December 29, 2005 - Every year Ann Coulter updates an op-ed called Kwanzaa: A Holiday from the FBI. Kwanzaa lovers will hate it. Check it out.
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Check out debate the origin of Christmas.
I neglected to include a couple of links from the previous Kwanzaa post (2003). For more discussion on the “Christmas is pagan” meme and tired “Saturnalia” retread, read Is Christmas Pagan? and Christmas is NOT Pagan…
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In the past two days I’ve received close to 500 hits on a Kwanzaa article I wrote a couple of years ago (Originally published in December 2003 as Why Black Christians Shouldn’t Celebrate Kwanzaa) and posted on this blog. I hate that I have to write about Kwanzaa, and I hate that it’s seeped into the mainstream to point where white people are wishing black people a “Happy Kwanzaa.” Thank God nobody’s said that to me lately.
Googlers have been landing on my blog because I’m one of the few bloggers who’ve written about Kwanzaa, and as you know, blogs tend to appear quite high in search results.
Here’s the most irritating thing about running a blog with commenting. Sometimes it’s difficult to express oneself clearly to people of varying cognitive abilities. Some process information better than others. Some are able to reason better than others. The less bright may miss the subtlety and nuance. Certain readers may know a bit of the history behind a particular subject; others may be completely ignorant of it. The intellectually curious may do some independent research in an effort to support or dispute my arguments, while others just want to get in their 2 cents regardless. A few may lack common sense altogether, and still others want to be contrary just for the sake of being contrary.
To condense my thoughts into a coherent post, especially with a subject like Kwanzaa, is not easy. It’s 10 times as difficult to explain spiritual matters to non-believers. It’s unfortunate that biblical literacy is not considered important anymore. As this nation was founded on biblical principles, it was a matter of course that people had at least a cursory knowledge of the book, whether they believed it was the word of God or not.
As education in America continues to sink further into the sewage pipes, so has the most fleeting knowledge of an historic book that contains familiar sayings and situations, and inspirational and life-affirming accounts of God’s relationship with his creation. Biblical ignorance is now a badge of “enlightened” honor.
Most critics of my Kwanzaa article are black, of course, and non-Christians, although the article is clearly addressed to Christians. I personally don’t care who or what heathens bow down to worship. My motivation for writing the article was to tell black Christians who observe Kwanzaa why it is spiritually dangerous to do so.
I’m reposting the article with commentary. An update is long overdue. A few months ago an editor at the Christian Research Journal asked me to write a Kwanzaa article for their December 2006 issue. That piece will be more fleshed out and scholarly. In the meantime, I’ll attempt to answer a few of the most common questions and critiques, which I’ve placed in brackets.
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“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines.” Hebrews 13:8&9
America — the greatest country in the world — was founded on the concept of religious freedom. In America, you can be a Christian, Jew, Muslim, atheist or pagan, without fear of persecution. While government cannot endorse one religion over the other, individuals can.
[Discussions about Christ are taboo in government schools, but Kwanzaa isn’t. From a reader: “Today a gentleman was invited by my child’s kindergarten teacher to talk about Kwanzaa to the class…If the philosophy of Kwanzaa is allowed to be discussed in public school should I be allowed to discuss Jesus Christ with the class also?” Answer: Of course you should be allowed, but you are NOT.]
For decades, the media have given credence to many a self-appointed black “leader,” no matter how outrageous. Now they’re doing the same with a pagan ritual called Kwanzaa, a so-called African-American holiday.
A made-up, anti-Christian observance, Kwanzaa is celebrated by blacks who profess Christ. In our politically correct climate, even President George Bush, a believer in Christ, feels obligated to praise this ritual.
[All holidays are made up! True. But in this context, here is what I meant: Kwanzaa is a jumble of political ideology, pseudo-cultural, and spiritualized “African” rituals. Unlike Christmas, the Christian observance of the birth of the Savior, Kwanzaa isn’t a deep-rooted, historical, or true observance of anything African. An ex-convict created a faux African Christmas replacement for black folks.]
Kwanzaa was invented in 1966 by Dr. Maulana “Ron” Karenga, a former black militant, Marxist and convicted felon. Claiming to have the unity of black people in mind, Karenga committed most of his crimes against blacks.
Just five years after his invention, he was convicted of torturing two black women by stripping them naked, beating them with electrical cords, placing a hot iron into the mouth of one and mangling the toe of the other in a vise. During the ordeal, he forced them to drink detergent.
[Hey, we all have a past, including me. I just thought this information was important to note.]
But I digress.
Observed from December 26 to January 1, this “alternative” to Christmas is based on a mixture of East African harvest rituals called first fruits — according to Karenga — and 1960s radicalism, although most ancestors of black Americans were from West Africa.
[I cringe when I read news stories that assert Kwanzaa is a “celebration of black culture.” ]
Participants acknowledge their African roots and promote seven, harmless-sounding principles — unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
While they sound commendable, the guiding principle behind Kwanzaa is based on race, not on faith in the one true living God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Paganism is a “religion of nature.” Those who practice it and other New Age fallacies see the divine in the created — humans, sun, moon, stars, trees — instead of the Creator. Christians who worship created beings are acting like pagans. It’s that simple.
[Christmas also has pagan roots! False. While it’s true that certain objects associated with Christmas have pagan origins (the Christmas tree, mistletoe), the commemoration of the birth of Christ itself is not pagan. Critics often make the mistake of dismissing our claims simply because Christians may have borrowed ideas from other cultures. But Christians know the Bible is our final authority, not the culture. Although it doesn’t command or even instruct believers to set aside a day to celebrate Christ’s birth, the Bible doesn’t forbid it, either. The whole point behind Christmas was much clearer before the days of politically correct thought control and speech codes.]
Karenga and his followers worship the created, their African ancestors, in a “libation” ceremony, and believe these dead ancestors to be spiritual intercessors between humans and God. But Christians know (or should) that only Christ is the intercessor between us and God.
