Christmas

[Al Today]

Although I no longer subscribe to mainstream religions anymore, I do like to scan the AM radio waves for entertainment from the diversity of religious broadcasts.
I usually can’t bear to listen to a whole broadcast.
I was raised on hellfire & brimstone. Ahhh memories...
But last Sunday, I was listening to a panel of Pastors.
They were the clergy (authority) in charge of their respective flocks.
And I use the word authority loosely...
They were discussing the Pagan Origins Of Christmas.
I was in “shock & awe" about what I heard.
They were pulling no punches.
Speaking what I perceive as the truth.
Sadly, I was interrupted before I could figure out exactly what flavor of Christianity they subscribed to.
I don’t like all the copyright & intellectual rights protection legalese garbage going around, but I think a reference is warranted.
Here is what I thought was an interesting link… (hope it’s okay)
http://www.science-spirit.org/article_detail.php?article_id=171

But…
Although they were devoutly monotheistic, had the Bible memorized(the literal words), they were adamant about not observing any pagan holiday.
They defended their position pointing out that 'Christmas' is described in no way, no where within the Bible.
Ie: Mentioning that Dec. 25th is nowhere to be found within biblical texts.
And, that the Bible also doesn’t state the birth date of Jesus.
They were refreshing in this respect.
Honesty…
But I gotta tell you.

As I looked over at our xmas tree, I thought to myself, 'It’s still a good excuse for a party'.
Ya gotta retain your humor and enjoy life…

 

[ScioAgapeOmnis]

But dude, Santa is an anagram for Satan, which of course means that Satan has infiltrated as he promised he would, and under a disguise of an anagram is now worshipped by millions of people around the world on the celebration of the birth of Jesus! This means Satan has won and took over Christmas, and instead of celebrating the birth of our savior, we're celebrating materialism and greed and free lunch.

I actually remember reading about that somewhere. Just take away all the parts about savior and everything else, and read between the lines, is there any truth in this? Santa=Satan? I mean I guess you could "read" that any way you like, you could just say since Christmas worships materialism, which is an essential element in STS and a primary way of distracting people and keeping them busy and asleep, that in and of itself could be a way to say that yeah Santa=Satan. But is that really just a coincidence or did someone really take the word Satan and rearrange it into Santa?

 

[Al Today]

Santa=Satan. But is that really just a coincidence or did someone really take the word Satan and rearrange it into Santa?

I dunno, but...
My gramma always told me that the best lie contains a piece of truth.
Trouble is sifting though garbage to find treasure.

Does SANTA=SATAN?
These guys say they know and here is their mumbo-jumbo (I mean answer):
http://www.av1611.org/othpubls/santa.html

Here is an interesting link for some Santa fun FAQS
http://www.lone-star.net/mall/main-areas/santafaq.htm

 

[Jacques]

Well, i guess it does look like that in english but in french, it is not the case.

Santa claus is Pere Noel in french or Father Christmas if we translate it word by word.

Not close to Satan, or Lucifer, or any name that i can think of.

What about the other language??

Why has it been translated in that way in english???

 

[noise]

Following along in what I am seeing as humor.. though it makes sense.

Then you have old Saint nick's claus. Could that be a clause; a distinct article or provision in a contract, treaty, will, or other formal or legal written document.

So I worship Satan's Claws? Err.. Santa Claus and somehow the twist of words have put me into materialism and STS'ness through a contract of sharing and giving (and I dam well better get something - GREED)? Then Satans Claws are truly affixxed?

Sorry, it's very serious but humorous to me as well. I wander along with this train of thought quite often. It is strange to see other people discussing it.. I thought I was just making up stuff but had never checked to see the definition of Clause before. I thought I new what it meant, but it seems the rabbit hole goes deeper.

Just my two cents. Hope I don't get a Satan Claw this Holi(wood)day season.

 

[joejoeba]

Father X was meant to give with no reason but to make the shivering locals feel better about winter.
He was I suppose originally a model for STO, as he never expected anything back....but the enduring "good behaviour" of the children.
I suppose the gifts produce "good behaviour" to enduce bigger better gifts. It's just a feeding mechanism to subscribe to the belief in him. However it just means that our parents had to lie to us about his existence. Saint "nick" therefore does exactly that in some senses!
The saint of spiritual stealing.
He is the totemic icon that has warped what was most probably a tradition of family get togethers in the midst of winter. That is something I see no problem in- family time I mean. It's just the matierialistic leeching by businesses calling on guilt and desire that has blurred the midwinter warmth and chestnut roasting tastes into I wants I must haves and I'll be depressed if i don't gets.

