From Newsgroup: alt.bible

Hitler and Christmas.

Jesus was born a Jew. That did not go over good with the Nazis.
They tried to remove the Jewish element out of the ceremony. Of course
that would mean removing Jesus, which is the primary player in the
churches.

The Nazis did give Christmas presents, as seen in this photo: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_in_Nazi_Germany#/media/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_102-17313,_Berlin,_Weihnachtspakete_f%C3%BCr_das_Winterhilfswerk.jpg

Presents were given in the pagan celebration to the god Saturn at
Saturnalia. So that had no Jewish influence.

Germany claimed to be Christians for many years, until Hitler came to
power. The Nazis changed the name "Christmas" to "Julfest" celebrating
the pagan traditions of the winder solstice. But the churches in
Germany did not go for it, and remained with Christmas celebrations,
not pleasing Hitler.

The Christmas tree was renamed the Jul tree, and the start on top was
sometimes replaces with a swastika. And concerning the coming of
Jesus, they replaced it with the coming of Hitler. They called him the
"Saviour Fuhrer".

The Christmas carol "Silent Night" words were changed so that no
reference was made to Christ, God, or religion. As were other carols.

Children's toys that were advertised at that time were toy chocolate
SS soldiers, tanks, fighter planes, and machine guns. High ranking
members would give gifts made at concentration camps. (such as fancy
candles)

As the war went on though, they became less and less caring about
changing Christmas to their ideologies. The greatest mass murderer the
world ever knew cowardly took his own life instead of facing the
music. Soon, such a circumstance will never raise its ugly head again.
" The Good News According to Jesus
Learn more about Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of mankind,
in this exciting video series.
Watch Now".
See jw.org (12/24/2025)
James: zebrabible@proton.me
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.bible

The tactic of trying to poison peoplerCOs minds against everything
Christians do by associating it with paganism does not come from
Scripture. It comes from a false standard of holiness that God never
gave. Scripture exposes both the error and its source.

To begin, God judges worship by truth and allegiance, not by superficial resemblance.

Scripture never teaches that an action becomes sinful because pagans
once practiced something that looks similar. God repeatedly commands His people to worship Him in the midst of a pagan world without withdrawing
from created things.

rCLThe earth is the LordrCOs, and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.rCY (Psalm 24:1, ESV)

Creation belongs to God, not to idolaters. Pagans do not gain ownership
of days, trees, food, music, or gifts by misusing them. When Scripture
forbids idolatry, it forbids the worship of false gods, not the use of
created things.

rCLYou shall have no other gods before me.rCY (Exodus 20:3, ESV)

The command targets allegiance, not objects.

Second, Scripture explicitly rejects guilt by association.

Paul directly confronts the exact argument used by pagan-association
accusers. He teaches that created things do not become defiled by who
once used them.

rCLEat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on
the ground of conscience. For rCythe earth is the LordrCOs, and the fullness thereof.rCOrCY (1 Corinthians 10:25rCo26, ESV)

Meat once sacrificed to idols did not become pagan meat forever. If
pagan sacrifice does not permanently corrupt food, then pagan misuse
cannot permanently corrupt any created thing.

Paul exposes the false reasoning that treats demons as if they have
creative power.

rCLWhat pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God.rCY (1 Corinthians 10:20, ESV)

Demons receive worship; they do not create realities. They corrupt by deception, not by ownership. To claim that demons can permanently taint GodrCOs creation grants them authority Scripture denies.

Third, Scripture commands believers to live distinctly without
retreating from the world.

The Bible never calls believers to withdraw from ordinary human
practices because pagans exist.

rCLI wrote to you not to associate with sexually immoral peoplerCo not at
all meaning the sexually immoral of this worldrCa since then you would
need to go out of the world.rCY (1 Corinthians 5:9rCo10, ESV)

The pagan-association argument demands what Scripture rejects: total withdrawal from normal life. That standard is unbiblical.

Jesus Himself ate meals, attended weddings, observed feasts, and used
common cultural forms while remaining perfectly holy.

rCLGo and learn what this means: rCyI desire mercy, and not sacrifice.rCOrCY (Matthew 9:13, ESV)

Holiness flows from obedience and faith, not from fear of contamination.

Fourth, Scripture identifies the real source of this teaching.

