Thanksgiving is a holiday that is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada, usually during the fourth Thursday in November. It is commonly associated with a time for family gatherings and feasting on a variety of traditional foods. However, there is ongoing debate about whether Thanksgiving can be considered a pagan holiday. Paganism refers to a range of spiritual or religious beliefs that are typically outside of the major world religions. These beliefs often involve the worship of multiple deities or a deep connection with nature. Pagan holidays are rooted in ancient traditions and often celebrate the changing seasons or agricultural cycles.
Besides the Sabbath, [New Haven Colonists in 1643] recognize but two holy days throughout the year, the Fast Day in the Spring, and the Thanksgiving Day in the Autumn.
The Christian Recorder, January 1866
The cornucopia is on money in many countries dating back thousands of years, it s on country and state flags, it s the logo for the world s oldest central bank and can be found in architecture and art dating back to Jesus time on earth. beware that you are not ensnared to follow them , after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise.
Pagan holidays are rooted in ancient traditions and often celebrate the changing seasons or agricultural cycles. While Thanksgiving can be traced back to a feast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims in Plymouth Colony, it is important to distinguish between the origins of the holiday and how it is celebrated today. The Pilgrims, who were early English settlers, held a harvest festival to give thanks for a successful harvest and to express gratitude for their survival in the New World.
Why we should not celebrate Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is generally taught as an acceptable holiday to celebrate in the larger congregations of God. But this acceptance is based primarily on the belief that the Pilgrims created Thanksgiving. But the origins of Thanksgiving are a combination of superstition, myths and false Christianity, similar to Christmas, Easter, Halloween.
Summary of this paper
- Thanksgiving was not started by the Pilgrims, this is now a well known fact, and is widely reported by historians as a myth
- Two separate thanksgiving celebrations were brought to America, one a religious event, the other was a harvest festival
- The harvest festival was a pagan celebration, the religious thanksgiving was from the Church of England
- The King of England proclaimed days of thanksgiving during the American colonial period, without the influence of Pilgrims or Puritans
- In the 1800s Sarah Hale marketed the idea of a universal national American thanksgiving holiday that combined the religious thanksgivings with the harvest festival thanksgivings
- Sarah Hale specifically and repeatedly stated that she intended to combine God's harvest festivals with Thanksgiving Day
- The cornucopia is a Greek & Roman religious symbol that can be traced back directly to the time of Jesus and further into the past
- Removing the pagan elements does not change the pagan origins of any holiday
- Our current justifications for observing Thanksgiving Day are based on misinformation and myths
The Thanksgiving holiday as it is observed today is not inherently rooted in pagan beliefs. It has evolved over time to become a more secular and inclusive celebration of gratitude and togetherness. Though it has historical and cultural ties to the Pilgrims and their religious practices, modern Thanksgiving festivities are not centered around any specific religious or spiritual beliefs. Instead, Thanksgiving has become a time for people from all backgrounds to come together and give thanks for the blessings and abundance in their lives. It is seen as an opportunity to express appreciation for loved ones, to reflect on the year's experiences, and to share a meal together. While some may argue that certain elements of Thanksgiving, such as the focus on food and thankfulness for the harvest, are reminiscent of pagan celebrations, it is important to recognize the significance and meaning that individuals and families attribute to this holiday in the present day. In conclusion, while Thanksgiving may have historical ties to religious and cultural practices of the past, it has evolved into a secular holiday centered around gratitude and spending time with loved ones. While some aspects may bear resemblance to pagan traditions, Thanksgiving as it is observed today is not considered a pagan holiday..
Reviews for "The Pagan Origins of Thanksgiving: A Closer Look"
1. John - 1/5 - I found "Is Thanksgiving Considered a Pagan Holiday" to be incredibly biased and poorly researched. The author seems to have a clear agenda to discredit Thanksgiving, without providing any substantial evidence to support their claims. The information presented in the article is cherry-picked and lacks historical context. As someone who values objectivity and thorough research, I was highly disappointed with this article.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - I was initially intrigued by the title of "Is Thanksgiving Considered a Pagan Holiday," hoping to learn more about the historical origins of Thanksgiving. However, the article focused more on pushing a particular viewpoint rather than providing a balanced analysis. The author dismisses Thanksgiving as a pagan holiday without offering enough convincing evidence or alternate perspectives. The lack of depth and nuance in the article left me unsatisfied and questioning the validity of its arguments.
3. Mark - 1/5 - I was extremely disappointed with "Is Thanksgiving Considered a Pagan Holiday." The article completely disregards the historical significance and cultural importance of Thanksgiving, reducing it to a supposedly pagan celebration. The writer fails to acknowledge the positive aspects of Thanksgiving, such as bringing families together and promoting gratitude. Instead, the article comes across as a biased and shallow attempt to discredit a cherished holiday without presenting a well-rounded analysis. I would not recommend reading this article if you're looking for a fair and informed perspective on Thanksgiving.