There are some other really rude anagrams for 'santa claus' but I wouldn't want to darken this forum with them.
a less rude one: A CLASS TUNA........I thought the whole thing smelt a bit fishy anyway

(If you torture data sufficiently, it will confess to almost anything). -Fred Menger, chemistry professor (1937

 

[Russ]

I think it would be better to have Santa come on the new year. Then its more universal, isn't it? ;)
All the 25th is, is some reminder to people that they should be thinking about Jesus, its for Christians etc.. if they want to celebrate it, they can do it by themselves, right? :D

 

[joejoeba]

I think it harks also to the winter solstice celebrations on the 21st.

Apparently we will see santa around that time in 2012.. :)

 

[Azur]

Calvin to the rescue. Christmas explained.


http://www(dot)gocomics(dot)com/calvinandhobbes/1995/12/18/

Personally, the only thing I think of when Christmas rolls around is the Solstice.

 

[Mark]

But is that really just a coincidence or did someone really take the word Satan and rearrange it into Santa?

Dunno. But I do remember being extremely let down that I was supposed to make some stupid list, put it on the tree, and hope like hell Santa brought me the stuff on the list. Never did. Top that off with the BS that "he knows if you've been naughty or nice" and what's a kid supposed to think when Santa doesn't come through? What a horrible thing to do to a child.

I found this book a few years ago and bought it:

Santa's Twin

 

[Youngfox]

Merry Christmas Sgt. Kraulis
Happy Solstice!

 

[Adaryn]

Well, i guess it does look like that in english but in french, it is not the case.

Santa claus is Pere Noel in french or Father Christmas if we translate it word by word.

Not close to Satan, or Lucifer, or any name that i can think of.

What about the other language??

Why has it been translated in that way in english???

Found this :

Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is an allegorical, fictional, or symbolic gift-giving person, based on the historical Saint Nicholas, who distributes presents to sleeping children and adults who have been "good" all year and coal to those who have been "bad" all year; traditionally during the night of December 24, Christmas Eve. Santa Claus is an eminent character in the hearts and minds of millions of children and adults around the world who believe in him. The popular American form Santa Claus originated as a mispronunciation of Dutch Sinterklaas, which is a contracted form of Sint Nicolaas (Saint Nicholas).
Father Christmas is a well-loved figure in many countries and predates the Santa Claus character. Father Christmas is similar in many ways, though the two have quite different origins. Using 'Santa' in places that predominantly call him Father Christmas may be viewed as an Americanism, although they are generally nowadays regarded as the same character. Santa Claus is inexorably tied to Christmas in American culture, but in some cultures, he is not associated with Christmas at all, arriving on a different day (for instance December 6th, St. Nicholas' day) while baby Jesus brings presents on Christmas eve.

Father Christmas is the name used in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and several other Commonwealth Countries, for the gift-bringing figure of Christmas or yuletide. The same figure exists in other countries with the same name (in that country's language), such as France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Although the terms Father Christmas and Santa Claus are often used synonymously nowadays, historically the characters were different. Amongst older speakers, the use of 'Santa' in preference to 'Father Christmas' may be thought of as an Americanism[...] The term 'Father Christmas' is used in translation in many countries: 'Father Christmas' (and in some cases baby Jesus) is used in preference to 'Santa' in Afghanistan ("Baba Chaghaloo"), Albania ("Babadimri"), Armenia ("Gaghant Baba"), Brazil ("Papai Noel"), Bulgaria ("Dyado Koleda"), Cornwal ("Tas Nadelik"), Chile (Viejo Pascuero), Denmark ("Julemanden"), Egypt ("Papa Noël"), Finland ("Joulupukki"), France and French Canada ("le Père Noël"), Germany ("Weihnachtsmann" or "Nikolaus"),Greece "Άγιος Βασίλης-Άyos Vasílis" Hungary ("Mikulás"), Iran ("Baba Noel"), Ireland ("Daidí na Nollag"), Italy ("Babbo Natale"), Latvia ("Ziemassvētku vecītis"), Lithuania ("Kalėdų Senelis"), Malta ("San Niklaw"), Mexico ("El Niñito Dios" ("Child God", meaning Jesus)), Norway ("Julenissen"), Poland ("Święty Mikołaj"), Portugal ("Pai Natal"), Romania ("Moş Crăciun"), Russia ("Ded Moroz"), Scottish Highlands ("Daidaín na Nollaig"), Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina ("Deda Mraz"), South Africa ("Vader Kersfees"), Spain and some of Spanish-speaking Latin America ("Papá Noel" or "San Nicolás" or "Santa Claus" ), Sweden ("Jultomten"), Turkey ("Noel Baba"), and the United Kingdom ("Father Christmas").