I have mixed opinoins on this. I probably should have elucidated
a bit more, but I can get wordy given the chance.
As a christian, tolerating a pagan symbol is impossible. But, at
this point, who associates a christmas tree with paganism? The
history of the symbol is what it is, and for some, would be
offensive enough to exclude it. Some feel that the Christmas
Tree is now firmly Christian in nature and not pagan at all.
Some don't care and think the discussion is a waste of perfectly
good internet bandwidth that could be used for a Vegemite
Discussion Group ;-) I do not condemn those who have a Christmas
Tree, not do I villify those who abstain. Each must decide,
on the basis of conscience how to proceed, keeping in mind that
"whatever is not of faith is sin". For my own personal view:
in the next room over I have a Christmas Tree with two ornaments
made by a couple Straight Arrows.
White Buffalo
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Dear Edward:
> (long)
> I know that the Christmas Tree may have pagan roots but I agree with the
> notion that Pagans can make anything their object of worship. Doesn't God call
> it idol worship?
> From going to secular Rendezvous (not FCF) I found out that a lot of my
> distant freinds are Pagans. Many of them believe in the American Indian belief
> which says you must find a Spirit Guide which is often an animal. I debate
> this every year at a rendezvous I have been attending for about ten years,
> with a freind that is a Mohican Indian by heritage. When I was backslidden I
> almost fell for this religion but I could not deny Jesus Christ.
> If the American Indians used animals as their idols is that to say the animals
> cannot be appreciated and used as an object lesson in Christian faith? I
> really admire the wolf and when I am in the North Woods on camping trips I
> like to listen to their songs. I also have studied them and admire their
> social habits. As predators I consider that to be part of the grand scheme of
> Gods creation. It is ugly but without predators we have found that the balance
> of nature is way off. I hate to see what the monitor lizard does to its pray
> but i wouldn't eliminate them because of it. I just don't want one in my
> living room.
> I already have a wolf in my living room, it is a Golden Retriever. It is a
> pleasure to have him around. I often use him as an object lesson for the
> Ranger Boys as to how my dogs relationship with me is an illustration of how
> our faith should be with God.
> In Germany the Christmas tree has been used for centuries known as Tonen Baum.
> Maybe one of our German brothers or sister could help me with this but doesn't
> the Tonen Baum have some significance toward Christ?
> sorry for ramblin on.
>
> Onward In Gods Service
> Randall A. Hermanson
> Commander OP#1
> FCF 1998
> Woodstock Il.
>
>
>
>
> Edward Christiansen wrote:
>
> > All,
> >
> > The Christmas Tree, as we know it, derives from a Druidic ceremony
> > practiced at the winter solstice. A large pine tree was taken to
> > a relatively central or prominent location, and set on fire. All
> > fires besides this tree in the community were extinguished and all
> > the families took "new fire" from this tree home.
> >
> > Further, some folks I know have connections in the modern pagan
> > movement (Yuck) and they know a real life practicing Druid. This
> > man told them this history, and further told them that all the
> > Christians had ruined the symbolism by importing a mutated version
> > into their Christmas ceremony.
> >
> > Truth is stranger then fiction.
> >
> > White Buffalo
> >
> > PS I'm hoping for Vegemite under my tree this year ;-)
> > _______
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> > "Eat the hay & spit out the sticks! - A#1's mule" RTKB&G4JC!
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