The Bible consistently links obsessive rule-making and external
prohibitions to false spirituality.

rCLDo not handle, Do not taste, Do not touchrCa according to human precepts and teachings?rCY (Colossians 2:21rCo22, ESV)

Paul names this mindset for what it is.

rCLThese have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made
religion and asceticismrCa but they are of no value in stopping the
indulgence of the flesh.rCY (Colossians 2:23, ESV)

This practice promotes self-made religion. It replaces obedience to
Christ with suspicion toward creation.

Scripture also exposes the spiritual danger behind it.

rCLFor such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising
themselves as apostles of Christ.rCY (2 Corinthians 11:13, ESV)

Poisoning believers against ordinary acts of gratitude, joy, and
remembrance fractures conscience, undermines freedom, and shifts focus
away from ChristrCOs finished work.

Fifth, Scripture anchors Christian practice in Christ, not in origins.

The New Testament never evaluates Christian practices by tracing their cultural ancestry. It evaluates them by whether they honor Christ.

rCLSo, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory
of God.rCY (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)

Meaning comes from purpose, not from counterfeit parallels. Idolatry
depends on worship, not on resemblance. Two people can use the same
object with opposite meanings because the heart determines worship.

rCLGod is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.rCY (John 4:24, ESV)

Finally, Scripture reveals the lie at the root.

The pagan-association argument denies the sufficiency of ChristrCOs
victory. It acts as if Satan retains authority over creation after the
cross.

rCLHe disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.rCY (Colossians 2:15, ESV)

Christ did not leave the world demon-owned and believer-forbidden. He
redeemed people, restored conscience, and reclaimed creation for
grateful use.

rCLFor everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if
it is received with thanksgiving.rCY (1 Timothy 4:4, ESV)

This teaching settles the issue. God does not command believers to trace
pagan shadows. He commands believers to walk in faith, truth, and
gratitude centered on Christ.

The attempt to poison minds against everything Christians do by invoking
pagan associations contradicts Scripture, undermines Christian freedom,
and replaces the gospel with fear. It is not zeal for holiness. It is a
denial of the lordship of Christ over His world.

Demonic wisdom is evidenced by envy and selfish ambition (James
3:14-15). Envy and selfish ambition seek to poison people's minds
against the brethren (Acts 14:2).

rCLBut the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their
minds against the brothers.rCY (Acts 14:2, ESV)

Next thing you'll be telling us is that rainbows are now pagan, because
pagans use them to promote homosexuality.

Here is another list showing the absurdity of the rCLpagan by associationrCY rule, grounded directly in Scripture.

The word rCLtheosrCY

The inspired Bible calls false gods rCLtheosrCY (Acts 14:11rCo12, ESV).
The same inspired Bible calls the Father rCLtheosrCY (John 17:3, ESV).
The word does not become pagan because pagans misuse it. Meaning comes
from the object referenced.

Sacrifices

Pagans offered sacrifices to idols (1 Kings 18:26, ESV).
God commanded sacrifices to Himself (Leviticus 1:3rCo4, ESV).
The act does not define paganism. The recipient does.

Altars

Pagans built altars to false gods (Acts 17:23, ESV).
God commanded altars for His worship (Exodus 20:24, ESV).
Stone does not carry spiritual corruption. Worship does.

Incense

Pagans burned incense to idols (Jeremiah 44:8, ESV).
God commanded incense for His worship (Exodus 30:7rCo8, ESV).
The practice remains holy when God defines its use.

Singing

Pagans sang to false gods (Daniel 3:7, ESV).
Believers sing to the Lord (Psalm 95:1rCo2, ESV).
Music does not belong to demons. God created sound.

Temples

Pagans worshiped in temples (Acts 19:24, ESV).
God appointed the temple for His name (1 Kings 8:29, ESV).
A building does not sanctify worship. God does.

Feasts

Pagans held religious feasts (Exodus 32:6, ESV).
God commanded feasts unto Himself (Leviticus 23:2, ESV).
Eating together does not become pagan by imitation.

Fire

Pagans used fire in worship (1 Kings 18:28, ESV).
God revealed Himself in fire (Exodus 3:2, ESV).
Fire serves God when God sends it.

Crowns

Pagans wore crowns in worship (Revelation 9:7, ESV).
The redeemed receive crowns from Christ (2 Timothy 4:8, ESV).
Authority symbols do not belong to darkness.

Kneeling and bowing

Pagans bowed to idols (Daniel 3:5, ESV).
God commands kneeling before Him (Psalm 95:6, ESV).
Posture does not determine truth. Allegiance does.

