Speaking of belief structures...

[pat]

I have a question for my pagan friends that has been bugging me since early December.

I know that many of the "Christmas" symbols: trees, wreaths, holly, mistletoe, etc. were appropriated from pagans. (Even the date... wasn't it originally the day bulls were sacrificed to Mithras?) There are some Christian sects who reject such things because of their pagan origins.

And my question, asked in all seriousness, sincerity, and with the humble recognition of my own ignorance is... how do pagans feel about this? Do they snicker? Are they offended? Angered? Exasperated? I know that when people appropriate Christian symbology for other uses it makes me at best uncomfortable and at most angry depending upon the nature ot the (mis)use.

And does it depends upon the nature of the pagan belief? I've come to understand that there are many differing varieties of paganism, and I am unfortunately ignorant on the differences between them.

Comments

[lysana.livejournal.com]

Yes, it can depend on the pagan. I am one who finds comfort in seeing older ways carried forward regardless of their new trappings for the most part, though I reserve the right to chuckle behind my hand at the redactions some sects of Christianity worked in to explain some of the pagan rituals (a Russian Orthodox friend firmly believes the Christmas tree is the symbol of the martyrdom of some saint at the hands of Viking heathens or somesuch). Being of a tradition that is based on one of the few European peoples who did not suffer from conversion by violence (Irish), it's easier for me to accept the syncretism. My ancestors did it with full and clear intention for centuries. I also didn't convert to paganism as a rebellion from Christianity, so I bear the faith less ill will than some neo-pagans.

And just to be a pedant, December 25 or days near it meant different things to different traditions. There was indeed the birth of Mithras, and also a Roman sun god named Sol Invictus was celebrated around that time. Winter solstice practices from some of the more northern European faiths also have their influence (the greenery and Yule log, for two examples).

[patgreene.livejournal.com]

I, too, have no problem with syncretism. Christians who go to great lengths to "disprove" or reject any pagan influence on Christian practice or symbolism strike me as intellectually faulty.

And thanks for the information about December 25.