issues with modern practices

[Deadtosin]

I would like to take some time and address some things I consider issues.

1st. When we pray, it is a direct communication to GOD and though we may sometimes pray together I think for the most part it should be done privately, but furthermore I notice far to often that when people pray outloud often while they pray they bring up things they want people to reflect on later. Like going back over lessons of doctrine : example " Lord I pray that all of us remember these words that we said yada yada" "I pray we take the time" etc. Talk to GOD through prayer not eachother.

2nd.1. I noticed that our two major christian holidays, Jesus birth and resurrection both have imaginary people or creatures surrounded in fake magic that we tell our children is real. I believe it is dangerous to tell your children santa is real at the same time we are saying Jesus is real, when they get older they see one is fake, will they correlate them together? also we take a holy day and we make it about monetary gain. we don't say be good cause God will know, we say be good cause Santa will know. When did Santa become the judge? Have you ever noticed that Santa is the same name as Satan except you move the N back 2 spaces? Santa lives in the coldest climate in the world commanding a legion of creepy goblin like creatures that spend their time making objects to covet for children and weaving a net of lies that we teach as truth.

2.2 easter bunny. We often tell kids it is real and clearly its rediculous and we make it about candy. I just think its kinda weird that both of Jesus's holidays are filled with fake creatures we tell our children are real that they have no hope of believing in when they become of an accountable age.

thanks for bearing with me on what no doubt some people will laugh and scoff at.
-just some thoughts. Be safe and GOD bless

 

[Deadtosin]

Dear Mods, I may have put this in the wrong spot, do with it what you will
thanks and GOD bless!!

 

[Ugly]

Wow, i think you went way overboard demonizing Santa. If i were to have kids, no i probably would not teach them that Santa or E Bunny were real, but doesn't mean i wouldn't tell the concepts anyways. Shoot, even as adults my mom put 'From Santa' on gifts, just for fun. It was no big deal.
As far as this Santa/Satan thing... so what? That doesn't mean anything, its nothing more than a weak attempt to try to prove something that really has no relevance to anything. Elves like goblins? Not even close. Weaving a net of lies.. come on man. Trying way to hard.
I support your idea, but not your way of trying to vilify non-existent creatures as if they're somehow purposefully out to deceive people. (And before anyone says it, yes i know St Nick was a real person, i'm referring to the mythological version, so save it)

 

[Deadtosin]

Wow, i think you went way overboard demonizing Santa. If i were to have kids, no i probably would not teach them that Santa or E Bunny were real, but doesn't mean i wouldn't tell the concepts anyways. Shoot, even as adults my mom put 'From Santa' on gifts, just for fun. It was no big deal.
As far as this Santa/Satan thing... so what? That doesn't mean anything, its nothing more than a weak attempt to try to prove something that really has no relevance to anything. Elves like goblins? Not even close. Weaving a net of lies.. come on man. Trying way to hard.
I support your idea, but not your way of trying to vilify non-existent creatures as if they're somehow purposefully out to deceive people. (And before anyone says it, yes i know St Nick was a real person, i'm referring to the mythological version, so save it)[/quote

your opinion is duly noted, these are thoughts I've had for sometime now. I describe them like goblins because they are small, pointed ears, pointed creepy shoes, just similarity's and I am of the belief that any such deception was created by the king of liars, and if someone were to argue that it was based off of saint nick I would say any great lie is based around some sort of truth. Rat poison is 99percent good food.

 

[Deadtosin]

I would also like to point out the interestingly similar spiritual implications of how Santa works. He gives free gifts to those who are good and if you are bad he gives you.. coal? when did st nick provide fuel for a fire?

 

[Deadtosin]

lol he even comes in through the chimney lol

 

[shekaniah]

On Christmas we always have birthday cake, and the kids sing happy birthday to Jesus before we open gifts.
(Did I mention we eat cake for breakfast once a year.) It's my way of trying to get them to remember why
we celebrate Christmas.

 

[Oncefallen]

This thread is probably better here than CC suggestions forum.

 

[Wonderland]

DeadToSin

I agree with you. We do not celebrate Santa or the Easter Bunny. I also believe they are pagan distractions from the truth. Oddly enough, my husband and I have been quite criticized in my family for our choices. You'd think other Christians would be kind enough to respect our decision to stay true to the "truth" of our celebrations, even if they don't necessarily agree. We don't tell them that they shouldn't celebrate Santa or the Easter Bunny--but they have made some rude and even downright mean comments about it.

Other than from the Jehovah's Witness congregation (with whom we frequent occasionally) I don't get a lot of "Christian" support around this. In fact, I get more support from my pagan friends who are much more tolerant of making celebrations meaningful in your own way rather than conforming to "mainstream." Isn't that ironic?

Thanks for the post. I'm always excited to find a brother or sister willing to think for themselves rather than conform to the masses. Good for you!

