One of the few religious traditions during this particular portion of the year
that can be verified by science. :-)

Yes! Tomorrow the sun goes north. But it will get colder for another 3
weeks. Small mercy.

"Gould 0738" wrote in message
...
One of the few religious traditions during this particular portion of the
year
that can be verified by science. :-)

On Mon, 22 Dec 2003 06:39:24 +0000, Gould 0738 wrote:

One of the few religious traditions during this particular portion of the year
that can be verified by science. :-)

Thank you, Chuck, and a Yippy Yule to you! Went to two Yule celebrations this
weekend, drank lots of wassail, lit a candle at sunset to carry the light
through the Longest Night, but fell asleep at 4 am.

Lloyd (aka druid)

Three weeks?? You must mean 3 months and counting??

Eric H wrote in message news:AqxFb.85$im3.54@fe01...
Yes! Tomorrow the sun goes north. But it will get colder for another 3
weeks. Small mercy.

Three weeks?? You must mean 3 months and counting??

Point taken, Don.
We only get COLDER for another 3 weeks; we bottom out in mid-January.
But we will be TOO cold for another 3 months. At least I catch a break
this year as we will spend January on the coast a little north of Tampa Bay.
The rental house comes with a "flats boat". Something new for me.
Happy Holidays!

On Tue, 23 Dec 2003 16:25:21 GMT, WaIIy wrote:

On 22 Dec 2003 06:39:24 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

One of the few religious traditions during this particular portion of the year
that can be verified by science. :-)

**** you, Gould. You really stepped over the line.

Is his statement untrue? If it is, what other tradition of faith can be
objectively verified?

And why does his statement offend you?

**** you, Gould. You really stepped over the line.

Thank you, Wally.

The oldest religious festivals at this time of year all celebrated solstice.

Is the tilting of the earth on its axis and the changing of seasons not
scientifically verifiable?

I don't know what faith you might subscribe to, but is it offensive to
recognize a divine hand in the order of the universe and rejoice when the
seasons continue to progress?

Do you think Christians own December 25? The celebration of Christmas was
placed during this week to make it easier for Constantine to impose
Christianity on
the conquered nations of northern Europe.
(It was easier to officially announce that the festivals were in honor of
Jesus' birth than to try to ban one of the most important celebrations of the
year).

The birth of Jesus isn't even mentioned in two of the four biographies of Jesus
in the Bible. Unusual, since most of the other (often somewhat less miraculous)
events are mentioned in at least three. Nevertheless, it could have happened
exactly as the old texts stated.............
but it would be very unlikely that it happened in the last week of December.

"There were shepherds keeping watch over
their flocks by night......"

Shepherds didn't sleep outdoors in Judea until spring. Too cold. Sorry about
the date, but that doesn't make the story any less beautiful, any less
symbolic, or any less important to millions upon millions of Christian
believers.

**** you, Gould. You really stepped over the line.

Last I checked, Christianity is one of the simplest religions of all. There are
only two
unbreakable rules. 1) Love God with all your heart and soul. 2) Love your
neighbor as much as you love yourself.

Based on you comment, whatever sensibility I accidentally offended it certainly
couldn't have been Christian.

Your thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and philosophies are not a threat to me, nor do
I find them offensive. (Your behavior? We won't go there).

I am sorry, for you, if your universe is so small and dark that only those who
agree with your every perspective have a place in it. While you might be likely
to condemn me to hell after death, being stuck in a world of hatred only means
that you get to experience it while still alive. Too bad.

Merry Christmas, Wally. :-)

On 23 Dec 2003 17:17:48 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

**** you, Gould. You really stepped over the line.

Thank you, Wally.

The oldest religious festivals at this time of year all celebrated solstice.

And look at Easter!

It occurs on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal
equinox--a Pagan festival. The word "Easter" comes from the name of an
Anglo-Saxon goddess, Eostre.

And the Easter Bunny? Well, think "fertility"--but in a rather, um...graphic
sense.

Joe Parsons

WaIIy wrote:

On 22 Dec 2003 06:39:24 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

One of the few religious traditions during this particular portion of the year
that can be verified by science. :-)

**** you, Gould. You really stepped over the line.


Wally, Wally, Wally...why be so upset? There's no way on this earth or
in God's heaven, if it does exist, that *you* or those who share your
selfish right-wing political beliefs would be accepted as followers of
Jesus.

You're supposed to suffer the little children, not make them suffer.

Remember?

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it
were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and
that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto
you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father
which is in heaven.


Just the opposite of your beliefs.



--
Email sent to is never read.

We usually have a very cold period in January also.( minus 15 or so C)
February usually produces more snow.
Best wishes for the holidays to you.

Eric H wrote in message
news:1WRFb.107$Wf4.38@fe10...
Three weeks?? You must mean 3 months and counting??

Point taken, Don.
We only get COLDER for another 3 weeks; we bottom out in mid-January.
But we will be TOO cold for another 3 months. At least I catch a
break
this year as we will spend January on the coast a little north of Tampa
Bay.
The rental house comes with a "flats boat". Something new for me.
Happy Holidays!