Ghost Hunters Extraordinaire

Scott · Ghost Joined: 08 Oct 2009 Posts: 261 Location: Surrey

i just read the bit where the early Christians tried to convert all the pagans to Christianity by making all the pagan festivals into christian ones. if this is true then why do Christians today still celebrate Christmas and easter? surely this is proof that Christ didn't exist and it's all stolen from paganism?

Raymond · Avatar Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 5591

Ahhh, so you've finished chapter one already?

As much as I have a ton of respect for Raymond Buckland and his work it must be remembered that most of his books - especially the ones written about the history of the craft - are very 'romantic'.
He bases a lot of his research on the work of the late Dr. Margaret Murrey who was one of the first writers of the 20th century on pre-Christian religious practice in Europe.
Much of her work has since been proven to be historically inaccurate.

Looking at it logically however, it would seem that much of the christian calender does indeed come from a much older religious observance, for example, what does decorating an evergreen have to do with the birth of christ? What do eggs, bunnies and lambs have to do with the ressurestion of christ?
Especially as most historians agree that if christ even existed he probably didn't 'come back' in the springtime and he certainly wasn't born in December.
So you have to ask yourself what are the true origins of things like Christmas and Easter?

You have to remember also that a book, any book, is just the opinion of it's author. It isn't holy writ.

Samjaza · Ghost Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 297

the story of christ and christmas is old.
The three kings were the stars in orions belt (the ancients actually called these three stars~the three kings), which when see in the heavans followed by the bright star Sirius which rose in the east signalled the end of winter and the return of the summer, the sun god. The sun of course rides its procession with 12 signs. It always has. four seasons each with a begining middle and end. All this was vital to our ancients who needed a cosmic clock for agricultural reasons, for survival.
The sun dies with nature, that it is reborn. On the winter solstice, the sun for three days seems to stop in its ascent, then it is risen. Simple.
For a complete scenario/explanation on this watch the film Zeitgeist availible free on t'internet.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-594683847743189197

However !!!!...................

in defence of our christian brethren and indeed all the old religions who used 1 saviour-12 disciples- winter birth etc, it would be argued, as above so below and all that, that ....yes nature acts this way therefore the messiah would reflect nature.

ahhh to be a Libran and appease both sides Behold how good and how pleasant it is for the Brethren to dwell together in unity
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Scott · Ghost Joined: 08 Oct 2009 Posts: 261 Location: Surrey

thanks raymond and samjaza. that all actually makes a lot of sense. which is rare for me