 

[zeroturbulence]

Have you ever noticed that Santa is the same name as Satan except you move the N back 2 spaces? Santa lives in the coldest climate in the world commanding a legion of creepy goblin like creatures that spend their time making objects to covet for children

Haha I love that!!

 

[MissCris]

I was raised in a Christian home, and yet we DID do the whole Santa and Easter Bunny bit, up to a certain age, but always alongside the true meanings. For instance, Easter Sunday for us was Church first, family dinner second, Easter egg hunt and candy and silliness last.

But I do see your point, about confusing children by teaching them Santa and Jesus are both real, and suddenly having them find that one actually isn't. Luckily, I didn't have that issue growing up, but I can imagine a lot of kids do/would get confused.

I've recently had to really consider a lot of this type of thing, having just had my first child. My husband and I have discussed it over and over; we've decided not to tell our son that Santa is real, or the Easter Bunny. I kind of feel like kids have a better chance of retaining that child-like faith throughout their lives if their trust isn't toyed with when they're little.

 

[Deadtosin]

Amen, I don't want to take the magic out of christmas. But why should we? after all we are talking about the most SUPERNATURALLY GIFTED being in the world? AMEN?!! its all about love, power and wonder, lets find new ways to glorify Our Lord to our children. I think that is a great challenge for christmas and easter

 

[Megatron]

Other than from the Jehovah's Witness congregation (with whom we frequent occasionally) I don't get a lot of "Christian" support around this.

Well seeing how jehovah witnesses are a cult basically...frequenting them on occasion probably isnt a good idea if youre trying to live a christian life. unless of course youre cool with heresies like Jesus is michael or jesus and satan are brothers. or whatever it is.

 

[Jacob12]

I understand that people and their families have grown up on certain traditions such as Christmas and Easter as did I. However when we realized the truth we were forced to make a decision, because these traditions have taken the place of God's true Holy days and feast days and are based on a lie. Jeremiah 10:1-4, 8 Calls Christmas a doctrine of vanities, and Jesus told us to celebrate his death and not his birth. He also told us he would be in the earth for 3 days and 3 nights (Matthew 12:38-40). Try getting that out of Good Fri to Easter Sun. Matthew 28:1-6 Shows that Jesus rose on the Sabbath (Saturday). Which is the day we are supposed to have a holy gathering and the day God hallowed (made holy) Exodus 20:11, Deut 4:12-14.
The truth is that God already commanded us to observe 7 holy days throughout all our generations for a perpetual covenant. Though man has tried to do away with them the bible gives examples of how they will be obsevered even in the future.

 

[Wonderland]

Well seeing how jehovah witnesses are a cult basically...frequenting them on occasion probably isnt a good idea if youre trying to live a christian life. unless of course youre cool with heresies like Jesus is michael or jesus and satan are brothers. or whatever it is.

Clearly you don't know much about their doctrine. JW's believe that Jesus is God's son, came to earth and lived a perfect life, and died to redeem them of their sins. If that isn't "Christian" than please enlighten me to what is.

They may not have everything right, but they have a lot more right than most of "mainstream" Christianity. So I encourage you to look into it a little more before you show your ignorance by judging what you don't know.

Be blessed.

 

[AnandaHya]

kids are exposed to the world. they will be exposed to images and beliefs in various things. it is our responsibility to help them learn the Truth.

My family did not celebrate Christmas for various reasons. my husband's family does in honor and memory of Jesus. however they like the christmas story with santa and all. I don't really agree and if asked I tell my kids it is more important to give then to receive and you should be thankful for all the people who love you enough no matter what the gift is to think of you and give you something out of the love in their hearts for you. personally I like to emphasize LOVing one another more then gifts or Santa Claus. If my kids ask about Santa, I tell them it is a story that some people like to believe and we play along as not to hurt their feelings.

so for them it is a game of pretend.

I try to let them know what I believe is real and what is fantasy. like if they ask why we pray. I tell them we have faith that God loves us and hears us and protects us. that it is real and not pretend love.

as for Easter it is pretty easy even my 5 year old knows rabbits don't lay eggs.

We try and worship Jesus every day and ascension and resurrection are hard concepts for toddlers to grasp, perhaps in the years to come.

 

[Megatron]

Is the Jehovah's Witness religion Christian?


by Matt Slick
The answer to the question is, "No. It is not Christian." Like all non-Christian cults, the Jehovah's Witness organization distorts the essential doctrines of Christianity. It denies the deity of Christ, His physical resurrection, and salvation by grace. This alone makes it non-Christian. To support its erring doctrines, the Watchtower organization (which is the author and teacher of all official Jehovah's Witness theology), has even altered the Bible to make it agree with its changing and non-Christian teachings.

