while in the organization we learned one bit of truth regarding christmas; that it was originally a pagan observance, the summer solstice, adopted by christians much later in church history, and has nothing to do with jesus christ whatsoever.
no biggy for most true believers who left the organization who have slipped into (or fell back into) the grind of commercialized christmas with all the trappings and traditions of ritual binge spending that takes them even farther away from jesus than christmas' pagan roots ever could.
these true believers might say something like, "i know xmas has its roots in paganism, but we celebrate anyway because of x y z", perhaps echoing or paroting the frustrating responses we use to hear from "worldly" goats/folks when we would explain to them how christmas is not a christian observance whatsoever.
As for Jesus, does he even get a mention these days?, maybe if you live in the American Bible belt but I would think here in the UK, hes probably banned by now so as not to upset the Muslims, (or so we are told by a third party).
It has nothing to do with Jesus, for me. *shrug* Non-issue.
these guys are awesome still !
with john bonham's son jason on drums he really captured his dad's spirit !
all 4 guys were on top of their game .
Yeah, I hope I get to see them one day. Nothing can compare to the real thing. I did see Plant after he went solo. And JPJ at that bluegrass concert. I neve saw Page, although my friend did with The Firm. As I recall, she made it to the stage when body guard threw her. What the hell you gonna do? We wee teenagers. LOL
I'll have to post that pic I got a little later.
these guys are awesome still !
with john bonham's son jason on drums he really captured his dad's spirit !
all 4 guys were on top of their game .
and nc, anyone can learn a song that has already been composed. it is just not the same. not an awfull version but stairway is consistantly on all top 10 lists of greatest rock songs. a copy just doesnt have the feel or the understanding of the composer.
I know that fakesmile. In my earlier post, I had said I will probably never get to see Zeppelin live, but have gone to see Zoso. They were written up in the Rolling Stone as the best tribute band. I was just suggesting them for some that may want some of the experience---which is a lot of fun. You don't have to go see them.
these guys are awesome still !
with john bonham's son jason on drums he really captured his dad's spirit !
all 4 guys were on top of their game .
Here is Zoso doing Stairway.
while in the organization we learned one bit of truth regarding christmas; that it was originally a pagan observance, the summer solstice, adopted by christians much later in church history, and has nothing to do with jesus christ whatsoever.
no biggy for most true believers who left the organization who have slipped into (or fell back into) the grind of commercialized christmas with all the trappings and traditions of ritual binge spending that takes them even farther away from jesus than christmas' pagan roots ever could.
these true believers might say something like, "i know xmas has its roots in paganism, but we celebrate anyway because of x y z", perhaps echoing or paroting the frustrating responses we use to hear from "worldly" goats/folks when we would explain to them how christmas is not a christian observance whatsoever.
I think when it comes to scolding another for posting, then you need to be extra careful. That could be really discouraging for an exiting JW to see.
Okay---I'm done. Apology accepted.
while in the organization we learned one bit of truth regarding christmas; that it was originally a pagan observance, the summer solstice, adopted by christians much later in church history, and has nothing to do with jesus christ whatsoever.
no biggy for most true believers who left the organization who have slipped into (or fell back into) the grind of commercialized christmas with all the trappings and traditions of ritual binge spending that takes them even farther away from jesus than christmas' pagan roots ever could.
these true believers might say something like, "i know xmas has its roots in paganism, but we celebrate anyway because of x y z", perhaps echoing or paroting the frustrating responses we use to hear from "worldly" goats/folks when we would explain to them how christmas is not a christian observance whatsoever.
Nc, not particularly helpful for a recent Exjw that is struggling with left over wt thinking... Just sayin
Oh, gee, I'm sorry. I thought atheists were asked to chime in and that was my personal experience. Sorry it's not relevant. I'll be more careful next time, because NO exiting JW is approaching Christmas for the first time as an atheist, and therefore, my personal experience could never be helpful.
while in the organization we learned one bit of truth regarding christmas; that it was originally a pagan observance, the summer solstice, adopted by christians much later in church history, and has nothing to do with jesus christ whatsoever.
no biggy for most true believers who left the organization who have slipped into (or fell back into) the grind of commercialized christmas with all the trappings and traditions of ritual binge spending that takes them even farther away from jesus than christmas' pagan roots ever could.
these true believers might say something like, "i know xmas has its roots in paganism, but we celebrate anyway because of x y z", perhaps echoing or paroting the frustrating responses we use to hear from "worldly" goats/folks when we would explain to them how christmas is not a christian observance whatsoever.
while in the organization we learned one bit of truth regarding christmas; that it was originally a pagan observance, the summer solstice, adopted by christians much later in church history, and has nothing to do with jesus christ whatsoever.
no biggy for most true believers who left the organization who have slipped into (or fell back into) the grind of commercialized christmas with all the trappings and traditions of ritual binge spending that takes them even farther away from jesus than christmas' pagan roots ever could.
these true believers might say something like, "i know xmas has its roots in paganism, but we celebrate anyway because of x y z", perhaps echoing or paroting the frustrating responses we use to hear from "worldly" goats/folks when we would explain to them how christmas is not a christian observance whatsoever.
My goal, is to one day completely decorate my tree with Pagan symbols that more appropriately remember the winter festivals from which Christmas borrowed. I like the irony.
Christmas was not a religious celebration for me before I was a JW, and it is not a religious celebration for me now that I'm an atheist. But I love the lights, not big on religious decorations, love Christmas cookies, and the music is moving.
I'm hosting Christmas this year for some non-believing friends. Should be fun.
these guys are awesome still !
with john bonham's son jason on drums he really captured his dad's spirit !
all 4 guys were on top of their game .
I went to a bluegrass concert a few years back, and John Paul Jones played with other performers. I got a pic with him. They have lives and careers outside of Zeppelin, so it's unfair to get angry at them for not touring as a band. They've given us a lot, and pretty much have the right to persue other avenues. BTW, JPJ did a rendition of Going to California on the mandolin that was absolutely incredible. It brought tears to my eyes. It sounded like a classical piece, and was hard to believe he made such music on such a tiny instrument.
That said, I always think there will come the day when I'll be tired of Zeppelin and all the old songs---it just never happens. I'm really emotionally connected to their music.
If you ever see the tribute band, Zoso, in your area, give them a try. Of course, they are not Led Zeppelin, yet the Rolling Stone wrote them up as the greatest tribute band. I've seen them quite a few times, and it's really a blast. They stay true to character and have really done their research. And they are great musicians. It's probably the closest I'll ever get to seeing them live, as Bonham died just before they were scheduled to hit my town. I was a teenager and heard the news on the radio I was allowed to play. Devastating because I never wanted their music to stop.
after leaving, i still couldn't wrap my head around evolution (after the years of seing "intelligent design" in everything around me).. there's a series of videos that give a good intro to evolution and critical thinking.
they've probably been posted here before, but, for any new members, these are worth watching.. evolution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdddbyilel0.
critical thinking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6olpl5p0fmg.
sorry I meant to say heterogeniety instead of homogeniety - I always get them mixed up. thanks for picking up on that.
GOT IT. Now that makes more sense. I do that too with certain terms. I know what they mean, but between my brain and my fingers or mouth they get switched around.
I wonder how this would look anthropologically. Seems there would be some kind of golden age, and where would they find that? Would it be Africa? What would a fall entail? Would we see reduction of some kinds of intelligence? A reduction or absence of violence? If it is not contained in a garden to just a few people, then it could not have been one simple action, but a series of events that spread thoughout humanity. That seems unlikely, but we are entertaining the 'what if' here.
