Pagan Symbols and Christianity

[Abiding]

 

[Elizabeth619]

It is sad, and for more than this reason. A large majority of the threads are derailed into many different directions. As for myself, I go into a thread expecting the content to stay in line with the thread title. However, that seems to rarely be the case. Everything always turns into some sort of debate between two or more viewpoints, people pick their team and the thread gets hundreds of posts that aren't even on topic.... not to mention the sarcasm, personal attacks, snide comments toward one another!

We are supposed to be mature Christians here. How does one think unbelievers who view these forums as guests look at us? How much of a turn-off to Christianity is it to see this huge group of people arguing and attacking one another? How on earth are we supposed to be set apart if we act like the rest of the world?

I seriously am embarrassed at times to see some of the things that I do in this forum, and think that as mature believers on the Lord that we all know or at least should know how to conduct ourselves in a fruitful manner. It is important for us to know where we err, but to not have it pointed out in love does not do much justice. The stench of pride here can be overwhelming and disgusting at times. Please take a look at Ephesians 4.

Ephesians 4

King James Version (KJV)

4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
[SUP]2 [/SUP]With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
[SUP]3 [/SUP]Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
[SUP]4 [/SUP]There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
[SUP]5 [/SUP]One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
[SUP]6 [/SUP]One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
[SUP]7 [/SUP]But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
[SUP]8 [/SUP]Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
[SUP]9 [/SUP](Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
[SUP]10 [/SUP]He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
[SUP]11 [/SUP]And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[SUP]12 [/SUP]For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
[SUP]13 [/SUP]Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
[SUP]14 [/SUP]That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
[SUP]15 [/SUP]But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
[SUP]16 [/SUP]From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
[SUP]17 [/SUP]This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
[SUP]18 [/SUP]Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
[SUP]19 [/SUP]Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
[SUP]20 [/SUP]But ye have not so learned Christ;
[SUP]21 [/SUP]If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
[SUP]22 [/SUP]That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
[SUP]23 [/SUP]And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
[SUP]24 [/SUP]And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
[SUP]25 [/SUP]Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
[SUP]26 [/SUP]Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
[SUP]27 [/SUP]Neither give place to the devil.
[SUP]28 [/SUP]Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
[SUP]29 [/SUP]Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
[SUP]30 [/SUP]And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
[SUP]31 [/SUP]Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
[SUP]32 [/SUP]And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

I love you all, God bless.

This is something I totally needed to read. Thanks!

 

[Elizabeth619]

I wonder if Greek/Roman fashion is wrong. I mean I like the empire waist tops and dresses. Very flattering to the "apple" body type.

Sometimes their referred to as "goddess" dresses.





Why am I asking you this. You're a man.

 

[HEIsRiSen]

I wonder if Greek/Roman fashion is wrong. I mean I like the empire waist tops and dresses. Very flattering to the "apple" body type.

Sometimes their referred to as "goddess" dresses.



Why am I asking you this. You're a man.

I prefer to call it a robe

 

[tribesman]

How true. I'm new here and I was looking for the ignore button. A Christian's spirit says far more about their spiritual maturity than their take on the nuances of doctrine.

In Christ,
Pilgrimer

Sure, go ahead and trust your own judgment about other christians spiritual maturity more than actual facts and tolerate and eventually embrace false doctrine and teachers all you like since its all about 'nuances' anyway.

 

[cfultz3]

I wonder if Greek/Roman fashion is wrong. I mean I like the empire waist tops and dresses. Very flattering to the "apple" body type.

Sometimes their referred to as "goddess" dresses.





Why am I asking you this. You're a man.

He could be Irish

 

[TomL]

Sad thing is, most of the posts in this tread are not actually about the topic. It was to inform people of certain things that most of us use almost everyday that we may consider harmless, but have pagan roots like the easter bunny and so on, and to inform people who are so dead set against holidays should look around their home and see what "pagan" things they already have

It actually wasnt a thread to argue hoilidays or eating sacrificial meat....yet of course it was turned in to that.

But, you must admit, this discussion of meat sacrificed to idols stems from the OP. It's so funny. I have learned to tolerate it on my sites. Rarely, when you look at the first post, then the last post, do they ever look anything alike, and it is so funny sometimes. It's like clicking the remote going from one channel to another rapidly. It's amazing what funny combination of words you can come up with.

 

[Elizabeth619]

But, you must admit, this discussion of meat sacrificed to idols stems from the OP. It's so funny. I have learned to tolerate it on my sites. Rarely, when you look at the first post, then the last post, do they ever look anything alike, and it is so funny sometimes. It's like clicking the remote going from one channel to another rapidly. It's amazing what funny combination of words you can come up with.

I wonder how many people who have shown an attitude on here sit there and yell at their computer like we can hear them.
Seriously... I am a hot head at times. Even a total jerk... but I know if I cannot act civil and decent I should just leave.

