Re: Happy Thanksgiving!

 Dr. Oliver wrote:
 
> Joshua P. Hill  wrote:

<...>
> >>Some people are so bigoted, Ray, that they simply cannot stand the idea
> >>of respecting people of Christian faith.  They feel obligated to denigrate
> >>and mock anything Christians consider holy. This is what liberals call
> >>"tolerance."
 
Of course, pointing out that Saturnalia preceeded Christmas as the big 
winter celebration is a fact, not mocking.

> >Astounding.
 
> Yet true.

Tolerance. Heh.

"In the year 313 AD, the emperors Constantine and Licinius published an 
edict of tolerance towards Christianity. In 341, Constantine II and 
Costanzo prohibited paganism and pagan celebrations in the temple, both 
of which were punishable by death. In 380, under the emperor Theodosius, 
Christianity became the state religion. In 435, Theodosius II ordered 
the sign of the cross to be put everywhere.
<...>
In 1539, Pope Paolo III, making a visit to Assisi, ordered the Temple of 
Minerva to be completely restored and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, 
queen of true wisdom. The temple then took the name of "Santa Maria 
sopra Minerva. 

Therefore, there is an interesting continuity between the dedication                
of the Temple of Minerva, 'the goddess of pagan wisdom'                
and the dedication to the Virgin Mary, 'the queen of Christian                
wisdom'. "

  --  From the Assisi Franciscan friars web site, speaking of their 
home, the Temple of Minerva (they appear to prefer its original name)

--
Sylvia