[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: What's wrong with "Merry Christmas"?

[Janette]

>
> > montims:
> > but google asatru for people who follow the Norse religion
> > actively and enthusiastically right now...  And yes, they
> > are pagans as they believe in other gods than the Hebrew
> > god.
>
> Goddlefrood:
>
> ... and are unlikely to have had a continuous following since
> the days of my forefathers. If they're out there then all the
> best to them, there's something to be said for feasting in
> Valhalla for the rest of time :-)


montims:
because, like all the other pagan religions in christianised countries, the
religion was eradicated by the authorities.  It may have continued
privately, as witches, for example, believe theirs was, but if known, they
could have been subjected to terrible punishments through most of history.
They certainly are out there, and asatru is an officially recognised
religion in several countries.  It is only in the past century (specifically
in the UK with the repeal of witchcraft act after WW2) that a revival of
pagan religions has been permitted.  And still in many places it isn't.  In
many areas of the United States, for example, people can legally have their
children taken away from them if they are pagan; pagans and/or their houses
and property are attacked; and pagans can lose their jobs if their religious
preference is known...

> montims:
> > Truly, however the word is used today, a pagan has historically
> > been a non-christian...
>
> Goddlefrood:
>
> Which contradicts your earlier assertion, sorry to be argumentative
> in turn, but the Muslims and Jews would strongly dispute this, and
> not just those alive today. Pagan historically referred to the old
> pre-Christian religions, excluding Judaism.


montims:
yes, you are right - sloppy writing - what I meant is that christians (or
christian authorities) have historically persecuted the "pagan", or
"infidel", whether nature-worshipper, witch, Jew, Muslim, or whatever...
Pagan, however, is a non-believer in the
"Abrahamic<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahamic_religion>
monotheistic <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotheism> group of
Judaism<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism>,
Christianity <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity>, and
Islam<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam>".
I don't know that that confines it to pre-christian religions, though...

But evidently we are boring the rest of the thread contributors, so at this
point I will stand down, apologise in advance for any other factual errors I
have made, and wish those who believe a very Merry Christmas, and to all -
may your dreams come true in 2008.


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