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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 5:56 am
Shalom! Here is a great letter from my friend Aviad Cohen! Is Valentines Day Christian??Hi, it's Aviad Cohen. Before you take a bite out of that sugary, chalky Valentines candy or cavity piercing chocolate, or before you give your loved one a Valentine's Day gift or card, you should read this and perhaps share this with them and everyone you know. Saddest part about this is, it's being pushed on kids. Even when I was younger, for one year between Jewish private schools, I attended a public school and in class (5th grade, I believe), everyone would be asigned a "Valentine" and we had to go out and get a little gift for our "Valentine." Kids gave out tons of cards to each other. These were cards made by big card companies, especially made for children to give to one another on Valentine's Day. I quoted the term "Valentine" here for a reason. Once you read the information below, you will understand how sad children are being mislead into such pagan practices like Valentine's Day, yoga, Halloween and other pagan "demonic activity" in public schools and beyond. If you are an adult, pleae take responsibility and read this. Do your research if you feel like doing a double take after reading this and going, "Unbelievable! How could this be? Why didn't anybody tell me?" Well now you know. Thank you for your time. At the end of the email, there is a link to a video clip. Here are some resources that my crew gathered up for you: The Pagan Roots of Valentine's Day At the following website: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/tracts/tract6.html insight is provided into the origins of Valentine's Day. Once again it is of "Roman" origin with pagan rites of sex and fertility attached to it: Christians should be known by their discernment and should be asking questions regarding "Saint Valentine's Day." What is the origin of this unusual day? Why is there a preoccupation with the color red? Where did the heart shape come from, and what does it mean? These and other questions will now be answered, as we examine the roots and pagan origin of this popular day. In the days of the Roman Empire, the month of February was the last and shortest month of the year. February originally had 30 days, but when Julius Caesar named the month of July after himself, he decided to make that month longer and shortened February to 29 days while making July a month of 31 days. Later when Octavius Caesar, also known as Augustus, came to power, he named the month of August after himself, and not to be outdone he also subtracted a day from February and gave the month of August 31 days. To this very day it remains that way. The ancient Romans believed that every month had a spirit that gained in strength and reached its peak or apex of power in the middle or ides of the month. This was usually the 15th day, and it was a day when witches and augurs, or soothsayers worked their magic. An augur was a person filled with a spirit of divination, and from the word augur we get the word "inaugurate", which means to "take omens". Since February had been robbed by Caesars and had only 28 days, the ides of February became the 14th day of that month. Since the Ides of a month was celebrated on the preceding eve, the month of February was unique, because it was the 13th day that became the eve of the Ides that month, and it became a very important pagan holiday in the Empire of Rome. The sacred day of February 14th was called "Lupercalia" or "day of the wolf." This was a day that was sacred to the sexual frenzy of the g-ddess Juno. This day also honored the Roman g-ds, Lupercus and Faunus, as well as the legendary twin brothers, who supposedly founded Rome, Remus and Romulus. These two are said to have been suckled by wolves in a cave on Palatine Hill in Rome. The cave was called Lupercal and was the center of the celebrating on the eve of Lupercalia or February 14th. On this day, Lupercalia, which was later named Valentine's Day, the Luperci or priests of Lupercus dressed in goatskins for a bloody ceremony. The priests of Lupercus, the wolf god, would sacrifice goats and a dog and then smear themselves with blood. These priests, made red with sacrificial blood, would run around Palatine Hill in a wild frenzy while carving a goatskin thong called a "februa." Women would sit all around the hill, as the bloody priests would strike them with the goatskin thongs to make them fertile. The young women would then gather in the city and their names were put in boxes. These "love notes" were called "billets." The men of Rome would draw a billet, and the woman whose name was on it became his sexual lust partner with whom he would fornicate until the next Lupercalia or February 14th. Thus, February 14th became a