Thanksgiving is often regarded as a pagan tradition by some individuals. This viewpoint suggests that the roots of Thanksgiving can be traced back to ancient pagan harvest festivals. These festivals were held to celebrate and give thanks for the bountiful harvests at the end of the agricultural year. One of the main arguments made by those who view Thanksgiving as a pagan tradition is the similarity between the customs and rituals associated with Thanksgiving and those of ancient harvest festivals. For instance, the tradition of feasting and giving thanks for the harvest can be found in many pagan cultures around the world. Additionally, the use of certain foods like turkey and corn in Thanksgiving meals has been linked to pagan traditions related to fertility and the honoring of agricultural deities.
It is recorded that the Pilgrims did set aside time to give thanks to God, not as an anniversary, but only in response to an event they deemed providential. They did not proclaim any annual days as "holy". Here is an excerpt from the writings of John Robinson, the religious leader of the Pilgrims. Robinson clearly stated that they should reject all man-made holy days, this would include Thanksgiving.
The Cornucopia was also incorporated in statues and money across ancient Rome and was often used in representations of the goddesses of grain Ceres and the goddess of luck Fortuna. beware that you are not ensnared to follow them , after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise.
Additionally, the use of certain foods like turkey and corn in Thanksgiving meals has been linked to pagan traditions related to fertility and the honoring of agricultural deities. Another reason for considering Thanksgiving as a pagan tradition is the history of the holiday. Some historians argue that the early European settlers in America adapted their own harvest festival traditions, which had pagan roots, to create the Thanksgiving holiday.
Why we should not celebrate Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is generally taught as an acceptable holiday to celebrate in the larger congregations of God. But this acceptance is based primarily on the belief that the Pilgrims created Thanksgiving. But the origins of Thanksgiving are a combination of superstition, myths and false Christianity, similar to Christmas, Easter, Halloween.
Summary of this paper
- Thanksgiving was not started by the Pilgrims, this is now a well known fact, and is widely reported by historians as a myth
- Two separate thanksgiving celebrations were brought to America, one a religious event, the other was a harvest festival
- The harvest festival was a pagan celebration, the religious thanksgiving was from the Church of England
- The King of England proclaimed days of thanksgiving during the American colonial period, without the influence of Pilgrims or Puritans
- In the 1800s Sarah Hale marketed the idea of a universal national American thanksgiving holiday that combined the religious thanksgivings with the harvest festival thanksgivings
- Sarah Hale specifically and repeatedly stated that she intended to combine God's harvest festivals with Thanksgiving Day
- The cornucopia is a Greek & Roman religious symbol that can be traced back directly to the time of Jesus and further into the past
- Removing the pagan elements does not change the pagan origins of any holiday
- Our current justifications for observing Thanksgiving Day are based on misinformation and myths
These settlers were influenced by their own cultural backgrounds that included various pagan beliefs and practices. However, it is important to note that Thanksgiving as it is celebrated today in the United States has evolved and come to hold different meanings for different people. The modern Thanksgiving holiday focuses more on giving thanks for the blessings in one's life and expressing gratitude towards family and loved ones. It is seen as a time of unity and togetherness, rather than a religious or pagan ritual. In conclusion, while there are arguments suggesting that Thanksgiving has pagan origins, it is important to recognize that the holiday has evolved and taken on different meanings throughout history. Today, Thanksgiving is primarily celebrated as a time of giving thanks and showing gratitude, rather than a pagan tradition..
Reviews for "Unmasking the pagan symbolism behind Thanksgiving"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "Is Thanksgiving a Pagan Tradition". Instead of providing a well-researched analysis, the book was filled with conspiracy theories and baseless claims. The author seemed more interested in pushing their own agenda rather than presenting unbiased information. I was hoping to gain some historical insight into the origins of Thanksgiving, but instead, I found myself rolling my eyes at the absurd claims made throughout the book. Save your time and money and look for a more reputable source if you're genuinely interested in learning about the holiday's history.
2. Mark - 2 stars - "Is Thanksgiving a Pagan Tradition" fell short of my expectations. While there were some interesting points raised in the book, it was difficult to take the author seriously due to the lack of credible sources and proper research. The writing style was also dry and lacked flow, making it a struggle to stay engaged. Additionally, the book seemed to focus more on the author's personal beliefs rather than providing a balanced perspective on the subject. Overall, I was hoping for a more insightful exploration of Thanksgiving's origins, and unfortunately, this book didn't deliver.
3. Laura - 2 stars - I found "Is Thanksgiving a Pagan Tradition" to be a tedious read. The author's arguments lacked depth and coherence, often resorting to cherry-picking historical facts to support their claims. While I appreciate a different perspective, the book failed to present a well-rounded analysis of the subject matter. Additionally, the writing style was uninspiring and poorly organized, which made it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. If you're looking for a well-researched and balanced examination of Thanksgiving's origins, I would recommend looking elsewhere.