Holiday Cheer and Fear: Santa, St. Nicholas, Odin, Sinterklaas, and Krampus : Extraordinary Intelligence

From Natalina at Extraordinary Intelligence: Holiday Cheer and Fear: Santa, St. Nicholas, Odin, Sinterklaas, and Krampus a detailed and very good article. Enjoy!

In many parts of the world, St. Nicholas Day is far more important and more ardently observed than Christmas, although in some areas, both dates are enjoyed as holidays. Children will often set their shoes out by the fire or in a main living area, and on the eve of St. Nicholas day, their shoes will be filled with treats. St. Nick is usually depicted in his traditional Bishop’s garb, and while he is said to be kind and generous, he is also a firm believer in discipline. Kids might be given presents, or they may find that St. Nick has left his parents a rod or branch to spank the children who’ve been naughty.

While traditions vary from region to region, the gift giving elements stay relatively consistent. It’s the creative means of discipline that makes each Nation’s St. Nick story unique… and at times scary! And while Santa Claus doesn’t really have a sidekick, unless you count his reindeer or his elves, some Countries have given their versions of St. Nick a helper or two… and no example is more bizarre than that of the Netherlands’ Sinterklaas.

You Pagan Christian Pagans, You

Another Christmas is the devil's work vid from the same people who gave us Santa is Satan (see previous post.) Love that Darth Vader-Monty Wooley impression though. (Who's Monty Wooley? If you don't know, he was a great actor from the golden era of films. Watch the clip :)

"Santa is Satan"

I think they're actually serious, despite the Darth Vader voice:

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Mich. Residents Receive Letter Calling Christmas Lights 'Pagan' - Yahoo!

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Mich. Residents Receive Letter Calling Christmas Lights 'Pagan' - Yahoo!

Homeowners in Hudsonville, Mich., have been singled out for displaying what an anonymous letter-writer calls "pagan" lights and decorations on their properties.

The letters start out on a friendly note, with "Hi Neighbor, you have a nice display of lights." But the self-described "love note" quickly changes tone, explaining how the "pagan tradition" of putting up lights began.

Religious Folk Art: "Sacrifice Beads" (St. Theresa)

At the local St. Vincent de Paul's the other day I noticed something new: lots of religious folk art items on a small display rack. I was surprised and delighted at the cost: this one was $1.00. St. Theresa Sacrifice Beads, with instructions.

A small plastic baggie, with a yellow piece of paper with instructions and blurb about St. Theresa:

St. Theresa Sacrifice Beads

St. Theresa medal on beaded string

St. Theresa (The Little Flower) used beads like these to count her "presents" to God Every (sic) day. Pull one bead for every sacrifice, good deed, or anything you do for the love of God. children can also count sharing, obeying their parents, being helpful, etc. They are also especially good for training children. Offer each "present" to God for souls and ask St. Theresa and Our Lady to help you pull many beads each day!

 "...especially good for training children." Scary. Inside the bag, along with the yellow paper, is a string of plastic blue and clear pony beads, and a medal of St. Theresa.

St. Vinnie's had several of these, along with rosaries and other saints, ranging in price from $1.00 to around $10.00, I think. I am going back for more!

Reverse side of St. Theresa medal

Vatican Astronomy - Shows - Coast to Coast AM

Brother Guy Consolmagno, astronomer at the Vatican's Observatory, guest tonight on Coast To Coast: Vatican Astronomy - Shows - Coast to Coast AM

Saudi Morality Police Propose Ban on “tempting” Eyes | Beauty - Yahoo! Shine

Saudi Morality Police Propose Ban on “tempting” Eyes | Beauty - Yahoo! Shine

According to an article in the Daily Beast, the CPVPV hasn't said what attributes define a "tempting eye." An anonymous Saudi journalist conjectured, "uncovered eyes with a nice shape and makeup. Or even without makeup, if they are beautiful, the woman will be in trouble." What really constitutes a pretty peeper is, of course, in the eye of the beholder, so the new law could essentially be a tool to arbitrarily control and harass any woman in public.

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Saudi Arabia executes woman convicted of 'sorcery' - Yahoo! News

What can one say about this, except the obvious: sick bastards:Saudi Arabia executes woman convicted of 'sorcery' - Yahoo! News

The London-based al-Hayat daily, however, quoted Abdullah al-Mohsen, chief of the religious police who arrested the woman, as saying she had tricked people into thinking she could treat illnesses, charging them $800 per session.

Article added that a "female investigator" was involved, in an attempt to distance everyone from the barbarism of this crime.

Claudia Santini: Now Hiring Online: Nuns

At the Huffington Post, Claudia Santini writes about the cloistered sisters in Italy who use the internet to recruit new nuns: Claudia Santini: Now Hiring Online: Nuns

"Cloistered life in Naples is enjoyable and cheerful," they say, "This is a daily extraordinary adventure, even if we know that, being stared from the outside, our lives seem different. There are many young women bringing vocation in their heart, but they are not aware of it."

Parasociology: Marian Apparitions at El-Zeitoun and Social Psi (part 4)

A well researched post from Eric Quellet at Parasociology on Marian apparitions, including the Zeitoun appiritons in 1968-1971: Parasociology: Marian Apparitions at El-Zeitoun and Social Psi (part 4)
(I've often wondered, and have commented in various blog postings, if those particular apparitions weren't some kind of human caused manifestation, and I still argue that they very likely were.) As you can see from the title this is "part 4" -- be sure to read the rest!

Parents Outraged Over Teacher Removing Word ‘Gay’ from ‘Deck the Halls’ | Trending Now - Yahoo! News

Parents Outraged Over Teacher Removing Word ‘Gay’ from ‘Deck the Halls’ | Trending Now - Yahoo! News

Ignorance during the holiday season.

Believers view atheists as untrustworthy: study

AFP: Believers view atheists as untrustworthy: study

I went off on a rant, then said, screw it. Sigh. The arguments as to why this is so disgusting are obvious.

After uproar, Ky. church revisits interracial ban - Yahoo! News

After uproar, Ky. church revisits interracial ban - Yahoo! News
However, racism has nothing to do with this, according to Melvin Thompson, the person behind voting for such a resolution and "former pastor" (!):

"I am not racist. I will tell you that. I am not prejudiced against any race of people, have never in my lifetime spoke evil" about a race, Thompson said earlier this week in a brief interview. "That's what this is being portrayed as, but it is not."

5 Reasons the Religious Right Should Stop Whining About Being Persecuted | | AlterNet

5 Reasons the Religious Right Should Stop Whining About Being Persecuted | | AlterNet:

I’ve been writing about the Religious Right for nearly 25 years now, and one thing that never ceases to amaze me is when the leaders or supporters of these organizations claim they are being persecuted. Really? In a country that has a strong Christian culture and where at least 75 percent of the population professes some form of Christianity, it would seem odd that Christians would be persecuted. Yet the claim is made, constantly.