posted by on December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 pm

Not exactly unbelievers...
I wouldn't call pagans unbelievers. Many believe quite strongly in their own faiths, which differ greatly from some of the newer Middle Eastern religions (Christianity, Islam, etc) and have the advantage of tolerance based on age and experience. Our present Christmas season has pagan roots - timed by the early church to coincide with more ancient celebrations. Mistletoe, decorated trees, wreaths, Yule logs...all present in this season for ages. Long before the first Christian missionaries slipped into the northern forests to teach the history of the Twelve Tribes of Israel and the Son of God. What better way to celebrate the (slightly altered) birthday of the Prince of Peace, than to exhibit a bit of free thought? Do you really think Jesus would be more offended by a sincere doubt than by what men who profess to believe have done in his name over the past twenty centuries?
posted by Jim Pipkin on December 26, 2006, 02:12:17 pm

Mother, I climbed
It sounds like the words of this song are about dogma; and that religion does not have answers. Judaism, my faith, is an ethics based religion --it has no dogma--and I do not turn to my religion for answers but inspiration and direction. This song to me is about searching, and like my religious belief is a path of discovery and growth. In this song, I hear someone who is searching. Also, to me, someone who cares enough to search is already a believer in something bigger than themselves.
posted by Nan Abrams on September 21, 2007, 03:04:15 pm