How do pagans celebrate Christmas?

Roadtoad said:
Perhaps if Christians were willing to roll up their sleeves and do what they claim Jesus commands, perhaps your pain might have been cured through medical attention a lot earlier. As it is, hospitals run by religious organizations are used to boost income to the denomination, not to heal those in need.

And the Church wonders why people leave...!
Click to expand...

Amen! (here, Slingblade snickers quietly, because she cracks herself up).

We could ask my ex-husband, who was there for much of the suffering, and knew about the rest. You know: the one who used to beat me in the head with a Bible while he screamed at me to "SUBMIT! SUBMIT, DAMMIT!"

The one who bought a title online, and now calls himself "reverend." He never finished the 8th grade. But he has a $hitload of money! God gave it to him! (God evidently taught him how to lie, cheat, steal, and defraud his fellow man.) He has his own church now! He used to beat me, cheat on me, use crack, use coke, and drink to excess! He made me go to church every Sunday with bruises! I looked so nice in my long-sleeved church dresses!

Yeah, let's ask him. He evidently knows this God-person really well.

Bitter much? Yeah, well....here are my old shoes. I'll let Kathy walk in them a while. She's going to find they pinch.

Funny thing, though. When I stopped whining to some Invisible Man to fix my life, and decided I could do a much better job on my own....

....life got much, much better.
 
slingblade said:
Amen! (here, Slingblade snickers quietly, because she cracks herself up).

We could ask my ex-husband, who was there for much of the suffering, and knew about the rest. You know: the one who used to beat me in the head with a Bible while he screamed at me to "SUBMIT! SUBMIT, DAMMIT!"

The one who bought a title online, and now calls himself "reverend." He never finished the 8th grade. But he has a $hitload of money! God gave it to him! (God evidently taught him how to lie, cheat, steal, and defraud his fellow man.) He has his own church now! He used to beat me, cheat on me, use crack, use coke, and drink to excess! He made me go to church every Sunday with bruises! I looked so nice in my long-sleeved church dresses!

Yeah, let's ask him. He evidently knows this God-person really well.

Bitter much? Yeah, well....here are my old shoes. I'll let Kathy walk in them a while. She's going to find they pinch.

Funny thing, though. When I stopped whining to some Invisible Man to fix my life, and decided I could do a much better job on my own....

....life got much, much better.
Click to expand...


:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:



Your story, slingblade, makes me want to hug you and celebrate all at the same time.

Thank you for this moment of inspiration.

I am proud of you, and happy for you, for what you've overcome.
 
fowlsound said:
I am proud of you, and happy for you, for what you've overcome.
Click to expand...

Wow....:o I never got a round of applause before. Thank you. Have a hug. Oh, heck, have two.

(pssst...I get to start my student teaching in January. I'm pretty proud of me, too. :D)
 
Hi KK,

This year - oh, and I'm an Atheist, not a Pagan - I don't feel like celebrating anything.

Two weeks ago, after eight years of suffering Alzheimer's, my mother died. It's ironic that she should have had to suffer like this as she was the only believer in the family. About four years ago she lost the "swallow" reflex - how much kinder of God to have taken her then, rather than inflict another dreadful four years on her, family and friends.

If there is a God, I find it hard to understand why she had to go though this, and why really good people like Roadtoad, Slingblade and all the others "need" such awful pain in their lives. You, too.

I also agree with Fowlsound - FS - you're really going to have to learn how to express your anger, instead of bottling it up all the time! :)

It's odd, too, that in the last years both my parents have had major health problems, nearly always at Christmas. Can you wonder that I'm beginning to really dislike Christmas?

However, I will enjoy a few days away from work, walk the dog and probably play a few computer games!

In spite of everything, I still wish everybody:

Nadolig Llawen y blwyddyn newydd Dda!

though that's probably more a link with the "old Country" than anything else!

I was hoping to lighten up this post, but I see the Monty Python references have already been used! Still - Fowlsound - I think you're referring to "Bold Sir Robin" in fact.