Here is a clear, Scripture-driven refutation that addresses the root lie
and exposes it by the light of GodrCOs word.

The tactic of poisoning peoplerCOs minds against everything Christians do
by associating it with paganism does not come from Scripture. It comes
from a false standard of holiness that God never gave. Scripture exposes
both the error and its source.

First, God judges worship by truth and allegiance, not by superficial resemblance.

Scripture never teaches that an action becomes sinful because pagans
once practiced something that looks similar. God repeatedly commands His people to worship Him in the midst of a pagan world without withdrawing
from created things.

rCLThe earth is the LordrCOs, and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.rCY (Psalm 24:1, ESV)

Creation belongs to God, not to idolaters. Pagans do not gain ownership
of days, trees, food, music, or gifts by misusing them. When Scripture
forbids idolatry, it forbids the worship of false gods, not the use of
created things.

rCLYou shall have no other gods before me.rCY (Exodus 20:3, ESV)

The command targets allegiance, not objects.

Second, Scripture explicitly rejects guilt by association.

Paul directly confronts the exact argument used by pagan-association
accusers. He teaches that created things do not become defiled by who
once used them.

rCLEat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on
the ground of conscience. For rCythe earth is the LordrCOs, and the fullness thereof.rCOrCY (1 Corinthians 10:25rCo26, ESV)

Meat once sacrificed to idols did not become pagan meat forever. If
pagan sacrifice does not permanently corrupt food, then pagan misuse
cannot permanently corrupt any created thing.

Paul exposes the false reasoning that treats demons as if they have
creative power.

rCLWhat pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God.rCY (1 Corinthians 10:20, ESV)

Demons receive worship; they do not create realities. They corrupt by deception, not by ownership. To claim that demons can permanently taint GodrCOs creation grants them authority Scripture denies.

Third, Scripture commands believers to live distinctly without
retreating from the world.

The Bible never calls believers to withdraw from ordinary human
practices because pagans exist.

rCLI wrote to you not to associate with sexually immoral peoplerCo not at
all meaning the sexually immoral of this worldrCa since then you would
need to go out of the world.rCY (1 Corinthians 5:9rCo10, ESV)

The pagan-association argument demands what Scripture rejects: total withdrawal from normal life. That standard is unbiblical.

Jesus Himself ate meals, attended weddings, observed feasts, and used
common cultural forms while remaining perfectly holy.

rCLGo and learn what this means: rCyI desire mercy, and not sacrifice.rCOrCY (Matthew 9:13, ESV)

Holiness flows from obedience and faith, not from fear of contamination.

Fourth, Scripture identifies the real source of this teaching.

The Bible consistently links obsessive rule-making and external
prohibitions to false spirituality.

rCLDo not handle, Do not taste, Do not touchrCa according to human precepts and teachings?rCY (Colossians 2:21rCo22, ESV)

Paul names this mindset for what it is.

rCLThese have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made
religion and asceticismrCa but they are of no value in stopping the
indulgence of the flesh.rCY (Colossians 2:23, ESV)

This practice promotes self-made religion. It replaces obedience to
Christ with suspicion toward creation.

Scripture also exposes the spiritual danger behind it.

rCLFor such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising
themselves as apostles of Christ.rCY (2 Corinthians 11:13, ESV)

Poisoning believers against ordinary acts of gratitude, joy, and
remembrance fractures conscience, undermines freedom, and shifts focus
away from ChristrCOs finished work.

Fifth, Scripture anchors Christian practice in Christ, not in origins.

The New Testament never evaluates Christian practices by tracing their cultural ancestry. It evaluates them by whether they honor Christ.

rCLSo, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory
of God.rCY (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)

Meaning comes from purpose, not from counterfeit parallels. Idolatry
depends on worship, not on resemblance. Two people can use the same
object with opposite meanings because the heart determines worship.

rCLGod is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.rCY (John 4:24, ESV)

Finally, Scripture reveals the lie at the root.

The pagan-association argument denies the sufficiency of ChristrCOs
victory. It acts as if Satan retains authority over creation after the
cross.

rCLHe disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.rCY (Colossians 2:15, ESV)

Christ did not leave the world demon-owned and believer-forbidden. He
redeemed people, restored conscience, and reclaimed creation for
grateful use.

rCLFor everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if
it is received with thanksgiving.rCY (1 Timothy 4:4, ESV)

This teaching settles the issue. God does not command believers to trace
pagan shadows. He commands believers to walk in faith, truth, and
gratitude centered on Christ.

