There is a thread of radical Protestant Fundamentalism that likes to attack traditional Christian celebrations -- particularly Christmas and Easter. We see this primarily among the Jehovah's Witnesses (which aren't technically Protestant or Fundamentalist but rather a separate religion entirely more akin to Arianism). The Protestants include, but are not limited to: Fundamental Baptists, Quakers,... Continue Reading →
Having once been an Evangelical, I was heavily exposed to the "Christmas is Pagan" or "Christmas has Pagan origins" movement in the Western world. The movement is heavily concentrated in the United States, with large pockets in Canada, Australia, and other parts of the Anglosphere. It's primarily a Protestant problem, which was popularized during the... Continue Reading →
We've all heard it a million times. Christians decry the commercialization of Christmas (and rightly so) then feel offended when "Merry Christmas" is replaced with "Happy Holidays." I fully understand the reason for this frustration, but at the same time I think while we're desperately fighting to save a hundred-year old tradition of Christmas shopping,... Continue Reading →
In a previous essay (read here) I outlined the benefits of inculturation and why this is a major factor to understand how Christianity spread into Pagan Europe so quickly and so effectively. If you haven't read that essay yet, I strongly advise you do so before continuing here. For convenience sake, I'll provide a link... Continue Reading →