[Unfortunately, I’ve participated in a Kwanzaa ritual, and it was quite worshipful. Fortunately I was an unbeliever at the time.]
Attention Christians: Kwanzaa is a made-up creed cobbled together by a man hostile to the very God you claim to worship! According to Karenga, Christianity is a myth. He does not believe in the God of the Bible. He says this about Christianity: “Belief in spooks who threaten us if we don’t worship them and demand we turn over our destiny and daily lives must be categorized as spookism and condemned.†He believes that the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, the whole rationale behind Christianity, is a myth.
[As a Christian, I don’t feel that Kwanzaa is religious in any way. I see it as a cultural celebration.
“‘I think African American Christians must recognize that Kwanzaa is not a simple appreciation or reaffirmation of one’s ancestry, said Eric Redmon, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Temple Hills, Md., a predominantly African American congregation. The concept of self-worth based on one’s ancestry is inherent in the system of Kwanzaa, and perhaps can reflect ‘the majesty of the image of God in all people,’ Redmon said. But he noted that Kwanzaa overlooks the depravity that can arise within any human culture.†] (Source)
Over the years, Karenga has altered his pagan intentions to attract more black Christians into the fold. He now claims that Kwanzaa is a time of giving “reverence to the Creator.†Just what creator he refers to is unclear. Red flags should jump out at any Bible-believing Christian when someone reveres a “Creator†but denies the deity of Christ.
Christians must understand that Karenga intends Kwanzaa to be an alternative to Christmas so that blacks can celebrate themselves rather than the birth of Christ.
Kwanzaa is not an innocuous celebration of black history. It attempts to spiritualize that history, replacing Christ-centered theology with pagan principles. For Christians, the only principles by which to live are found in God’s word, the Bible.
Pagans have argued that Christ was not born on December 25. Insignificant. While no one knows exactly when Christ was born, the fact remains that He was born. Christmas is a time for Christians to celebrate this joyous fact.
Christ became a man to save men, not to lift up one race or culture in worship. As with any man-made religion, Kwanzaa is just another attempt to make gods of men. All Christians must be discerning when faced with these false doctrines.
The Fall of Man was the direct result of our determination to become gods. The pagan ritual of Kwanzaa is merely the old Lie wearing a new disguise.
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If you’re a regular LBC reader and not just some fly-by Googler, you know that I have a higher standard for people who disagree with me. Unfair it may be, such is life. It’s also my blog.
If you disagree with me and want to post your 2 cents, don’t reinvent the microchip. Don’t rehash tired lines or pose a question already answered. If you have something intelligent and fresh and original to add, be my guest. If you’re black and non-Christian and LOVE Kwanzaa, don’t write to me about it. Pray to the Golden Calf, observe your holiday, drink your libations, and don’t bother me.
Update: Lorie Byrd:
It really bothers me that schools include Kwanzaa as equivalent to Christmas and Hanukah. If they are going to include it in their curriculum they should at least tell the whole story on Kwanzaa.
Unrelated Update: Self-promotion alert! Visit my business blog.
Update III: Never assume people will understand a point if you don’t make it explicit. I don’t like what Christmas has become, and since becoming a Christian, I despise the “Santa Claus†nonsense. It’s unfortunate that Christmas is associated with material excess, but I’m not opposed to gift-giving, and the Bible certainly doesn’t forbid it.
Thank you for this article about Kwanzaa. We adopted twins from Ethiopia this year. During much of the adoption process, we were faced with decisions about bowing to the PC crowd in the adoption mafia or staying true to our Christian values, which is part of the reason we were led to adopt in the first place. Now, with Kwanzaa approaching, I was dreading having to deal with yet another PC encroachment on our parental rights. Your blog has given me something to think about and something to fight back with. Bless you!
Comment by Lori — 12.27.05 @ 8:46 am
La Shawn
I appreciate why you find Kerenga’s Kwanzaa so odious.
Therefore, I wonder how you reconcile (as I infer you do) your admiration for the Declaration of Independence with the fact that, notwithstanding his homage to God, Thomas Jefferson, the principal drafter (a confirmed atheist), said even more disparaging things about Christianity (eg. “Christianity is the most perverted system that ever shone on man”). Of course, his relationship with God was enlightened compared to his relationship with blacks….
For my part, just as I would not throw out Jefferson’s unassailable contributions to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence with his unchristian musings, I would not throw out Dr Kerenga’s seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa with the unchristian quotes you attribute to him : Diss the messenger; don’t dismiss the message.
Merry Christmas!
Comment by anthony — 12.27.05 @ 9:06 am
ANNOYED WITH KWANZAA
Don’t say “Happy Kwanzaa” to La Shawn Barber. Or to Ambra Nykol, who is back blogging (yay!). Ambra also weighs in on The Ugg Theory….
Trackback by Michelle Malkin — 12.27.05 @ 9:07 am
La Shawn,
Thanks for the timely update and reprint of your previous post on this subject. I was discussing this very thing with a co-worker just before Christmas. She was thinking of celebrating Kwanzaa in addition to Christmas, despite the fact that she and her family are very intensely Christian. She had absolutely no idea as to the origin of this “holiday”, or of any of the history behind it.
I will now take the time to print off this post with your permission and let her read it. I think it will open her eyes. She WAS rather curious as to how I (a white male) knew so much about what she understood to be a “traditional African holiday”. I told her that “La Shawn had filled me in on it”. She will understand what I meant now.
Comment by Montie — 12.27.05 @ 9:17 am
It does seem in my native NJ that, save for the Newark area where some of the left-over “old sweats” of the black nationalist movement still try to sneak in bits of their philosophy any chance they can get, that in the main it’s white public school teachers who “celebrate” kwanzaa. My ladyfriend has a very annoying liberal friend of this sort who, a few years ago, attempted to tell me that kwanzaa was in fact a “traditional” celebration in Africa. Where do they get such nonsense? She also had no idea of the rather violent past career and political beliefs of Ron Karenga. They never mention that part of the equation in the NJ state colleges-cum Ph.D. mills for “educators” where they come out all determined to revel in the idea of kwanzaa as something their own culture somehow lacks. But even trying to point out to such folk that the “seven principles” are a lot of Communist hokum never works.
