Thank you for the information. I did not do any research on the cross. If what you write is accurate and correct, then I have no problem revising my view to oppose the symbol of the cross. Any more questions?
So you didn't research the origins of the cross, a symbol in daily use by Christians, but had time to research wreaths and other symbols used for one holiday. BTW, if you do research the cross I hope you find a more valid source than what you used for your research on Christmas.
The Romans were pagans. They used the wreath as a symbol of the activity of their gods. You use that very symbol and just attribute your own meaning to it when the symbol orginated with pagan belief and practice. Although the Romans no longer exist, how the wreath came to be never dies. Just because you "repurpose" it, does not change it's original purpose and symbolism.
Of course it changes its symbolism. The ancient Romans are gone. The ancient Celts are gone. The ancient Goths are gone. The wreath has whatever symbolism we choose to attribute to it. No one looks at a wreath today and believes it symbolizes Apollo.
That is a fact that appears to escape your comprehension.
Because what you are saying makes no sense to me, and obviously not to others in this thread.
The Israelites in the desert repurposed the depiction of the Egyptian bull god Ra and made a golden calf. Guess what happened to them?
When they made the golden calf the Israelites worshiped the God that their former Egyptian masters had worshiped. When I hang a Christmas wreath I am not worshipping Apollo.
Unlike yourself, when I learn new information that if valid, counters my belief I have no problem changing my view in the case with respect to the cross. How about you??
The fact that some ancient cultures used the cross in worship has no bearing on what I see when I look at the cross.
The original meaning does not change just because you give it a new meaning.
Then go find Christians who believe that they are worshipping Apollo when they hang a Christmas wreath. I don't think you will find any out there.
Would you hang a pentagram shaped object on your nice Christmas tree??
No, but I have triquetra on my tree, and ancient German and Celtic symbol. It has been used by Christians to represent the Trinity for over 1000 years.
That is simply ludicrous. You cited Penn to establish religious freedom meaning Christians were free to do anything they wanted. However, it is quite obvious by their practice of not celebrating Christmas at the time that they were not free to do anything they wanted as Christmas was forbidden. You have committed the logical fallacy of overgeneralizing. You and I have free speech but we don't have the freedom to yell "fire" in the movie theater do we?
This is getting ludicrous because you are making stuff up. I never wrote that "christians were free to do anything they wanted."
In Post 157 I was replying top a post in which you wrote the following:
"If you were living at the time of the Puritans in the 1600's you would be in the tiny fringe. They did not believe Christmas should be observed. This "baptism" of pagan rites and festivals by the Roman Catholic and the vast majority of the Protestant Churches, was totally rejected by the Puritans."
In my reply I wrote this:
"No, I would not have been in that tiny fringe had I been living at the time of the Puritans, because I would not have been a Puritan. Thankfully I am from Pennsylvania where William Penn knew the importance of religious freedom."
Now, did I say anywhere in there that "christians were free to do anything they wanted" as you falsely claimed? No, I did not. I await your apology.
