Lance, thanks for coming to my defense.
So a negative Nellie posts untrue things about Constantine and Church Councils, and I am raked over the coals, instead of the OP, who was certainly not posting because she loves everyone in this forum. She is coming from her Hebrew Roots bias. Although I will say, she is a very nice woman, although very delusional about doctrine, and certainly not coming from a factual point of view where history is concerned.
It irks me when people come on here and post false doctrine or heresy. I argue to the death, and mostly try to not get personal. Except sometimes, like when someone says I have no faith because I am not healed. I take that as a direct insult, and one coming out of ignorance of what the bible actually says!
But, when someone jumps on this anti-holiday bandwagon, and doesn't even use the facts, perhaps I do use more distain than I should. I've certainly taken church history in seminary, but I knew when Constantine lived long before I was a Christian, forget about seminary. So I apologize if what I posted seemed harsh. But I think correcting wrong facts, is pretty important. Missing the fall of Jerusalem, persecution of Christians and the terrible deaths of Christians killed in the gladiator arenas and Roman circuses are a vital part of Christianity. To say nothing of the fact that Constantine stopped the perscution of Christians. That is 300 years, or 3 centuries from the death of Christ count! Not 2000 years ago, as I already said!
To say nothing of the fact, that the entire argument that Constantine did so much evil to true Christians, is a complete lie. No, the councils didn't get everything perfect, but ending the Arian crisis and stopping Donatism certainly have to count for something good!
Then, not sure where the proof is, that Constantine ever established dates for Christmas and Easter. I've just finished reading a lot on him, and it simply doesn't say or imply anywhere that Constantine started these holidays, although he did decree something about not celebrating the death and resurrection on the day before the Passover. Perhaps that is what these Hebrew
Roots people object to?
Again, some people don't seem to understand the basic fact, that when you report easily googled history facts wrong, it does taint everything else that person says. Especially when we have beaten this dead horse too many times! (I know, someone else said it first!)