The attempt to poison minds against everything Christians do by invoking
pagan associations contradicts Scripture, undermines Christian freedom,
and replaces the gospel with fear. It is not zeal for holiness. It is a
denial of the lordship of Christ over His world.
--
Have you heard the good news Christ died for our sins (rCa), and God
raised Him from the dead?

That Christ died for our sins shows we're sinners who deserve the death penalty. That God raised Him from the dead shows Christ's death
satisfied God's righteous demands against our sin (Romans 3:25; 1 John
2:1-2). This means God can now remain just, while forgiving you of your
sins, and saving you from eternal damnation.

On the basis of Christ's death and resurrection for our sins, call on
the name of the Lord to save you: "For 'everyone who calls on the name
of the Lord will be saved'" (Romans 10:13, ESV).

https://christrose.news/salvation

To automatically receive daily Bible teaching updates with colorful
images and website formatting, subscribe to my feed in a client like Thunderbird:

https://www.christrose.news/feeds/posts/default
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.bible

On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 14:45:12 -0600, Christ Rose
<usenet@christrose.news> wrote:

The tactic of trying to poison peopleAs minds against everything
Christians do by associating it with paganism does not come from
Scripture. It comes from a false standard of holiness that God never
gave. Scripture exposes both the error and its source.

It all depends on what "Christians do". If they follow ONLY the Bible,
that is fine. But if they introduce things that have pagan religious
influence, then they are wrong.

For example, many alleged Christians celebrate Halloween. A clearly
demonic pagan holiday. Or Easter, etc. The name "Easter" is taken from
a pagan sex goddess. Those pagan holidays may be fun for the kiddies,
but not for God.

In God's sense of time, 1 day = 1000 years, (2 Pet 3:8) those pagan
holidays happened just a few days ago.

To begin, God judges worship by truth and allegiance, not by superficial >resemblance.

John 4:23,24

Scripture never teaches that an action becomes sinful because pagans
once practiced something that looks similar. God repeatedly commands His >people to worship Him in the midst of a pagan world without withdrawing
from created things.

As long as things are in context, and from the Bible, all is well.

oThe earth is the LordAs, and the fullness thereof, the world and those
who dwell therein.o (Psalm 24:1, ESV)

Bad translation. Here is a better one.

-- American Standard
Psalms 24:1 The earth is Jehovah's, and the fulness thereof; The
world, and they that dwell therein.

Your translation has removed the Tetragrammaton and replaced God's
name with the Title "Lord".

Creation belongs to God, not to idolaters. Pagans do not gain ownership
of days, trees, food, music, or gifts by misusing them. When Scripture >forbids idolatry, it forbids the worship of false gods, not the use of >created things.

OK

oYou shall have no other gods before me.o (Exodus 20:3, ESV)

The command targets allegiance, not objects.

Deut 5:7-10. It mentions objects.

Second, Scripture explicitly rejects guilt by association.

Oh Really?

-- New King James
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good
habits.''

Paul directly confronts the exact argument used by pagan-association >accusers. He teaches that created things do not become defiled by who
once used them.

oEat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on
the ground of conscience. For athe earth is the LordAs, and the fullness >thereof.Ao (1 Corinthians 10:25u26, ESV)

OK

Meat once sacrificed to idols did not become pagan meat forever. If
pagan sacrifice does not permanently corrupt food, then pagan misuse
cannot permanently corrupt any created thing.

That all depends. If pagan worship is involved in a holiday
celebration, then a true Christian would avoid such a thing.

Paul exposes the false reasoning that treats demons as if they have
creative power.

1 Tim 4:1-3,

1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some
shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils;
2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a
hot iron;
3. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which
God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which
believe and know the truth. (NKJV)

oWhat pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God.o (1
Corinthians 10:20, ESV)

OK

Demons receive worship; they do not create realities. They corrupt by >deception, not by ownership. To claim that demons can permanently taint >GodAs creation grants them authority Scripture denies.

Remember the man that lived among the tombs, and people tried to bind
him up, but he kept getting lose? He was possessed, which created a
reality.

Third, Scripture commands believers to live distinctly without
retreating from the world.

OK

The Bible never calls believers to withdraw from ordinary human
practices because pagans exist.

