Thanksgiving Day, traditionally celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, is a widely recognized holiday in the United States and Canada. It is a time for family and friends to come together, share a meal, and express gratitude for the blessings in their lives. The origins of Thanksgiving can be traced back to early harvest festivals celebrated in Europe, such as the pagan festival of Lughnasadh. In ancient times, many societies celebrated the harvest season with feasts and rituals. These rituals were often dedicated to pagan gods and goddesses associated with fertility and agriculture. The festivals marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, a time when people relied on stored food and resources to survive.
Thanksgiving, Purim and Hanukkah
The festivals marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, a time when people relied on stored food and resources to survive. The ancient Celts celebrated Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, as a harvest festival honoring the god Lugh. This festival took place on August 1st and was a time of giving thanks for the bountiful crops.
Since so many holidays have pagan origins, some have wondered, is there anything wrong with national holidays like Thanksgiving, Purim and Hanukkah?
Since so many religious holidays have pagan roots, some have wondered if all modern holidays are suspect. What about national holidays such as Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada, and the Jewish national holidays of Purim and Hanukkah?
Purim and Hanukkah mentioned in the Bible
Though Purim and Hanukkah are not commanded feasts of the Lord, they are mentioned in the Bible. The book of Esther describes the events that led to the establishment of the festival of Purim, as God saved the Jews from destruction by evil Haman. Hanukkah was also called the Feast of Dedication, mentioned in John 10:22-23. It celebrates the rededication of the temple after it had been defiled by Antiochus Epiphanes.
Days for giving thanks
Both of these holidays were established to give thanks to God, just as the American and Canadian Thanksgiving days are. Though some modern customs of these days may not be pleasing to God, they are not rooted in paganism and do not subvert any of the truths presented in the festivals of God.
About the Author
Mike Bennett
Mike Bennett is editorial content manager for the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in the Dallas, Texas, area. He coordinates the Life, Hope & Truth website, Discern magazine, the Daily Bible Verse Blog and the Life, Hope & Truth Weekly Newsletter (including World Watch Weekly). He is also part of the Personal Correspondence team of ministers who have the privilege of answering questions sent to Life, Hope & Truth.
Is Thanksgiving Pagan?
There are many controversies surrounding the American holiday of Thanksgiving. From its racist and genocidal past, some find it hard to celebrate this holiday.
Thanksgiving is also controversial for some Christians because of its possible ties to certain pagan holidays. But do the similarities between two holidays make Thanksgiving pagan? Or do the similarities simply have to do with a common theme that is important to all humans?
Let’s consider Harvest Home or Harvest Church. This was, by many accounts, the true ancestor of the modern American Thanksgiving. This holiday was usually held around the time of the Autumnal equinox, when people would decorate the church with fruit and vegetables they had grown that year.
After the festival, those fruits and vegetables were donated to the poor. This was seen as a time to provide for the less fortunate, like widows, orphans, those who were stuck in their homes, and ministers.
More obviously pagan is the holiday of Mabon. While this holiday is traditionally observed in September, it has similar themes of self sacrifice and giving thanks for a good harvest.
The myth of the American First Thanksgiving, when boiled down to its essence, holds these exact same themes: The sacrifice coming from the Native Americans, the giving of thanks by the Puritans.
Some Christians believe that the similarities between Mabon, Harvest Home, and Thanksgiving mean that Thanksgiving must then be a pagan holiday. But there are many similarities present between all holidays. I can’t think of a single holiday that is unique to one culture and not present in any other. Can you?
There are other harvest festivals in other cultures. The idea of a holiday to give thanks for our blessings is an ancient one, and a universal one. Other harvest festivals include:
It included feasting, dancing, and games, as well as the lighting of bonfires and the making of corn dollies to represent the spirit of the harvest. Similarly, the ancient Romans celebrated a harvest festival known as Cerelia, dedicated to the goddess Ceres. This festival took place in late October and involved feasting, parades, and the offering of thanks to Ceres for a successful harvest. While these ancient harvest festivals predate the modern-day Thanksgiving, they share similarities in their focus on giving thanks for a bountiful harvest and gathering with loved ones. As Christianity spread throughout Europe, many of these pagan festivals were incorporated into Christian traditions. For example, Lughnasadh became Lammas, a Christian holiday celebrated on August 1st to give thanks for the first fruits of the harvest. Fast-forward to the 17th century, when English settlers arrived in North America and began establishing colonies. These settlers brought with them their traditions and customs, including harvest festivals and giving thanks for a successful harvest. One such event that is often credited as the first Thanksgiving in North America is the 1621 celebration in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Pilgrims, after surviving a harsh winter, celebrated with a feast to give thanks for a successful harvest. They were joined by members of the local Wampanoag tribe, who shared their knowledge of farming and hunting. While this event is often seen as the origin of Thanksgiving, it is important to note that similar harvest celebrations were taking place in other colonies and Native American communities at the time. These celebrations were not explicitly religious but rather a way to express gratitude for the abundance of the harvest season. In the years that followed, Thanksgiving became a recognized holiday in various colonies and later in the newly formed United States. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday, setting the date as the last Thursday in November. Later, in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill that officially established Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November, as it is still celebrated today. In conclusion, while the origins of Thanksgiving can be traced back to pagan harvest festivals, the holiday as we know it today has evolved to become a time for gratitude and coming together as a community. Regardless of its historical roots, Thanksgiving is a cherished tradition that allows people to reflect on their blessings and show appreciation for the abundance in their lives..
Reviews for "Thanksgiving Day: Embracing its Pagan Origins in a Modern World"
1. John - 1 out of 5 stars - I found "Thanksgiving Day Pagan" extremely disappointing. The author's arguments were weak and lacked solid evidence to support their claims. It seemed more like a poorly researched opinion piece, rather than a well-informed analysis. I was expecting a thoughtful exploration of the historical origins and cultural significance of Thanksgiving, but instead, I got a jumbled mess of misguided criticism. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this book if you're seeking an objective and insightful examination of the holiday.
2. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - "Thanksgiving Day Pagan" failed to deliver on its promise to shed light on the pagan roots of Thanksgiving. While the book touches on some interesting points regarding the historical context of the holiday, it lacks depth and fails to provide a comprehensive analysis. The author seems more focused on pushing their agenda rather than offering a well-balanced exploration of the subject. I was hoping for a more unbiased approach and a more engaging writing style, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I found "Thanksgiving Day Pagan" to be quite boring. The author's writing style is dry and monotonous, making it difficult to stay engaged with the content. Additionally, I felt that the book didn't provide enough evidence to support its claims about the pagan origins of Thanksgiving. It felt more like a personal opinion rather than a well-researched and substantiated argument. Overall, I was unimpressed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others in search of an insightful and captivating read.
4. Michael - 1 out of 5 stars - "Thanksgiving Day Pagan" is nothing more than an attempt to discredit and undermine the cultural significance of Thanksgiving. The author's biased viewpoint is evident throughout the book, and it overlooks the positive aspects and genuine values associated with the holiday. I was hoping for a more balanced and objective analysis, but instead, I got a skewed and one-sided perspective. I would advise readers to proceed with caution and approach this book with a critical mindset.