do you really think that you can go through life and not replicate what some pagan did at one time or another????? It is the intent and your meaning for the action that counts, not what some pagan in the second century meant
a pagan lit a candle...a Catholic lit a candle SCANDAL....a pagan hung an evergreen decoration, a Catholic hung an evergreen decoration...SCANDAL.....oh please
Why is it do you think that YHWH became so offended by the adoption of pagan things into the system He set up in the old Covenant? Why did He place absolute limits upon changing what He had ordained? Why do you suppose that Israel missed the time of the coming of Messiah?
One never gets in conflict if one follows what God clearly teaches in scripture of how to serve Him. Knowingly adapting pagan practices the RCC intentionally disregards what God clearly said not to do.
>>It is the intent and your meaning for the action that counts, not what some pagan in the second century meant <<
What part of “Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God” do you not understand. There was no “unless your intent is good” included. The Catholics and the Israelites were saying exactly the same thing. That they would do like the pagans did in serving God. Read that again. “Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God”. It’s rather clear.
You can “oh please” all you want. It doesn’t affect me but when Jesus says “I never knew you” explain how your “intent” was good even though I directly and knowingly disregarded what you said.