2 Tim 2:22

oI wrote to you not to associate with sexually immoral peopleu not at
all meaning the sexually immoral of this worlda since then you would
need to go out of the world.o (1 Corinthians 5:9u10, ESV)

OK

The pagan-association argument demands what Scripture rejects: total >withdrawal from normal life. That standard is unbiblical.

Tell that to the Monks of the RCC.

Jesus Himself ate meals, attended weddings, observed feasts, and used
common cultural forms while remaining perfectly holy.

OK. And Jesus drank wine.

oGo and learn what this means: aI desire mercy, and not sacrifice.Ao >(Matthew 9:13, ESV)

OK

Holiness flows from obedience and faith, not from fear of contamination.

OK

Fourth, Scripture identifies the real source of this teaching.

The Bible consistently links obsessive rule-making and external
prohibitions to false spirituality.

Yes, the Scribes and Pharisees were notorious at doing just that.

oDo not handle, Do not taste, Do not toucha according to human precepts
and teachings?o (Colossians 2:21u22, ESV)

Paul names this mindset for what it is.

oThese have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made
religion and asceticisma but they are of no value in stopping the
indulgence of the flesh.o (Colossians 2:23, ESV)

OK

This practice promotes self-made religion. It replaces obedience to
Christ with suspicion toward creation.

??

Scripture also exposes the spiritual danger behind it.

oFor such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising
themselves as apostles of Christ.o (2 Corinthians 11:13, ESV)

OK

Poisoning believers against ordinary acts of gratitude, joy, and
remembrance fractures conscience, undermines freedom, and shifts focus
away from ChristAs finished work.

OK

Fifth, Scripture anchors Christian practice in Christ, not in origins.

Origins did have an impact on them. Such as no celebration of Easter,
or Christ's birthday. (Christmas)

The New Testament never evaluates Christian practices by tracing their >cultural ancestry. It evaluates them by whether they honor Christ.

Depending on the origin, certain celebrations were ignored, such as
birthdays.

oSo, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory
of God.o (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)

Meaning comes from purpose, not from counterfeit parallels. Idolatry
depends on worship, not on resemblance. Two people can use the same
object with opposite meanings because the heart determines worship.

oGod is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and
truth.o (John 4:24, ESV)

OK

Finally, Scripture reveals the lie at the root.

The pagan-association argument denies the sufficiency of ChristAs
victory. It acts as if Satan retains authority over creation after the >cross.

Cross = staurus, an upright pole. Paul said to stay away from unclean
things. Go to the light, not darkness.

oHe disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by >triumphing over them in him.o (Colossians 2:15, ESV)

Christ did not leave the world demon-owned and believer-forbidden. He >redeemed people, restored conscience, and reclaimed creation for
grateful use.

oFor everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if
it is received with thanksgiving.o (1 Timothy 4:4, ESV)

OK

This teaching settles the issue. God does not command believers to trace >pagan shadows. He commands believers to walk in faith, truth, and
gratitude centered on Christ.

But God doesn't expect us to walk in darkness, while at the same time
centering on Christ:

2 Co 6:14,

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness
and
wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with
darkness?" (NIV)

The attempt to poison minds against everything Christians do by invoking >pagan associations contradicts Scripture, undermines Christian freedom,
and replaces the gospel with fear. It is not zeal for holiness. It is a >denial of the lordship of Christ over His world.

OK. What contradictions?

Demonic wisdom is evidenced by envy and selfish ambition (James
3:14-15). Envy and selfish ambition seek to poison people's minds
against the brethren (Acts 14:2).

OK

oBut the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their
minds against the brothers.o (Acts 14:2, ESV)

OK

Next thing you'll be telling us is that rainbows are now pagan, because >pagans use them to promote homosexuality.

Illogical.

Here is another list showing the absurdity of the opagan by associationo >rule, grounded directly in Scripture.

The word otheoso

The inspired Bible calls false gods otheoso (Acts 14:11u12, ESV).
The same inspired Bible calls the Father otheoso (John 17:3, ESV).
The word does not become pagan because pagans misuse it. Meaning comes
from the object referenced.

Actually also from the context. And as you know, the Bible Greek
language has no capitol letters. Thus all words like "theos" are
"god", not "God". The translators stick in the capitols where they
want.

Sacrifices

Pagans offered sacrifices to idols (1 Kings 18:26, ESV).
God commanded sacrifices to Himself (Leviticus 1:3u4, ESV).
The act does not define paganism. The recipient does.

