BlogWood: MT Archives

False advertising in public parks

TT:

A church can display a cross and a sign reading ``Jesus is the reason for the season'' in a holiday lights attraction at a Broward County park, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale claimed unconstitutional censorship after months of wrangling with county officials over its plans to join community displays at the Holiday Festival of Lights.

Now, I’m not even gonna get into the merits of this case. In fact, if there are a number of varied displays from secular as well as religious organizations in this park, as the article implies, then I might even agree with the ruling. I do get a little peeved, however, when over-zealous Christians start talking about "the reason for the season."

As far as the seasons are concerned, Christianity is a newcomer. And when Christianity was a fledgling religion, aggressively recruiting followers and attempting to increase its market share, Christianity took the advice of some high paid consultants and created a major celebratory holiday right in the middle of the Pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia in ancient Rome and Yule in Europe:

Winter Solstice has been celebrated in cultures the world over for thousands of years. This start of the solar year is a celebration of Light and the rebirth of the Sun. In old Europe, it was known as Yule, from the Norse, Jul, meaning wheel.

Today, many people in Western-based cultures refer to this holiday as "Christmas." Yet a look into its origins of Christmas reveals its Pagan roots. Emperor Aurelian established December 25 as the birthday of the "Invincible Sun" in the third century as part of the Roman Winter Solstice celebrations. Shortly thereafter, in 273, the Christian church selected this day to represent the birthday of Jesus, and by 336, this Roman solar feast day was Christianized. January 6, celebrated as Epiphany in Christendom and linked with the visit of the Magi, was originally an Egyptian date for the Winter Solstice.

Most of the customs, lore, symbols, and rituals associated with "Christmas" actually are linked to Winter Solstice celebrations of ancient Pagan cultures. While Christian mythology is interwoven with contemporary observances of this holiday time, its Pagan nature is still strong and apparent.

This history is, of course, well known, and even acknowledged by most Christians. So, Jesus is absolutely not the reason for the season. I think the Winter Solstice can take most of the credit for that, and pagan rituals that pre-date Christianity by thousands of years can take credit for the parties and decorations, and other traditions that originated with ancient winter celebrations:

Legacies of Saturnalia in contemporary holiday celebrations

Religious Rituals -- joining in spiritual community to honor the Divine.
Honored Figures -- Santa and Father Time -- Saturn; Holy Mother -- Ops.
Sacred Flames -- candles lit and new fires kindled to represent new Solar year.
Greens -- Holly given with gifts, homes decorated with wreaths and garlands.
Time Off from Work -- government, schools, businesses closed; multiple days off.
Peace -- dispensing of punishments suspended and courts closed; wars ceased.
Relaxing with Family and Friends -- renewing bonds, sharing celebration.
Gift Giving -- dolls to children, candles to friends; fruit symbols representing increase.
Feasting -- sharing food with family and friends; on-going eating and drinking.
Helping Less Fortunate -- class distinctions suspended; food for all; masters waiting on servants.
Exhuberant Play -- masquerades, gaming, gambling, mock king, jokes, partying, letting loose.
Paper Hats -- soft hats (pilei) worn at Saturnalia banquets to signify informality.
Dancing in the New Solar Year -- music and dancing.

So let’s drop this factually flawed noxiously sweet over-simplified seasonal slogan. Party like a pileid Pagan, honor Mother Earth, and the next time someone at a party starts in with “Jesus is the ...,” cut her off and, in the peaceful spirit of Yule, offer her a drink before gently correcting her misconceptions.