As far as derailing threads...it happens in all of them. Then when you try to change he topic back people get all upset n junk. I was pretty irritated at someone last night. Now I just shrug it off. I have no use to discuss anything with anyone that cannot control their emotions. Not worth it.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

WOW, a whole lot of people choking on meat here. My daughter in law insists that Jesus made non alcoholic wine.

Alot of people believe this.

They are trying to be like the jews did when they returned from babylon. The laws says don't do this. so we will make it harder to do that by saying you can;t do that..

Ie ,, The law says don;t get drunk.. so lets make it impossible to get drunk, lets not drink at all.. The problem is, there is no law against drinking,, They have added the words of men to the law of God and think they are righteous for doing it and I guess somehow God will bless them.

if they would just study the gospels. Jesus broke all those manmade laws, and was crucified for it!

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Sad thing is, most of the posts in this tread are not actually about the topic. It was to inform people of certain things that most of us use almost everyday that we may consider harmless, but have pagan roots like the easter bunny and so on, and to inform people who are so dead set against holidays should look around their home and see what "pagan" things they already have

It actually wasnt a thread to argue hoilidays or eating sacrificial meat....yet of course it was turned in to that.

I don't get this either.. Christmas is pagan in origin granted. But so many people come to christ during this time, or renew their love for him.. I have seen it my whole life. God can take things like this and use them to his glory, who are we to argue??

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I wonder how many people who have shown an attitude on here sit there and yell at their computer like we can hear them.
Seriously... I am a hot head at times. Even a total jerk... but I know if I cannot act civil and decent I should just leave.

As far as derailing threads...it happens in all of them. Then when you try to change he topic back people get all upset n junk. I was pretty irritated at someone last night. Now I just shrug it off. I have no use to discuss anything with anyone that cannot control their emotions. Not worth it.

I know the feeling. Sometimes I get so angry I do not leave fast enough, and say some things out of that anger which is never good.. I need to learn to just leave earlier.. then come back when I have calmed down!!

any time you come to a place like this, people are going to set you off.. And we wonder why we are suprised by this.. lol

So glad your back. Hope ya stick around!

 

[Tintin]

Fair enough if people have personal convictions about this, but once they go telling others to do likewise (stop celebrating Easter and Christmas) that become legalism. Also, the belief suggests that God isn't big enough to be able to redeem such things for his glory. If you believe he's Lord of all, surely he should be Lord of all!

 

[Kefa52]

Did Jesus make the wine just to get his mom off his back...??
2 John 2:4 Jesus' use of woman to address His mother established a polite but firm distance between them, as did His question, What has this concern of yours to do with Me? On Jesus “My hour has not yet come.”
.

 

[TomL]

I wonder how many people who have shown an attitude on here sit there and yell at their computer like we can hear them.
Seriously... I am a hot head at times. Even a total jerk... but I know if I cannot act civil and decent I should just leave.

As far as derailing threads...it happens in all of them. Then when you try to change he topic back people get all upset n junk. I was pretty irritated at someone last night. Now I just shrug it off. I have no use to discuss anything with anyone that cannot control their emotions. Not worth it.

I use to get upset about it too. But, in more recent times, I have come to enjoy tangents.

 

[TomL]

I don't get this either.. Christmas is pagan in origin granted. But so many people come to christ during this time, or renew their love for him.. I have seen it my whole life. God can take things like this and use them to his glory, who are we to argue??

Do they come to Christ? Or, do they come to a pagan Christianity and think they are coming to Christ?

 

[Anonimous]

Fair enough if people have personal convictions about this, but once they go telling others to do likewise (stop celebrating Easter and Christmas) that become legalism. Also, the belief suggests that God isn't big enough to be able to redeem such things for his glory. If you believe he's Lord of all, surely he should be Lord of all!

AMEN! Some how I do not believe that God is the least bit threatened by someone in a red suit each year...or a bunny! Sheesh. With all the problems in the world we have to make up new ones to worry about?

 

[TomL]

Fair enough if people have personal convictions about this, but once they go telling others to do likewise (stop celebrating Easter and Christmas) that become legalism. Also, the belief suggests that God isn't big enough to be able to redeem such things for his glory. If you believe he's Lord of all, surely he should be Lord of all!

Is it legalism to tell people to be obedient to God?

 

[Kefa52]

Our youth group had an Ice skating party, and a big bonfire in the evening. Singing around the bonfire just like the pegans used to do. KIDS what can ya tell em.

 

[TomL]

AMEN! Some how I do not believe that God is the least bit threatened by someone in a red suit each year...or a bunny! Sheesh. With all the problems in the world we have to make up new ones to worry about?

Of course God is not threatened. But he is also not pleased. We are told in Scriptures what pleases God, and taking part of pagan celebrations is not one of them.

 

[Anonimous]

I know the feeling. Sometimes I get so angry I do not leave fast enough, and say some things out of that anger which is never good.. I need to learn to just leave earlier.. then come back when I have calmed down!!

any time you come to a place like this, people are going to set you off.. And we wonder why we are suprised by this.. lol

So glad your back. Hope ya stick around!

I usally respond back with something totally off the wall to throw people off and give them a chance to calm down...like this...