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I don't think any inteligent person believes that the date of December 25th is the actual birthday of Jesus. It was selected because it was already widely celebrated in ancient Rome for the festival of saturnalia and the birthday of the god Mithra. The early christians were very good at usurping the customs and celebrations of the "pagans" and overlaying christian personna and messges. Caroling was a big part of saturnalia, but it was done naked. Christmas trees related to the animism of northern Europe, The virgin mother was a common way of saying Our God or our prophet was unusual and important. Astrology and eastern mysticism played a big part.
Christianity was not adverse to give a little to get a little way of spreading the word, until they got power....then it got ugly.
Location: Boy, giraffes are selfish, just runnin’ around looking out for number one.
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Originally Posted by elston
I don't think any inteligent person believes that the date of December 25th is the actual birthday of Jesus. It was selected because it was already widely celebrated in ancient Rome for the festival of saturnalia and the birthday of the god Mithra. The early christians were very good at usurping the customs and celebrations of the "pagans" and overlaying christian personna and messges. Caroling was a big part of saturnalia, but it was done naked. Christmas trees related to the animism of northern Europe, The virgin mother was a common way of saying Our God or our prophet was unusual and important. Astrology and eastern mysticism played a big part.
Christianity was not adverse to give a little to get a little way of spreading the word, until they got power....then it got ugly.
History ? how refreshing!
I know I'm a little late, but Merry Mithras.
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