Why is "good Friday" call " good friday?
399742
Jesus Christ was executed on the Friday before Easter.  He was executed on a Friday.  That's why it is called Good Friday.
234777
The first day of the week, Sunday, since ancient times has been designated the "day of rest". For Christians it is the holy day of the week, due to the fact that Christ was reported to have risen from the dead upon this day. \nYet the name of Sunday has nothing to do with Christianity, but everything to do with even more ancient religions. The ancient Greeks knew that the sun was the source of life on the planet and they gave it prime importance in their thinking. When the Romans later adopted the seven day week they emphasize their respect for the sun by naming the first day of the week for it..."dies solis"..."day of the sun". \n\nThe actual word "Sunday" is derived from the German word "Sonntag" (and they likely got it from the Scandanavians). These folk too placed a great deal of importance on the sun. Some tribes of these Germanic peoples invaded England in the 500's or so. They were known as the Angles and the Saxons. The old English work was "sunnandaeg" and it changed over time to become our current, "Sunday". \n\nThere are several holidays that are traditionally held on Sunday. Mother's Day (second Sunday in May) and Father's Day (third Sunday in June) began to be celebrated rather recently, 1914 and 1924 respectively. Easter is an ancient holiday that was officially designated by the Church in the year 325. Its position on the calendar has confused lay people for centuries. The date is calculated by taking the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the 21st of March.
264860
That darn Easter. Can it never make up its mind? What is a silly wabbit to do? It is always on a Sunday, so like Thanksgiving it is on different days in different years.
45791
The origin of the Friday the 13th superstition has been linked to the belief that there were 13 people at the last supper of Jesus, who was crucified on Good Friday, but it probably originated in medieval times. It has also been linked to the fact that a lunisolar calendar must have 13 months in some years, while the solar Gregorian calendar and lunar Islamic calendar always have 12 months in a year. Another suggestion is that the belief originated in a Norse myth about twelve gods having a feast in Valhalla. The mischievous Loki gate-crashed the party as an uninvited 13th guest and arranged for Hod, the blind god of darkness, to throw a branch of mistletoe at Balder, the god of joy and gladness. Balder was killed instantly and the Earth was plunged into darkness and mourning as a result.\n\nSome also say that the arrest of Jaques de Molay, Grand Master of the Knights Templar, and 60 of his senior knights on Friday, October 13, 1307 by King Philip IV of France, is the origin of this superstition. That day thousands of Templars were arrested and subsequently tortured. They then 'confessed' and were executed. From that day on, Friday the 13th was considered by followers of the Templars as an evil and unlucky day.
287538
sunday...and the first answerer needs to get their facts straight...\n\nSUN day...let there be light...\n\njust because some people go to church on sunday doesnt mean we think its the seventh day...saturday is the sabbath which is also why it is pronounced sabado in spanish...\n\nmonday is the first day of the work week...
1135184
You are making a big acusation......are you talking about one denomination in particular.  I agree that is the case with a denomination I am familiar with.....but tell me what reason would Pagans have for celebrating Christmas?
190766
A lot of textbooks, at least at the college level, now use "B.C.E." (Before Common Era) instead of BC. Most of my non-Christian classmates think it's quite silly.\n\nAlso, it is of course unfair to all people who do not practice early Norse religion to use words such as "Thursday" and "Friday", which originated from the names of Norse gods Thor and Freya. Obviously.
6172
Because not everyone is Christian.  "Happy Holidays" is just a way to wish everyone well whether they celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, or Kwanzaa.  It can also be meant to include New Year's Day along with Christmas.\n\nEven many people who celebrate Christmas do so in an entirely secular fashion, complete with Santa, the reindeer, Frosty, tree, and presents.  Whether the Christians like it or not, Christmas is and has been Christ-optional in our culture for a long time now.