YBW
 
kmortis said:
Really? You've HEARD??? Any actualy witnessing of said turning? As for people becoming Christian from being Pagan. I'd imagine that we'll start seeing more of that as this generation of Pagan kids grows up.
I've done countless pagan and Satanic rituals in my day, and here I sit, amlicably chatting with you. I left your god to "test the spirits" of other religions. I'll agree with you in one aspect, every religion I "tested" I found wanting. This includes Christianity.
Click to expand...
But it's not about trying to be spiritual or religious. If we accept Christ then we have a relationship with God. There is no more searching once the Son makes Himself known to you! This is something He promises to do if we seek Him with all our heart and mind. The search is over for me. And in my past I too tried many New Age beliefs...but all left me wanting the truth. There is a void in everyman without Christ!
 
YouBelieveWHAT? said:
Hi KK,

Two weeks ago, after eight years of suffering Alzheimer's, my mother died. It's ironic that she should have had to suffer like this as she was the only believer in the family.
If there is a God, I find it hard to understand why she had to go though this, and why really good people like Roadtoad, Slingblade and all the others "need" such awful pain in their lives. You, too.

I also agree with Fowlsound - FS - you're really going to have to learn how to express your anger, instead of bottling it up all the time! :)

YBW
Click to expand...
I'm sorry about your loss! I'm sure you must miss her. Alzheimer's is a very difficult one to deal with. Have you ever seen the movie "A Vow To Cherish?" It's a true story about one womans struggle with Alzheimers and how the family pulled together to deal with it. I thought it was a good, inspirational film. You might want to see it if you haven't already?

And I too can express moments of frustration or upset, but things don't get to me like they use to. It's really strange how I now have more inner peace? I never use to have this power over my worry, doubts and fears?? I don't know how but faith in God really does work!
 
slingblade said:
Amen! (here, Slingblade snickers quietly, because she cracks herself up).

We could ask my ex-husband, who was there for much of the suffering, and knew about the rest. You know: the one who used to beat me in the head with a Bible while he screamed at me to "SUBMIT! SUBMIT, DAMMIT!"
Click to expand...
I'm sorry if this really happened to you? Sounds like not the real deal or Satan had some real strongholds on Him? Could it be that you both provoked eachother to anger? It can be ugly to see what both people might have done to make that situation become out of control. I have a hard time thinking marital problems are one sided? Did you ever hit Him?
I think the big factor here is that even if He was or is wrong, you need to forgive him. Have you done that? You won't heal from that kind of hurt unless you do. I hope you are doing OK now. I would also hope you wouldn't blame God for what your ex-husband did to you!
 
KK,

I think the difference between us is that when my mother was diagnosed, I realised it's just because mammal bodies are designed to produce & nurture the next generation, and then they just wear out.

There's no need to include God in any of this.

After all, a really caring God wouldn't have created all these dreadful diseases, now would He?

YBW
 
YouBelieveWHAT? said:
KK,

I think the difference between us is that when my mother was diagnosed, I realised it's just because mammal bodies are designed to produce & nurture the next generation, and then they just wear out.

There's no need to include God in any of this.

After all, a really caring God wouldn't have created all these dreadful diseases, now would He?

YBW
Click to expand...
Ever since sin entered this world people have suffered. A loving caring God has given us a way out. He has promised to make all things new. A new heaven and earth where our creator will someday wipe every tear away. There will be no more suffering in heaven, and I believe the promises!!
 
Hi KK,

Are you sure you meant to use "He" instead of "he" when you replied to Slingblade? Surely you weren't referring to her ex as God?

If you read her post at the start of this page you'll see that she doesn't mention forgiveness, but does mention that "life got much, much better" without recourse to the supernatural?

Why on earth would you suggest that she somehow brought the violence on herself?

Way to go, Slingblade - I'm glad you're out of it - may you have a wonderful, fulfilling life from now on!

YBW
 
kurious_kathy said:
I don't know why you would think like that.
Click to expand...

I'm not the least surprised. Pretending you don't understand how nasty, petty, and idiotic, your beliefs look is the hallmark of those who have constructed their imaginary god to their image.


ETA: For anyone with any decency and compassion, you're the perfect repellent for anything you preach ...
 
Hi KK,
Of course, my mother was a committed Christian.

God decided to let sin onto the world, if you believe the Garden of Eden story.

