Pagans and non-believers.. and any other beliefs!

[ebwy2]

there are no required foods for solstice or any other celebration, but for winter solstice I like to have a full-on roast turkey dinner

but I personally also try to make sure that I have something made of pig (ham, gammon, bacon, pork, or even sausages will do) for any of the festivals because of the story that pigs were a gift from the otherworld. It's just a story, but I like it. And they taste good

And I try to not have anything pre-processed on those days.

 

[michickenwrangler]

While I was raised Catholic--the Polish football variation: we prayed to the football god Mike Ditka, left church early because "God knows the game starts at one," Sunday dinner watching another game, praying to St. Anthony to find the lost remote control, etc ...--and most of my college education revolved around the Catholic church in some way through Spanish courses and lots of medieval history, I don't practice it. I'm kinda all religions and none. I don't actively practice anything, but I think all religions have merit. Personally, I just have a hard time with the followers of some religions. Fanatic Wiccans are as irritating and self-righteous as many proselytizing born-again Christians.

That being said, I rejoin my Polish-Football family in winter for the Holiday Bowl

and if that isn't on, my father has many classic football games on his several ESPN channels. But we have good food and a good time and it's great to see relatives I don't normally get to.

 

[Mattemma]

Dh and I were born into family specified religions,but there was no participation(only identification with that particular religion). We are non-practising today,though dh will still ID with his birth one.

I have discussed religion and God with the kids,and when they are older they are free to choose whatever path they want.

We will follow many of the American holidays celebrated in this country,but in a toned down non-religious manner similar to the way Pineapplemamma celebrates. It has not been an issue till this year when kids in ds's class freaked out when he said he did not believe in santa.They proceeded to tell him santa would die because he did not believe.And that he must be wrong because even the teachers know santa is real. Lol,even had the principal ask me to talk to ds,and a mother called me upset wanting me to talk to ds about his santa beliefs because it upset her son. It is funny but annoying.Not sure why the kids/parents just can't accept that some don't follow the pretend stuff,but they would just not let it go.There are kids(in class) who don't do Christmas at all. I have to remind my kids to respond to certain questions in a more neutral response,or it will create all this anger and debating.

We don't do any set meals either ALTHOUGH my mom has it ingrained in me that I must not cook anything with wings on New Years day,because winged stuff will mean my good year/luck will fly away. Silly I know,but it stuck and I made ds spit out his chicken nugget last year when I accidentally made some for him!

I do like making stuffed grape leaves for dh.He likes the meat version,and I like the non-meat one.Eggplant stew with lots of garlic/tomato is good too.Again dh likes it with beef stew meat,and I can eat with or without. For sweets dh will often get me a tray of various baklava type sweets from the local arab store.Well we are now over an hour away,so I doubt we will get it.Every one likes palacsinta which is the hungarian word for crepes,so I will make some of those and away various fillings. I love latkes too.

We generally celebrate the holidays on the specific day,but there are times we bump to another day,or celebrate 2 times if dh is not able to get home. I LOVE double holidays.

We are just an average family that loves each other,and shows respect and kindness to others. We don't look down on others and are sad when they don't do the same for us, because we may do not follow their path in life.We each have our own path to follow.

Thanks for the solstice info.I was meaning to look it up today to see exactly what people do who celebrate that day. I will be talking with the kids about more holidays.I know in the kids class they do reports each winter on the various holidays,but I don't recall all the holidays they pick from.One year dd had kwanza,and this year ds has halloween.He can't recall solstice on the list. I will have to ask.To bad it sounds interesting.

 

[Blackbird]

Quote:

This is so true for me as well! A wonderful description!

Livinzoo, a beautiful story!

 

[Louieandthecrew]

I am a Christian

I do celebrate holidays, of course, Christmas. We belive, on Christmas, that Jesus Christ was born and this is the celebration of his life. We open presents and such, but we do not think of ourselves, but of Him. We do not believe in Santa, or anything of that sort, but we do believe that Saint Nickolas was a great man, and did great deeds. I believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, yes, the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost

Spookwriter, I, being a Christian, am completely willing to answer any questions about Christianity

But, PLEASE, let's not argue, I really like to see what everyone on this thread has to say and would like it to NOT be closed.