The pagans also ate meat. So did the Israelites. But the Israelites
were not pagan.

Altars

Pagans built altars to false gods (Acts 17:23, ESV).
God commanded altars for His worship (Exodus 20:24, ESV).
Stone does not carry spiritual corruption. Worship does.

OK

Incense

Pagans burned incense to idols (Jeremiah 44:8, ESV).
God commanded incense for His worship (Exodus 30:7u8, ESV).
The practice remains holy when God defines its use.

OK

Singing

Pagans sang to false gods (Daniel 3:7, ESV).
Believers sing to the Lord (Psalm 95:1u2, ESV).

Your translation is defective here in verse 1. Here is what it really
says:

- American Standard
Psalms 95:1 Oh come, let us sing unto Jehovah; Let us make a joyful
noise to the rock of our salvation.

Music does not belong to demons. God created sound.

God gave music to whoever wants to use it. Homosexuals, fornicators, adulterers, murderers, anyone. There is no Scripture forbidding music
for general people.

God also created food. Should that also be denied to sinners?

Temples

Pagans worshiped in temples (Acts 19:24, ESV).
God appointed the temple for His name (1 Kings 8:29, ESV).
A building does not sanctify worship. God does.

OK.

Feasts

Pagans held religious feasts (Exodus 32:6, ESV).
God commanded feasts unto Himself (Leviticus 23:2, ESV).
Eating together does not become pagan by imitation.

OK

Fire

Pagans used fire in worship (1 Kings 18:28, ESV).
God revealed Himself in fire (Exodus 3:2, ESV).
Fire serves God when God sends it.

Not God, but an angel of His:

-- American Standard
Exodus 3:2 And the angel of Jehovah appeared unto him in a flame of
fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush
burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

Crowns

Pagans wore crowns in worship (Revelation 9:7, ESV).
The redeemed receive crowns from Christ (2 Timothy 4:8, ESV).
Authority symbols do not belong to darkness.

What about the many evil Kings in the Bible?

Kneeling and bowing

Pagans bowed to idols (Daniel 3:5, ESV).
God commands kneeling before Him (Psalm 95:6, ESV).
Posture does not determine truth. Allegiance does.

Yes, look at the Koran believers.

Here is a clear, Scripture-driven refutation that addresses the root lie
and exposes it by the light of GodAs word.

The tactic of poisoning peopleAs minds against everything Christians do
by associating it with paganism does not come from Scripture. It comes
from a false standard of holiness that God never gave. Scripture exposes >both the error and its source.

Not everything alleged Christians do is approved by Jesus. Notice:

"22. "Many will say to Me in that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many
wonders in Your name?'
23. "And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from
Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"

You have to go by Scripture, not by the doctrines of Devils. (1 Tim
4:1) like the 4th century Trinity, souls are immortal, God created a
hellfire place to torture His disobedient children. (see Jer 7:31)

First, God judges worship by truth and allegiance, not by superficial >resemblance.

John 4:23,24.

Scripture never teaches that an action becomes sinful because pagans
once practiced something that looks similar. God repeatedly commands His >people to worship Him in the midst of a pagan world without withdrawing
from created things.

OK

oThe earth is the LordAs, and the fullness thereof, the world and those
who dwell therein.o (Psalm 24:1, ESV)

Creation belongs to God, not to idolaters. Pagans do not gain ownership
of days, trees, food, music, or gifts by misusing them. When Scripture >forbids idolatry, it forbids the worship of false gods, not the use of >created things.

OK, I guess.

oYou shall have no other gods before me.o (Exodus 20:3, ESV)

The command targets allegiance, not objects.

OK.

Second, Scripture explicitly rejects guilt by association.

Well, kind of:

-- Revised Standard
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good
morals."

Paul directly confronts the exact argument used by pagan-association >accusers. He teaches that created things do not become defiled by who
once used them.

oEat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on
the ground of conscience. For athe earth is the LordAs, and the fullness >thereof.Ao (1 Corinthians 10:25u26, ESV)

Meat once sacrificed to idols did not become pagan meat forever. If
pagan sacrifice does not permanently corrupt food, then pagan misuse
cannot permanently corrupt any created thing.

Sounds about right.

Paul exposes the false reasoning that treats demons as if they have
creative power.

What kind of creative power? They have been observed to move matter
around, which is atoms with much space between them. If they can
manipulate atoms, then no telling what they are able to do.