Comment by Richard Szathmary — 12.27.05 @ 9:21 am
Back in Jr High (late 70’s), the school would always have a holiday program with students presenting the major points/rituals of Christmas, Hannukah, and Kwanza.
I always felt bad for the black kids who had to present the Kwanza info and rituals because it was typically the first time they were doing any of rituals of kwanza. They had to be provided the material to learn about the holiday from the teachers and always had some adult nearby to step in if needed.
Comment by Rich — 12.27.05 @ 9:23 am
Thomas Jefferson
“In the thick of party conflict in 1800, Thomas Jefferson wrote in a private letter, ‘I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.’”
Comment by Deb — 12.27.05 @ 9:33 am
logic and facts are admirable to thinking people but will not make you popular with many. i am continually energized by your writing and thinking. thank you.
Comment by jim jackson — 12.27.05 @ 9:34 am
LaShawn,
Sometimes the givers need to be fed …
Revelation 14:12 Â Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
2 Peter 3:3 Â Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
Isaiah 41:13 Â For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
You already know God’s Word. Rest in it.
God Bless You
Comment by Phil DeRosier — 12.27.05 @ 9:37 am
Thanks for this more detailed history of this ‘holiday’.
As with other mid-winter holidays, it is a ‘reason’ to light the lights and celebrate during the dark of winter.
But unlike Christmas, it has no real religious roots.
And unlike Hanakkah, it has no real civil roots. (Hanakkah celebrates a miracle which occurred after military victory.)
Comment by Marvin — 12.27.05 @ 9:38 am
It’s not just his words that are “un-Christian,” Anthony. If he’d kept his mouth shut, I’d still advise Christians not to participate in the ritual, which is itself “un-Christian.”
As I said, explaining spiritual things to unbelievers is tough. I’ve done the best I can do for now.
Comment by La Shawn — 12.27.05 @ 9:39 am
Kwanzaa Commentary
La Shawn does it again. Amazing commentary (apologetic?) on Kwanzaa at La Shawn Barber’s Corner » Kwanzaa with Commentary
Trackback by Everyday Thoughts Collected — 12.27.05 @ 9:44 am
You are doing fine, La Shawn. Thanks for putting this article back out there; I wasn’t aware of your blog when it was first published. May God continue to Bless you in the coming year. My reaction to Kwanzaa is the same as it is to other forms of paganism-shabby man made festivals and holidays are embraced by those who reject Jesus Christ. Those of us who accept Christ reject the shabby substitutes.
Thank you La Shawn for explaining why Kwanzaa is contemptable.
Comment by Doug — 12.27.05 @ 10:06 am
Just a passing observation: last night while watching the local 11:00 news (WABC 7 - NY), when they cut to commercial they rran a full-blown ‘Happy Kwanzaa” graphic.
As my wife and I watched in disbelief, she noted that she did not remember seeing any “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah” graphics of the same type. The politically correct acceptance of Kwanzaa as an equivalent to Christmas, particularly in large urban media markets like NYC, is very disappointing. The people who run these promos know the background, know its creator’s dubious history and still lend credence to it.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, though. When I first saw the Kwanzaa postage stamps(!) I figured it was basically “over”.
That Kwanzaa is taken this seriously in a supposedly informed and enlightened society is scandalous , especially when you learn the background and history of Ron Karenga. What a detestable human being.
Yet in my daughter’s Blues Clues Holiday video, I have to watch it be treated on equal footing with Christmas and Hanukkah as an affable Tyrese Gibson tells Steve and Blue how great it is.
People are afraid of being branded as racists for calling Kwanzaa out as the phony “holiday” that it is.
This is a great, informative post that helps vanquish that taboo. Thanks, La Shawn.
Comment by Alex Nunez — 12.27.05 @ 10:07 am
KWANZAA WITH COMMENTARY is a great post by La Shawn Barber.
Pingback by SmartChristian.com — 12.27.05 @ 10:20 am
*applause*
Comment by Laurence Simon — 12.27.05 @ 10:20 am
Great post La Shawn. I featured it on SmartChristian.com
Thank you, Andy!
- Admin
Comment by Andy Jackson — 12.27.05 @ 10:22 am
WTG, La Shawn. I wonder what percentage of people actually celebrate ‘kwanzaa’ anyway.
Comment by RepJ — 12.27.05 @ 10:26 am
Minor point,
Catholics do believe in praying to saints for intercession on their behalf, however we do not believe they can ’save’ us.
This is not considered ancestor worship, they of themselves can’t grant people things.
I understand that Catholic and Protestant theology differ on this sort of thing, but it doesn’t make Catholics any less Christian.
Merry Christmas!
Comment by angel — 12.27.05 @ 10:28 am
Breakfast 12-27-2005
Interesting posts I found while perusing my blogroll:
Trackback by basil's blog — 12.27.05 @ 10:30 am
#2 FYI: Thomas Jefferson was not an Atheist. He was a Theist, or more accurately a Deist. Lots on the web about him and his beliefs.
Comment by Fish-Man — 12.27.05 @ 10:37 am
Jesus does not celebrate Kwanzaa
One day after celebrating the birth of Christ it is sad that some people run to embrace a racially segregated “holiday”, daily straight into the New Year.
Trackback by Independent Conservative — 12.27.05 @ 10:38 am
Thank you for telling the truth, but expect persecution from the PC MSM and the race hustlers. I got here from Michelle’s blog.
I also agree with you about the lack of real education in America post 1969.
Comment by Chief RZ — 12.27.05 @ 10:39 am
HAPPY kWANZAA!
