the subject and their inability to intelligently carry on a subject.

Now, continue on.

You're right.. everyone has the right to their convictions...

I also have the right to mine... And my convictions are just as valid as his are.

The Bible speaks of nothing concerning Christmas traditions.
Therefore no one can make any biblical conviction.

All we have are our opinions.

And in my opinion, this issue is a crazy issue.

Besides, I don't put too much stock into the opinions of someone who thinks RCC opperatives are watching people through TVs.

Romans 14:5-8
(5) One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
(6) He that regardeth the day, regardeth [it] unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard [it]. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
(7) For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
(8) For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

I don't appreciate someone saying that since I put up a Christmas Tree unto the Lord, I am serving Baal... I serve ONLY Jesus Christ... and the Christmas tree TO ME symbolizes the eternal life he gave me.

 

[Matt Black]

To post such things as to make fun of a person's conviction only demonstrates the ignorance of the poster. Antiaging has a right to his convictions. There is freedom of speech, and of religion in this nation, and on this board. If you think that he is wrong, then demonstrate it through the Scriptures. Making fun of a person only shows one's ignorance of the subject and their inability to intelligently carry on a subject.

Now, continue on.

If the conviction is absurd, then it is right to call the asserter on it. I can have a deeply held conviction that the world is flat or the moon is made of cheese and has an Old Man in it, but it would be an absurdity which needs no proof-text to refute. If someone posts such an assertion s/he draws a big target on his/her back and shouldn't be surprised by what follows...

 

[Thinkingstuff]

Silver and gold on trees for shame!

next thing we'll start doing is having Nativity Idols in our front yards like the idols of alde pagan times. Shame Shame and shame! :laugh:

 

[Matt Black]

I made no points. I simply posted scripture. I understand where one such as antiaging is coming from. My point is that it is not nice to laugh at someone's convictions.

See above; plus it was not merely an assertion, but also an accusation - at those BB members like me who have a Christmas tree - that, as I said to you, is utterly devoid of merit and which should be retracted.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Jeremiah 10 speaks not of a Christmas tree because Christmas trees aren't carved. Instead it sounds like it's speaking of an idol similar to a totem pole.

Great, now I can't put up my Christmas totem pole, either.......

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

I made no points. I simply posted scripture. I understand where one such as antiaging is coming from. My point is that it is not nice to laugh at someone's convictions.

Come on now, the Scripture was totally taken out of context. In context, the verses have everything to do with idol worship, and nothing to do with having a tree decorated in the home. I guess the only application would be if someone started worshiping their tree --- but I don't think that's likely.

 

[DHK]

You're right.. everyone has the right to their convictions...

I also have the right to mine... And my convictions are just as valid as his are.

Good, then post them. Without the ungodly attitude and mockery.
"Who art thou that judgest thy brother?"

The Bible speaks of nothing concerning Christmas traditions.
Therefore no one can make any biblical conviction.

It says plenty of paganism. If a "Christian" holiday has its roots in paganism, then is it right? Is it right to observe pagan rituals? Instead of ungodly mockery use the Word of God to refute the essence of the post.

All we have are our opinions.

And we all have an obligation to state the truth in love showing grace to others. That is also one of the rules of the BB, which you agreed to when you signed up here. It is a privilege to post here, not your right to say anything you want about whoever you want.

And in my opinion, this issue is a crazy issue.

No one is forcing your hand to type or write anything. If you can't control your tongue or whatever your fingers type, then don't say anything at all.

The Scriptures say: Every idle word a man shall give account of.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned (judged).

Besides, I don't put too much stock into the opinions of someone who thinks RCC opperatives are watching people through TVs.

I reread the OP and saw nothing that suggested such. So I will count that as a false allegation until proven otherwise.

Romans 14:5-8
(5) One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
(6) He that regardeth the day, regardeth [it] unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard [it]. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
(7) For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
(8) For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

I don't appreciate someone saying that since I put up a Christmas Tree unto the Lord, I am serving Baal... I serve ONLY Jesus Christ... and the Christmas tree TO ME symbolizes the eternal life he gave me.

And to most Hindus it symbolizes a god, and the gifts under it symbolize sacrifices put there by the one putting them there.

But why give offense to thy brother?
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

You can do what you want. But don't condemn others for having Godly convictions for good reasons.
People half way around this world make mockery at the Americans and their silly traditions when they hear about them. They know that "Trees" have nothing to do with the birth of Christ.

The same with Easter. They laughed when I told them about a rabbit that laid eggs. They immediately said that it must come from a fertility goddess and connected the American celebration of Easter with a pagan fertility goddess. Do you see what conclusions peoples of other nations draw without even coming to America? You offend by your very actions. The things that you do have nothing to do with the birth of Christ, and yet hypocritically you say by doing so you are celebrating the birth of Christ. What hypocrisy!

 

[Jim1999]

Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen. I go off for supper and leave you alone for an hour and look wot a mess I have found.

'Tis the season to be jolly,,,,,,,,,,,,

Cheers,

Jim

 

[ray Marshall]

Jeremiah 10 speaks not of a Christmas tree because Christmas trees aren't carved. Instead it sounds like it's speaking of an idol similar to a totem pole.

May be, I really have never checed it out.

 

[abcgrad94]

To me, a Christmas tree is a wonderful reminder of the reason for Christ's birth. He was born to die for our sins--on a tree. So, for me the Christmas tree is a symbol of what would become the old rugged cross.

I do not worship my Christmas tree, nor do I feel "convicted" for having one. There is a difference between an object and an idol. Having a nativity scene or Christmas tree that points to the Savior is fine. Bowing down and worshipping said nativity figurines or Christmas tree is a whole different ballgame.

Frankly, I think televisions are "worshipped" not Christmas trees. I mean, how many people skip church or visitation to stay home and watch the television as compared to their Christmas tree? If you're going to get convicted, get rid of the idiot box instead of an object of nature that God created. Sometimes it's easy to strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.