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Q: Apparently, some people are offended by Christmas trees in public areas because it is a Christian thing (or so they say). I heard some people talking about this in the WalMart here today. I'm really confused about why someone would be offended by Christmas trees, even if they weren't Christian.
Does the Bible even mention anything about Christmas trees relating to Christianity though?
I, personally, don't see Christmas trees as religious and I just can't understand why someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas would be offended by a Christmas tree. So, this now has me thinking about how the tradition of Christmas trees actually happened. Someone told me that Christmas trees aren't Christian at all and that they came from something called Pagan. What is true about Christmas trees?
Can someone shed some light on this, please?
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One of the earliest stories of the origin of the Christmas tree is about St. Boniface. In 722, he encountered some pagans who were worshipping a large oak tree (other more radical/fundamental catholics believe that the pagans were about to sacrifice a child at the base of the tree, most likely religious propaganda). He cut down the tree in anger for the worship of a "false" God and a Fir tree grew up at the base of what was once the oak. He then told everyone that this evergreen, with its branches pointing to heaven, was a holy tree and the tree of Christ, and a symbol of His promise of eternal life.
The Christmas trees being brought inside was dating back to Western Germany in the 16th century. They were called "Paradeisbaum" (paradise trees) and were brought into homes to celebrate the annual Feast of Adam and Eve on December 24th.
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Q: i think witch craft is really evil in highschool theres this girl that was fascinated by it and even said that she was one. so then i knew that i shouldnt be hanging out with her. but then i am curious. if she was a witch could she like not become one anymore. or is that somesort of like permanent thing. i feel like this is a really rude topic but i was curious and wanted to know something more intelligent about it.
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If you want to know something intelligent, how about learning some proper grammar?
Don't be so biased, she's not a witch, she's Wiccan, it's a religious system of beliefs. You can stop practicing Wicca, and she can whenever she wants to, but if you try to convert her back to whatever bull you believe, that just makes you hypocritical.
Contacting spirits is better than worshiping a big man in the sky.
Grow up, and learn to use the internet, instead of just listening to what your parents tell you.
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Q: Okay... well I'm not trying to get any religious views, or have anyone change my mind or anything like that... but I've always had a hard time figuring out what to believe in. I went to a Catholic school when I was younger [only cause it was right down my street though, haha] and neither of my parents are very religious... infact, they hardly are at all. But I never know what to believe. Like, I don't want to not believe in God... cause if there even is a "Hell" I don't want to go there and burn for all of eternity haha. Now, I don't really think there is [well I'm not even sure what to believe... there's so much I can learn about] but what if there is? I'll never know for sure. So basically, I'm just always worrying about things like that and I never know what to think =/ now don't like, try to call me stupid and naiive or anything, cause it's not my fault that there's 9857285 religons. Usually I just try to live my life being a good person... cause there's really no religon that looks donw upon that... That's what my mom always says anyway. "If there is a God or a whatever, as long as I spend my life being a good person, I'll be fine" So that's what I try to live by. [religon-wise]. What do you think?
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alot of people wonder the same thing. i did for a really long time too. until i started talking to my boyfriend about it. he really made me realize alot. i made up my mind about wha ti belive, and i think it might be something you should hear.
::
the reason i didnt believe in God before, is because chirches and such misconstrew what religion is suppose to be about. Its suppose to be a series of beliefs and morals. values and practices set by a supernatural creator. not worshipping and giving money. (or molesting children, naught naught catholic priests XD) what i was told about religion, was totally different then what it really is. i was misinformed, not only by my parents and teachers but also by my friends. everyone kinda made it mandatory to believe in something. and thought of it as a personal attack on themselves if i didnt believe what they did. -cough you cough- and that turned me off of believing in God completly.
while reading books about different faiths, i came to the realization that different groups of people believe different thing ( i knew that already, but i came to a deeper understanding)
and i also talked to josh alot about the topic. he provided good evidence that there has to be a creator, like that if the big bang DID occur, where did teh matter that was banged together come from. also, how did it happen so perfectly that it formed life. stuff like that, he let me believe in my science and still be christian at teh same time basically.
i strongly believe in science, and i always will. but for those holes in my scientific theory, there are fillings in christianity, and for the holes in christianity, there are fillings from science.
so, all in all, i have decided that i DO believe in God. but i ALSO believe in science. i belive that God created teh elements and let them do the rest, and that God created organic material, and let it make life. so, i do believe in God. but i also believe in science. it was a comprimise to make. but it just makes more sense to me to believe in both.
thats what i think anyways. i guess it could make some sense to you.
cause i know that if you fear going to hell, then you do believe in some kind of divine power, but your just not sure.
so hope i helped
*to answer the other question*
no i havent really understood most of those stories. i just dont think they could actually happen. bushes dont burn and talk and stuff..
its more like god created everything, but he doesnt alter the way life will turn out.
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Q: 16/f
Firstly, I am Catholic. In the bible it says it is a sin to sleep with a man that you are not married with. I have a boyfriend, and once in awhile I will sleep over at his house and we will sleep in the same bed. WE DO NOT HAVE SEX, but we "sleep" together. So, is it considered a sin to do this because he is not my husband? I am just really confused.
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haha no no its not a sin.
you have to have actual sex for it to be a sin.
=]
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bio
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Ask me something, I'm knowledgeable.
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Info
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E-mail: Gender: Female Occupation: Student Age: 16 Member Since: January 7, 2007 Answers: 271 Last Update: March 10, 2009 Visitors: 16706
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