963051
Yes, Eostra was the celebration of the Sun Goddess, the dawn, which explains why easter (rising 'sun/son'). When early Christians met many celebrators they adopted the festivals and gave the new Christians another reason to celebrate. Who'd want a religion that didn't think partying was okay (we didn't do that till the dark ages - and we're sorry about that)?\n\nIn Latin, rest is 'Sabbatum', the traditional rest day was Friday to Saturday. I think many Christians now celebrate Church on Sunday for no other reason that it is the last day of the 'work' week and therefore a day of rest. It may have also been started to marginalise Jewish people who wanted to rest on Day 6, quite likely, I think. Apologies.  We have a weekend now (two days) so that should keep most westerners happy.\n\nIt would be interesting to know if we had a seven day week before the Romans and if the seven Teutonic names were whittled down (or 'plumped' up) to coincide with the Judeo-Christian week. There's a whole PHD in that, I think. \n\nThe Calendar was imposed by Julius Caesar, hence the Roman names and probably some deference to conquered countries. I would suspect the seasons and names would have had Hebrew names in the Jewish culture. \n\nThe Bible only suggests we celebrate one festival, Communion, and the others are just extra fun. I don't mind when Jesus was born, I often don't get to celebrate my birthday on the day either, it's just nice to have it remembered. At least we don't have to put candles on His cake (maybe that's what the tree is for - oh Gawd I'm going to be surfing for information for hours now). \n\nI think you offered enough query to keep me up all night. Cheers. :)
455844
Isn't there some debate about the calendar system or something?  I'm not entirely clear on this, but I seem to recall several people arguing over what year it really is now, because of the calendar system in effect way back then.\n\nThe only reason I mention this is that someone said Jesus rose on a Sunday, so the sabbath is now Sunday for all Christians.  If the calendar system was different back then from what it is now, how do we know that it was Sunday and not Wednesday or any of the other days of the week?
5089
I know you said this question is for those who don't celebrate any religious holidays, but I'm going to answer anyways.  People seem to take great precaution to not offend anyone--unless, of course, they are Christians.  Go figure.  It can be so frustrating to see everyone try to take Jesus out of Christmas, isn't it?  :(  It may make you feel better to know that Happy Holiday means Happy Holy Day.  And I think it is safe to say Jesus's birthday is a VERY holy day, wouldn't you?  So... Happy Holy Day and a very Merry Christ-mas to you!
386472
We christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. On Good Friday he was crucified and on Easter he was resurrected.
731821
You have an awesome point!!  It's ridiculous how you can't say Merry Christmas anymore because then you could get fired.  It's just crazy.  We wouldn't have this holiday if it weren't for Christ's birthday!  Of course it is a MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Jeez.  This country was founded on Christian beliefs, why now are we going to change it?  Because people are getting offended because of a lifestyle they have chosen?  I think not!  Get over it.\n\nGood question!
1089732
it's going to be like a halloween of sorts i think. or like 911. non-christians are going to take the symbolism of the numbers to their head and start thinking of evil to do. christians don't have to worry as we have God and will end up in heaven if something horrible did happen...however, i'm going to pray a little extra hard on that day, like my friend suggested today. that seems about right. take care and God bless!
383804
Because it would sound funny to say "Merry Thanksgiving" or "Jolly 4th of July" or "Funtabulous Valentine's Day." As Americans, our vocabularies tend to be sparse. We pick one word with which we are comfortable (happy) and stick to it. Christmas... I guess that's the exception to the rule. I suppose it's because we've heard it our entire lives.
928294
WoW! It's unbelievable how some get so angry over this question.! I don't actually care what it's called; winterval or otherwise. I know it's not popular, but...here goes anyway.....\nDecember 25th, according to the Bible, (which is the ultimate and true word, on this subject and all others,) This date, has Pagan origins, and was declared to be Christ's birthday, by humans. The truth, which as Christians, we should be seeking, is that Christ was actually born in the Fall of the year, (Feast of Trumpets and Feast of Tabernacles Holy Days, are the time of the year when Christ was actually born.) Dec. 25th is the date that Mary was Immaculately conceived, BTW)\nMost people dont want to hear this; it's too hard to change some beliefs. BUT God does tell us to worship in Spirit and in Truth...soooo.... I guess it will be offensive to some! That's the way the Christmas cookie crumbles!\nThese facts about Jesus' real birthday have absolutely nothing to do with being politically correct...They were Biblical and true, before all this nonsense about stuff like that. \nAnyone who seeks the truth about Jesus' birthday, can read it in the Bible; those of us who know that December 25th is not His birthday, have already proved it to ourselves, and find comfort in knowing the truth that Christ has allowed us to know. \nIt's not about taking away a "religious" holiday....It's fine with me if people celebrate Dec 25th, no matter what it's called...but....in reality, since it's not Christ's birthday, it's just a tradition, a fun one perhaps, once you get thru all the hassles involved with shopping, the greed of the merchants, the expectations of what you're going to receive, the stress, not to mention the bills and the cookies that didn't turn out, and the commercialism! \nSo...call it anything...doesn't matter anyway...and I hate to be a party pooper..but Christ doesn't belong in it to begin with...\nWhy not just call it a WinterFest, and be done with it ? That's all it is, anyway!!!
412809
Good Friday is the day that Jesus died so we celebrate it in honoring of his death. Here are some websites where you can read a little more about it.\nhttp://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry/GoodFrid\nhttp://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06643a.htm\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday