If you aren't catholic, why do you celebrate their holidays?

You know, your party analogy is actually pretty good. However, I wouldn't go to that party. First, I'm not the party type. Second, if I don't know the person hosting it, my attendance would be for some reason other than to enjoy the company of the host. In other words, I'd be going to get something - booze, food, whatever. That's using the host and party and that's not something I'd do. What if there was something about the party that violated the law? Would you go? I wouldn't. There are things about those holidays that violate God's law, another reason I don't go to them. Great reply and thanks for your viewpoint!

What does being or not being a priest have to do with the topic?

what is important is what is in your heart christmas or no christmas catholic or no catholic pagan or no pagan practice it or not to practice it how sure are you now? what is in your heart? Do GOD favors you?

Not really. I decided a long time ago that if you want a witch hunt - you'll find one. No matter what the subject is. I've decided that I need to concentrate on what is important to me and why. On the other hand I wouldn't purposely join a pagan ritual because I don't agree with their beliefs. That would be hypocritical of me. I see the difference in the fact that these holidays have digressed from their original roots and no longer accurately represent pagan or Christian beliefs. They are what you make of them. My husband, on the other hand, is in total disagreement over this point of view.

Does it bother you at all to know the holidays you celebrate have pagan origins? I really am curious about this. Thanks for your reply!

So apparently you believe that something evil can be made good if the intentions are good? I just want to make sure I understand what you're saying.

I agree. In fact the whole of Saudi Arabia does not celebrate Christmas or New Year. If you celebrate Christmas in the open you will end up in jail.

But can you explain to me why you would celebrate holidays that belong in a religion of which you aren't a part? I just find that odd and am trying to understand it. As for who doesn't celebrate it, a lot of people don't. :)Thanks a lot.

The media may not honor Christ in this greedy time of the year and in this greedy holiday, but individuals do. Many people celebrate it as a Christian, religious holiday celebrating Christ' birth, not as a day filled with "gimme gimme gimme" and "where are the rest of the presents!?!"

mkirby624, I agree that not all individuals are greedy about the holiday and they have a bit more generous view of things. But those same people often have a christmas tree, the mistletoe and other pagan symbols involved. That's where the disconnect, if you will, comes for me. How can it be "for christ" if it's filled with pagan symbols? Also, if people really do it just to celebrate His birth, why not do it in June? Or April? Or October? Thanks.

What I'm trying to understand is just how a day with pagan roots is a day that honors Christ. I think the beginnings *do* matter. As for what is now, the holiday that is being celebrated is commercial and full of greed, lust, and pagan rituals. I fail to see how it honors Christ in any way and that's why I asked this question. I've asked it of others and have yet to get a good answer. Maybe you can help me understand it. Thanks so much for your reply.

To the best of my knowledge, they're not. They're celebrated by many people, including those who are neither pagan nor catholic. :)

Doesn't the Christian religion come from the Catholic religion...just a little different?

Actually, the christian faith was originally an offshoot of Judaism. Catholicism as we know it came later. The original Christians (like Paul, Peter and others in the Bible) were Hebrews and practicing Jews who had the testimony of Yeshua the Messiah in their lives. They weren't catholic as we know it and weren't christian as we know it, either...

Devinarun, I think I see what you're saying but it isn't my holiday. I don't celebrate it and haven't for many years. It also isn't for everyone. There are many people who don't celebrate it. Thanks for your input on this, though!

adi_reza, I definitely understand what you're saying but I don't agree with you. I don't feel that being joyous is a good enough reason to keep a pagan festival..unless you're a pagan. :)

I guess its the spirit of the festivals and it is so joyful that everyone is involved, all religion teaches us to tolerate each other and respect the belief and practice of others, more often than not human go overboard and set aside religious teaching to indulge on vandatta as well as personal gain. I guess, for those who truly understands; the unifying factor is that all religion teachers good, and if there is anything good about commorating the religion through festive events; is that these events teaches us to be tolerant towards each other. Being involve in the celebration of another religion's festival does not mean we denounce our belief and teachings.

It's my opinion, though, that they *do* own those days and that if you're a Believer in YHWH and/or His Son Yeshua you shouldn't celebrate those days. And by the way, the truth isn't that He was born on December 25th. You're celebrating on the wrong day.

I think your comment is very close to truth. :)

I want to know the same thing which is why I asked the question. I've done a lot of historical research and am aware that the festivals existed long before christianity did. That was part of my point, which I think you missed. Thanks for your input, though.

I think that's pretty sad but it doesn't surprise me. Thanks for your reply!

I think it is, too. I find it interesting that so many people know the pagan roots of holidays yet don't seem to care though they say they're christians or believers or whatever you want to call it. I think it's great to have discussions like this and share opinions and views without arguing or getting angry. :)

DavidReedy, that's a good question. I believe, as evidenced by a lot of the replies here, that many of them do realize it and simply don't care. They've pretty much stated that it doesn't matter to them and they believe they're doing it for or to or because of Christ. I believe they're sincere but you probably know, as I do, that one can be sincerely wrong... Thanks for your reply!

I care about the origin of the celebrations and there are many others, too. And just to set the record straight, I've traveled to other countries and did not partake in their celebrations and special days. Thanks for sharing your view on this.

Well, there's am amazingly huge chance that Christmas isn't the birthday of Christ regardless of what you've been told. Apparently that doesn't make a difference to you. Nor does the pagan origin of the day and the pagan origin of Easter. Forget the gifts - what about the fact that scripture tells us to learn not the ways of the heathen and to avoid doing what they do? Does that matter at all to you?

Thanks a lot for your perspective on this, brokentia. It's interesting to see what an admitted pagan says about it. :) Question though.. why is it sad to you that many who have no religion or no clue of the history of the celebration celebrate it? I'd like to know more of your thoughts on this.

And that's a good enough reason as any. Thanks for the answer. :)

Many people say no to enjoyment. To do otherwise is hedonism. ;) Thanks for sharing your view on this.

So you don't celebrate them but know some people who do celebrate certain holidays because it's "cool"? Interesting. Thanks!

so because of what others have made of their Christmas, you choose not to celebrate?? I mean, I understand your point, but just because others' celebrate Christmas in a certain way (focusing on presents) doesn't mean you have to...so it's not like you have to STOP celebrating Christmas just because people have messed it up for themselves.