An Essentially Christian Society.

[Theland]

Witnessing the emotional outpourings on 11/11 and the Christian services in the Abbey, at the Cenotaph, and many others, it is obvious that most people recognise that we live in an essentially Christian society, and it only helps to underpin what is left of our British culture, and bind us together.

But, have I got a valid point?

[emmie]

many churches in London have closed. Mosques however are on the increase. Make of that what you will.

[beso]

emmie //don;t go to church and yet still celebrate Christmas, but that has turned into a non Christian event,//

The supposedly Christian festivals of Easter and Christmas are in fact the ancient pagan festivals and many families celebrate them without much thought of the later mythology around Christ. The Christians didn't even bother to change the name of Easter.

[emmie]

beso, not many people are aware they are or were Pagan festivals.

[naomi24]

//The supposedly Christian festivals of Easter and Christmas are in fact the ancient pagan festivals//

They’re not ancient pagan festivals, simply Christian festivals that adopted some aspects of the old festivals (to keep the natives happy) and organised to take place at the same time of year as the old pagan festivals - again to keep the natives happy. The early Christians just hi-jacked the dates in order to replace one with the other.

People who claim to cleave to Christianity shouldn’t be counted by the numbers attending church. As far as I can tell, Theland doesn’t attend church. He has his own version of Christianity, and that applies to very many other people too. Nevertheless, Christianity is the religion of this country and on an occasion such as we saw yesterday, those claiming to be Christian, and others, do come together under the banner of ‘Christianity’.

[beso]

naomi //They’re not ancient pagan festivals, simply Christian festivals that adopted some aspects of the old festivals (to keep the natives happy//

There is far more tradition derived from the old festivals than the Christian additions. As I said before, they didn't even rename Easter.

[naomi24]

Beso, I know.... and that was for the reason I've given.

[beso]

Then at best it is arbitrary whether choose we consider them Christian festivals or not. In the case of Easter there can be no argument. Easter is a Pagan festival.

Fact remains that the Pagan festivals have a far longer tradition and hence are the true identities of the festivals.

[naomi24]

Beso, //In the case of Easter there can be no argument. Easter is a Pagan festival. //

In name only. The ritual of Easter isn't pagan.

[beso]

The core ritual of Easter is the egg. Along with rabbits they represent fertility. The morbid obsession with the torture of a mythical saint doesn't even come into it for many people.

[beso]

So the timing, name and rituals of Easter are all Pagan but otherwise it is a Christian festival. LOL.

[naomi24]

//The morbid obsession with the torture of a mythical saint doesn't even come into it for many people. //

We're talking about Christianity. Easter is not a pagan festival.

[jackthehat]

We are an 'historically Christian Society'; and that casts a very long and large shadow over this land.

If you need a building capable of holding (and seating) a large number of people where an instrument exists in order to accompany (and in many cases disguise) singing, a church will fulfill that requirement. Hymns have been composed which reflect 'struggle and sacrifice' and these can be adapted (mentally) to reflect the *nobilty* of military particpation. And I suppose that as these services are held in a religious building it is only fair that God gets a mention during proceedings, although I am sure that most people wouldn't be bothered if he didn't.

I think the religious features of the Cenotaph ceremony could be jettisoned without diminishing the solemnity of the occasion.

[Theland]

Nothing from the churches services could ever be construed as a threat to the very structures of our socieiety.
In fact Christianity is the glue that binds us together in times of mourning, remembrance, and celebration.
Babtism, marriage, funerals, Grenfell, 5/11, Manchester bomb, the list goes on.

[Theland]

The Koran, the glue that binds together the terrorists, Anjem Choudary, Boko Haram, Al Shabab, ISIS, the list goes on.

[spathiphyllum]

The bible, the book that holds together the KKK.

Careful Theland, with statements like that you'll end up commuting a hate crime.

[Theland]

KKK? Yes they are also VERY SELECTIVE.