Truth behind other so-called Christian occasions

Part 2

It is so sad that in the "Christian" culture, which was supposed to have originated from the pure teachings of a Prophet of Allah, Hadrat 'Eesa -Eisa, Jesus- (PBUH), not only the pagan idea and the date of the ancient Romans' celebration of the Lupercalia, lived through the so-called Saint Valentine's day (as described in Part 1 of this writing), but the immoral circus like festival itself has also lived on as Mardi(M) - Gras(G) ("M.G.")!!! This is what happens when the teachings of the Prophets and their Allah-Chosen Successors (PBUT) are forsaken, and instead human desires under the leadership of usurpers and liars, the adherents to Shaitaans and devils, are followed … .

"M.G." (Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday) is another attempt to incorporate paganism with the Church, much like Christmas and Easter; please refer to the articles: "Truth behind Christmas" and "Truth behind Easter" in this site, kindfather.com

Spring time pagan celebrations are the roots of the modern day "M.G." carnival. Ancient Greek and Roman festivals involved sacrifice, drunkenness, lewdness, immoral sensual relationships, shameless public display of carnal desires, and revelry. In the parade of the pagans, false gods were 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. Lupercalia was such a festival. (From the Wikipedia Encyclopedia)

"The Lupercalia festival began with the sacrifice by the Luperci (or the flamen dialis) of two male goats and a dog. Next two young patrician Luperci were led to the altar, to be anointed on their foreheads with the sacrificial blood, which was wiped off the bloody knife with wool soaked in milk, after which they were expected to smile and laugh. The sacrificial feast followed, after which the Luperci cut thongs from the skins of the victims, which were called "Februa", dressed themselves in the skins of the sacrificed goats, in imitation of Lupercus, and ran round the walls of the old Palatine city, the line of which was marked with stones, with the thongs in their hands in two bands, striking the people who crowded near." (Wikipedia Encyclopedia)

Notice that it is stated that the thongs from the skins of the victims (sacrifices) were called "Februa"; and "February", the name of the month in which these festivals were performed, according to the Webster Dictionary is: "expiatory (month), der. of februa (pl.) expiatory offerings". In addition the Wikipedia states: "Februa, also Februatio was the Roman festival of Lupercalia … The Roman month Februarius ("of Februa," whence the English February) is named for the Februa/Februatio festival, which occurred on the 15th day of the Roman month. A later Roman god Februus personified both the month and also purification, and is named for them. Thus, the month is named for the festival and not for the god."

When Christianity arrived in Rome, the dignitaries of the early Church decided it would be more prudent to incorporate certain aspects of such rituals into the new faith rather than attempt to abolish them altogether. This granted a Christian interpretation to the ancient custom and the Carnival became a time of abandon and merriment which preceded the Lenten period (a symbolic Christian penitence and fasting of 40 week days commencing on Ash Wednesday -the day after Fat Tuesday ("M.G.")- and ending at Easter). During this time, there would be feasting which lasted several days and participants would indulge in voluntary madness by donning masks, clothing themselves in the likeness of spectres and …, and generally giving themselves up to Bacchus (god of wine) and Venus (goddess of love)! All aspects of pleasure were considered to be allowable during the Carnival celebration … Eventually the celebration spread to other European countries. In Germany, there still remains a Carnival similar to that of the one held in New Orleans (state of Louisiana, United States). This festivity is still celebrated in France and Spain … A Carnival season was also celebrated in England … with feasts of pancakes … and the imbibing of alcohol … The origin of the word "Carnival" is from the Latin for "farewell to the flesh," a time when one is expected to forego earthly pleasures prior to the restrictions of the Lenten Season, and is thought to be derived from the feasts of the Middle Ages known as carnis levamen or "solace of the flesh." ... What was once deplored by the church is now accepted … In an attempt to convert the masses, the Church fixed Easter 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 "M.G.". Instead of resisting the ways of the pagans, the "church" absorbed many of these festivals in hopes that it would convert the pagans … In French, "M.G." means Fat Tuesday. This is a day to gorge and over indulge oneself before the seasonal religious practice of fasting, abstinence and denial. (From a tract by "Last Call Ministries", 205 E. Kings Hwy, Shreveport, Louisiana United States)

In addition regarding the root of the word carnival, the Oxford English Dictionary states that the word "Carnival" is derived from Latin carnem levare (removal of the meat) or carnem laxare (leaving the meat); signifying that those were the last days when one could eat meat before the fasting of Lent. Whatever the root of the word carnival may be, the obvious fact is that the human-innovated so called religious tradition of Fat Tuesday or "M.G." has not just included gorging and over indulging in eating, rather has included over indulging in immoralities and unspeakable relations and actions forbidden by God … .

