A merry solstice? Those who think all religions are the same look at wrappings instead of content

WORLD ^ | 12/21/02 | Gene Edward Veith

[Caleb1411]

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[LiteKeeper]

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[Question_Assumptions]

I just wished that more Jews would show an awareness of what Hanukkah was all about and who the Macabees were.

[Fiddlstix]

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[crystalk]

I for one am tired about the Happy Holiday bit. Anyone wishing me that, I come right back with "WHAT holiday?"

The only persons I let get away with saying Hanukkah, are those that either are Jewish themselves or think I am.

As I see it, those who AREN'T Christian, but who still wish ME a happy holiday, can wish me the only holiday I will be celebrating, and that is CHRISTMAS!

[Cindy]

"A CHRISTmas Celebration!" (click here)

[muawiyah]

Regarding the belief that "...Christianity teaches that the Word that was God "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14)....." and that it somehow stands apart from, let us say Hinduism, I have noticed that Hinduism teaches that God became flesh and dwelt among us in one of his identities as Ram. In fact, they have God doing this more than once.

Just pointing that out so that no one thinks God becoming flesh is an idea unique to Christianity.

[pgyanke]

Very American of you! Christmas is our National Holiday this time of year. The others are not.

[Imal]

Christmas is our National Holiday this time of year. The others are not.

Don't worry, if the insipid anti-Christian trend in American politics continues much further, the Supreme Court will soon rule that Christmas as a national holiday is "unconstitutional".

Give it time.

Happy Ramadan...

[Chewbacca]

Have a Merry Jesus' Birthday everyone, and a Happy New Year!

[swarthyguy]

Merry Christmas!

[Diverdogz]

Merry Mithramas

From Encyclopaedia Britannica:

"During the later periods of Roman history, sun worship gained in importance and ultimately led to what has been called a 'solar monotheism.' Nearly all the gods of the period were possessed of Solar qualities, and both Christ and Mithra acquired the traits of solar deities. The feast of Sol and Victus (open unconquered Sun) on December 25th was celebrated with great joy, and eventually this date was taken over by the Christians as Christmas, the birthday of Christ."

[Rocky]

All men came from one man, who was created by God. It is not surprising that religions have some of the same ideas. What continually amazes me is that the majority of men will adhere to almost any aberrant, distorted belief system rather than worship the one true God. It is because of stubborn self-will, a defiant pride that leads to bitterness and self-destruction.

The attitude seems to be, "I will believe what I choose to believe, and it is just as valid as whatever you believe." The corollary seems to be, "It doesn't matter what you believe, because no one can really know the truth (or perhaps because there is no real truth to know)."

But there is a Truth, and there is one God. "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'." (Proverbs) Taste and see that the Lord is good.

[crystalk]

Sol Invictus [still-unconquered Sun], of course you mean...

I am less impressed than I once was by the idea that Christmas is celebrated when it is because of that Roman holiday [though the similarity of dates is bound to have affected the outward manner of celebration on the part of partially-converted pagans...]

Because of the fact that Hanukkah, a holiday already pre-existing was at the 24th of Kislev, referred to in Habakkuk, Ezra, and Nehemiah as well as Maccabees and NT book of John...and was on the same evening or night...OF KISLEV, as the Sol Invictus was of December...

And that this was the night of the Annunciation to Mary by Gabriel.

[crystalk]

Merry Christmas to you too!

Remember, all other religions are Bad News, even if they contain Good Advice.

Christianity is the only religion that isn't just good advice, it is Good NEWS!

[crystalk]

Yeah, that's the ticket, if they say Happy Holiday, ask which one, Fourth of July or Martin Luther Kings Birthday.

[Lessismore]

Like other ethnic groups, European-Americans should be true to their real cultural identities, celebrate the original European winter festival, and eschew pernicious Middle Eastern nonsense like Christianity and Islam.

[pave palestine]

Shouldn't that be "Miserable Ramadan"?

[MHGinTN]

The world's religions are indeed alike in offering rules and techniques by which we can ascend to the Divine. Christianity, in contrast, is all about the Divine descending to us. This smae tendency in humankind to want to 'save themselves', to make themselves good enough to oblige the Creator to take us into more direct communion with Him, is the same temptation offered in the Garden that led to the fall of man. It is by His Grace we are saved. Lest He reach to us, we cannot ascend unto Him.

It is an interesting study in months to note that if Jesus was conceived in Mary's womb and born in late summer or early fall, the conception/entry into flesh might well have taken place around Christmas time. He was 'in the flesh' for our salvation from the moment of His attachment to Mary's life support ... the true meaning of Christmas.