Posted on 11/03/2001 5:06:55 PM PST by Sir Francis Dashwood
It never ceases to amaze me that most Christians would criticize me for being an atheist, yet they will "celebrate" a macabre pagan holiday. They inculcate their children into the practice of it and feed them the most unhealthful things you could give a child to eat.
Likewise, many atheists criticize me for being a "right-winger." Most atheists are so caught up in their polemics, they have become nothing more than anti-Christians - or what I call the Religious Left (a collaboration of the Marxist religion, neo-pagan animal/tree/earth worshipper eco-fascists and general technophobes).
Why do you "celebrate" on certain "holidays," what are you celebrating, do you really know? Or have you been so lost in the conformity of it all to really take a look at what you partake in?
I think I know how Jesus Christ expeceted his followers to behave, yes.
I think he made it pretty clear in his teachings.
Incidentally, "Old Nick" is what Maureen Kavanaugh Templeton's leprechauns amicably called the devil. St. Nicholas was a sixth-century almsgiver, whose feast day is December 6. St. Nick emerged as Santa Claus from among the New York Dutch a century or two ago. The Russians have a similar character, Grampa Frost. There are few things more Christian than a charitable gift-giver. There are few better ways to mock the Grim Reaper than to dress up as him and act like a fool. "O Death, where is thy sting?" This fear of holidays is downright Puritanical. Not suprising, considering our nation's origins, but forgive this poor papist if he declines to partake of moral indignation at human festivity.
For what it's worth, my costume's inspiration was my namesake Caomhghin of Glendalough.
I'm pretty sure Jesus taught his followers to love their neighbors as they love themselves... and to be peaceful witnesses... to be an example... to be humble.... to bring people to his Father in heaven via the route of the loving, peaceful, humble, charitable, caring, compassionate, and forgiving witness .
That is what Jesus taught. Those who actually follow those teachings have my profound respect and admiration.
Those who look at those teachings, and toss them over their shoulder in favor of scorn, abuse, self-righteousness, mockery, hatred, and venom... may CALL themselves Christians. But they do not follow the teachings of the Nazarene.
And as I stated earlier, they view any criticism of their behavior as a criticism of Christianity. They are so prideful and so bold as to consider themselves Christians, even though they wholely disregard the teachings.
Indeed He did, He also taught us to hate ourselves.
and to be peaceful witnesses...
This statement is much more complex than you may know, seen as how you so glibbly threw it out there.
to be an example... True, but an example to whom of what?
to be humble.... True, but can you judge someones heart and mind something God claims for Himself and judge what to them is humility. In fact if someone showed you their humility would you even notice?
to bring people to his Father in heaven via the route of the loving, peaceful, humble, charitable, caring, compassionate, and forgiving witness .
Completely wrong, but then that is not surprising since you know neither my Father or my Brother.
Good luck to you.
And to be honest with you, it really isn't all that hard to understand what Jesus taught. He didn't speak in tongues. He didn't issue a secret decoder ring. He didn't use a secret hand-language for the "special people".
He spoke very plainly, and very precisely.
He instructed his followers to be loving, compassionate, peaceful, forgiving, caring and humble witnesses to the glory of his Father in heaven.
That's what he said.
If you think he actually SAID these things, but really MEANT something else... then I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.
The "Freedom of Thought Foundation" (Annie Gaylord) in Madison are the leaders in this country when it comes to keeping God out of public places but they are complete hypocrits because they do not care if witches and gobblins and devils are in schools on Halloween and do not care that Madison's parks have pagoda likenesses in them. They obviously mainly hate the God of the Christians and Jews. They seem to hate him much more then not believe in his existance. And as some might say, I am not a sour puss or someone who is unhappy because I do not practice an evil holiday. I am merely a discerning Christian.
Ex atheist,
Kathleen"
It amazes me as an atheist how the radical left wing has planted the seeds of destruction in American society. Even a discerning atheist can see it while many conservatives just go along to get along.
Perhaps this is influenced by the example of some of the angry responses I have recieved about these questions I ask at the beginning of this thread. Merely asking or seeking an intelligent discusson on the topic, even from fellow FReepers, engenders a great deal of emotion and unwillingness to confront the issue.
When will men be men again?
Yes. You see the ritualization of the whole thing. This is something I have been waiting for someone to point out. Most perceptive of you...
Then why did you come here?
Believe it or not I do love you.
Yes he did at times...
To simplify the message... not to complicate it so that only the self-righteous "annointed ones" could understand it.
You sure do think quite a bit of yourself.
So what? Tell me what the sense is in refusing to have a party on some day because some fruitcakes think that day is holy? They don't dictate my actions. I don't care what they think is holy.
If you decide that you will or won't do something on a particular day simply because somebody else considers it holy, then it is YOU is who is observing and respecting that day.
You ignored the main point of my response, which is fine. I have no objection to how you wish to observe Halloween.
I never stated any objections. I just asked a few questions. Look at some of the rediculous emotional responses. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
To this thread? To challenge your agressive egotism, of course. No doubt you don't see your posts in this light. That's the problem.
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