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Replying To Viking66: "The big festival at Christmas time was a big festival long before the birth of Christ, and then the Christian churches. There's been alot of debate about when exactly Jesus was born, nearly every historical source disagrees with the Church that it was the 25th December. The 25th December was an important powerful day in the Roman calendar, and many suspect that's why the early church chose it. Other pre Christian religions had their main winter festival at this time of year also before Christ was born, which is the point I was making. This festival in Celtic areas included fertility rituals marking the turning of the year, like kissing under the mistletoe and decorating trees. The Norse people called it Yule, and traditionally celebrated by eating and drinking to excess, the yule log is a nod to this tradition. The exchanging of presents also dates back to this time. Does any of this have a familiar ring to it?
If you think Christ was born on the 25th December despite evidence to the contrary, and also think that the early Christian church didn't just say he was to make their new religion more appealing, well it's a free country, you can believe what you want.
Before you start thinking I'm some sort of raving atheist, well I'm not. I went to a very staunch church school, according to the Guinness book of records the oldest in Britain and Ireland, and I'm 100% certain there is plenty about the world that we humans haven't a clue about. I'm sure that the concepts of good and evil are reflected in other types of existence, and I believe in God, although I've no evidence as such. I also believe that there are previous sentient inhabitants of the island we live on who are still here but we can't see. My belief in God doesn't contradict any of my other beliefs. One thing I'm also 100% sure of is that the Church, any of them, are no closer to God than any of the rest of us. And I think that's a large part of Jesus teachings, if you take time to read them." Cracking post. You put way more effort in than me to say basically the same thing
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3179 - 04/12/2024 14:41:55
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Replying To GreenandRed: "Maybe he died so people could respect each others opinions even if they disagreed with them." I think the basis of Christianity was love and respect for your neighbour. Nothing about creed or colour. That has all or nearly all been hijacked over the centuries by rulers - military and otherwise to suit particular agendas.
Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1282 - 04/12/2024 14:50:09
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Replying To Breffni40: "Do you think Jesus died on the cross for our sins or for your desire to insult minorities and deny rights for all of god's creations?" Where did I insult minorities? The recent election results proved that the Irish people strongly rejected the far left and the far right which I welcome.
tireoghainabu (Tyrone) - Posts: 348 - 04/12/2024 15:37:44
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Replying To Freethinker: "I think the basis of Christianity was love and respect for your neighbour. Nothing about creed or colour. That has all or nearly all been hijacked over the centuries by rulers - military and otherwise to suit particular agendas." And without Christianity they'd have found another motivating factor to achieve their goals you can be sure.
Millions of unchristian atrocities have been committed "in God's name" throughout the centuries, in our own island more than most.
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3179 - 04/12/2024 15:48:39
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Replying To Viking66: "The big festival at Christmas time was a big festival long before the birth of Christ, and then the Christian churches. There's been alot of debate about when exactly Jesus was born, nearly every historical source disagrees with the Church that it was the 25th December. The 25th December was an important powerful day in the Roman calendar, and many suspect that's why the early church chose it. Other pre Christian religions had their main winter festival at this time of year also before Christ was born, which is the point I was making. This festival in Celtic areas included fertility rituals marking the turning of the year, like kissing under the mistletoe and decorating trees. The Norse people called it Yule, and traditionally celebrated by eating and drinking to excess, the yule log is a nod to this tradition. The exchanging of presents also dates back to this time. Does any of this have a familiar ring to it?
If you think Christ was born on the 25th December despite evidence to the contrary, and also think that the early Christian church didn't just say he was to make their new religion more appealing, well it's a free country, you can believe what you want.
Before you start thinking I'm some sort of raving atheist, well I'm not. I went to a very staunch church school, according to the Guinness book of records the oldest in Britain and Ireland, and I'm 100% certain there is plenty about the world that we humans haven't a clue about. I'm sure that the concepts of good and evil are reflected in other types of existence, and I believe in God, although I've no evidence as such. I also believe that there are previous sentient inhabitants of the island we live on who are still here but we can't see. My belief in God doesn't contradict any of my other beliefs. One thing I'm also 100% sure of is that the Church, any of them, are no closer to God than any of the rest of us. And I think that's a large part of Jesus teachings, if you take time to read them." I was actually "splitting hairs" in my original post where I said that the name "Christmas" only came into being with the birth of Christ, I was aware of the pre - christian festivals. By the way I totally agree with your everything you said.
tireoghainabu (Tyrone) - Posts: 348 - 04/12/2024 15:54:19
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Replying To tireoghainabu: "Where did I insult minorities? The recent election results proved that the Irish people strongly rejected the far left and the far right which I welcome." Well then you should have no issue with the "woke agenda" as all it is respecting people and their rights. Anything above and beyond that is your own, or some far right bigot's invention.
Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12216 - 04/12/2024 16:12:47
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Replying To Breffni40: "Do you think god agrees with the death penalty?" No, I don't think he does.
supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3074 - 04/12/2024 16:28:54
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Replying To Breffni40: "Well then you should have no issue with the "woke agenda" as all it is respecting people and their rights. Anything above and beyond that is your own, or some far right bigot's invention." Would you classify the vast majority of people who rejected the recent referenda as " far right bigots"? Very strong language from a person who is a champion of personal freedom.
tireoghainabu (Tyrone) - Posts: 348 - 04/12/2024 16:56:09
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Replying To GreenandRed: "The Lazio socks, Spurs shorts and Newcastle jersey." More appearances for Rangers than Lazio, but doesn't have the same exotic ring to it maybe.
Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 3886 - 04/12/2024 17:22:46
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I'd say Jesus is enjoying reading this thread.
jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20692 - 04/12/2024 17:28:27
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Replying To tireoghainabu: "Would you classify the vast majority of people who rejected the recent referenda as " far right bigots"? Very strong language from a person who is a champion of personal freedom." Well that was zero to do with the woke agenda or any left or right agenda either.
Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12216 - 04/12/2024 17:32:08
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Replying To tireoghainabu: "Would you classify the vast majority of people who rejected the recent referenda as " far right bigots"? Very strong language from a person who is a champion of personal freedom." You're putting words in the man's mouth.
You're the only one harping on about it.
Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1979 - 04/12/2024 17:57:08
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On a totally different note… the Irish ladies soccer team were woefully poor last night… they have seriously regressed under their current management.. How on earth some of these players are getting paid for playing is beyond me… some haven't the most basic skills and were still on the pitch near the end,…. changes were left far too long.. Wales are a seriously average team … the big difference is that they had a manager and we hadn't…!
ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3057 - 04/12/2024 18:07:26
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What does an insomniac, agnostic, dyslexic person do in bed at night?
Lay awake wondering if there is such a thing as a dog.
Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2659 - 04/12/2024 19:10:00
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