Indeed, the distortions after the Prophet Jesus (PBUH), started with Paul's usurpation of Sham'oon Safa's (Simon Peter's) Allah-Ordained Successorship Position, and have been continuing so much so that even those who are claiming to have loved and obeyed Simon Peter after Jesus (PBUH), have actually been following the distorted teachings of Paul and the additional distortions which have followed afterward; but still in the midst of all the dark distortions, certain rays of light shine through. Please refer to articles: "Ghadir, from creation to eternity" and "Two Messiahs" in this site, kindfather.com

The Christians themselves say that the Prophet Jesus, Hadrat Eesa (PBUH) has said:

Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Mat. 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Matt. 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

It is ironic, is it not?! In today's every day life, and not just in mad festivals and carnivals such as the "M.G.", unmarried men and women, also men and men, and women and women, …; while according to the book which is considered by Christians themselves as "holy", even looking at another, lustfully, is adultery, with punishment of eternal Hell!

And additionally those who claim that they are the followers of Jesus (PBUH) verify that Jesus did not reject the Law brought by Moses (PBUH), and taught that neither having faith alone, nor following the Law without sincere and correct faith, was enough, and that a believer while having correct and sincere faith, was to also at the same time observe the Laws of God:

Matt. 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Matt. 5:18 For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled.

Matt. 5:19 Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. . .

Matt. 23:23 Woe unto you, … hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these (the Law) ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other (faith and …) undone.

And furthermore, the Prophet Jesus (PBUH) has been quoted to have said:

Matt. 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matt. 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matt. 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matt. 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Matt. 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

Then how can those who claim to be the adherents to the teachings of the Prophet Jesus (PBUH), at the same time be the adherents to the teachings of Paul which are in obvious contrast with the teachings of Hadrat 'Eesa (PBUH)?!

Didn't Paul say:

1 Cor.6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not profitable: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Col. 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Col. 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Col. 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

Col. 2:21 Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Yes, to Paul everything was lawful, " All things are lawful unto me" and he did not want to submit to the Law of God, " I will not be brought under the power of any"; in spite the fact that the Prophet Jesus (PBUH) had said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law" and, " woe to that man by whom the offence cometh". Paul (“that man”) taught everyone to disregard the Law, the musts and the must nots, the Divinely-Ordained Lawful (Halaal) and the Divinely-Ordained Unlawful (Haraam) and …, " Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days …"; while Jesus (PBUH) had said, "Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven". Paul said that the following of the Law was childish, " Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances"; while Jesus had said, "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." And … .

Paul's satanic teachings, i.e. the teachings of he who after Jesus (PBUH) usurped the Allah Bestowed Right of the true Successor of the Prophet of Allah, opened the way for all the immoral acts which are being performed today; and by that we do not just mean those immoral acts of the so-called religious "M.G." carnival, but in general the free life styles of today's societies which such so-called festivals and … are only manifestations of the approving and participating peoples' state of mind and belief; disregarding God and His Wishes and Commands, disrespecting and dishonouring sacred times and places, …, drinking, nudity, adultery, homose xuality and … are only a few of immoral and unethical “LOWER THAN ANIMAL” ways which in the name of religion and God! have been prevailing in the so-called "HUMAN" life!

