Galatians 5:19-21 (King James Version) 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of YHVH
1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstaine from all appearance of euill. - 1611 King James Bible Ecclesiastes 9:3 This is an euill among all things that are done vnder the Sunne, that there is one euent vnto all: yea also the heart of the sonnes of men is full of euill, and madnesse is in their heart while they liue, and after that they goe to the dead. - 1611 King James Bible
Mardi Gras Just Harmless Fun? BY ROBERT R. FARRELL From Ancient Times This may come as a surprise, but Mardi Gras long predates Christianity. The earliest record comes from ancient times, when tribes celebrated a fertility festival that welcomed the arrival of spring, a time of renewal of life. The Romans called this pagan festival Lupercalia in honor of “Lupercus,” the Roman god of fertility. Lupercalia was a drunken orgy of merrymaking held each February in Rome, after which participants fasted for 40 days.
Interestingly, similar to modern celebrations, the Romans donned masks, dressed in costumes and indulged all of their fleshly desires as they gave themselves to the gods “Bacchus” (god of wine) and “Venus” (goddess of love). The masks and costumes were used as disguises to allow sexual liberties not normally permitted as individuals engaged in “bacchanal,” the drunken and riotous occasion in honor of Bacchus. (The word “bacchanal” is still associated with Carnival celebrations to this day.)
As pagans converted to Catholicism, they did not want to give up this popular celebration. Church leaders, seeing that it was impossible to divorce the new converts from their pagan customs, decided to “Christianize” this festival. Thus, Carnival was created as a time of merrymaking immediately preceding their pagan 40-day fast, which the church renamed “Lent.” During Carnival, participants indulged in madness and all aspects of pleasure allowable, including gluttony, drunkenness and fornication.
The festival then spread to Europe, where it was celebrated in England, Spain, Germany, France and other countries. During the Middle Ages, a festival similar to the present-day Mardi Gras was given by monarchs and lords prior to Lent. To conscript new knights into service, the nobles would hold feasts in their honor, and they would ride through the countryside rewarding peasants with cakes (thought by some to be the origin of the “King Cake,” to be explained later), coins (probably the origin of present day Mardi gifts of “doubloons”) and other trinkets.
In Germany, there is a Carnival similar to Mardi Gras known as “Fasching,” held during the same period. To a lesser extent, this festivity is also celebrated in Spain and France.
In France, the festival was called Mardi Gras, meaning “Fat Tuesday.” This name comes from the ancient pagan practice of killing and eating a fattened calf on the last day of Carnival; it dates from the pre-Christian era when the Druids sacrificed offerings to pagan gods, seeking more fertile women and livestock. This day was also known as “Shrove Tuesday” (from the old English word “shrive,” which means to confess all sins) and “Pancake Tuesday.” The custom of making pancakes came from the need to use up all the fat, eggs and dairy products before the fasting period of Lent began.
From Europe, it spread around the world, particularly in communities of Catholic heritage. It reached America in the 17th century, brought by French settlers to the southern states—particularly Louisiana, where the earliest record of the holiday being held was 1699. On March 3rd of that year, the French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville set up camp on the west bank of the Mississippi River, about 60 miles south of New Orleans. He named his camp “Pointe du Mardi Gras” in honor of the festival. From that time onward, Louisiana citizens of French ancestry have observed Mardi Gras with masked balls and parties.
According to other sources, Mardi Gras started in New Orleans when a group of students who had recently returned from Paris donned masks and costumes and danced their way through the streets of the city. The inhabitants were swiftly captured by their enthusiasm, and followed suit.
Under French rule, the celebrations flourished, but were later banned by the Spanish governors as the revelry had become out of control. This prohibition continued even after Louisiana became an American state in 1803. However, the French “Creole” population persuaded the U.S. government to reinstate Mardi Gras. After the ban was lifted, the festival became so popular in the city that the Carnival season’s duration was limited several times to prevent yearlong celebrations.
Growth and Development Mardi Gras developed into the elaborate affair it is today during the 19th and 20th centuries. In the early 1800s, the celebration was a simple affair consisting of masked revelers on foot, in carriages and on horseback. In 1837, there was the first parade, but the violent behavior of participants led to calls for ending the festival. Yet Mardi Gras was saved by six men who formed the “Comus,” which sought to beautify the celebration and to prove that it could be enjoyed in a safe manner. The Comus organization first coined the name “krewe” (an organization that puts on a carnival parade and ball for Mardi Gras in New Orleans) and established many of the festival’s present traditions, such as secret Carnival organizations, themed parades with costumed masqueraders and beautiful floats, and holding balls after the parades.
