Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 02-02-2011, 02:52 PM

Religion & Groundhog's Day: Christian & Pagan Origins

Quote:

. . .The Christian Church appropriated the celebrations of Imbolc just as it did with so many of the other pagan holidays in ancient Europe. Christians renamed this day Candlemas, partially because of the tradition of lighting candles and perhaps also to retain the fire imagery: a common aspect of pagan celebrations was a large fire for the purpose of purification and cleansing. Among Catholics, Candlemas has become a day known as the Feast of Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Christian Divination on Candlemas:

Christians didn’t just translate pagan celebrations into Christian imagery, they also adopted the tradition of divination on this date. Christians believed, as did the pagans, that by observing events on this date they could more readily learn what the weather in the coming weeks would be.

Perspicuo · 02-02-2011, 03:18 PM

Primitive Christianity was critical of the pagans and all their calendarized festivities. It's in one of the epistles, I can't remember which.

Now ironically, the Catholic Church has become very intensely calendarized. Every reading from the bible said in mass is according to a fixed, world-wide agenda set every year.

Spooky. And boring.

Chili · 02-02-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perspicuo

Primitive Christianity was critical of the pagans and all their calendarized festivities. It's in one of the epistles, I can't remember which.

Now ironically, the Catholic Church has become very intensely calendarized. Every reading from the bible said in mass is according to a fixed, world-wide agenda set every year.

Spooky. And boring.

They are just worried they feed the sheep too much of the good stuff and bloat

Splarnst · 02-03-2011, 05:47 AM

Happy Groundhog Day!

I didn't get to watch the movie yesterday (I watch every year) because I was celebrating Tết with my wife's family, but I hope to today!

aeebee50 · 02-04-2011, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Religion & Groundhog's Day: Christian & Pagan Origins

Quote:

. . .The Christian Church appropriated the celebrations of Imbolc just as it did with so many of the other pagan holidays in ancient Europe. Christians renamed this day Candlemas, partially because of the tradition of lighting candles and perhaps also to retain the fire imagery: a common aspect of pagan celebrations was a large fire for the purpose of purification and cleansing. Among Catholics, Candlemas has become a day known as the Feast of Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Christian Divination on Candlemas:

Christians didn’t just translate pagan celebrations into Christian imagery, they also adopted the tradition of divination on this date. Christians believed, as did the pagans, that by observing events on this date they could more readily learn what the weather in the coming weeks would be.

Well, I missed another chance to party. I do not think their poem is very accurate:

Quote:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.

Maybe changing the words would make it alright. But anyway, Happy Candlemas.

andrewcriddle · 02-04-2011, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Religion & Groundhog's Day: Christian & Pagan Origins

Quote:

. . .The Christian Church appropriated the celebrations of Imbolc just as it did with so many of the other pagan holidays in ancient Europe. Christians renamed this day Candlemas, partially because of the tradition of lighting candles and perhaps also to retain the fire imagery: a common aspect of pagan celebrations was a large fire for the purpose of purification and cleansing. Among Catholics, Candlemas has become a day known as the Feast of Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Christian Divination on Candlemas:

Christians didn’t just translate pagan celebrations into Christian imagery, they also adopted the tradition of divination on this date. Christians believed, as did the pagans, that by observing events on this date they could more readily learn what the weather in the coming weeks would be.

One should probably distingiush between the pagan Celtic festival of Imbolc, (1st of February), Christianized among Celtic Christians under the name of the dubiously historical figure of Saint Brigid, and the Christian feast of Candlemas/Purification of the Virgin Mary, (2nd of February).

Candlemas seems to originate among Mediterranean Christians rather than among the Celts, and has no clear pagan antecedents.

Andrew Criddle

aeebee50 · 02-05-2011, 08:36 AM

I still like happy Candlemas over February 1st Day or Happy Imbolc (to much like umbilical chord or imbecile).

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02-02-2011, 03:18 PM	#2
Perspicuo Moderator - History of Non Abrahamic Religions, General Religious Discussions Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Latin America Posts: 6,620	Primitive Christianity was critical of the pagans and all their calendarized festivities. It's in one of the epistles, I can't remember which. Now ironically, the Catholic Church has become very intensely calendarized. Every reading from the bible said in mass is according to a fixed, world-wide agenda set every year. Spooky. And boring.

02-03-2011, 05:47 AM	#4
Splarnst Contributor Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 13,161	Happy Groundhog Day! I didn't get to watch the movie yesterday (I watch every year) because I was celebrating Tết with my wife's family, but I hope to today!

02-05-2011, 08:36 AM	#7
aeebee50 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 5,810	I still like happy Candlemas over February 1st Day or Happy Imbolc (to much like umbilical chord or imbecile).

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