Why do so many atheists and pagans,,,

[ronniechoate34]

earnestly point out the adoption of pagan feasts and rituals by the Christian church? Why do they point at the icons and imagery used by the church and reveal the pagan origins of these things? Why do they care?


Does anyone here care about this issue?

 

[Free]

earnestly point out the adoption of pagan feasts and rituals by the Christian church? Why do they point at the icons and imagery used by the church and reveal the pagan origins of these things? Why do they care?


Does anyone here care about this issue?

Why are you seemingly trying to hide behind atheists and pagans to make your point? If you think certain pagan feasts and rituals were adopted by Christianity, then say so.

 

[seekandlisten]

All sorts of things were 'borrowed' in making religions. The discussion of these things amongst believers is usually in defending or rationalizing. The discussion put forth by Athiests and 'pagans' is to try and make believers see that while they will completely write off another religion based on 'practices/rituals' they are doing the same things.

All religions promote the same thing when it comes to our 'physical' world, it's when it refers to the supernatural that the disagreements come in.

I care about the division of religions and groups and such things as the hatred towards our fellow man over certain 'sins' while blatently ignoring other 'sins'. Where is our society heading?? Wake up before we are in a situation of zero freedom controlled by money and power. Do you think an Almighty God really cares about rituals and what name you call Him?

Jesus gave 2 commandments:

Love the Lord YOUR God...

Love your neighbor as yourself.

These two commandments get thrown to the wayside in favor of 'if you don't believe Jesus was God you are wrong', 'Christianity is the only way', 'Islam is the only way', 'Muslims are demon possessed', 'homosexuals are demon possessed'......and so it goes on. Can you name one of your 'unbeliever' friends that doesn't know that Christianity is against all other religions and homosexuals? Can you name one 'unbeliever' who doesn't know who Jesus is? It's time to quite wasting time on dwelling on the 'letter of the law' and start living like Jesus taught.

Do you love/forgive the abortion doctor? Do you love the homosexual down the street? Do you love Bin Laden? Do you love your Muslim brothers? Are you content with your life or are you always wishing for something more? Where is the 'light', the 'salt', this 'love' spoken of.

Sorry for the rant but some of the discussions lately have nothing to do with anything pertinant to NOW. Quit looking to the future or past and focus on what you can do this very instant. Let's live in reality.

cheers

 

[Drew]

All religions promote the same thing when it comes to our 'physical' world,....

I doubt it. Even within the confines of Christianity, you see different beliefs about the "physical" world. Some Christians see the "phyiscal" world as hopelessly damaged and corrupt and that it will be done away with (and possibly replaced). Myself and other Christians believe that the physical world is our ultimate eteranl home and that God is salvaging it.

Besides, I think that different religions have deeply divergent views about the nature of the physical world.

These two commandments get thrown to the wayside in favor of 'if you don't believe Jesus was God you are wrong', 'Christianity is the only way', 'Islam is the only way', 'Muslims are demon possessed', 'homosexuals are demon possessed'......and so it goes on.

I agree with the spirit of this and with the rest of your post.

 

[Free]

Jesus gave 2 commandments:

Love the Lord YOUR God...

Love your neighbor as yourself.

These two commandments get thrown to the wayside in favor of 'if you don't believe Jesus was God you are wrong', 'Christianity is the only way', 'Islam is the only way', 'Muslims are demon possessed', 'homosexuals are demon possessed'......and so it goes on. Can you name one of your 'unbeliever' friends that doesn't know that Christianity is against all other religions and homosexuals? Can you name one 'unbeliever' who doesn't know who Jesus is? It's time to quite wasting time on dwelling on the 'letter of the law' and start living like Jesus taught.

I agree with the essence of what you are saying but there is also something missing. Jesus didn't give two commandments, he said that " On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (Matt 22:40, ESV) It is generally understood that the "great and first commandment" as Jesus states it, sums up the first four of the Ten Commandments. The "second [which] is like it" sums up the last six Commandments.

It is very important to note that the context of the Ten Commandments--as well as the first four--is referring to a very specific God who is different from the rest. The "Great Commission" given in Matthew by Jesus himself implies that the gospel he gave is correct and to be followed and conflicting points of view are wrong. Throughout the NT it is made clear that who Jesus is cannot be separated from belief in Jesus.

So, yes, I completely agree that we need to love God, love our neighbours and start living like Jesus taught. But this then begs the question of who God is and who Jesus is, and we cannot set those aside either.

 

[ronniechoate34]

Do you think an Almighty God really cares about rituals and what name you call Him?

Yes I do.

 

[seekandlisten]

All religions promote the same thing when it comes to our 'physical' world,....

I doubt it. Even within the confines of Christianity, you see different beliefs about the "physical" world. Some Christians see the "phyiscal" world as hopelessly damaged and corrupt and that it will be done away with (and possibly replaced). Myself and other Christians believe that the physical world is our ultimate eteranl home and that God is salvaging it.

Besides, I think that different religions have deeply divergent views about the nature of the physical world.

I understand your point. In relation to our 'physical world' I was going more along the lines of 'loving your neighbor as yourself' rule being prevalent throughout most religions as well as reverence for nature, proper use of resources, working together, etc..... not really anything in regards to the theology or what rituals one must perform in various religions. As far as our basic humanity and how we relate to each other most religions teach the same 'idea' in how to go about this through kindness, charity, respect, or whatever. I wasn't intending to put forth a statement that they are all identical.

 

[logical bob]

earnestly point out the adoption of pagan feasts and rituals by the Christian church? Why do they point at the icons and imagery used by the church and reveal the pagan origins of these things? Why do they care?


Does anyone here care about this issue?

I care because I find history interesting. Whether you believe it or not, Christianity has been the major influence on our culture in the western world. That in itself makes its origins interesting.