by peacepipe 22 Replies latest jw friends
When I first became inactive, I felt very guilty about celebrating holidays, although I didn't prevent my husband and daughter from enjoying them.
I've since gotten over the guilt, but I've found that all those years (30) of not celebrating has just left me feeling rather dead about them. I enjoy Christmas and other holidays, but I don't really care if I celebrate or not.
Hi Bridgette and Peacepipe!
Bridgette: you wrote:
>>Does one wear a wedding ring? An ancient celtic symbol with heavy religius connotations. The circle denoting eternal love--as in two immortal souls. Also, the circle was often used to represent the woman's reproductive tract.<<
This I did not know. Very cool. I learn something new every day!
>>I could go on. Don't even get me started on candles!<<
Oh, come on, start on candles!! [Long wistful sigh] I looooove candles!
>>PAGAN HOLIDAYS DO NOT INVOLVE SACRIFICES, OR DEVIL WORSHIP. Pagans do not recognize this entity nor do they believe in pure evil. Satan is a purely Judeo Christian creation<<
I'm just repeating this part because it bears repeating.
Peacepipe: you wrote:
So the conclusion I made from the show I watched on the discovery channel was that the religious leaders compromised their faith and if you compromise your faith is it really faith?
I'm guessing you mean the Christians who changed their practices to incorporate pagan beliefs as a means to entice Pagans into Christianity? If so - I see what you mean, but I don't think they necessarily compromised their faith so much as they realized they were fighting a losing battle on some fronts so they made some allowances and then convinced themselves those things were there all along. It made it a little easier for everyone at the time and probably saved some people from being killed.
>>. . . . ."how very special are we, for just a moment to be, part of lifes eternal rhyme. . . . . . . .how very special are we, to have on our family tree, mother earth, and father time" as sung by Charlotte the spider<<
This is a great quote, I have to go back and read Charlotte's Web.
Silverleaf
We decided to let the kids dictate the extent of our celebrations. We have slowly eased our way into Christmas and Easter. Last year we celebrated a full-on Christmas. It was a blast. The kids were four and two and loved every minute of it. I have to admit, it was stressful and very time consuming so this year I already have a box of presents and I continue to purchase Christmas stuff so I don't have the last minute scramble for gifts. I want to enjoy decorating and making things with my kids this year. We are planning a big family party (first ever) with all the cousins and Aunts/Uncles/Grandparents. My mom (Mulan) and dad don't see themselves celebrating Christmas, but they do enjoy watching the kids at Christmas. They will come to the parties too.
For the last two years we have had a neighborhood Christmas party. Everyone loves it. It's nice to have a least one day a year where you can sit and talk to the people you wave to every day. The first year everyone matched faces to houses, now they stop and talk to each other in their yards all year round. We have great neighbors and I think everyone loves the party.
Birthdays are huge in this house. Nuff said.
Princess
people who ONLY seem to show up at church for Christmas and/or Easter as if you did believe in God that would be enough to go & show him publicly that you love him once or twice a year
What a joke, peacepipe! Your own Dubs have those types who turn up to the memorial once a year! What a hypocrite you are, noticing this speck in the Churches' eye, but ignoring the log in the Tower's!
This is your reason for rejecting holidays, is it? The memorial travesty is one of the main reasons I've rejected Dubbism.
Stephanus:
I don't think that peacepipe was condemning 'Chiristendom' while putting in a plug for the Witnesses. I think it was merely an observation.
"You can take the Dub out of the 'Tower..."
LOL
The Dark family cheerfuly accepts any and every opportunity for joyous celebration. I'm looking for one of those calendars that show every holiday from every religious and secular source. If you work it right, you can have a party almost every day! Cinco de Mayo, Kwaanza, Yom Kippur, Saint Agnes' Festival of Renewal of Agony, Samhain...pick one, and if you can't find one, MAKE ONE UP!
So if it's Tuesday, and you're broke, and all you have in the cupboard is beans and flour, celebrate something with bread and frijoles. (I'm doing that today. ) Celebrate the joy of this particular moment, whatever day it is. Do what feels comfortable for YOU and forget about what somebody else thinks or does on that day. It isn't a celebration if you feel miserable or uncomfortable or obligated to celebrate.
Life's short, and then you die. We wasted a lot of precious moments chasing that 'everlasting life' carrot; I try to take advantage of every excuse to celebrate the precious moments I have left. I view holidays as gorgeous shiny excuses to kiss all the kids and stuff everyone with good food and great music and enough laughter to send 'em all home with smileacheface.
If that's a sin then let Gawd kill me now!
Off to celebrate while I make tortillas,
Mommie
I think that Peacepipe is simply trying to sort it all out. What I feel she is striving for is BALANCE. She would not even be here, discussing with us if she did not wish to gain some balance by taking in information from the other side, and not just taking in everything she hears from the Tower as "god's truth".
So, assuming she has taken in all sides of the argument, I support her decision to not celebrate the holidays, because it is hers. It does not condemn me.
Silver Leaf, have you checked out the site: exjwpagans.org
very good site.
Love and blessings,
B. :)
Hi Mommie,
You mentioned
Saint Agnes' Festival of Renewal of Agony,
around here they call that one "The First Day of School."
To B. - Yes, I've been to exjwpagans.org and have corresponded with Arachnia, the host of that site. I was very impressed.
Silverleaf
URGENT MESSAGE TO STEPHANUS!
Who are "my Dubs"?
What is a Dub?
What is Dubbism?
You have me really confused.
