Christmas and Easter Pagan?  What do we do?!!?
921507
Many of the customs were borrowed from Pagan traditions.  It does not mean Xmas and Easter are pagan holidays.  Where did you get this stuff??\n\nYou can celebrate anything you want.  It's a free country.
690213
I am raising my children in a Pagan household.\n\nEvery day at dinner we say a prayer and set aside a dish for the anscestors and then after dinner we take an offering out for the nature spirits. My children are taught to live in harmony with nature and to respect everyone as a necessary part of the world. They are also taught to seek earth friendly alternatives, and to take care of themselves in a natural way. They learn how to make their own cosmetics, cook from scratch and what wild plants are good to eat, what makes good tea and what can kill you. We very easily discuss things like sex, religion and politics. My kids are my best friends. \n\nOn full moons we gather with other families to worship and on Sabbats we gather with an even larger group to celebrate the seasons. \n\nBut really, we're very normal. I work 8 hours a day, they go to school. I wear a suit, they wear jeans. We're all crabby in the morning and my teenager uses up the hot water, slacks on her homework and chores and sasses me sometimes. My little one sometimes falls off his bike or stays outside after dark and I have to go fetch him and scold him. The dog still digs in the garbage and eats shoes. We eat breakfast and dinner together and they eat school lunch and I eat leftovers from dinner for lunch at work. On Sundays we go to my mom's for dinner, sometimes Sunday morning we go to Church with my mom, on special occasions when the whole extended family goes. On Saturdays we go to the zoo or the rec center and on many Saturday nights the house is either empty cause the kids are all gone, or filled with giggling teenagers who have taken over my kitchen and are demanding I help them make frybread.\n\nHow really different is a Pagan household from any other household?? \n\nYes, they get teased at school. My daughter revels in it, she likes the attention. She even dresses goth to provoke it, that's just the way she is. My son doesn't like it. It makes him sad, and I asked him if he'd rather I just didn't teach him about these things, or maybe we could keep it quiet, and he said no that those people were just ignorant and he could be stronger than them. That he knew they weren't good Christians anyway, because he knows what Jesus said. \n\nAnd for the record, I have three different versions of the Bible in my home and several of the "forbidden" Gnostic texts. We celebrate Christian holidays with my Mother & Co. and my children are taught about a variety of faiths. In the end, ultimately, their religion will be their decision. They know this.
384691
Going to church for today. We did an Easter egg hunt earlier in the week with my two married sisters and their children. After three rounds of the children finding the eggs the adults hid, the fourth round was reversed, and adults had to find the (hard-boiled) eggs the children hid. It was hard! There's still one somewhere in the living room we couldn't find! Usually we celebrate Easter with reading part of the New Testament or Book of Mormon about Christ's death and resurrection. My little brother is 18 and too old for Easter baskets. My mom used to make "bunny bread" in the shape of a large bunny, or bunny rolls which included a little "tail" in the middle.
398241
Alright... welcome tony_copeland to Theos Mart! Here, we have a large selection of religions for you to believe in. Personally, my favorite would have to be the Pagan Religion. Now, with this religious group, you have a lot of choices! You could be a Druid, a Shaman, a Voodoo practicioner, a Witch, a Priestess, a Priest, or any number of other things! You have the freedom to pick and choose your Gods and Goddesses at will, though, they might not always get along. Should you join this religion, there will be a need for intensive study, such as reading books and finding things out on your own. I suggest that you find a spirit guide, should you choose Paganism. A spirit guide -- whether it be a fae, an animal, a dragon, a unicorn, a demon, an angel, a God, a Goddess, Buddha, whatever -- will help you through life and help you make the right choices! But wait, there's more! If you choose Paganism, you get a one-way ticket AWAY from Hell because they don't believe in it! So, what will it be?
1075316
~I would never take christ out of christmas.  Merry mas.  It just doesn't sound right at all.  But Saturnalia still has a nice ring, it's at the right time of year, the presents are just as good, and it doesn't get bogged down with all that religious hokem.  Maybe I'll just switch.  \n\nIn case I miss you come December,\nMerry Mas.
125800
Leave this paganism and search for the true God Jehovah. The Bible has all the answers humans need!
901689
Yes I know that and agree. There has always been (since I've been a christian) a strange feeling for me at Christmas time. I felt trapped, enslaved, depressed, oppressed and angry during the holidays. Something just never sat well with me. I studied and found out it is all pagan and vain. God never says to follow any of these so called "christian" holidays. He did however mention the Holy Days in His Torah. I am not Jewish but I am being prompted by the Lord to study the feast days of the Lord and the Holy days and the Sabbaths. They weren't  meant just for the Jews but for all who were born again as well. They bring peace and understanding of the Messiah.
