Is Thanksgiving a pagan celebration?
Poll
 | 3 votes (75%) | ||
| | 1 vote (25%) |
4 members have voted
All cultures have had a celebration after a successful harvest season. CHECK
It was celebration involving family and all members of the community CHECK
The highlight of the celebration was a ritualistic sacrifice of a human or some animal such as a goat. ALMOST We now have a ritualistic sacrifice of a bird.
Seems like we haven't actually changed much over the millenia.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Quote: DocI'm also confused about the polling options -- isn't paganism a religion? Or is the question whether it is a celebration or a holiday?
I agree; "pagan" is non-Christian religion. If the choices were "religious" or "secular" it would make more sense. Or you could say "pagan" or "Christian"; it still wouldn't give enough choices, but it would make more sense.
I'd say Thanksgiving is pretty solidly secular.
I think "paganism" is generally used to describe religions outside of all the "major" world religions, not just non-Christian. As for the issue of Thanksgiving being secular or not, two things come to mind: (a) To whom/what would you be giving thanks? (b) Hasn't Christmas become a secular holiday to a massive extent?Quote: MoscaI agree; "pagan" is non-Christian religion. If the choices were "religious" or "secular" it would make more sense. Or you could say "pagan" or "Christian"; it still wouldn't give enough choices, but it would make more sense.
I'd say Thanksgiving is pretty solidly secular.
Thanksgiving is an AMERICAN or national holiday.
I thought the Canadians just disagreed on the date.Quote: DJTeddyBearThanksgiving is an AMERICAN or national holiday.
I was using the term in it's broader form. I believe that the original celebrations were definitely pagan religious celebrations.
Quote: DJTeddyBearIf it was "Religious", "Pagen" or even "Secular", it would be celebrated outside of the United States.
Thanksgiving is an AMERICAN or national holiday.
That is partly my point celebrations for the end of harvest have been going on for a much longer time than America has existed. Canadians use the same name for the holiday but celebrate it earlier since the harvest season ends earlier when you are further north. Just the same as getting the football season over earlier.
Quote: kenarmanThat is partly my point celebrations for the end of harvest have been going on for a much longer time than America has existed. Canadians use the same name for the holiday but celebrate it earlier since the harvest season ends earlier when you are further north. Just the same as getting the football season over earlier.
Martin Frobisher had the first Thanksgiving in North America in Newfoundland in 1578 on his return from a voyage to discover the North West passage. The early French settlers in Lower Canada also celebrated it as a custom from France.
Quote: DocI think "paganism" is generally used to describe religions outside of all the "major" world religions, not just non-Christian. As for the issue of Thanksgiving being secular or not, two things come to mind: (a) To whom/what would you be giving thanks? (b) Hasn't Christmas become a secular holiday to a massive extent?
I still say it's pretty solidly secular. You can just be thankful for family and friends, you don't have to thank anything or anyone. You can feel at peace.
Yes, Christmas is also pretty solidly secular. My Jewish in-laws (sister's husband) have a tree and give presents. They get a kick out of it. Which doesn't preclude anyone from celebrating it as a religious holiday, but as a cultural event I'd say it's gone over to the other side.
Quote: mkl654321Our ancient ancestors, dating back to caveman days, held a feast to celebrate the fall harvest. After the feast, they settled down in front of the television to watch the Lions game. But since electricty wouldn't be invented for millenia, they just stared at a blank screen until they all nodded off. We still do that today.
Of course, they weren't missing much becase the Lions sucked back then, too ;-)
Quote: ElectricDreamsOf course, they weren't missing much becase the Lions sucked back then, too ;-)
Hey! They were great in the 50's and early 60's. I've been told.... :)
Quote: thecesspitHey! They were great in the 50's and early 60's. I've been told.... :)
Yes. From A.D. 50 to A.D. 60, they were undefeated. Of course, they were always playing those patsies, the Christians.