 

[Louieandthecrew]

Quote:
Why would Jesus be considered a which, is my question. He was a perfect man who was crucified for YOU then was raised from the dead. I would get how you could see that, he being raised from the dead, but God raised him from the dead. So, why haven't you mentioned God yet?

Please, don't take this in the wrong way

Though we may not agree, we can at least talk to each other in a cortous manner

 

[justuschickens59]

I was just sent this link by a friend and I think this is one of the most horrifying things I have ever read. Surely this can't be for real? Does anybody know anything about this church or person? I have not investigated the entire website - as I truly am sick to my stomach right now.

http://www.landoverbaptist.org/sermons/witches.html

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Why would Jesus be considered a which, is my question. He was a perfect man who was crucified for YOU then was raised from the dead. I would get how you could see that, he being raised from the dead, but God raised him from the dead. So, why haven't you mentioned God yet?

Please, don't take this in the wrong way

Though we may not agree, we can at least talk to each other in a cortous manner

But only Christians think that way. Other religions don't view him that way and wonder why his followers do.....just as a Christian wonders why a Buddist views Budda as they do.

I was raised Christian but honestly always struggled with a lot of the teachings. For a long time I haven't been real sure what to consider myself.....a Christian with Pagan tendecies or vice versa.....a Pagan with Christian tendencies?

I've never been willing to tell someone they're headed to hell because they don't believe the same way that I do. What gives me or any other person that right?

There are fanatics in every religion that give that religion a bad name....Christianity is no different in that respect. I know all Muslims are not evil terrorist just because of the actions of some of them.

I've decided over the course of my life it's better to be a good person than to label myself as only this or that religion.

 

[Wifezilla]

Atheist here but I celebrate this time of year as a cultural thing. Plus I love sparkley things and cute little lights

Over the past 3 years we have totally changed the way we eat and our relationship with food and this is actually effecting how I look at the holidays. We increased our gardening, raise animals now and try to grow as much of our own food as possible in our tiny yard. We seem to be getting more a feel for natural rhythms of the seasons. Plus the effect of vitamin D on the body is more noticeable when you eliminate foods that mess with your system. I am grumpy as all get out. It has been so gloomy the last couple of days. I miss the sun and will really be celebrating Tuesday!

As for HOW we will celebrate...well that's the cool thing. We get to do it our way

I like the idea of mead and since I have 2 batches already well-aged and bottled we will have to crack one of those open. Probably the orange mead. I think I will start some sprouts today so we should have some ready to eat Tuesday in a salad. Lots of bright greens and fresh flavors. I also have some tarragon vinegar and some dandelion vinegar I made last spring. I can use that in the dressing.

Baking a turkey sounds good. It's easy. Plus I have fresh herbs growing inside so those will be used to season the bird. As for sides, I am not sure. Something flavorful and BRIGHT! I need COLOR!!! I am so sick of gray

Maybe some deviled eggs. (Fortunately the ducks are still laying.) Some kind of strawberry dessert would be cool. I wish I would have saved some of the alpine strawberries I grew last year. They were really tasty so didn't last long.

Next year I will hide them. OH! I have pear preserves I made from our pear tree. I will have to find a way to use those.

Sorry, no recipes but I am kind of thinking out loud here. My friend Abi is a pagan of sorts. I will ask her what she is doing and report back. She is a great cook so should have some fun recipes

 

[justuschickens59]

Wifezilla - would love to have any of your mead recipes. My husband is an avid mead maker and is always trying new recipes. He has a new batch of ginger peach brewing right now and this recipe is a big hit with Pagan and non-Pagan friends. He also makes moonshine - his plum moonshine is well known over the state of VA. LOL.