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Dec. 2nd, 2012 08:39 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stormdogI see a meme going around regarding Christmas trees not actually being "Christmas" trees because those are forbidden by the bible in Jeremiah. That they are actually "Yule" trees, thus implying that those who have Christmas trees in their house are, unknowingly, engaging in pagan, unchristian acts.
Regardless of historical practice behind it, it's easy enough to find explanations from religious authorities about the passage in question and how it does *not* ban the faithful from having Christmas trees.
The whole situation lends support neither to pagans who want to embarrass Christians who are practicing a 'pagan' custom, nor to Christians who want to attack pagans for misunderstanding the bible. Instead, it goes to show that religious writings from thousands of years ago are *so* open to interpretation that arguing about them is, in my opinion, essentially unproductive.
Don't give dogma a position of primacy. Be good to other people, regardless of your beliefs or lack thereof.
Regardless of historical practice behind it, it's easy enough to find explanations from religious authorities about the passage in question and how it does *not* ban the faithful from having Christmas trees.
The whole situation lends support neither to pagans who want to embarrass Christians who are practicing a 'pagan' custom, nor to Christians who want to attack pagans for misunderstanding the bible. Instead, it goes to show that religious writings from thousands of years ago are *so* open to interpretation that arguing about them is, in my opinion, essentially unproductive.
Don't give dogma a position of primacy. Be good to other people, regardless of your beliefs or lack thereof.