The festival was disrupted by the Civil War, but afterward quickly resumed. In 1871, an American tradition was established when a cake with a bean in it was presented to a young woman. This signified her selection as Mardi Gras queen, and started the “King Cake” tradition. In 1872, the famous “Rex” appeared, the King of Carnival that became the international symbol of Mardi Gras. Rex presented the festival’s signature colors (green, gold and purple), produced its flag and introduced its anthem, “If Ever I Cease to Love.” Other significant developments included the appearance of the first black krewe in 1894 and the first female krewe in 1896.
http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/holidays/mardi_gras.htm
Mardi Gras As with many Christian holidays, the celebrations of Mardi Gras were probably adapted in some way from pagan festivals. "It possibly has its roots in a primitive festival honouring the beginning of the new year and the rebirth of nature, though it is also possible that the beginnings of carnival in Italy may be linked to the pagan Saturnalian festival of ancient Rome."
http://www.novareinna.com/festive/mardi.html
The history of a Mardi Gras celebration existed many years before Europeans came to the New World. Some time in the Second Century, during mid-February (usually February 15 according to the Julian calendar), Ancient Romans would observe what they called the Lupercalia, a circus-type festival which was, in many respects, quite similar to the present day Mardi Gras. This festival honored the Roman deity, Lupercus, a pastoral God associated with Faunus or the Satyr. Although Lupercus is derived from the Latin Lupus (meaning "wolf"), the original meaning of the word as it applies to Roman religion has become obscured over the passage of time.
From Rome, the celebration spread to other European countries. In medieval times, a similar-type festivity to that of the present day Mardi Gras was given by monarchs and lords prior to Lent in order to ceremoniously conscript new knights into service and hold feasts in their honor. The landed gentry would also ride through the countryside rewarding peasants with cakes (thought by some to be the origin of the King Cake), coins (perhaps the origin of present day gifts of Mardi Gras doubloons) and other trinkets. In Germany, there still remains a Carnival similar to that of the one held in New Orleans. Known as Fasching, the celebrations begin on Twelfth Night and continue until Shrove Tuesday. To a lesser degree, this festivity is still celebrated in France and Spain. A Carnival season was also celebrated in England until the Nineteenth Century, originating as a type of "renewal" festival that incorporated fertility motifs and ball games which frequently turned into riots between opposing villages, followed by feasts of pancakes and the imbibing of alcohol. The preparing and consumption of pancakes on Shrove Tuesday (also known as "Pancake Day" or "Pancake Tuesday" and occurring annually between February 2 and March 9, depending upon the date of Easter) is a still a tradition in the United Kingdom, where pancake tossing and pancake races (during which a pancake must be tossed a certain number of times) are still popular. One of the most famous of such competitions, which takes place in Olney, Buckinghamshire, is said to date from 1445. It is a race for women only and for those who have lived in the Parish for at least three months. An apron and head-covering are requisite. The course is 415 yards and the pancake must be tossed at least three times during the race. The winner receives a kiss from the Ringer of the Pancake Bell and a prayer book from the local vicar. "Shrove" is derived from the Old English word "shrive," which means to "confess all sins."
www.exposingsatanism.org/fair-use.htm
Mardi Gras
What is really behind its Mask?
Pre- Christian Origin
Spring time pagan celebrations are the roots of the modern day Mardi Gras. Ancient Greek and Roman festivals involved sacrifice, drunkenness, lewdness, immoral sex and revelry. In the parade of the pagans, false gods are worshiped by exalting an image above the assembly. Pagan priests accompanied by the idol, shower the crowds with spring flowers, herbs, grain and coins. Both good fortunes, spells, and curses were shouted, including the calls to the idol god to grant favor and blessings.
On example of the gods is Pan. He is represented by a half animal, half man incarnation. He represents wanton lust and crudeness. In The Roman celebration "lupercalia" a fertility festival, the worship of Lupercus involved cross dressing and masquerading to promote sexual orgies. Today the celebration of Centaur exalts the same spirit of revelry and wanton abandonment, drunkenness, homosexuality, nudity and brawling all still exist today.
What was once deplored by the church is now accepted. A blend of pagan rites , animism and church religion exist today. In an attempt to convert the masses the church, the Catholic church, fixed the celebrated resurrection of The Messiah around the astrological event that "spring rites" celebrate. (the full moon of the spring equinox). The fixing of Easter allows the unscriptural religious celebration of Lent and ash Wednesday to follow Mardi Gras. Instead of resisting the ways of the pagans, The "church" absorbed many of these festivals in hopes that it would convert the pagans.