La Shawn Barber breaks down this made up holiday as only she can. A must read…
Trackback by Sideline SquawkBox — 12.27.05 @ 10:39 am
La Shawn,
My geater concern with the proliferation of Kwanzaa is this: I view it as another attempt to further divide Americans from each other. To my mind, Kwanzaa is as dangerous as the Aryan Nation, in that both seek something “pure” to their respective race and cultural, in order to set it apart, and above, everyone else.
America cannot stand as a house divided, yet those who would push for the recognition of Kwanzaa seek just that result. Divide and Conquer. Control one part of the population at a time. It’s a slow and persistant process, but in this case, it uses the cancer of racism cloaked in faux tradition to achieve it’s goal. That goal could easily be seen as modifying our national motto: “E Pluribus Unum” to “E Pluribus Maxima Pluribus”.
La Shawn, you are a wonderful writer, and I wish you success and prosperity in the coming years. Please accept my thanks for your efforts.
Comment by Tim — 12.27.05 @ 10:47 am
Kwanzaa!!!
Isn’t that something Cato used to scream in the Pink Panther movies?
Trackback by The Reclusive Antiquarian — 12.27.05 @ 10:55 am
La Shawn,
Once again, a compelling read. Anthony is misinformed about Jefferson and his comment is taken out of context for the sake of flame baiting and getting off the subject.
I disliked PC culture and really hated it in WA state when we first began to homeschool over ten years ago. Kwanzaa was just beginning to be seen and practiced as a mainstream celebration, but
I had heard NOTHING of its origins, only that it was African and unique to African-Americans.
Over the years, as I heard about it, it was pretty much the seven pillars (sound familiar?)of affirmation, and nothing else.
Thank you for taking the time to research and inform your readers.
Comment by Cricket — 12.27.05 @ 11:00 am
I find the fuss of Kwanzaa mind blowing, even those coming from a Christian perspective.
During the year, my pastors keep stressing that Christians must claim what is theirs, make a claim for what they want, and take over and reclaim what the enemy now holds. In that context, bringing Kwanzaa into the Christian fold, if you want to do so, seems consistent to me.
To me, the stance against Kwanzaa is irrational and is so only because Blacks are involved.
The hedonism and wide spread celebration of Mardi Gras, just before Lent, is much more troubling than Kwanzaa. The corruption of Christmas, again, is much more troubling, as is the defense of the importation of pagean rituals and symbols as a part of Christmas.
There is no way anyone can tell me that Santa Claus is not nearing, or at, diety status.
Comment by DarkStar — 12.27.05 @ 11:02 am
La Shawn,
I recently discovered your site and I enjoy it immensely. You remind me of my childhood best friend (in appearance and attitude). She was the only friend who stood buy me growing up. She never cared that our skin colors didn’t match and neither did I. Sadly, while traveling the world in the military, I’ve lost touch with Rhonda. Since I found your site, reading your words has fondly reminded me of her and I thank you for that.
Back to the subject at hand, I have to thank you again. I’ve long been mystified by Kwanzaa. I appreciate your filling me in. I shall cheerfully use the knowledge you’ve imparted the next time I’m confronted by a member of the anti-Christmas / PC Gestapo.
Comment by Dan — 12.27.05 @ 11:13 am
LaShawn Barber: Kwanzaa is “a made up anti-Christian observance”
She is unmerciful in her critique:For decades, the media have given credence to many a self-appointed black “leader,†no matter how outrageous. Now they’re doing the same with a pagan ritual called Kwanzaa, a so-called African-American holiday. A…
Trackback by Brutally Honest — 12.27.05 @ 11:14 am
Kwanzaa
La Shawn Barber has a post up called Kwanzaa With Commentary that provides some great background into Kwanzaa:Kwanzaa was invented in 1966 by Dr. Maulana “Ron†Karenga, a former black militant, Marxist and convicted felon. Claiming to have the unity
Trackback by The Violence Worker! — 12.27.05 @ 11:20 am
Kwanzaa: 13 Million Celebrate?
First, many thanks to John for inviting me to guest blog here at RWN. It’s an honor. Via the AP…
Trackback by Right Wing News — 12.27.05 @ 11:21 am
I always thought of Christmas and Hannukah as religious holidays where one celebrates according to their spiritual belief, and Kwanzaa as a heritage holiday where one celebrates their African ancestry. I’d never thought of delving any deeper, but this info is quite fascinating.
Comment by Steeve — 12.27.05 @ 11:30 am
Thanks for this article. I have noticed a shift for the past few years in the schools and the media toward Kwanzaa. The information contained here is a good start in understanding this cultural trend. Since we have 5 young children, I will have my wife read this so she can gain some understanding.
Thanks for taking the time.
David
Comment by David Satterwhite — 12.27.05 @ 11:36 am
Kwanzaa?
La Shawn Barber has a very informative and interesting article concerning the historical aspects of Kwanzaa as well as her opinions on the topic including but not limted to such items as why black Christians should not celebrate Kwanzaa.
An excerpt …
Trackback by The World According To Carl — 12.27.05 @ 11:41 am
To anthony who claims so falsely that Thomas Jefferson was “a confirmed atheist”: This is an old, worn out and completely refuted attempt at rewriting history. I truly don’t know if you are historically ignorant or purposely misleading. Either way, your claim is moot and irrelevant since it is based upon a very faulty and false premise.
Comment by Carl — 12.27.05 @ 11:46 am
Dark Star,
Kwanzaa isn’t being attacked because blacks are celebrating it, it is being looked at for what it is. To even state that it is under scrutiny because of black involvement seems to be racist.
I know of three black families in my neighborhood who do NOT celebrate Kwanzaa because to them it is a false tradition, based on humanist aspirations rather than Godly ones.
Yes, the devil can mask the lie with a truth…we call it sugarcoating. Kwanzaa sounds noble, but it does not remind one of where the traits come from, nor is there a covenant relationship with Diety or family.
Even the ancient Israelis had their feast days to remind them of certain blessings and events in their history, to show them the Hand of God in their deliverance.