In the Bible, they helped to duplicate some of the plagues that God
performed by way of magic Egyptian priests.

oWhat pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God.o (1
Corinthians 10:20, ESV)

Demons receive worship; they do not create realities. They corrupt by >deception, not by ownership. To claim that demons can permanently taint >GodAs creation grants them authority Scripture denies.

If by creating realities, they sure can. They do that all over the
world by appearing as dead humans (ghosts), poltergeists, creating
sounds, making people sick, etc.

Of course the Bible has them possessing people, which creates a
reality. They can create lights in the sky. (like the 'star' that led
them the child Jesus in that house)

Third, Scripture commands believers to live distinctly without
retreating from the world.

One can't get out of this world unless you qualify to ride in a space
vessel.

The Bible never calls believers to withdraw from ordinary human
practices because pagans exist.

oI wrote to you not to associate with sexually immoral peopleu not at
all meaning the sexually immoral of this worlda since then you would
need to go out of the world.o (1 Corinthians 5:9u10, ESV)

OK.

The pagan-association argument demands what Scripture rejects: total >withdrawal from normal life. That standard is unbiblical.

Jesus Himself ate meals, attended weddings, observed feasts, and used
common cultural forms while remaining perfectly holy.

OK.

oGo and learn what this means: aI desire mercy, and not sacrifice.Ao >(Matthew 9:13, ESV)

Holiness flows from obedience and faith, not from fear of contamination.

Tell that to the preachers in the churches who teach hellfire sermons
to scare the flock into giving till it hurts.

Fourth, Scripture identifies the real source of this teaching.

The Bible consistently links obsessive rule-making and external
prohibitions to false spirituality.

Yes, the Scribes and Pharisees were notorious for this.

oDo not handle, Do not taste, Do not toucha according to human precepts
and teachings?o (Colossians 2:21u22, ESV)

Paul names this mindset for what it is.

oThese have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made
religion and asceticisma but they are of no value in stopping the
indulgence of the flesh.o (Colossians 2:23, ESV)

OK.

This practice promotes self-made religion. It replaces obedience to
Christ with suspicion toward creation.

?? What suspicion toward creation.

Scripture also exposes the spiritual danger behind it.

oFor such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising
themselves as apostles of Christ.o (2 Corinthians 11:13, ESV)

Poisoning believers against ordinary acts of gratitude, joy, and
remembrance fractures conscience, undermines freedom, and shifts focus
away from ChristAs finished work.

OK, I guess.

Fifth, Scripture anchors Christian practice in Christ, not in origins.

The New Testament never evaluates Christian practices by tracing their >cultural ancestry. It evaluates them by whether they honor Christ.

And don't forget Jesus' God, Jehovah. (1 John 2:17)

oSo, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory
of God.o (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)

Absolutely.

Meaning comes from purpose, not from counterfeit parallels. Idolatry
depends on worship, not on resemblance. Two people can use the same
object with opposite meanings because the heart determines worship.

The Bible says the heart is devious. We can't always trust it:

-- New King James
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked; Who can know it?

oGod is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and
truth.o (John 4:24, ESV)

YES BIBLE TRUTH IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO GOD. (John 4:23)

So things like that 4th century Trinity, immortal soul, a fiery place
known as hellfire, are all extra-Biblical. As long as people believe
such false things, John 4:23 is not being applied.

Finally, Scripture reveals the lie at the root.

The pagan-association argument denies the sufficiency of ChristAs
victory. It acts as if Satan retains authority over creation after the >cross.

Cross = a upright pole (staurus)

Satan is presently the ruler of this world, which gives him authority
over creation. (John 12:31)

oHe disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by >triumphing over them in him.o (Colossians 2:15, ESV)

Christ did not leave the world demon-owned and believer-forbidden. He >redeemed people, restored conscience, and reclaimed creation for
grateful use.

John 12:31

oFor everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if
it is received with thanksgiving.o (1 Timothy 4:4, ESV)

OK.

This teaching settles the issue. God does not command believers to trace >pagan shadows. He commands believers to walk in faith, truth, and
gratitude centered on Christ.

OK.

The attempt to poison minds against everything Christians do by invoking >pagan associations contradicts Scripture, undermines Christian freedom,
and replaces the gospel with fear. It is not zeal for holiness. It is a >denial of the lordship of Christ over His world.

Right now Satan is the ruler god of this world. (John 12:31; 2 Cor
4:4)


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