20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of YHVH
1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstaine from all appearance of euill. - 1611 King James Bible Ecclesiastes 9:3 This is an euill among all things that are done vnder the Sunne, that there is one euent vnto all: yea also the heart of the sonnes of men is full of euill, and madnesse is in their heart while they liue, and after that they goe to the dead. - 1611 King James Bible
Mardi Gras Just Harmless Fun? BY ROBERT R. FARRELL From Ancient Times This may come as a surprise, but Mardi Gras long predates Christianity. The earliest record comes from ancient times, when tribes celebrated a fertility festival that welcomed the arrival of spring, a time of renewal of life. The Romans called this pagan festival Lupercalia in honor of “Lupercus,” the Roman god of fertility. Lupercalia was a drunken orgy of merrymaking held each February in Rome, after which participants fasted for 40 days.
Interestingly, similar to modern celebrations, the Romans donned masks, dressed in costumes and indulged all of their fleshly desires as they gave themselves to the gods “Bacchus” (god of wine) and “Venus” (goddess of love). The masks and costumes were used as disguises to allow sexual liberties not normally permitted as individuals engaged in “bacchanal,” the drunken and riotous occasion in honor of Bacchus. (The word “bacchanal” is still associated with Carnival celebrations to this day.)
As pagans converted to Catholicism, they did not want to give up this popular celebration. Church leaders, seeing that it was impossible to divorce the new converts from their pagan customs, decided to “Christianize” this festival. Thus, Carnival was created as a time of merrymaking immediately preceding their pagan 40-day fast, which the church renamed “Lent.” During Carnival, participants indulged in madness and all aspects of pleasure allowable, including gluttony, drunkenness and fornication.
The festival then spread to Europe, where it was celebrated in England, Spain, Germany, France and other countries. During the Middle Ages, a festival similar to the present-day Mardi Gras was given by monarchs and lords prior to Lent. To conscript new knights into service, the nobles would hold feasts in their honor, and they would ride through the countryside rewarding peasants with cakes (thought by some to be the origin of the “King Cake,” to be explained later), coins (probably the origin of present day Mardi gifts of “doubloons”) and other trinkets.
In Germany, there is a Carnival similar to Mardi Gras known as “Fasching,” held during the same period. To a lesser extent, this festivity is also celebrated in Spain and France.
In France, the festival was called Mardi Gras, meaning “Fat Tuesday.” This name comes from the ancient pagan practice of killing and eating a fattened calf on the last day of Carnival; it dates from the pre-Christian era when the Druids sacrificed offerings to pagan gods, seeking more fertile women and livestock. This day was also known as “Shrove Tuesday” (from the old English word “shrive,” which means to confess all sins) and “Pancake Tuesday.” The custom of making pancakes came from the need to use up all the fat, eggs and dairy products before the fasting period of Lent began.
From Europe, it spread around the world, particularly in communities of Catholic heritage. It reached America in the 17th century, brought by French settlers to the southern states—particularly Louisiana, where the earliest record of the holiday being held was 1699. On March 3rd of that year, the French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville set up camp on the west bank of the Mississippi River, about 60 miles south of New Orleans. He named his camp “Pointe du Mardi Gras” in honor of the festival. From that time onward, Louisiana citizens of French ancestry have observed Mardi Gras with masked balls and parties.
According to other sources, Mardi Gras started in New Orleans when a group of students who had recently returned from Paris donned masks and costumes and danced their way through the streets of the city. The inhabitants were swiftly captured by their enthusiasm, and followed suit.
Under French rule, the celebrations flourished, but were later banned by the Spanish governors as the revelry had become out of control. This prohibition continued even after Louisiana became an American state in 1803. However, the French “Creole” population persuaded the U.S. government to reinstate Mardi Gras. After the ban was lifted, the festival became so popular in the city that the Carnival season’s duration was limited several times to prevent yearlong celebrations.
Growth and Development Mardi Gras developed into the elaborate affair it is today during the 19th and 20th centuries. In the early 1800s, the celebration was a simple affair consisting of masked revelers on foot, in carriages and on horseback. In 1837, there was the first parade, but the violent behavior of participants led to calls for ending the festival. Yet Mardi Gras was saved by six men who formed the “Comus,” which sought to beautify the celebration and to prove that it could be enjoyed in a safe manner. The Comus organization first coined the name “krewe” (an organization that puts on a carnival parade and ball for Mardi Gras in New Orleans) and established many of the festival’s present traditions, such as secret Carnival organizations, themed parades with costumed masqueraders and beautiful floats, and holding balls after the parades.
