Something I've been wondering about... In the 15 years I've been here reading about how holidays are evil and pagan, I've never once seen a post that mentioned Purim. Why is this?
Granted, I might have missed it, and I only learned about it from a Bible commentary last year, but according to the article I looked up, Purim is, "The Jewish holiday that celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to exterminate them in Persia (by Haman.)"
Activities for this grand event include:
* The reading of the book of Esther.
* Charity for the needy.
* Fasting.
* Food and drink -- a festive meal is shared, and "Purim baskets" are sent to friends and family. (Not sure where the fasting is scheduled into all of this, but hey, I'm learning.)
* Parades and carnivals.
* Costumes -- children AND adults dress up in costumes, often of figures from the story.
* Gift giving -- gifts are given to friends and family.
Seriously. How much evil can you cram into ONE holiday???!!! I mean, Purim BASKETS? The Easter bunny would sue over the competition. GIFT GIVING??? Santa would file for a copyright claim. And CHILDREN AND ADULTS DRESSING UP IN COSTUMES??? If this doesn't make people clutch their pearls and fall over in a display of f self-righteousness, I don't know what will. Why has it never been mentioned?
Is this something that can only be celebrated by the Jewish people? And I'm certainly not trying to say that this makes it right to celebrate.
But if this one holiday wraps up just about everything people point out as being evil about holidays into one big heathen package -- AND it's observed BY GOD'S OWN PEOPLE -- why is it that no one ever brings this up?