Whatever works for YOU guys. That's all that matters.

What worked for ME and MY family:
I celebrated anything and everything that came my way, simply because of my children. I don't see the problem w/exposing the kids to every conceivable thing out there. With all this exposure comes my point of view, along with factual history; educational as to what is out there--NOT to be confused with my *personal* views and beliefs.

I really could not deny my kids running around w/other kids of a different religious view when it really only was (to them) who finds the most eggs and nearly going into a sugar coma, y'know what I mean? HAHA!!

Plus I'm a selfish sort--I will look for ANY excuse to have a party, cook a big meal, give gifts, etc. It was National Hot Dog day on the 23rd; break out the imported mustards...like I said--any reason to be festive; doesn't mean I'm gonna sell my soul over it, tho.

xoxox ~

Actually, Christmas and Easter are based on so-called "pagan" holidays that pre-date Christianity by thousands of years. The church usurped these holidays during the dark/middle ages because their would be converts would not give them up. They've had many names over the centuries and Christianity has, of course, added new meanings, but they have never been exclusively Christian.

Not sure if guest was talking to me, but...just in case...
Guess I forgot to add: I'm Pagan.
Generations.
Cheers ~

Hi Jillkana,

Thanks for adding to the discussion. Herer are my thoughts on your response:

"I celebrated anything and everything that came my way, simply because of my children. I don't see the problem w/exposing the kids to every conceivable thing out there. "

- to me, you celebrating or participating in other religious festivities is not merely exposing your children; exposing and participating are different in my eyes. I expose my children to other religions just by living in society and socializing and answering their questions. I don't feel the need to have them participate to expose them. I don't take them to temples or mosques in the name of exposing them, do you take yours to those religious places as well or is the exposure only isolated to Christianity?

"I really could not deny my kids running around w/other kids of a different religious view when it really only was (to them) who finds the most eggs and nearly going into a sugar coma, y'know what I mean? "

- no, I don't know what you mean because an egg hunt is hardly religious,

I truly believe a Christian with strong convictions would NEVER consider celebrating a Jewish holiday or a Pagan Sabbat; so why would a Pagan with strong beliefs celebrate a Christian holiday?

Us Pagans already know the Christians made shit up to get those who followed the Old Ways to suddenly think Christianity was okay (or they could be put to death, hardly a 'choice') However, I do NOT believe that celebrating Christmas is in a sense the same thing as celebrating the Pagan Sabbat Yule. CHRISTmas is the recognition of the birth of Christ; which I do not believe in. Yule is the Winter Solstice. The Christians may have made things up to make their holidays closely related to Pagan holidays but the bottom line is that they have their holiday centered around Jesus.

I think whatever works for individual families is what matters.
I really, truly wish I could be as black and white about this discussion...but I can't.

I come from such a fundamentalist Christian family, if they found out I was Pagan, they would literally make themselves sick worrying about my soul rotting for eternity in hell. They would spend their days praying for me and my hellbound family, and they would send pastors to my house to try and 'save' me.

I'm totally not kidding you about this either.

It's easier for me and saves the health of my worry-wart mother and grandmother if I just go with the flow. Not that I pretend to be Christian. I don't. I don't go to church services, I don't pray with my family, I don't read the Bible, and I've told my mom I don't believe in Hell or the words of the Bible. We do, however, observe Christian holidays because my husband insists we do so. He's agnostic, so I have no idea why he's so insistent...but he is. And I figure his wishes are equally as important as mine in this situation.

My mom has even seen my Pagan altars...I'm just not sure she understands what she's seeing.

The church my entire extended family goes to banished Santa from coming at Christmas time because he was a 'Pagan' idea and brought 'Satan' into the church. So you can just imagine what would happen if they found out about me. I'd probably be burned at the stake. ::sigh::

It's not that I try and hide who I am...I've even worn pentacle jewelry around my family. I just don't broadcast it. One of these days they'll catch on. Perhaps they even know subconsciously now. Good grief, I've even had Pagan books lying around the house for months in plain view. I keep thinking if the revelation is a gradual process, it won't be so heartbreaking to them when they do discover my true spiritual path.

I'm totally rambling...but my point is...I don't disagree with you at all. In fact, I agree wholeheartedly. It's just, for me anyway, there are always shades of gray.

Very thought provoking entries though. I might even write about this topic at Divining Women. Do you mind if I link to you?

hey you! I know these are really controversial and thought provoking entries and I have actually lost readers over this but hey, I am not going to pussy foot around my feelings just in case I offend someone.

It wasn't easy for me at first. My grandfather was a very strict Catholic and cried over what I believed, that hurt to see but was I supposed to hide what I believe and pretend just because he would be happy? That doesn't make sense to me. CJ's grandfather is a Baptist preacher, you wanna talk praying for souls? HA! And, well, why is it that some Pagans just give in to their Christian friends/family to make it easier? Easier on whom???

While I don't *celebrate* Easter, I do go to family functions for them. Most of the people I know are Christian. (In fact, I don't know anybody who is pagan in "real life", though I do have a few suspicions.)

I don't see the problem with that, but when asked if I'm going to celebrate it, I simply say no.

My two cents. I guess I'm not as opinionated about it.

Blessings,
Skye

betweenthebranches.blogspot.com