The festival was disrupted by the Civil War, but afterward quickly resumed. In 1871, an American tradition was established when a cake with a bean in it was presented to a young woman. This signified her selection as Mardi Gras queen, and started the “King Cake” tradition. In 1872, the famous “Rex” appeared, the King of Carnival that became the international symbol of Mardi Gras. Rex presented the festival’s signature colors (green, gold and purple), produced its flag and introduced its anthem, “If Ever I Cease to Love.” Other significant developments included the appearance of the first black krewe in 1894 and the first female krewe in 1896.
http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/holidays/mardi_gras.htm
Mardi Gras As with many Christian holidays, the celebrations of Mardi Gras were probably adapted in some way from pagan festivals. "It possibly has its roots in a primitive festival honouring the beginning of the new year and the rebirth of nature, though it is also possible that the beginnings of carnival in Italy may be linked to the pagan Saturnalian festival of ancient Rome."
http://www.novareinna.com/festive/mardi.html
The history of a Mardi Gras celebration existed many years before Europeans came to the New World. Some time in the Second Century, during mid-February (usually February 15 according to the Julian calendar), Ancient Romans would observe what they called the Lupercalia, a circus-type festival which was, in many respects, quite similar to the present day Mardi Gras. This festival honored the Roman deity, Lupercus, a pastoral God associated with Faunus or the Satyr. Although Lupercus is derived from the Latin Lupus (meaning "wolf"), the original meaning of the word as it applies to Roman religion has become obscured over the passage of time.
From Rome, the celebration spread to other European countries. In medieval times, a similar-type festivity to that of the present day Mardi Gras was given by monarchs and lords prior to Lent in order to ceremoniously conscript new knights into service and hold feasts in their honor. The landed gentry would also ride through the countryside rewarding peasants with cakes (thought by some to be the origin of the King Cake), coins (perhaps the origin of present day gifts of Mardi Gras doubloons) and other trinkets. In Germany, there still remains a Carnival similar to that of the one held in New Orleans. Known as Fasching, the celebrations begin on Twelfth Night and continue until Shrove Tuesday. To a lesser degree, this festivity is still celebrated in France and Spain. A Carnival season was also celebrated in England until the Nineteenth Century, originating as a type of "renewal" festival that incorporated fertility motifs and ball games which frequently turned into riots between opposing villages, followed by feasts of pancakes and the imbibing of alcohol. The preparing and consumption of pancakes on Shrove Tuesday (also known as "Pancake Day" or "Pancake Tuesday" and occurring annually between February 2 and March 9, depending upon the date of Easter) is a still a tradition in the United Kingdom, where pancake tossing and pancake races (during which a pancake must be tossed a certain number of times) are still popular. One of the most famous of such competitions, which takes place in Olney, Buckinghamshire, is said to date from 1445. It is a race for women only and for those who have lived in the Parish for at least three months. An apron and head-covering are requisite. The course is 415 yards and the pancake must be tossed at least three times during the race. The winner receives a kiss from the Ringer of the Pancake Bell and a prayer book from the local vicar. "Shrove" is derived from the Old English word "shrive," which means to "confess all sins."
www.exposingsatanism.org/fair-use.htm
Mardi Gras
What is really behind its Mask?
Pre- Christian Origin
Spring time pagan celebrations are the roots of the modern day Mardi Gras. Ancient Greek and Roman festivals involved sacrifice, drunkenness, lewdness, immoral sex and revelry. In the parade of the pagans, false gods are worshiped by exalting an image above the assembly. Pagan priests accompanied by the idol, shower the crowds with spring flowers, herbs, grain and coins. Both good fortunes, spells, and curses were shouted, including the calls to the idol god to grant favor and blessings.
On example of the gods is Pan. He is represented by a half animal, half man incarnation. He represents wanton lust and crudeness. In The Roman celebration "lupercalia" a fertility festival, the worship of Lupercus involved cross dressing and masquerading to promote sexual orgies. Today the celebration of Centaur exalts the same spirit of revelry and wanton abandonment, drunkenness, homosexuality, nudity and brawling all still exist today.
What was once deplored by the church is now accepted. A blend of pagan rites , animism and church religion exist today. In an attempt to convert the masses the church, the Catholic church, fixed the celebrated resurrection of The Messiah around the astrological event that "spring rites" celebrate. (the full moon of the spring equinox). The fixing of Easter allows the unscriptural religious celebration of Lent and ash Wednesday to follow Mardi Gras. Instead of resisting the ways of the pagans, The "church" absorbed many of these festivals in hopes that it would convert the pagans.
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