Thanksgiving is a widely celebrated holiday in the United States and Canada, where people gather with family and friends to express gratitude for their blessings. While the origins of Thanksgiving are often traced back to a specific event, there is ongoing debate about whether the holiday is rooted in pagan rituals. One argument in favor of Thanksgiving having pagan origins stems from the fact that many ancient cultures held harvest festivals to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. These festivals often involved feasting, music, and dances to honor the deities associated with abundance and fertility. Some scholars believe that Thanksgiving, with its emphasis on gratitude for the harvest, may have evolved from these ancient pagan celebrations. However, it is important to note that Thanksgiving as we know it today is primarily based on the historical event of the Pilgrims' first successful harvest in Plymouth in 1621.
Like other holidays, a modern Christian veneer has been placed over Thanksgiving, but unique to Thanksgiving is the clearly stated intent by it's creator to institue a universal day of thanks to God as a national American holiday, and combine multiple religions and groups together to observe it.
We can read and study history to find vaguely where Christmas and Easter were festival based on a combination of multiple religions, but no obvious admissions that this was the direct intention. The common reasoning is that Christmas and Easter are pagan holidays, and Thanksgiving is a secular national holiday and does not originate from paganism.
However, it is important to note that Thanksgiving as we know it today is primarily based on the historical event of the Pilgrims' first successful harvest in Plymouth in 1621. This event, often referred to as the First Thanksgiving, was a gathering of Pilgrims and Native Americans to celebrate and give thanks for a successful harvest season. It was a religious and cultural ceremony, rather than a pagan ritual.
Is Thanksgiving a Pagan Holiday?
The congregations of God obey his commands and keep his weekly and annual sabbaths holy. We set those days aside as special time to worship God with his spiritual family. We do not observe annual holidays like Christmas and Easter so why is Thanksgiving different? The common reasoning is that Christmas and Easter are "pagan" holidays, and Thanksgiving is a secular national holiday and does not originate from “paganism”.
Furthermore, the modern Thanksgiving holiday was officially established through the efforts of individuals like Sarah Josepha Hale and President Abraham Lincoln in the 19th century. They sought to create a national day of thanksgiving, emphasizing unity and gratitude for the blessings of the nation. This further distances Thanksgiving from its potential pagan origins. Overall, while it is possible that some elements of Thanksgiving have roots in ancient pagan traditions, the holiday as it is celebrated today is primarily based on historical events and its meaning has evolved over time. The focus is on expressing gratitude for blessings, unity, and coming together with loved ones, rather than any specific religious or pagan rituals..
Reviews for "Thanksgiving's Pagan Influences: Examining the Evidence"
1. John - 2 stars: While I appreciate the effort put into discussing the origins of Thanksgiving, I feel that this article lacked sufficient evidence to support the claim that it is rooted in pagan rituals. The author presented a few arguments that were based on speculation rather than concrete historical facts. The article would have been more convincing if it had provided more credible sources and references.
2. Sarah - 1 star: I found this article extremely disappointing. The author seemed to have a biased perspective from the start and failed to present a balanced view of the topic. The arguments presented were weak and unconvincing, relying heavily on assumptions and speculation. Additionally, the lack of proper citations and sources makes it difficult to take the claims seriously. Overall, I would not recommend this article to anyone looking for a comprehensive and unbiased analysis of the subject.
3. David - 2 stars: As an avid reader, I was looking forward to reading an informative and well-researched article on the origins of Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, this article fell short of my expectations. The author's arguments were scattered and lacked cohesiveness, making it difficult to follow their train of thought. While it is an interesting topic, the lack of credible sources and evidence left me questioning the validity of the claims presented. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wanting more substantial information.
4. Emily - 1 star: I found this article to be nothing more than a conspiracy theory in disguise. The author's attempts to link Thanksgiving to pagan rituals seemed far-fetched and unsupported by reliable evidence. The lack of credible sources and scholarly references made me question the legitimacy of the claims. Overall, this article seemed more like a personal opinion piece rather than a well-researched analysis of the topic. I would not recommend wasting your time on this article if you're looking for reliable information.