Jeremiah 10:2-4 and the Christmas tree

[Kadarin]

Today's fun fact: The Bible isn't too hip on the idea of the Christmas tree:

KJV:

2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

NIV:

2 This is what the LORD says:

“Do not learn the ways of the nations
or be terrified by signs in the heavens,
though the nations are terrified by them.
3 For the practices of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.
4 They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.

 

[lxskllr]

Maybe they shouldn't have co-opted a pagan holiday then.

 

[dquan97]

It's important to take the passage and read it within its context. Expanding the reading, the Bible is talking about avoiding the worship of wooden trees and images made by men. Therefore, the Bible is talking about idolatry in this passage, not christmas trees.

 

[Crono]

It's important to take the passage and read it within its context. Expanding the reading, the Bible is talking about avoiding the worship of wooden trees and images made by men. Therefore, the Bible is talking about idolatry in this passage, not christmas trees.

Exactly. It's talking about idols crafted from wood, which are made with human hands and then worshiped. The idea wasn't that people were decorating trees at the time, it was idolatry that was the issue. See Habbakuk 2:

What profit is the idol when its maker has carved it,
Or an image, a teacher of falsehood?
For its maker trusts in his own handiwork
When he fashions speechless idols.
“Woe to him who says to a piece of wood, ‘Awake!’
To a mute stone, ‘Arise!’
And that is your teacher?
Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver,
And there is no breath at all inside it.

 

[Zeze]

Backfired at weak atheist troll attempt.

 

[Kadarin]

Backfired at weak atheist troll attempt.

Pfft. I never claimed to be a good troll.

 

[Howard]

Pfft. I never claimed to be a good troll.

I could see why anyone could be confused about how an erected tree could serve as an idol.

 

[Jeff7]

Pfft. I never claimed to be a good troll.

Hang on a sec...

Exactly. It's talking about idols crafted from wood, which are made with human hands and then worshiped. The idea wasn't that people were decorating trees at the time, it was idolatry that was the issue. See Habbakuk 2:

What about gods which are created by human minds and then worshiped?:awe:

 

[xSauronx]

Exactly. It's talking about idols crafted from wood, which are made with human hands and then worshiped.

like this?

 

[Kadarin]

like this?

I suspect that God is ok with people worshipping idols that represent Him, but not with people worshipping Asherah. The Christian God is a jealous God, who apparently had a problem with Asherah.

 

[Crono]

like this?

If you actually worship a piece of wood, then that's not justifiable.

However, pledging allegiance to a flag sounds equally ridiculous, but then again, most people understand what symbolism means, and don't actually do such a thing; flags generally don't give orders.

 

[lxskllr]

If you actually worship a piece of wood, then that's not justifiable.

However, pledging allegiance to a flag sounds equally ridiculous, but then again, most people understand what symbolism means, and don't actually do such a thing; flags generally don't give orders.

Who the hell worships /things/? AFAIK, virtually 100% of any religion ever devised used "things" as a symbol for their chosen worship, and not the "thing' itself. Just more silly bullshit to evade their own rules. Same as eating fish on Friday. Air meat, and ground meat are verboten, but water meat is A-OK. Ridiculous :^S

 

[xaeniac]

I suspect that God is ok with people worshipping idols that represent Him.

Most individuals are not worshipping the idol/cross. They are using the symbol to bring them closer to God. Just like a picture of a loved one. You do not love the picture, but the individual.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Christians like to cherry pick which old testament dogma they follow. Duh.

 

[BladeVenom]

An aluminum pole is still OK, isn't it.

 

[am7]

Many Christians do not put up Christmas trees because of this passage of scripture. Yahshua (Jesus) was most likely not born on December 25. Most scholars think it was between April and October. The interesting thing is that at the Jewish festival the feast of tabernacles, a giant light was shined at the top of the hill and people would dwell in tents for a week and celebrate. It was also called the feast of booths, symbolizing when God would tabernacle with His people.

 

[jagec]

Pfft. I never claimed to be a good troll.

If you aren't getting bites, you either need to switch your bait or try a different spot. I suggest concern trolling Christian forums with that same passage.