Christmas is supposed to be a time of “peace on earth” and, thankfully, it still is, but this joyful season has its detractors - such as those who promulgate the idea that Christmas was founded on a pagan feast. Is this true?
While it’s true that the Druids once believed holly had magical powers, the use of this ancient evergreen on special occasions does not derive from any group in particular.
KV writes: "Is it ok for me as a Catholic Christian to give gifts with pictures of Santa Claus on them? … I am concerned that I would be promoting pagan worship if I gave gifts with Santa images on them. Is this the case, or am I being too scrupulous?”
Believe it or not, the idea that Christmas trees were condemned in the Bible is a very common criticism of this beloved tradition. But is there any merit to this claim?
(Photo courtesy of Wikicommons Images, Awkipuma CC BY 3.0)A large study of the popular psychedelic brew known as Ayahuasca tea has found that five out of ten users say that mental health issues caused by the drug stuck with them “for weeks or months” even though most say they consider this to part of the experience.
Photo by Markus Spiske on UnsplashNorway’s Princess Martha Louise has announced that she will no longer officially represent the royal house due to her intentions to marry Durek Verrett, the American “Shaman to the Stars.”
RM asks: "Can you tell me what you know and think about "Peace Circles"? Everything I am finding looks to be a very feminist-based program (and not of the true feminism that John Paul II promoted). When reading what I have found (by googling "peace circles"), some of it sounds on the "up and up". Who doesn't want peace? But the program is being incorporated in my daughter's high school French III class with no connection to French at all. We have met with the teacher and administration about our dislikes of the use of this in the classroom, and met head to head with much opposition. Every one of them lauded the use of Peace Circles. Our daughter has not been comfortable with the use of the peace circle especially because of the use of the lit candle, rain stick, rock and 'talking piece'. Your insight into this matter is greatly appreciated."
Bishops in California are raising objections to a new California law that will allow human remains to be composted and returned to the soil as a way of protecting the environment from the contaminants of embalming fluid and the carbon emissions from cremation. But this is just one of many new eco-friendly burial methods being offered today.
SH writes: "I really enjoy wind chimes. I had some friends of my sister who are Christian (non-Catholic) visit me and they told me I should get rid of them because they are used by witches and occults to draw in bad spirits. I would like to know if that is so."
ST asks: “Are pagan gods really demons? And if so, how do we know this?”
