Religion

DavidDvorkin

(19,490 posts) Sat Dec 12, 2015, 03:51 PM Dec 2015

The War on Christmas, Puritan edition

Increase Mather wrote this in 1687:

"The generality of Christmas-keepers observe that Festival after such a manner as is highly dishonourable to the name of Christ. How few are there comparatively that spend those Holidays (as they are called) after an Holy manner. But they are consumed in Compotations, in Interludes, in playing at Cards, in Revellings, in excess of wine, in Mad Mirth; Will Christ the holy Son of God be pleased with such Services?"

5 replies

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The War on Christmas, Puritan edition (Original Post) DavidDvorkin Dec 2015 OP

Catholics celebrated Christmas. The Puritan belief was that the bible made no mention of merrily Dec 2015 #1

"Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy" struggle4progress Dec 2015 #2

“The children now love luxury. Lordquinton Dec 2015 #3

The world has been going to the dogs for an awfully long time DavidDvorkin Dec 2015 #4

Increase Mather was a barrel of laughs. n/t Goblinmonger Dec 2015 #5

merrily

(45,251 posts)

1. Catholics celebrated Christmas. The Puritan belief was that the bible made no mention of

Reply to DavidDvorkin (Original post)

Sat Dec 12, 2015, 04:12 PM

Dec 2015

celebrating the birth of Christ (highly debatable premise, but never mind that for now). Therefore, celebrating the birth of Christ was not for Puritans, and the Catholics (Papists) were wrong so to do. So, there was an element of "us against them" to not celebrating.

However, by the time of Paul Revere, there were sneaky little celebrations among non-Catholics, such as extending the Harvest/Thanksgiving celebrations into December, having special treats to eat and drink, etc.

struggle4progress

(118,356 posts)

2. "Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy"

Reply to DavidDvorkin (Original post)

Mon Dec 14, 2015, 06:23 PM

Dec 2015

-- H.L. Mencken

Lordquinton

(7,886 posts)

3. “The children now love luxury.

Reply to DavidDvorkin (Original post)

Wed Dec 16, 2015, 04:45 PM

Dec 2015

“The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.”

― Socrates

DavidDvorkin

(19,490 posts)

4. The world has been going to the dogs for an awfully long time

Reply to Lordquinton (Reply #3)

Wed Dec 16, 2015, 05:03 PM

Dec 2015

Fortunately, it never quite gets there.

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)

5. Increase Mather was a barrel of laughs. n/t

Reply to DavidDvorkin (Original post)

Wed Dec 16, 2015, 05:04 PM

Dec 2015

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