day of unbridled sexual lust. The color "red" was sacred to that day because of the blood and the "heart shape" that is popular to this day. The heart-shape was not a representation of the human heart, which looks nothing like it. This shape represents the human female matrix or opening to the chamber of sacred copulation. When the Gnostic Catholic Church began to get a foothold in Rome around the 3rd century A.D., they became known as Valentinians. The Catholic Valentinians retained the sexual license of the festival in what they called "angels in a nuptial chamber", which was also called the "sacrament of copulation." This was said to be a reenactment of the marriage of "Sophia and the Redeemer." As the participants of the February 14th ritual began their sexual sacrament, presided over and watched by the priests known as Valentinians, the following literary was spoken: "Let the seed of light descend into thy bridal chamber, receive the bridegroom… open thine arms to embrace him. Behold, grace has descended upon thee." As time went on, the Orthodox Church suppressed the Gnostic Catholics and manufactured "St. Valentine", whose day continues to be celebrated in these modern times. It should be without saying that Christians should avoid Valentine's Day like a plague. In G-d's eyes, it is still "Lupercalia", the "Day of the Wolf." Men become wolves, as they carry on the Satanic rituals of fornication, which means sexual intercourse without marriage. We have heard of the "wolf whistle", and we all know that wolves do not whistle. It is lustful men and women, who carry on Satan's blasphemy to this very day. In conclusion, we must ask ourselves, "Should a true Christian be associated in any way with this celebration of evil roots? Should we be doing what the heathen have done for so many years and try to justify it as love?" Romans 12:2 answers this very well, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…" Also a good video to check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6jRoC2VQ4k
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:04 am
That's very interesting. I don't think that innocent exchanging of gifts is wrong; just like trick-or-treating on Halloween. I might be wrong in my opinions, but if one understands the meaning of it and makes an effort to stay away from certain things, then I think it's okay.
But it's also a thing to note that Valentine was actually a person. The actual origin on the whole romance part of it is very much a mystery, but there are a few accounts. I find the story of Valentine very intriguing...if not heartbreaking. But that might just be the hopeless romantic side of me coming through.
This is the history of Valentine's Day as I know it:Quote: The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France. ]http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=882&display_order=1&mini_id=1084
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:55 am
i always just thought it was a catholic thing
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:31 pm
Catholic Encyclopedia on Valentine's DayAlthough I find all the pink and the hearts and flowers and whatnot rather irritating, I certainly don't think that exchanging chocolate, cards, flowers, or taking your significant other out to dinner is any sort of satatic practise, regardless of old traditions that may have taken place on that date.
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:58 pm
The Lupercalia was and always would be the 15th.... Quote: "Luperci or priests of Lupercus dressed in goatskins for a bloody ceremony." It wasn't priests it was two boys that they dressed in strips of goat meat. They went around the village striking everyone but concentrated on women. But there were only two. Yes the sacrificed some goats and a dog, but they used most of the meat as food. And it was only a small spot on their forehead that was smeared with blood. Carving while running? Also a no. Quote: These "love notes" were called "billets." The men of Rome would draw a billet, and the woman whose name was on it became his sexual lust partner with whom he would fornicate until the next Lupercalia or February 14th. So far as I know ((Classics Major learning from Professor)) this never happened and I don't know where this info was conjured up honestly. Lupercalia didn't really have anything to do with Juno ((who was the goddess of marriage)) or sexual lust. It could be associated with fertility, but that is rather innocent to be honest. They wanted fertile soil so their crops would grow and wanted the women to be fertile so they could give brith easily. For clearification: Augurs looking at thunder, lightning and the patterns of birds to try to see if times were favourable for the people or not. This was actually an Etruscan practice that the Romans took over. It didn't have