And if this is actually taken as though it were a citation today against the practice of Christmas trees, it is a tired old canard based on the fallacy that some superficial degree of similarity constitutes identity. Has any even quasi-orthodox Christian you know of ever worshiped a Christmas tree? I didn’t think so. This is not the practice by which pagans actually thought the trees were gods. Although I’d wonder about cutting down trees if I did believe that, as these gods would get rather peeved at such an action if they did exist as claimed.
“This is not the practice by which pagans actually thought the trees were gods. Although I’d wonder about cutting down trees if I did believe that, as these gods would get rather peeved at such an action if they did exist as claimed.”
Good point. My Irish grandmother, who was a faithful Catholic, told me about a tree back in her old country neighborhood, that was said to be inhabited by fairies (or maybe leprechauns, I’m not sure). Well, this tree was right smack in the middle of the farmer’s land, so he finally decided to cut it down.
No sooner had the axe struck the tree ONE TIME, but one of the farmer’s cows DROPPED DEAD. So the tree stayed as you can well imagine.
Now, my grandmother told me this as a true tale, and she could be a bit of a wag, but she hated FDR and ALL politicians. She would have LOVED Free Republic and fit right in here. So, you know, I believe this story.
More things in heaven and hell, etc.