There’s a tweet below in the “Christmas Tweets” section that links to a YouTube video about how fast Santa goes when he’s delivering the gifts annually. (It’s pretty funny – don’t skip it.) At the start it says, “According to St Augustine Jesus chose the shortest day of the year, so symbolically he was lifting up from the bottom.”

For goodness sake. Yet more evidence of loony apologetics. I’ve never heard that one before, but you can understand why it’s not one the religious would want to trumpet.

1. 25 December is not the shortest day. As everyone is aware, that’s 21 December in the northern hemisphere.
2. In the southern hemisphere, it’s the middle of summer. So here, Jesus is symbolically sending us to the bottom? Far more appropriate given what religion does to the brain!
3. Or, did Jesus, who is God, who supposedly created it all and besides is omniscient, not know the earth is round and orbits the sun on a tilted axis?
4. And what’s all that stuff about shepherds watching their flocks by night? That happens in the summer, not the middle of winter.

The truth is that Christmas was co-opted from the Roman festival of Saturnalia, which was held for two weeks in mid-winter. There were orgies of various kinds including food, drink, and, of course, sex. The Christian Church wanted to moderate the behaviour of their followers. They made up a celebration of the birth of Christ to divert Christians away from enjoying themselves. Before that, there was no annual celebration of Christ’s birth – just his death and resurrection at Easter.

The Christian Church made the celebration of Saturnalia, and all that goes with it, sinful. Making something a sin is an ideal way to control people, especially when that thing is a natural impulse they can’t control.

Feeling sexual attraction towards another person is a perfectly normal thing. It’s often wrong to act on that attraction, and learning that is part of growing up. However, to the Church the (uncontrollable) feeling itself is a sin requiring confession, absolution, and penance. That, in my opinion, is one of the things that makes religion sick.

Many Christians believe the Seven Deadly Sins are part of scripture and so feel it’s important to avoid them. Religion doesn’t disabuse them of this notion because it makes their followers easier to abuse.

The Seven Deadly Sins – pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth – were made up by a fourth century Greek monk named Evagrius Ponticus. Wikipedia describes him as:

One of the most influential theologians in the late fourth-century church, he was well known as a thinker, polished speaker, and gifted writer.

The point is, even if you’re a devout Christian, there’s no scriptural requirement to avoid the Seven Deadly Sins. They’re just made up. They are largely things it would be better to avoid, but you’re not committing a sin if you slip up from time to time. You’re just a human being with your own set of natural follies and foibles.

 

Political Tweets

Now the truth comes out. There’s video of Trump promising wealthy people tax cuts. What was that he said about all the wealthy people hating him because his tax plan would cost them? They sound pretty happy with him here.

 

I may not agree with all this man’s positions, but I admire him for being a man of principle.

 

“I wasn’t ready for a woman president.”
(Via Ann German.)

 

And you thought it couldn’t get any worse …

 

Mueller Time Tweets

Knock, knock. Who’s there? …

 

I think cooler heads will prevail, and they will stop Trump from firing Mueller. In the event I’m wrong, these next two tweets are important.

 

 

Reality.

Human Rights Tweets

Charlottesville killer charged with first-degree murder.

 

BLOODY HELL!!! Bunch of sick gits. And no, it’s not a sign of the times. It’s a sign they don’t respect women as people, whatever the times.

Gun Safety Tweets

He’s such an a$$hole. Which one? Good point. Both of them.

 

Healthcare Tweets

One of the best videos I’ve seen on this topic. A must watch!

 

History Tweets

???? Dancing in the street! ????

 

Religion Tweets

FFS.

 

This looks promising.

 

Good on him.

 

Christmas Tweets

Wait for the line that starts at 4:21! It had me laughing out loud! I won’t spoil your fun – you have to listen for yourself! This is pretty funny.

 

Weather Tweets

Dorothy could be in that one!

 

Environment Tweets

Good on you Ireland!

 

Geography Tweets

Fascinating article.

 

Science Tweets

Ha ha.

 

Scenic Tweets

Gorgeous autumn scene.

 

Another place I want to visit.

 

I’ve never seen this view of it before.

 

Architecture Tweets

Wow!

 

 

Optical Illusion Tweets

I think I may have put this up before. Never mind. It’s cool!

 

NOTE: People are too obsessed with Trump and Mueller and Tax to get diverted by animals today it seems, so I struggled to find even these!

 

Other Animals Tweets

Otters are cute, even when they have guns. (Yes, I know it’s a water pistol.)

 

And I just have to present this one again!

 

The pudú is adorable!

 

This is a new one on me!

 

Very sweet!

 

Bird Tweets

Ducklings are so cute!

 

Dog Tweets

Awww!

 

This corgi looks like a rabbit in the snow!


 

Cat Tweets

Cute kitties!

 

Getting ready to play!

 

These mountain lion cubs are just gorgeous!

 

Count the kittens!

 

What a cool looking cat!


Ha ha!

 


 

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