Christmas trees derive from pagan sacrifice.People used to sacrifice animals until some people or other (possibly the germans) decided they didn't like that and to sacrifice trees instead.
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Mu Dinofiddler,
Fri 2 Dec 2011, 18:56,
archived)
According to Wikipedia they only date back to the 15th century.Maybe you have some better information. I heard it was the done thing to drape the entrails of your slaughtered enemies in the branches of trees but I don't know if that had any particular festive relevance.
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Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag,
Fri 2 Dec 2011, 19:00,
archived)
People used to ritually sacrifice up to the 18th century (possibly further). Maybe "pagan" sacrifice was a bit over an overstatement.
( Mu Dinofiddler,
Fri 2 Dec 2011, 19:03,
archived)
Attis was said to have been resurrected as a pine tree so maybe that's got something to do with it,nevertheless there is no connection with any religion still practiced today, apart from that a lot of Christians happen to do it. It's got nothing to do with Jesus.
I was told by someone, in fact, that in the United States it's unusual to see a Christmas tree put up in a church, unlike here.
(I was told by someone, in fact, that in the United States it's unusual to see a Christmas tree put up in a church, unlike here.
Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag,
Fri 2 Dec 2011, 19:12,
archived)
By that logic Christmas itself has nothing to do with christianity.Seeing as the whole nativity scenario was blatently nicked off another religion.
( Mu Dinofiddler,
Fri 2 Dec 2011, 19:15,
archived)
You're damn right, it doesn't.Well except the nativity as described in the Gospels is blatantly recycled Old Testament material. Look up the birth of Samson, for instance.
( Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag,
Fri 2 Dec 2011, 19:17,
archived)
I can totally see the entrail tinsel working though.
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Mu Dinofiddler,
Fri 2 Dec 2011, 19:12,
archived)