Kwanzaa seeks to place man where God should be. It discriminates against God.
Comment by Cricket — 12.27.05 @ 12:04 pm
I’ m a true born again believer and am a little upset that you see the celebrating of Jesus birthday on a pagan holiday as insignificant. We are a peculiar people we must remain separate from the world. This holiday was around long before the birth of Jesus. I know this is an article about Kwanzaa which I also do not celebrate. How is putting gifts under a tree worshiping God. If this holiday was truly about Jesus you would be doing the things He want us to do. Instead of buying presents for our friends and family we would be trying to bring more people to Christ not to a celebration. God doesn’t want us to get caught up in traditions for they are vain. Putting gift under a tree are the way of the world. You can find out the true meaning of Christmas in your public library. Jesus is not the reason for the season, but our own lusts for material gains is. Those of you who are Christian, how do you put a tree up and decorate it and justify yourselves that you are celebrating our lord and savior when it is written in Jer 10:3, ” For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They deck it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.” ? I would say celebrating any pagan holiday isn’t what God intended us to do, but to spread the Gospel unto the uttermost regains of the world.
Vain and empty pagan celebrations are on thing, “Metri,” and I agree with the sentiment. But I refuse to believe Christmas is a pagan celebration just because some people erect a tree in their house. Just because you may choose not to observe doesn’t mean all Christians shouldn’t. - Admin
Comment by Metri — 12.27.05 @ 12:09 pm
One more thing, Dark Star:
You correctly state that Santa Claus is nearing diety status. Why is that? Could it just possibly be that with removing Christ from Christmas the Fat Man and his reindeer have replaced the Reason for the Season? And who do we blame for that? The schools and the ACLU with their bleating and whining about the separation of church and state? The annoyance lawsuits about some aggrieved feelings regarding being traumatized by the Babe of Bethlehem?
Christ is not as oppressive as those who would place tyranny over my mind and my life by telling me I have no choices.
And Christians have long deplored the blatant hedonsim of Mardi Gras, as well as other unholy and impure practices.
Comment by Cricket — 12.27.05 @ 12:10 pm
Shouldn’t that be Dr. Ron “Maulana” Karenga? After all, Ron is his REAL name.
I’m not so sure about the Karenga either….
There’s something so phony about Black Nationalists reinventing themselves as some kind of “Authentic” African (As if all of Africa is a grand unified whole - which has never existed). I’m reminded of how Wilson Goode, after he got out of prison, traded in his expensive suits for some “African” robes, just long enough to get re-installed as Mayor of DC. It was such a transparent ploy, and what was most disgusting is that it worked.
Comment by Mauser — 12.27.05 @ 12:17 pm
Wow. I hate to think of myself as ignorant…but I suppose I am, at least re: Kwanzaa. Appreciate the insight — I learned something new today!
Comment by sandra — 12.27.05 @ 12:32 pm
Hello,
I’m new to your site via Michelle Malkin. I’m in total agreement regarding Kwanzaa. This pseudo-holiday was introduced to our family by my late grandmother. In hindsight her intentions were truly noble, however she would be very disappointed to find this “holiday” was created by a convicted criminal who was is by no means noble.
My awakening about this nonsensical holiday came about while in college. I was a political science major; one course I took was called African Politics. Sitting in this class, I realized Africa as a continent encompasses so many cultures, ethnic/tribal groups and religious groups, there’s no historical accuracy to Kwanzaa. It’s obvious that Mr. Karenga had no concept of African history; it’s just a hodgepodge of Swahili phrases.
In this context, it saddens me when reading Dark Star’s comments. In a deeper sense, he/she represents many individuals who embrace Kwanzaa-a total lack of historical knowledge. If this individual had bothered to read a basic history book, he/she could see Kwanzaa is totally bogus!!!
Comment by Scherie — 12.27.05 @ 12:41 pm
To those of you who refuse to believe that Christmas is a pagan holiday just check out your library if you really want to know the truth instead of just following traditions.
Comment by Metri — 12.27.05 @ 12:41 pm
Metri,
If you are indeed concerned about celebrating Jesus’ birthday on a Pagan holiday, then don’t. Celebrate it in April, where it more properly belongs. jesus wasn’t born in December. heck, he was probably born around 6BC.
Emperor Constantine matched up Pagan and Christian holidays in order to simplify things in Rome. He was tired of Pagans protesting Christian holidays, and Christians protesting Pagan holidays. If One group celebrated the birthday of Sol Invictus and the other Jesus, and both on the same day, then they would be busy with their celebrations and not at each other’s throats, and life might be a tad bit quieter in the Empire. And so it was…
Heck Metri, if you are that hung up about Paganism and non-Christian influences, then you ought to worry about the days of the week too. They are all named after Pagan gods.
Me, I am more concerned about a made-up holiday like Kwanzaa that is being used to further divide the nation, black from white, Christian from Jew, from Agnostic, etc. It’s no different than Black History month. Why should a people with such a rich history have all of it crammed into one month? Why not celebrate or study it all year round, as a part and parcel of being an American?
Why is it that so many educators and “leaders” have such a hard time wrapping their heads around a concept of “American”? We will either live and prosper as one nation, one people, or we will reap a bitter harvest of stagnation and suffer the dissipation of that great dream our founding father’s had.
Kwanzaa is a step backwards on our journey as one people.
Comment by Tim — 12.27.05 @ 12:45 pm
Kudos to you, La Shawn, for speaking up about this “holiday.”
Merry (belated) Christmas!
Comment by Marie — 12.27.05 @ 12:51 pm
Metri: Where I work Christmas is an occasion for folks to bring gifts for families who have little or nothing in the way of worldly goods. A committee selects the families, who are unknown to the rest of us. An ‘Angel Tree’ in the lobby has tags specifying age, gender, and the need. You take a tag, buy a gift, and put it in the box with the tag attached. The gifts are given anonymously, to avoid the “right hand /left hand” problem. Food is also collected for distribution in a similar manner. Seems like a pretty good way to celebrate the Savior’s birth to me.