To comprehend the depth of the damage, here as a sample, let us just briefly explore one of the perhaps less thought about issues:

"The Christian calendar has so far departed from the Bible that there is no need to examine it. It is a solar calendar with artificial months having more to do with the Roman emperors than with the phases of the moon. The Jewish calendar is more problematical. … That the rabbinical calendar is post-biblical is clear even without a detailed examination of its history, going back to Hillel II. The fact that two thousand years ago there were several competing calendar systems within Judaism speaks for itself. All of them claimed to be Biblical, and none of them are precisely the same as the Jewish calendar presently in use. … The Islamic calendar consists of twelve lunar months in one year, established by the sighting of the moon. The Jewish calendar adds a thirteenth month on certain years and does not rely absolutely on the sighting of the moon for the beginning of each month. … The Bible mentions only twelve months, and the months are established by the sighting of the moon. … The Islamic calendar can be defended on the basis of the fact that out of the scores of dates mentioned in the Bible, including all twelve months of the year, there is no date for any event during a thirteenth month. The thirteenth month is completely unknown to the Biblical record of dates. … There is no mention of a thir­teenth month in the Bible … so we are justified in assuming a year of twelve months for the Biblical year. There are a few texts in the Bible mentioning the new moon, but Psalm 81:3 is most important for establishing the process of sighting and broadcasting the arrival of the new moon. 'Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.' The necessity for giving the signal shows that the new moon was established not by any calculation, but by sight." (Thomas McElwain, from the book "Islam in the Bible")

It is very important to realize that from the beginning religious events were always based on lunar months, but later as another tool for distortions, many dates were fixed based on ancient or pagan calendars, or solar or mixture of lunar and solar calculations, or astronomical events, or …, thus the true dates were lost with all their special blessings and …; remember Paul -a former Jew himself- taught that respecting holy days and new moons were not necessary any longer, " Let no man therefore judge you in … respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, …". Thus for instance the original followers of the Prophet Jesus (PBUH) perhaps knew the day when the Prophet Jesus (PBUH) was lifted up to heavens, and surely that day was a holy day, but eventually through fixing such dates for worldly purposes that holy day with all its blessings got lost. As we indicated before, this is what the Christians have said themselves, "In an attempt to convert the masses, the Church fixed Easter 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 "MG" ..." How can Christians deny the obvious fact that after the Prophet Jesus (PBUH), Paul -the usurper- paved the way for all deviations which have followed ever since?!

We also cordially invite our friends to study the articles "Ascension of Jesus (PBUH)" and "Ascension of Mohammad (PBUH&HP)" in this site, kindfather.com

Now perhaps we realize and appreciate the importance of obeying Allah and His Prophets and their Allah-Chosen Successors (PBUT) in every matter of our lives, such as respecting and honoring Religious times and places; … the month of Ramadan in which Allah has Promised that even our sleep is considered as worship, with its Night of Qadr when all angels come down to earth to visit Hadrat Mahdi (PBUH), the Hojjat of Allah, and decrees are signed by him, …, happens only during the LUNAR month of Ramadan; the conclusion of the Hajj season is only in the LUNAR month of DhylHajjah; anniversary of Ghadir, the day when the Right Path of humankind to blissful eternity was undeniably, formally, and firmly installed and inducted, and allegiance was sought from humankind until Qiyaamat, and it is Promised that its fasting is tantamount to the fasting of the number of days of the entire existence …, is only on the 18^th of the LUNAR month of DhylHajjah; the anniversary of Aashoora is only on the tenth of the LUNAR month of Moharram; and … .

One of our intentions for mentioning such points is to remind all of us the necessity of loving and obeying Allah, inwardly with our faith and belief, and outwardly with our actions and deeds, through loving and obeying the pure teachings of the last Prophet of Allah and his Divinely Chosen Successors, Hadrat Mohammad and the AhlulBayt (PBUT). These are all lessons for all of us: we are not to obey our desires, those desires which are in contrast with Allah's Wishes, if we do that, then we are no longer worshipping the One and Only Allah, rather our god becomes our desires, then we definitely are the losers:

Qur'an 28:50 Thus if they hearken not to thee, then know that they only follow their desires; and who is more astray than one who follows his desires without any guidance from Allah? Surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.

Qur'an 25:43, 44 Have you seen him who takes his desires for his god? Will you then be (able to be) a protector over him? Or do you think that most of them do hear or understand? They are nothing but as cattle; nay, they are worse astray in Path.

O' our beloved Mahdi (Salaam be upon you)! Help us believe correctly and deeply, obey firmly and humbly, love sincerely and purely, and anticipate your glorious Emergence moment by moment, eagerly and patiently … .