Thanksgiving is a widely celebrated holiday in the United States and Canada, occurring on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and on the second Monday of October in Canada. While Thanksgiving is known for its association with the Pilgrims, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620, its roots can actually be traced back to ancient pagan harvest festivals. In ancient times, many cultures and societies held harvest festivals to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest and to give thanks to the gods or deities believed to be responsible for the abundance of crops. These festivals were often marked by feasting, merriment, and religious rituals. One such festival is the ancient Roman festival of Cerelia, which honored Ceres, the goddess of agriculture. Another prominent harvest festival with similarities to Thanksgiving is the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
Of these uses of the word pagan, not a single one is translated the same.
beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods , saying, How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise. The Cornucopia was also incorporated in statues and money across ancient Rome and was often used in representations of the goddesses of grain Ceres and the goddess of luck Fortuna.
Another prominent harvest festival with similarities to Thanksgiving is the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Celebrated at the end of the harvest season, Samhain marked the transition from summer to winter and was a time to express gratitude for the harvest and honor deceased ancestors. In many ways, Samhain set the foundation for the modern traditions of Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Is Thanksgiving a Pagan Holiday?
The congregations of God obey his commands and keep his weekly and annual sabbaths holy. We set those days aside as special time to worship God with his spiritual family. We do not observe annual holidays like Christmas and Easter so why is Thanksgiving different? The common reasoning is that Christmas and Easter are "pagan" holidays, and Thanksgiving is a secular national holiday and does not originate from “paganism”.
Over time, as Christianity became more widespread in Europe, these pagan harvest festivals were assimilated into the Christian calendar. The Christian church began to adopt and Christianize existing festivals and traditions, often attributing them to Christian saints or religious events. This process, known as "syncretism," allowed the church to incorporate and reconcile pre-existing beliefs and practices with new Christian ideals. In 1621, the Pilgrims who had settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, celebrated what is now known as the first Thanksgiving with a harvest feast. They had successfully grown crops and wanted to express their gratitude to God for their abundance. While this event is often romanticized as the origin of Thanksgiving, it is important to note that similar harvest celebrations were already common in Europe and other parts of the world. Overall, the roots of Thanksgiving can be traced back to ancient pagan harvest festivals that were later merged with Christian traditions. While the specific customs and rituals have evolved over time, the central theme of expressing gratitude for a bountiful harvest remains at the heart of the modern Thanksgiving celebration..
Reviews for "The Ancient Harvest Festivals That Inspired Thanksgiving"
1. John Smith - 2/5 stars - While I understand the intention behind "Thanksgivingo pagan roots," I found it to be a highly biased and one-sided view of the holiday. The author seemed more focused on debunking the historical origins of Thanksgiving rather than providing a balanced perspective. Additionally, the book lacked proper research and references, which made it difficult to trust the information presented. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to those seeking a well-rounded understanding of Thanksgiving.
2. Sarah Thompson - 1/5 stars - "Thanksgivingo pagan roots" was a complete waste of my time. The author's argument was weak, and their evidence lacked credible sources to support their claims. It seemed more like a conspiracy theory rather than a well-researched book. Instead of providing insightful information about the history of Thanksgiving, the author went off on tangents and made unsubstantiated connections. This book left me feeling frustrated and without a better understanding of the holiday's roots.
3. Mark Johnson - 2/5 stars - I was expecting a thought-provoking analysis of the origins of Thanksgiving, but "Thanksgivingo pagan roots" fell short. The author seemed to have a personal agenda, which overshadowed the potential for an enlightening exploration of the holiday. The lack of credible sources and historical evidence made it difficult to take the author's claims seriously. Overall, I found this book to be disappointing and misleading, and I would caution others before giving it too much credit.