La Shawn: Wasn’t Jesus born at Passover? We may not know the exact date, but surely we know the season.
Comment by JimT — 12.27.05 @ 12:57 pm
Send this information to all your newspapers-radio and TV stations! Write editorials- send to school districts! Send to Congressmen and Senators! Get this “holiday” eliminated. I white it out of all my calenders if it is there. Hanukkah also- it is not the equal of Christmas- why in 2004- in fell in November! It is the 7th most important obligation/holiday to the Jews. #6 is saying your daily prayers, that is how lightly regarded it is-why is it major status now? Jealous? They got their Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur which are days off from our school here. The blacks got MLK day (stolen from Lincoln- the man who freed the slaves- ironic) ((Lincoln and Washington’s B-days are now just Presidents day-phhtt- I don’t celebrate clinton)) They also have “Black History Month”- another load. The PC crowd are stealing our holidays and I’m sick of it. Columbus day is ignored now because of the PC’ers. This is WAR.
Comment by Legion — 12.27.05 @ 12:58 pm
Probably the most disturbing thing about Kwanzaa is the fact that those who celebrate it almost always know nothing about it’s origin or history.
It is mind blowing to me what people will endorse even though they know not why they do so.
Sheeple, that’s what I call ‘em (and I actually do have an aunt that celebrates this observance).
Comment by American Zealot — 12.27.05 @ 1:01 pm
Dear Tim,
As far as the days of the week go, I don’t celebrate them either. The days of the week aren’t a huge celebration people try to make into a day about God. As a Christian anything that is against the teaching of Christ should be in the forefront of your mind. If Kwanzaa isn’t of God don’t celebrate it. I am just one that as the Bible states everyday should be keep holy and God should be worshiped everyday. Also if you don’t believe Christmas separates people tell them you don’t celebrate it, and watch how people who profess to love God treat you. Just because I don’t celebrate it doesn’t mean I’m going to treat people who do like the plague. Just today a Jewish child told someone they didn’t celebrate children and the other parent acted as though this child would contaminate their child.
Comment by Metri — 12.27.05 @ 1:09 pm
Kwanzaa perspective
If Kwanzaa wasn’t stuck so close to Christmas I probably would have come closer to getting into it from the beginning, but its attachment to (and diversionary presence from) the celebration of the birth of Christ put me off it in the first place. Fin…
Trackback by Say what now? — 12.27.05 @ 1:12 pm
God bless you too, Ed, but I’m not going there. This post is about Kwanzaa, and if you want to dispute that issue, you’ll have to do so on a different blog. All you need to do is read a few posts in the Faith category, particularly the earlier ones, to find out how I’d answer your question:
http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/category/faith/
- Admin
Comment by Ed — 12.27.05 @ 1:18 pm
Kwanzaa is a racist celebration. It seeks to divide mankind on the basis of race.
Christianity is universal, all are welcome.
Comment by andrei — 12.27.05 @ 1:35 pm
I think the reason why there is not more Christians opposing Kwanzaa is the same reason more people don’t vocally oppose the high crime and violence in the urban areas of our cities. Or oppose the profiling of people in the airports and train stations. Political correctness is causing irrepairable harm to our country. As a white person, if I say anything negative about anyone who is not white, I’m branded a racist. Who wants that? It’s easier and causes less controversy just to stay quiet and work to change my own behavior. I really really don’t care what race somebody is. I would rather have people judge us on our contributions to society. How well we take care of our children and eldery. Feed the hungry. Go back to what Jesus told us to do in the first place.
Comment by Michael Burrow — 12.27.05 @ 1:43 pm
Kwanzaa??
Is it just me, or is this invented holiday just another way for one segment of our society to create something racially centric that they can then get all exercised about when other people don’t “respect” it? Not to mention…
Trackback by Conservative Outpost — 12.27.05 @ 2:10 pm
Kwanzaa v. Christmas
It is impossible to have a culturally exclusive holiday based in Christianity. The faith, by its very nature, forbids it.
Trackback by Alpine Summit — 12.27.05 @ 2:14 pm
Christmas and Chanukah are based on historical events, thus they’re holidays. Also, Jesus’ birth is in the Bible and so is Chanukah (mentioned in the book of John when Jesus went to the temple). Kwanzaa is based on political and ethnic/skin color ideology.
Comment by mj — 12.27.05 @ 2:39 pm
Merti,
Perhaps you are missing the reason why Christmas was celebrated originally during a Pagan festival.
Early Christians looked for opportunities to celebrate their fate under the watching eyes of their enemies. Just as the icon of the ‘fish’ became symbolic of Christianity, so did celebrating Christ during other celebrations.
Would be better to celebrate Jesus under the guise of another holiday, or to risk being invited to dinner with the lions?
Comment by Charlie on the PA Turnpike — 12.27.05 @ 2:55 pm
I don’t know if this too off topic or not, but I feel that Rev. Martin Luther King has been marginalized by being secularized. I am not sure when he went from being commonly referred to as Rev. King to Dr. King but the effect, to me, has been to change from a man whose deep Christian core values gave him the strength to fight legalized racism armed only with truth and his dignity making him one of the great Christian leaders of the twentieth century as well as great figure in American history to someone of relevance only to the black community. It seems that he has been changed from a uniter in Christian mold to a symbol of division. It’s sad that the man who taught us the strength of the message of the tale of the Good Samaritan has been divorced, in the public, eye from the historical foundation which gave him the strength to force the country to give his community the respect it deserved.
Comment by B's Freak — 12.27.05 @ 3:02 pm
Kwanzaa is by definition, racist. A non-African cannot celebrate it if they wanted too. The holiday could not be more un-American if it wanted to. Our schools should not be promoting it.
Comment by Barnabus — 12.27.05 @ 3:02 pm
Wilson Goode was mayor of Phila. Marian Berry was mayor of DC. Get it straight Bro
Marion Barry.