Typical with cults that use the Bible to support its position is a host of interpretive errors:

• Taking verses out of their immediate context.
• Refusing to read verses in the entire biblical context.
• Inserting their theological presuppositions into the text.
• Altering the Biblical text to suit their needs.
• Latching onto one verse to interpret a host of others.
• Changing the meanings of words.
• Proclaiming some passages to be figurative when they contradict their doctrines.
• Adding to the Word of God.

Additionally, the Jehovah's Witness organization requires of its members regular weekly attendance at their "Bible Study" meetings where they are repeatedly indoctrinated with anti-Christian teachings. This is done by reading the Watchtower magazine, following along with what it says, reading the questions it asks, and reciting the answers it gives. In other words, the Watchtower Organization carefully trains its members to let the Organization do their thinking for them. For confirmation of this, please read Does the Watchtower organization control the JW's thinking?
The Witnesses are told they will be persecuted when they go door to door teaching their doctrines. They are further told that this is simply the enemy fighting against God's organization because they are in "the truth." So, when someone disagrees with them, they are conditioned to reflect on what the Watchtower has told them. They then feel confirmed in being in God's true organization on earth (like all cults claim). They are strongly encouraged to have friends and acquaintances that are only JW's, thereby keeping outside examination to a minimum. They are told to shun those who leave their group, for in this way there is no way to see why someone has left and no way to find out that they are in error from those who have found the truth in Christ. They are conditioned to shy away from any real biblically knowledgeable person. An example of this is frequently found on the Internet. I was once banned from a Jehovah's Witness chat room after I not only answered their objections to the Trinity and deity of Christ, but challenged them in return. Subsequently, my name was passed around to all other Jehovah's Witness rooms where I was banned from them as well. This is a frequent occurrence on the Internet where the Jehovah's Witnesses are alive and well. It is obvious that critical examination of their doctrines is not encouraged by the Watchtower Organization.
The Jehovah's Witnesses consider themselves to be Christians because they believe they are serving the true and living God. Like many cults, they think they are the only true church on earth. Yet, they deny the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the personhood of the Holy Spirit, Jesus' physical resurrection, and salvation by grace through faith.
The Jehovah's Witnesses are discouraged from looking into Jehovah's Witness history or old Watchtower literature which is replete with contradictions, altered doctrines, and false prophecies. Instead, they are indoctrinated repeatedly against basic Christian doctrines (Trinity, deity of Christ, etc.) and into the notion that they alone are the true servants of God and that all others are either in "Christendom" or simply unbelievers.
Primarily, the Jehovah's Witness organization is a mind-control organization that uses its people to pass out literature and send in "donations" to the headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.

"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible."1
​

The Watchtower organization of the Jehovah's Witnesses is a non-Christian organization that uses its people to promulgate false doctrines, and collects "contributions" for distribution of a multitudinous amount of literature, and expand its grip into the lives of its members and their families.
It is a non-Christian cult.


Point 1= They believe that references in the Bible to the Archangel Michael, Abaddon (Apollyon), and the Word all refer to Jesus. Not Biblical


Point 2= Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Satan and his demons were cast down to earth from heaven after October 1, 1914, at which point the end times began. Not Biblical


Point 3= Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions, which they consider a violation of God's law based on their interpretation of Acts 15:28, 29 and other scriptures. Just Funny

 

[dmdave17]

I agree with the premise that Christmas and Easter are celebrated in this country for pretty much the wrong reasons. I also personally support starting children out in the right fashion; that Christmas and Easter commemorate the birth and resurrection of Jesus. However, in today's "politically correct" world, you must be prepared to probably receive some flack for this.

Let's say you do explain that Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny are fictional characters. First, this is going to go against what your children are hearing pretty much everywhere but your house. Many parents will not welcome your child's association with their kids if they are all running home saying "so and so said Santa isn't real". Second, if they voice their opinion too strongly, at school for example, you are probably going to get called into the principal's office to discuss why your child is "disruptive".

The sad truth, I believe, is that the whole situation has gotten way out of Christians' control. In my view, it is just another strong argument for home schooling; where parents can truly control what their children are exposed to.

PS: I also agree that Jehova's Witnesses are not Christian.

 

[Wonderland]

Megatron, I am not going to argue with you. I have been studying with them and their doctrines for over 6 years. It's easy to read some article and make judgments about people, but there's so much more to them than what you read in that article. Have you read any articles arguing the OTHER side--they maybe they are Christian and genuinely seek truth? They they have hearts of gold, they strive to be obedient to God and they do their best to love the world without being a part of it? If you are keen on judging without seeing the whole picture, then that is your perogative, but personally I like to see both sides of an argument before I make an opinion--and in this case I have.

Obviously I don't agree with everything, as I am not "converted" after 6 years, but they have helped me to grow in my faith in a much more challenging and different way than my "mainstream" church ever has. Did you read that in any articles?

 

[Megatron]

if they are helping you more than actual christian churches then maybe there something in you you need to work on... cults dont increase your christianity...