much to do with magic really, the augurs weren't particularaly gifted, and really watching weather patterns and the flights of birds can tell you a lot more about how times will fair than you'd realise. Not magic or divination, but by looking at patterns in nature one could often predict how the weathe will be, if the season will be good for the crops and whatnot. Kind of a extremely less sophisticated version of our weather system XD The rest, as per your interpretation of "Satanic" rituals is all up to your mindset. I don't think it's Satanic at all really because quite frankly I don't know of these rituals of fornication in this sense. At least none who I know that worship the Roman gods do this, or have heard of it. Besides the way Valentine's Day has been comercialised anyway, who cares? Many non-Christians celebrate Christmas as a time of family and togetherness.... so why shouldn't Christians be able to celebrate a harmless comercialised holiday where people show one another that they love their fellow man? Quote: "Should a true Christian be associated in any way with this celebration of evil roots? " I suppose you cannot celebrate Christmas anymore then, shucks! You should really do a bit of research on the Saturnalia if you want to see when the Romans let their hair down wink Giving gifts like dolls to children and candles and incense to friends was a part of the Saturnalia (Dec 17th-23rd...awefully close to another holiday I know of, hm...) And to dispell any silly rumour: The Romans for the most part were actually quite conservative when it came to sexual practices, gambling and the like. They had a few wild parties in their time but considering they lasted from 753 BC to 476 AD I think a couple wild parties are bound to happen. However these relatively few instances should not shape your view of the Populus Romanus entirely. I really wish I had some solid evidence to make a rebuttle about the Caesar and Augustus actually changing the number of days in the month to honour them, but alas I don't. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth when I hear it, like something is off I just can't prove it. One more thing: To be perfectly honest in one of the more famous pictures supposedly depicting Lupercalia the "seemingly heart shaped symbols" look a lot more like grapes than anything, I should actually talk to my Prof about that one though XD And the heart shape does look like a heart. It doesn't have all the tubes going in and out and it's a little stylized but the basic shape is there smile
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 3:14 am
I wasn't the author of that post Aviad Cohen is. 2nd I do believe his witness to be credible. Thirdly here is an encylopedia account on the subject: Quote: The festival was celebrated near the cave of Lupercal on the Palatine (one of the seven Roman hills), to expiate and purify new life in the Spring. The Lupercal cave, which had fallen into a state of decay, was rebuilt by Augustus; the celebration of the festival had been maintained, as we know from the famous occurrence of it in 44 BC. The religious ceremonies were directed by the Luperci, the "brothers of the wolf (lupus)", a corporation of priests of Faunus, dressed only in a goatskin, whose institution is attributed either to the Arcadian Evander, or to Romulus and Remus. The Luperci were divided into two collegia, called Quinctiliani (or Quinctiales) and Fabiani, from the gens Quinctilia (or Quinctia) viz. gens Fabia; at the head of each of these colleges was a magister. In 44 BC. a third college, Luperci Julii, was instituted in honor of Julius Caesar, the first magister of which was Mark Anthony. In imperial times the members were usually of equestrian standing. The festival began with the sacrifice by the Luperci (or the flamen dialis) of two male goats and a dog. Next two patrician young Luperci were led to the altar, to be anointed on their foreheads with the sacrificial blood, which was wiped off the bloody knife with wool soaked in milk, after which they were expected to smile and laugh; the smearing of the forehead with blood probably refers to human sacrifice originally practised at the festival. The sacrificial feast followed, after which the Luperci cut thongs from the skins of the victims, which were called Februa, dressed themselves in the skins of the sacrificed goats, in imitation of Lupercus, and ran round the walls of the old Palatine city, the line of which was marked with stones, with the thongs in their hands in two bands, striking the people who crowded near. Girls and young women would line up on their route to receive lashes from these whips. This was supposed to ensure fertility, prevent sterility in women and ease the pains of childbirth. And concerning Christmas and Halloween, I don't celebrate either since I am a Messianic Jew.
