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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lane3 who wrote (89862)	12/9/2004 12:49:41 PM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793895

From what I observed during my years in New Orleans, it takes months of work and mucho moola to make floats, even amateur ones. And the people who make them typically try to be either funny, irreverant, or artsy. But there is precedent for a Christian Christmas parade. Not Mardi Gras, that's too profane of a holiday, but New Orleanians do celebrate St. Patrick's day (Irish) and St. Joseph's day (Italian) by parading. Drinking, too, and throwing treats -- cabbages and carrots for St. Patrick's day, kisses for St. Joseph's day, and drinking. Did I mention drinking? I just have a hard time imagining Protestants parading, much less making floats with Baby Jesus on them. Catholics, yes. Catholics already have statues and decorations in their churches, and a couple thousand years tradition of going out in the street carrying their statues around.

To: Lane3 who wrote (89862)	12/9/2004 1:16:38 PM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793895

I think I've come up with the perfect solution to the problem -- let's revive the celebration of Saturnalia. >>Saturnalia - Winter Solstice in Pagan Rome by Selena Fox This was first published for a workshop at 1993 Circle Sanctuary Community Yule Festival. Timing of Saturnalia varied during the course of Roman history. began as feast days for Saturn (December 17) and Ops (December 19). with Julian calendar, Saturnalia on December 17 & 18; Opalia on December 19 & 20. during the empire, extended to a week (December 17-23); longer with other holidays. Associated holiday festivals Consualia, end of sowing season festival (December 15). Dies Juvenalis, Coming of Age for Young Men (mid-December). Feast of Sol Invicta, the Unconquered Sun, set in 274 A. D. (December 25). Brumalia, Winter Solstice on pre-Julian calendar (December 25). Christmas (December 25), Christians move Christ's birthday to this date in 336 A.D. Janus Day and Beginning of Calendar Year (January 1), set in 153 B.C.; again in 45 B.C. Compitalia, blessing of the fields rural festival (January 3-5). Deities honored around Winter Solstice time Saturn - God of Agriculture; merged with the Greek Cronos. Ops - Goddes of Plenty; Mother Earth; partner to Saturn and Consus. Sol Invicta - Sun God; connected with the Persian Mithra, honored by Roman soldiers. Consus - God of Storebin of Harvested Grain. Juventas - Goddess of Young Manhood; related to Greek Hebe of Youthful Beauty. Janus - God of Beginnings and Gates; Solar God of Daybreak; Creator God. Celebrations included merry-making rest and relaxation connections with family and friends celebrating beginning of Solar year prayers for protection of Winter crops honoring Deities Legacies of Saturnalia in contemporary holiday celebrations Religious Rituals -- joining in spiritual community to honor the Divine. Honored Figures -- Santa and Father Time -- Saturn; Holy Mother -- Ops. Sacred Flames -- candles lit and new fires kindled to represent new Solar year. Greens -- Holly given with gifts, homes decorated with wreaths and garlands. Time Off from Work -- government, schools, businesses closed; multiple days off. Peace -- dispensing of punishments suspended and courts closed; wars ceased. Relaxing with Family and Friends -- renewing bonds, sharing celebration. Gift Giving -- dolls to children, candles to friends; fruit symbols representing increase. Feasting -- sharing food with family and friends; on-going eating and drinking. Helping Less Fortunate -- class distinctions suspended; food for all; masters waiting on servants. Exhuberant Play -- masquerades, gaming, gambling, mock king, jokes, partying, letting loose. Paper Hats -- soft hats (pilei) worn at Saturnalia banquets to signify informality. Dancing in the New Solar Year -- music and dancing. circlesanctuary.org

To: Lane3 who wrote (89862)	12/9/2004 1:23:28 PM
From: Neeka	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793895

I doubt you'd get a large number of Christian Churches to participate in the parade. Although the Non Profit group that denied the Faith Bible Church the right to participate may have opened up a can of worms, and angered enough people to create a backlash. Maybe they'll be inundated with requests by Christian organizations next year on principle. I don't recall Christians of varying denominations in America in modern times organizing together as one in any kind of joint effort, this might be an incentive. The church I attended as a child was lesson oriented. I could see floats with a Sunday School theme. Floats with the Nativity scene. I can even see a float made entirely of flowers that represent the Ten Commandments. But so what? Those are all representative of the Christian faith. Would a float full of Nuns offend too many people? And where is it written that we have a right not to be offended by individuals or organizations of faith?