- Admin
Comment by JAS — 12.27.05 @ 3:04 pm
As a young child growing up in a Baptist Church we were taught to “follow the Message not the messenger”. This is because Man is fallible.We see their shortcomings everywhere.From TV Evangelist to Catholic Priests.We tookk our Bibles to church and read for ourselves The Word.I wasn’t aware of Karengas’ backround,but even if all you say is true the principles can’t hurt you.I agree that they are separist in that they are intended for African Americans,but these principles could and should be embraced by all Americans.Let me tell you Baby the Christian Church has been no great model of morality past or present.If you think so go let your son be an Altar Boy.OUCH
Comment by JAS — 12.27.05 @ 3:20 pm
Alex Nunez —
Just a quick question. Why were Kwanzaa postage stamps the point at which it was “basically over”? I’m curious why this, as opposed to all the other legitimately offensive acknowledgements of and preferential treatment given to Kwanzaa, was the worst part. We’ve got postage stamps for everything, from Christmas to Elvis. Stupid people pay money to express their opinions on their mail, too. So I’m much more offended by things that Kwanzaa gets that other religions DON’T get, like face time in public schools.
For the record, I’m a dyed-in-the-wool liberal, born and bred in Brooklyn. A member of Gen-Y, or whatever the heck they’re calling this generation, I went to school from kindergarten to graduation learning that Kwanzaa was part of some trilogy of December religious holidays, but I never really knew how the heck it factored in. And no one could ever really explain it; my teachers would just be like, “Well, there are a lot of cultural traditions and celebrations that make it a unique celebration of both black culture and religion.” I always wanted to be like, “First: what in the world is “black religion?” Second: what cultural traditions? Which black culture?”
So I researched it myself, because Kwanzaa seemed nebulous. I had a vague notion of, like, fruit or something; and certain celebratory colors; and obviously you had to be black. The more I found out, though, the more I thought the holiday was secular at best and stupid at worst. It’s like Festivus, for black people — if Festivus was accepted as a Legitimate and Worthy Holiday instead of a gigantic joke.
Just pointing out that it’s not necessarily liberals who raise Kwanzaa on some pedestal. It’s just stupid people, most of whom in this case happen to be liberals.
Comment by Alexandra — 12.27.05 @ 3:37 pm
Dear Charlie,
Thanks for trying to make sure I understand why they choose this day, but that isn’t my point. My point is that God said that the saints though being a part of the world must remain separate from it. In other words we may live in the world but we aren’t suppose to do as they do. If there were no pagan attributes to this holiday I may feel differently. If the Christians had there holiday during the same time but without the same traditions of the pagans I could accept this. How well we know that Christians truly suffer for their faith even until this day.
Comment by Metri — 12.27.05 @ 3:37 pm
To even state that it is under scrutiny because of black involvement seems to be racist.
Why no national complaints about Mardi Gras, which is close to pure hedonism?
I know of three black families in my neighborhood who do NOT celebrate Kwanzaa because to them it is a false tradition, based on humanist aspirations rather than Godly ones.
That’s fine. I know of one family that does celebrate it and they make sure their Christian life style is a part of the celebration. Of course, most of the Black people I know don’t celebrate it.
Kwanzaa sounds noble, but it does not remind one of where the traits come from, nor is there a covenant relationship with Diety or family.
Like Santa Claus?
Kwanzaa seeks to place man where God should be. It discriminates against God.
I don’t see it. There are others who don’t see it. There are those who claim as you do.
Again, I go back to Mardi Gras. Celebrating drunkeness, lewd behavior, and pagensim, prior to Lent?
OH, let’s get drunk and act the fool just before the period of self examination, repentance, and preparation.
Comment by DarkStar — 12.27.05 @ 3:39 pm
It’s the most fraudulent time of the year
La Shawn’s views on Kwanzaa aren’t universally appreciated, so she is to be commended for taking it on the chin each year.
Trackback by The Crusty Curmudgeon — 12.27.05 @ 3:41 pm
La Shawn Barber has a great post about how ridiculous it is that our politically correct culture has placed the pseudo-holiday of Kwanzaa on equal footing with Christmas and Chanukah. Her post has a pretty thorough explanation of what Kwanzaa is and how it originated for the majority of Americans who don’t know the first thing about it.
Pingback by 4thelittleguy.com — 12.27.05 @ 3:45 pm
I date myself a little but I remember when Ron Karenga used to appear on the Joe Pine Show on KABC in Los Angeles.
Lost as I was I could still recogize that Ron Karenga was nothing but a black rascist. As far as Im concerned the whole point of him making up the “holiday” was to further divide the races.
And the sad part is Kwanza has become “mainstream”. We whites can hardly speak up publically against it for fear of being called “rascist”.
So you do a service, La Shawn, by speaking up against it. They cant call you a rascist. But they probably will say your not “black” but brown.
Comment by Ted Wegener — 12.27.05 @ 3:51 pm
“Pagans have argued that Christ was not born on December 25. Insignificant. While no one knows exactly when Christ was born, the fact remains that He was born.”
Actually you probably want to use the word “Irrelivant” rather than “Insignificant”. It is very significant that Jesus was not born on Dec 25th. The significance of his birth around the end of March, 9 months after summer solstice, is rather important (Son of God was concieved on the longest day of the year) I think the church made a mistake deciding to celebrate his birth at the same time as my people’s celebration of the winter solstice. The idea was to supplant that holiday but instead Christmans has pretty much become a Yule celebration only 4 days later and not a religious celebration at all. Yule was always about looking forward to the bounty of the next year.
Michael
Comment by Michael — 12.27.05 @ 3:53 pm
You correctly state that Santa Claus is nearing diety status. Why is that? Could it just possibly be that with removing Christ from Christmas the Fat Man and his reindeer have replaced the Reason for the Season?
Rudolph came around in the 1940s. Santa Claus came about long before then. So your reasoning doesn’t fit.