Frankly, I find it difficult to imagine a caring God who couldn't forgive Adam & Eve - therefore no sin in the world.

Of course, the Garden never existed, and sin is just a religious construct to put fear into ignorant people, who then need religion to "cleanse" themselves.

What else - ah - promises, promises - jam tomorrow, but not today - why?

YBW
 
kurious_kathy said:
Is it bigoted to have a genuine concern for peoples souls? I don't think so!
Click to expand...

I bet there are some pedaphiles out there who have genuine concern for childrens reproductive organs.

Just because you are concerned about something doesn't make it right. If you think it is better for you to not "preach" to us about your deity rather than "proclaim" about it you are way off.

Could you imagine how bad it would be if I were to go into the projects of Detroit and proclaim out-loud in the street how happy I am to be male, middle-class and white?

All I can say kathy is your pot of tea just cannot replace my pack of cigarettes, your pumpkin pie holds no place against my chocolate cake. Your religion is like peanut butter and some people like it some don't and some are deathly allergic to it.
 
Last edited:
kurious_kathy said:
Ever since sin entered this world people have suffered. A loving caring God has given us a way out. He has promised to make all things new. A new heaven and earth where our creator will someday wipe every tear away. There will be no more suffering in heaven, and I believe the promises!!
Click to expand...

Sometimes I fail to see the difference between believing in God and injecting Heroin. They both give people a way out and they both have horrible consequences over long periods of use/belief.

No more suffering in heaven? Well crap, how will I be able to decipher what pleasure is after about 500 trillion (of what was) earth years? Is there gravity in heaven? Is there a ground? Is there anything worth studying in heaven? Are there atoms in heaven or can we reproduce in heaven and have the joy of children there? Do we just have to serve god from 8am till 4pm or is it an all day sort of thing? Do people wear shoes or have feet in heaven? Are they even still called people in heaven? How heavy is the average soul in heaven? Are we all the same sex and race in heaven? What is the predominant language in heaven? Will there be an introductory course in heaven to learn the ropes? Are there appointments you can set up with loved ones who went to hell each month? How do people get around in heaven without bumping into each other? Are there chairs in heaven or beds? Does heaven circle any source of light so there is a day and night? If so how long is day and how long is night? What is the average mean temperature of heaven should I pack warm or cold? What types of pleasures are there in heaven to be exact?

I treat christians who proclaim/preach their beliefs to me no different than I treat a car salesman or an insurance salesman.
 
Last edited:
Tricky said:
I don't. car and insurance salesmen have the possibility of selling me something useful.
Click to expand...

Hah, very true. But I still can't help but feel there is something shady behind all three of these sales people.
 
slingblade said:
Amen! (here, Slingblade snickers quietly, because she cracks herself up).

We could ask my ex-husband, who was there for much of the suffering, and knew about the rest. You know: the one who used to beat me in the head with a Bible while he screamed at me to "SUBMIT! SUBMIT, DAMMIT!"

The one who bought a title online, and now calls himself "reverend." He never finished the 8th grade. But he has a $hitload of money! God gave it to him! (God evidently taught him how to lie, cheat, steal, and defraud his fellow man.) He has his own church now! He used to beat me, cheat on me, use crack, use coke, and drink to excess! He made me go to church every Sunday with bruises! I looked so nice in my long-sleeved church dresses!

Yeah, let's ask him. He evidently knows this God-person really well.

Bitter much? Yeah, well....here are my old shoes. I'll let Kathy walk in them a while. She's going to find they pinch.

Funny thing, though. When I stopped whining to some Invisible Man to fix my life, and decided I could do a much better job on my own....

....life got much, much better.
Click to expand...

Way to go, Sling! And the fact that you're now starting a new gig as a teacher is even better! That's something to celebrate!

While Kathy is right, you can't blame God for your ex's actions, he's used his religion as a tool for abuse. I kept running into that myself, and finally said, enough. I was tired of people using God to batter my wife and kids, (and me), supposedly for my own good. Considering I keep running into people with the exact same story time and again, both here on this board and out in the street, something tells me that this isn't my imagination.

I'm sorry that Kathy seems to be avoiding me. I'd at least like an apology to Peggy for Kathy's behavior.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom