Posted on 09/17/2010 3:21:46 PM PDT by Stoat
The Pope issued a clarion call to defend Christianity last night, saying Christmas was at risk of being struck from the calendar.
In a strongly worded speech delivered in Parliament, Benedict XVI bluntly told politicians not to ‘silence’ religion and discourage public celebration of its most important festivals.
And in a thinly veiled attack on controversial equality legislation, he said laws which forced Christians to act against their consciences were wrong.
‘There are those who would advocate that the voice of religion be silenced, or at least relegated to the purely private sphere,’ he told senior politicians and public figures.
‘There are those who argue that the public celebration of festivals such as Christmas should be discouraged, in the questionable belief that it might somehow offend those of other religions or none.’
He spoke as security was tightened around the Papal visit after the arrest of six central London street sweepers over a suspected terror plot to attack him.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
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Some FR threads from past years that may be of interest
Christmas should be 'downgraded', says Labour's favourite think tank (U.K.)
Great Britain- School bans Santa from wearing red - because it reminds pupils of Coca-Cola
Santa gets heave ho-ho (Few British stores hiring Saint Nick anymore)
Switzerland- Banned from Santa's Lap (Brought about by concerns over pedophilia)
NYER get in here
The first time someone in authority prohibits Christmas they should cut off the right hand. The second time, the left. Third, the right leg. The fourth, the left leg. The fifth, the other leg.
No matter what is said, the Labour MPs will bow to the false gods to kiss the carpet while hodong their collective bumms up in the air to Cancel the Christian High Holy Days.
With only 5% of western euro’s going to Church it’s just a matter of time.
United Kingdom: 27%
Christmas has been, still is and always will be first and foremost in this house. Baby Jesus birthday, then the tree, presents, Christmas feast, lights, everything full of fat that they are wanting us to do without and all of that stuff. The men will eat until they fall asleep, the women will sit around and chat and eventually do the dishes. Later that evening...turkey, coleslaw and jellied cranberry sandwiches with stuffing on the side.
Ahhh, don’t worry Pope...Christmas will always be Jesus Birthday and the rest that goes along with it. It’d be a cold day in hell before an atheist could EVER EVEN BEGIN TO THINK they could crush Christmas. Jokes as they are.
Merry Early Christmas Everyone and Happy Early Birthday, Jesus. :)
Its getting close to where the pope needs to declare the second crusades or we will face annihilation by our enemies.
Neosades.
You mean like this?
(edit)
Religion, in other words, is not a problem for legislators to solve, but a vital contributor to the national conversation. In this light, I cannot but voice my concern at the increasing marginalization of religion, particularly of Christianity, that is taking place in some quarters, even in nations which place a great emphasis on tolerance. There are those who would advocate that the voice of religion be silenced, or at least relegated to the purely private sphere. There are those who argue that the public celebration of festivals such as Christmas should be discouraged, in the questionable belief that it might somehow offend those of other religions or none. And there are those who argue – paradoxically with the intention of eliminating discrimination – that Christians in public roles should be required at times to act against their conscience. These are worrying signs of a failure to appreciate not only the rights of believers to freedom of conscience and freedom of religion, but also the legitimate role of religion in the public square. I would invite all of you, therefore, within your respective spheres of influence, to seek ways of promoting and encouraging dialogue between faith and reason at every level of national life.
(edit)
Here's one of the few photos from a non-Getty source:
Powerful speech: The Pope waves to crowds on Lambeth Bridge, moments before entering Westminster to speak to dignitaries, when he said Christmas should be defended
Regards
The contrast should shut all those on the Left who keep going on about all religions being the same.
They both impugn the Holy Word of Elohim. Both Christmas and Easter are Pagan feasts
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
created in the fourth century.
Actually, Christmas and Easter are celebrations for those who are Blessed by Grace to see who the one and only Lord is.
I'm not sure who the bigger threat at this point, but probably Muslims, because of their sheer numbers and pathological fanaticism.
And you can't have a Christendom made up of nations filled with semi-Christians, quasi-Christians, post-Christians, and anti-Christians.
So Benedict begins at the beginning: proclaiming Christ and calling people to remember who they are.
What happens next? Well, you watch.
“Why, it is she that has got all Narnia under her thumb. It's she that makes it always winter. Always winter and never Christmas; think of that!” ...C.S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Sure. Jesus didn't really get born and resurrect; that was an invention of the Catholic Church. All Christians, I am sure, will agree with you. Is there anything else?
I've been doing that for many years......here in hard-Left Seattle, I'm constantly subjected to "Happy Holidays" which I answer by smiling and saying "Thank you, and a Merry Christmas to you as well".
If a given holiday has meaning to someone, I wish that they would simply refer to it directly in any greeting that they might care to make. If someone were to greet me with a reference to another religion whose holiday also occurs during our Christmas season I'm equally polite, but this business of being terrified to mention a holiday that's important to you is a very sad elevation of Political Correctness into our common parlance. Political Correctness tends to exacerbate a level of conflict and fear in society, with the unstated message in this case being "I think most people are bigots who will shoot me or sue me if I dare to mention my religion, so I'll leave my spine at home today and use a generic, milquetoast greeting instead."
In order for the Pope's message to be realized, we all need to incorporate his teachings into our daily lives. Saying "Merry Christmas" with a friendly smile is a great place to start, IMHO. The more people hear those words, the more people will understand that it's quite alright to say it.
"getting down off of soapbox now"
Let us not forget the Judaizers. They may not have the numbers, but they sure make up for it with sheer idiocy.
Thanks Stoat.
U.K. cops: 5 arrested over plot targeting Pope
MSNBC | Sep 17, 2010
Posted on 09/17/2010 5:15:32 AM PDT by VRWCTexan
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2590924/posts
That is absolutely false and completely ahistorical. So I guess the Quartodeciman controversy in the mid-100s involved disputes about a feast day that didn't even exist yet?
You're quite welcome, and thank you very much for pinging your list :-)
I'm noticing that MSNBC is reporting 5 arrested in the assassination plot while the Daily Mail is reporting six.
The plot thickens..
I take it you don’t like our holidays...
Also, in this country during the Christmas season, it’s difficult to find the word “Christmas” in many of the stores (while they take Christians’ money).
Which is why I wrote an “It’s OK to say Merry Christmas” letter to the editor.
Video available here which excerpts the passages of the actual speech pertaining to this thread. Plays for about 1:25
BBC News - Pope says Christianity 'being marginalised'
The full address is available on video here; it plays for about 15:15
BBC - Democracy Live - Pope addresses Westminster Hall
From the LA Times (no video)
Pope in Britain- Pope Benedict warns Britain against secularism - latimes.com
Also, in this country during the Christmas season, it’s difficult to find the word “Christmas” in many of the stores (while they take Christians’ money).
Which is why I wrote an “It’s OK to say Merry Christmas” letter to the editor.
You make essential points. Regarding Christmas merchansising, I went so far as to immediately return a box of Christmas cards to the store when I discovered that they were actually made in China....a county long known for brutal persecution of Christians. It seemed to be far too much of an ironic statement to send a good friend my wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year on a card that may have been made by slave labor. Similarly, even though I try to avoid "Made In China" goods all year long, I make a particular effort to avoid giving gifts made in China at Christmastime.
Placemark for possible pingout tomorrow.
Good for you. I also do not buy Christmas cards from Communist China who persecute Christians, & boycott other Chinese products as much as possible.
I send away for powdered garlic produced in California, because it’s difficult to find garlic that isn’t from China in the stores.
I agree, it is time to fight back and let these people know that we have our holidays.
It pisses me off that muslims can practice and force their ideology of intolerance and hate onto the the west while Christians , church goers or not be told don’t say Christmas or Easter.
same here and I couldn’t give a rats arse if some dopey left wing kook gets offended.
well there has been 3 but count me on on another and I’m not that religious.
All the crusades were to take back the holy city because islam moved in.
Before islam hundreds of years before it was invented by some cave dwelling caravan leader Christians and Jews lived there with peace.
islam moves in, they build that big eye sore and then say it is their holy land.
They have another eyesore compliments of the saudi’s near the vatican.
Wil they now say Rome is theirs too
The fact that you have to even make your proclamation shows we have already lost.
I cannot beleive that I would even have the thought in my mind of Christmas being done away with in our society,I am 6o years old and I guess I have lived to long,this is an abomination. What has happened to the Human Race
LOL good point
Nothing to get excited about.
Christmas was never Christian.
God’s appointed celebration of his Son’s birth was just a few days ago, Sept. 8, Yom Teruah.
.
I don’t pay attention to other religions. That is because I do what I need to do in my own. I respect other religions but that’s where it ends. I do not get involved with theirs, I don’t care how they practice, where they practice or what is said when they practice. That is THEIR business and mine is MY business.
If you have a message you believe in you should attempt to proselytize it. Particularly if it´s Christianity, which essentially compels it.
¨If all the world lit just one little candle, what a bright world it would be.¨ —Bp Fulton Sheen
I light my candles in my own way. I am not about to run around preaching to others. Everyone has their higher power. They also have a right to pray and believe in that higher power. That is what people are dying for. Freedom to worship as they choose.
Preaching without being invited to do so is rude and invasive into others private lives.
But for subtlety.
God´s grace to You and Yours.
Actually, Christmas and Easter are celebrations for those who are Blessed by Grace to see who the one and only Lord is.
Sure. Jesus didn't really get born and resurrect; that was an invention of the Catholic Church. All Christians, I am sure, will agree with you. Is there anything else?
That is absolutely false and completely ahistorical. So I guess the Quartodeciman controversy in the mid-100s involved disputes about a feast day that didn't even exist yet?
I take it you don’t like our holidays...
I will explain with the help of the Word of G-d through the The Word of G-d did not create Christmas and Easter. The creator of the universe did not create these holidays. They were both created out of whole cloth by men in order Easter was created to blind mankind to the These Feasts were celebrated by Yah'shua when he gave new meaning The Feast of hag Matzoh is when all leaven is removed. Yah'shua rose from the dead on His commanded Feast of HaBikkurim. Easter celebrates none of this: the Holy Word of G-d. . Chanukah is a great time for followers of the Jewish Messiah to celebrate. Sukkot as the date is supported by Elizabeth's Zacharias served as a high priest and John would have been born on Pesach. Factor in when Miriam visited her cousin Elizabeth, John (1:14) tells us that Yah'shua was made flesh The word "dwelt" in the Koine Greek is: Eight days after the beginning of Sukkot is Eight days after a Jewish male is born he is circumcised. After the Eighth day comes the the most Joyous day: Nine months back from Sukkot is Chanukah Seek the face of the great "I AM" in His Holy Word. See Psalm 118 9 It is better to take refuge in YHvH Than to trust in princes. 14 YHvH is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. I will with the greatest lovingkindness, disagree.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
illumination of the Holy Spirit, who was sent to all mankind
to help us come to Know the Holy Word of G-d.
See: John 14:16; 14:26; 15:26; 16:8
to blind other men to the Word of G-d.
YHvH commanded Feast of Passover, Hag Matzoh and HaBikkurim
to the Afikomen and the third cup of passover wine.
All was done within the original metaphor of His commanded Feast day.
Leaven is a metaphor of sin as it puffs up.
Yah'shua removed all sin from those who would call on His NAME.
His NAME is Yah'shua, which means YHvH is my salvation.
HaBikkurim is His commanded Feast when the First of the Barley
harvest is presented to YHvH at the Temple.
See: 1 Corinthians 15:20
Easter impugns the Word of G-d.
Easter blinds us to His commanded Feast days in His Holy Word.
The eight day Feast of Chanukah echoes of the eight days of the Feast of Tabernacles
Chanukah was most likely when the "light of the world"
(John 8:12) entered human form and tabernacled among us.
Feast of Tabernacles is the birth day of Yah'shua.
This question is answered when you believe and trust
the Holy Word of Elohim in Luke 1.
Yah'shua's birth on Sukkot
(Sukkot is the Feast of Tabernacles or booths,
where we live in temporary shelters.
Sukkot is when YHvH took on a temporary
garment to be with His People
and to die as the Lamb of G-d on Pesach
in order to bring salvation to all
who would call on His Name:
(Romans 10:13 & Joel 2:32)
Yah'shua ( YHvH is become my salvation)). Exod. 15:2; 1 Sam. 2:1; 2 Sam. 22:47;
Ps. 18:2, 46; 27:1; 35:9; 38:22; 88:1;
118:14; 119:174; 140:7; Isa. 12:2; 56:1;
61:10; Mic. 7:7; Hab. 3:18
pregnancy of John the Immerser.
The time sequence is outlined by the
Holy Word of Elohim in Luke 1 with Zacharias.
based on his tribe, we know when he served
(1 Chronicles 24:7-18) and when he was
struck dumb and when John was conceived.
Most Jews believed that Elijah
would come at Pesach to announce
the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 4:5).
Elizabeth was six months pregnant (Luke 1:26)
Thus the timing of Yah'shua's birth can be ascertained.
and tabernacled among us. σκηνόω Strong's G4637 - skēnoō
1) to fix one's tabernacle,
have one's tabernacle,
abide (or live) in a tabernacle (or tent),
tabernacle
2) to dwell
another Holy Feast Day called Shemini Atzeret.
Simchat Torah or
the rejoicing in the Torah (The Word of Elohim).
where the light entered the temple. 
8 It is better to take refuge in YHvH Than to trust in man.
I could be mistaken, but I’m pretty sure that the Catholic Church you source, celebrates Christmas and Easter with special reverence.
What is your faith and denomination?
What is your faith and denomination?
The Evil One always tells the sweetest lies. These holidays are not found in the Holy Word of G-d. They blind you to YHvH's commanded Feast Days I am a follower of the Jewish Messiah as were Peter and Paul. The Roman "church" was created in 325 CE at Nicea by Constantine. Seek the face of YHvH and His salvation in His Holy Word. The Evil One always tells one to be reverent.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
which are found in His Holy Word.
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