And Christians have long deplored the blatant hedonsim of Mardi Gras, as well as other unholy and impure practices.
OK, point me to the mainstream articles deploring Mardi Gras. I’ll retract my comment then.
In this context, it saddens me when reading Dark Star’s comments. In a deeper sense, he/she represents many individuals who embrace Kwanzaa-a total lack of historical knowledge.
1. I don’t practice Kwanzaa.
2. I know the history of it.
3. Numbers 1 and 2 don’t prevent me from pointing out the near hysteria of the anti-Kwanzaa comments.
Me, I am more concerned about a made-up holiday like Kwanzaa that is being used to further divide the nation, black from white, Christian from Jew, from Agnostic, etc.
OK, this one is VERY easy.
1. Celebration of Christmas, by its very definition, makes it a separatist event.
2. Sunday is the most segregated day in America. CeCe Winans has said that she has had to change the style of her Christian music for it to be played on “white Christian” stations. The group Annoited has said their music is labeled as “Christian” while their style is “Gospel”. Because they are Black, they still receive reluctance to get played on “white Christian” stations. In fact, they mentioned that after a concert, one d.j. came up to them and apologized for his vow NOT to play their music. After seeing them in concert, he was convicted and vowed to support them any way he could.
It’s no different than Black History month. Why should a people with such a rich history have all of it crammed into one month?
Come back after you have researched the history of Black History Month. It will help you by starting with Black History Week.
Why is it that so many educators and “leaders†have such a hard time wrapping their heads around a concept of “American�
I don’t know. Ask Condi Rice and Colin Powell, who have called themselves African-American.
Comment by DarkStar — 12.27.05 @ 4:14 pm
More information on Ron Karenga at the link below:
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:6k1DI1A_mR0J:lists.village.virginia.edu/lists_archive/sixties-l/3874.html+may+14+1971+LA++TIMES+ARTICLE+RON+KARENGA+&hl=en&client=firefox-a
Comment by Ted Wegener — 12.27.05 @ 4:14 pm
I don’t celebrate Kwanzaa either
Culture: I just have a problem enjoying something that was made up by an obvious psycho….
Trackback by Narcissistic views on News/Politics — 12.27.05 @ 4:26 pm
My Kwanzaa Experience
Because it’s that time of year–and because LaShawn Barber and Sister Toldjah reminded me of it this morning– I blogged…
Trackback by Right Wing News — 12.27.05 @ 9:19 pm
Hence, The Blogosphere
Mary Katherine Hamm and La Shawn Barber write about the very recent–as in 1966–origins of Kwanzaa. Hamm describes a news story on Kwanzaa cut in half by an editor who decided it to play it as safe as the New…
Trackback by Ed Driscoll.com — 12.27.05 @ 9:47 pm
Thoughts about Kwanzaa
La Shawn Barber has some interesting commentary on the made-up holiday Kwanzaa, including some compelling reasons why blacks should not celebrate it. Kwanzaa was invented in 1966 by Dr. Maulana “Ron” Karenga, a former black militant, Marxist and convic…
Trackback by The Cigar Intelligence Agency — 12.27.05 @ 10:13 pm
Annoyed with Kwanzaa
Don’t say “Happy Kwanzaa” to La Shawn Barber, or to Ambra Nykol, or to Ambra, who weighs in on The Ugg…
Trackback by Right Mind — 12.28.05 @ 12:30 am
The President refused to send out a “Merry Christmas” card this year — but he did take time out to issue an official Presidential Message in honor of “Kwanzaa”, the fake holiday created by a Marxist thug to express his hate for liberal democracy, white people and Christianity — La Shawn Barber has lots more on “Kwanzaa”, and be sure to scroll down and check out some other articles telling the true story of “Kwanzaa”.
Pingback by PrestoPundit — 12.28.05 @ 12:59 am
Why Christians Should Not Celebrate Kwaanza
LaShawn makes a very reasonable case. Her best point? Non-Christians shouldn’t complain about what she has to say on the subject, since her recommendations are directed at Christians. This may sound obvious, but there is a huge tradition of strange…
Trackback by Little Miss Attila — 12.28.05 @ 1:44 am
Daily News For December 28, 2005
Foreign Israeli Planes Attack In Lebanon Israeli Military Fires Barrage Into Gaza Israeli Overseas Intelligence Service Mossad Chief Meir Dagan…
Trackback by Right Wing News — 12.28.05 @ 8:09 am
Kwanzaa with Commentary By La Shawn Barber
Pingback by Common Sense Junction — 12.28.05 @ 12:00 pm
La Shawn, you HAVE done it again! Keep up the great work and I’m so glad I’m no longer alone in waking up folks about the spiritual dangers of Kwanzaa! You and a multitude of other writers, have no fear in telling people the truth about this pseudo-religious holiday. Hopefully this will only strengthen the Christian, and bring the non-christian to the truth about Jesus Christ as our savior, and the ONLY one who can truly make us better men, women and children - something that Kwanzaa claims it can do to the “African-American” by having them practice it’s self-absorbed 7 principles.
Comment by Carlotta Morrow — 12.28.05 @ 12:18 pm
60. Wilson Goode was mayor of Phila. Marian Berry was mayor of DC. Get it straight Bro
Doh! *Facepalm*. I lived near both cities at the appropriate times and confused the names. What can I say, all these corrupt, incompetent, Democratic mayors look alike to me.
ÿ
Comment by Mauser — 12.28.05 @ 1:47 pm
Linkology
New Ambra Projects Contributing to the new Modesty Zone blog is one of the things I’ve spent my time doing the last few months. I became recently acquainted with Wendy Shalit (author of Return to Modesty) and have been very…
Trackback by Nykola.com — 12.28.05 @ 3:39 pm
Lashawn, You go girl! I came here by way of Blogs4God. I agree wholeheartedly, only you were way nicer in your post than I was in mine.
I like your blog. I’ll be back!
Comment by Bonnie Calhoun — 12.28.05 @ 4:18 pm