280798
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! SOMEBODY IS BRAVE ENOUGH TO SPEAK OUT IN TRUTH! You are 100% CORRECT! ALL of the so-called "holidays"(holydays) were NEVER commanded in the Bible-EVER!!! Jeremiah Chapter 10 directly mentions a "christmas tree" as an IDOL! Astarte (Easter) is mentioned many times in the Old Testament as an ABOMINATION TO GOD!!! Tammuz is also in the Old Testament! And not in a good way! People simply follow what the "crowd" says to follow! DOES THAT MAKE IT RIGHT??? Borrowing Pagan traditions and somehow transforming them into "holy days" is unacceptable worship to GOD! DON'T BELIEVE A NOBODY LIKE ME--READ YOUR BIBLE!!! Please see for yourself! Then you will know what God REALLY feels about man-made traditions.....
769662
We actually do have several Pagan AA groups where I live.  Definitly talk with the person who posted above about it and check to see if you can find other Pagan AA groups out there to see if there's already one in your area or to talk to other organizers of said groups. You can likely find listings for them at www.witchvox.com\n\nGood luck!
940628
I'm here...and I am most definately pagan....militantly so actualy....\n\nOr more in keeping wtih the question...gone to Solstice every one....
379342
What do these all have to do with Christianity?  The answer is, NOTHING! People find it hard to believe that the traditions for their favorite holidays didn't originate with that holiday. Easter is the Christian celebration of the rebirth of Jesus. The holiday was set at this time of the year because it coencides with Passover, a Jewish tradition remembering the night when the angel of death came and killed the sons of Egypt.  It also conincided with the pagan celebration of the Spring Equidox, and the coming of Spring. \n\n The traditions of modern Easter, though, are very Pagan. The name of easter is linked to the goddess Ester, of firtility. Some of her symbols were: rabbits, young animals (such as chicks), eggs, and chocolate. (Do these seem familiar?) When christians would convert pagans, they would bring some of their traditions with them. There are many other influences in this holiday as well.\n\nDitto with the oriigns of Christmas.  If you study the Bible, and the climate of the Middle East, topography etc.  you will find that Jesus was most likely born in the Spring,and not December 25.  So what's with celerbrating Chirstmas 24 ~ the Winter Solstice ~ you've got it ~ another orginal Pagan holiday!
1003551
There is a good collection of Pagan symbols on Google Images. Lots of good historic books in the library, look at American Folk Magic. I hope your class work is positive, young people should be introduced to the old religions and rituals.
1182835
I disagree with djx_master.  We don't worship ourselves.  His answer is a classic one of closed mindedness.  Christians are taught to believe in one way & one way only.  I grew up Roman Catholic & know that all too well.  I also knew that Catholocism wasn't for me.  I had questions that no priest or other clergy member could answer.  So, I struck out on my own, spending time with Baptists & non-denominational Christians.  As for my Christian friends, I found some helpful information on the source below.  Witchvox has a lot of information on Wicca, Pagans, Shamans, etc.  What I did for awhile was put together a little leaflet that had information about Wicca & other Earth based religions to hand out.  I don't have the leaflet anymore due to a now gone virus.  I'd be happy to help you put one together if you'd like.  \n\n\nAlso, I'd like to add that Wiccans DO believe in an afterlife.  It's called Summerland.  It's similar to the Heaven that other religions teach about.  We believe in re-incarnation, rebirth & all that.  We don't believe in Satan or the Devil.  The pentacle represents Spirit, Earth, Air, Fire, Water.  When it has a circle around it, it's called a pentagram, which symbolizes that the elements are never ending.  We believe in a Goddess AND a God.  Our holidays are similar to Christian ones.  Ostara is like Easter, complete with eggs, bunnies, lambs, chicks, candy, etc.  Yule is Christmas.  We give presents, decorate a Yule tree & sing songs.  Our new year is Halloween, October 31st.  Some Wiccans celebrate both mundane & Wiccan/Pagan holidays.  I do.  I will for the rest of my life.
936883
Christmas is about Jesus, however most of the "traditions" is paganistic. When I used to be a witch, I celebrated winter solstice-which falls almost on the same day. To celebrate with a tree, wrapped presents, and food is the same way a pagan  or wiccan celebrates winter solstice.So if someone who isn't christian is celebrating, maybe they are giving thanks to mother nature for winter. By the way, as a christian now, I celebrate christmas without the wreaths, tree, etc because it says in the bible not to entwine the paganistic traditions with God. Give thanks to God that He allowed His son to be born to save our souls!!
832447
Christmas is a stolen pagan holiday. In fact, Jesus can be argued to be a regurgitated Pagan deity. \n\nThanksgiving has little to do with Christianity - it has more to do with taking land from the people who were here first. Wait, I guess that would mean it has a lot to do with Christianity then.
865581
This year it seems that I am doing everything backwards.  Usually I have all my shopping done by Thanksgiving and then I start my decorating.  This year I had my in-laws for Thanksgiving so I wanted the house to be completely decorated.  Everything is up (Three Trees!) and I have bought only 1 gift out of a total of 45!  Wow!  I need to get moving - TODAY!  Thanks for asking such a great question - it got me thinking of everything I need to do.\n\nMerry Christmas!
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?