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 3:03 pm
famusamu I wasn't the author of that post Aviad Cohen is. 2nd I do believe his witness to be credible. Thirdly here is an encylopedia account on the subject: Quote: The festival was celebrated near the cave of Lupercal on the Palatine (one of the seven Roman hills), to expiate and purify new life in the Spring. The Lupercal cave, which had fallen into a state of decay, was rebuilt by Augustus; the celebration of the festival had been maintained, as we know from the famous occurrence of it in 44 BC. The religious ceremonies were directed by the Luperci, the "brothers of the wolf (lupus)", a corporation of priests of Faunus, dressed only in a goatskin, whose institution is attributed either to the Arcadian Evander, or to Romulus and Remus. The Luperci were divided into two collegia, called Quinctiliani (or Quinctiales) and Fabiani, from the gens Quinctilia (or Quinctia) viz. gens Fabia; at the head of each of these colleges was a magister. In 44 BC. a third college, Luperci Julii, was instituted in honor of Julius Caesar, the first magister of which was Mark Anthony. In imperial times the members were usually of equestrian standing. The festival began with the sacrifice by the Luperci (or the flamen dialis) of two male goats and a dog. Next two patrician young Luperci were led to the altar, to be anointed on their foreheads with the sacrificial blood, which was wiped off the bloody knife with wool soaked in milk, after which they were expected to smile and laugh; the smearing of the forehead with blood probably refers to human sacrifice originally practised at the festival. The sacrificial feast followed, after which the Luperci cut thongs from the skins of the victims, which were called Februa, dressed themselves in the skins of the sacrificed goats, in imitation of Lupercus, and ran round the walls of the old Palatine city, the line of which was marked with stones, with the thongs in their hands in two bands, striking the people who crowded near. Girls and young women would line up on their route to receive lashes from these whips. This was supposed to ensure fertility, prevent sterility in women and ease the pains of childbirth. And concerning Christmas and Halloween, I don't celebrate either since I am a Messianic Jew. Which encyclopedia? Because we're being taught that there is very little evidence to human sacrifices in ancient times, and most so called sacrifices were in the result of combat (started by Minoans as a part of a burial ritual.. there was a fight between two men in honour of the dead.) Anyways, from what university is teaching these days there were no human sacrifices during the Lupercalia. Actually things like that are being dispelled little by little as rumour, legend, scare tactics and simply mis represented information. Archeological evidence is actually leaning more and more towards there being few actual human sacrifices. The encyclopedia you're getting this from could have: 1. False information or 2. Outdated information. There is a reason they revise these from time to time after alll. And otherwise what you said has already been said in either of our two posts. You said by priests, I said two boys, this post basically confirms both of us. In the original post you mentioned something about sexual lust and frenzy. Your encyclopedic evidence...differs. As I had mentioned the Lupercalia was supposed to help with fertility and childbirth. Additional information seems to be hurting your argument as something Christians shouldn't celebrate. (And I know you didn't write the post, however you posted it and thus you are responsible for the debate of it. By "you said" in this sense it means "your post said" it doesn't matter of the original author you posted it and thus you "said" it esstially.) And as far as your personal celebration practices, do what you will. smile
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 7:40 pm
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:11 pm
If we Christians simply avoid a certain celebration because, in times long past, people (who are also long past) of some archaic culture celebrated something as well, then we're truly in a sad spiritual state. It's letting the paganistic cultures of the world dictate what we can and can't do.
If you can come up with a biblical reason why celebrating love (PROTIP: you can't) is a bad thing, then you've got a foot to stand on, but simply because pagans (Who, might I remind you, are lead by The Satan who was kicked out of Heaven for imitating G-d in the first place) do something similar on the same day, then that's just paranoia.
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Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:25 am
I don't see anything wrong with giving a person a gift or a card and telling the other person how you feel about them...I just think V-Day is another one of those "Hey! Lets make money from people!" kind of things...I never been a real big fan of V-Day, I also think you should tell how much you love a person regardless of what day it is...12 months of the year you can tell that person everday!
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Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:42 pm
While the world has tried to make these "holidays" innocent and "just plain fun" we as believers must always look to the Word for our guidance. It plainly states: Be in the world, not of the world. If we continue with the acceptance of valentine's day and halloween as harmless then we are more of the world then just sorjourners in it. Follow what are Saviour tells us in the Bible and we can't go wrong. Be like the world and they will not accept Him as their Saviour.
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