Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada, traditionally seen as a time to gather with loved ones and express gratitude for blessings and abundance. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Thanksgiving has pagan roots and connections. The origins of Thanksgiving can be traced back to ancient harvest festivals celebrated by pagan societies. These festivals were held to give thanks to the gods for a bountiful harvest and to ensure future prosperity. The pagan belief was that by expressing gratitude and offering sacrifices, they could appease the gods and continue to receive their favor. One of the earliest recorded instances of such a harvest festival is the ancient Roman festival of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture.
Includes appearances by Richard Trask (Danvers Archival Center, author of The Devil Hath Been Raised), Marilynne K. Roach (author of The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege, and Katherine Howe (novelist, author of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane).
Includes appearances by Katherine Howe novelist, author of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane , Benjamin Ray historian, author of Satan and Salem The Witch-Hunt Crisis of 1692 , Emerson Baker historian, author of A Storm of Witchcraft The Salem Trials and the American Experience , Rev. Levack Professor of History, University of Texas, Austin , Elizabeth Say Associate Professor of Religious Studies, California State University, Northridge , Joseph Klaits Director of the Institute for Peace, Washington, D.
One of the earliest recorded instances of such a harvest festival is the ancient Roman festival of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture. This festival, known as Cerealia, was held in honor of Ceres and included feasting, parades, and the offering of sacrifices. The participants would give thanks for the abundance of crops and pray for a prosperous future.
Salem witch trials videos
Includes appearances by historians Stephen Nissenbaum (historian, co-author of Salem Possessed), Richard Godbeer (historian, author of The Devil's Dominion), Barbara Dailey (historian), Richard Trask (Danvers Archival Center, author of The Devil Hath Been Raised), David Hall (historian, author of Worlds of Wonder, Days of Judgment), Brian Levack (historian, editor of The Witchcraft Sourcebook), Elaine Breslaw (historian, author of Tituba, Reluctant Witch of Salem) , Will LaMoy (Peabody Essex Museum), Arthur Miller (author of The Crucible) and Elie Wiesel (author of Night).
Includes appearances by Emerson Baker (Salem State University, author of A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience), Richard Trask (Danvers Archival Center, author of The Devil Hath Been Raised), Marilynne K. Roach (author of The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege, and Katherine Howe (novelist, author of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane).
Symposium for the 325th Anniversary of the Salem Witchcraft Trials: Emerson Baker (Salem State University, author of A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience)
Symposium for the 325th Anniversary of the Salem Witchcraft Trials: Margo Burns (Associate Editor of Records of the Salem Wich-Hunt)
Includes appearances by Katherine Howe (novelist, author of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane), Benjamin Ray (historian, author of Satan and Salem: The Witch-Hunt Crisis of 1692), Emerson Baker (historian, author of A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience), Rev. Judy Proctor (minister, First Church of Danvers), Margo Burns (historian, Associate Editor of Records of the Salem Wich-Hunt), and Elizabeth Peterson, Director of the Salem Witch House. Released in England by the BBC with the title Salem Witch Conspiracy.
Includes appearances by Richard Trask (Danvers Archival Center, author of The Devil Hath Been Raised), Marilynne K. Roach (author of The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege, and Katherine Howe (novelist, author of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane).
Includes appearances by Troy Taylor (author of Without a Trace), Michael Newton (author of The Encyclopedia of Unsolved Crimes), and Rick Beyer (author of The Greatest Stories Never Told)
Includes appearances by Mary Beth Norton (historian, author of In the Devil's Snare), Stephen Nissenbaum & Paul Boyer (historians, co-authors of Salem Possessed), Bernard Rosenthal (historian, author of Salem Story), Richard Trask (Danvers Archival Center, author of The Devil Hath Been Raised), Elizabeth Reis (historian, author of Damned Women), and Marc Sageman (historian).
Includes appearances by David Goss (Beverly Historical Society), Ronald Hutton (historian), Jane Ward (Peabody Essex Museum), Carol Karlsen (historian, author of Devil in the Shape of a Woman) and Jane Kamensky (historian, author of Governing the Tongue).
Includes appearances by Carole Fontaine (Professor of Old Testament, Andover Newton Theological School), Brian P. Levack (Professor of History, University of Texas, Austin), Elizabeth Say (Associate Professor of Religious Studies, California State University, Northridge), Joseph Klaits (Director of the Institute for Peace, Washington, D.C.), Barbara Amadea MacGraw (Lecturer and Religious Scholar, University of Southern California), Richard Godbeer (Associate Professor of History, University of California, Riverside), Marie Guerriero (High Priestess, Temple of Nine Wells), Janet Farrar (author, The Witches' Way).
Includes appearances by Linnda Corporeal (behavioral psychologist), Alison D'Amario (Salem Witch Museum), Maurice Moss (fungal toxiocologist), James Sharpe (witchcraft historian), Pramod Sexena (pharmacologist), Alan Howkins (agricultural historian), Mary Matossian (author of Poisons of the Past), Annette Damm (Moesgaard Museum), Gordon Hillman (paleobotanist), Peter Houghton (plant pharmacologist), Isabelle Payan (ergot poisoning survivor), Marthe Espic (Pont St. Esprit witness)
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Includes appearances by Katherine Howe (novelist, author of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane), Benjamin Ray (historian, author of Satan and Salem: The Witch-Hunt Crisis of 1692), Emerson Baker (historian, author of A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience), Rev. Judy Proctor (minister, First Church of Danvers), Margo Burns (historian, Associate Editor of Records of the Salem Wich-Hunt), and Elizabeth Peterson, Director of the Salem Witch House. Released in England by the BBC with the title Salem Witch Conspiracy.
Similarly, the ancient Greeks celebrated a festival called Thesmophoria, dedicated to Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and fertility. This festival involved a three-day gathering of women, during which they would engage in rituals, feasts, and ceremonies to honor and give thanks to Demeter for a successful harvest. Even in ancient Celtic societies, harvest festivals were a prominent feature of their culture. The festival known as Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season, was considered a time of thanksgiving and paying homage to the gods for the abundance of food. This festival also served as a way to honor and remember the deceased. It is clear that the tradition of celebrating harvest festivals and giving thanks has ancient pagan origins. The practice of expressing gratitude to a higher power for abundance and blessings was deeply ingrained in these societies. The modern-day Thanksgiving holiday, although stripped of its overtly pagan elements, still carries echoes of these ancient traditions. Although Thanksgiving has been embraced by Christian communities as a time to give thanks to God, its pagan roots cannot be ignored. The act of gathering together with loved ones to share a meal and express gratitude dates back centuries and has been adapted and incorporated into various cultures and religious practices. In conclusion, Thanksgiving, despite its Christian associations, has deep pagan roots. The concept of giving thanks and celebrating abundance has been present in human societies since ancient times, as evidenced by the harvest festivals of various pagan cultures. While the modern-day celebration may have evolved and changed, the essence of expressing gratitude remains a significant part of Thanksgiving..
Reviews for "Thanksgiving's Pagan Origins: Reflecting on the Influence of Ancient Agrarian Cultures"
1. Robert - 2/5 stars -
I was really disappointed with "Thanksgiving and its pagan background." As someone who loves Thanksgiving and enjoys the traditional celebration with family and friends, this documentary left a bad taste in my mouth. It focused too much on the history of the holiday and its possible pagan origins rather than celebrating the spirit of gratitude and togetherness that Thanksgiving represents. I understand the importance of knowing the history, but I was expecting a more uplifting and positive exploration of the holiday.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars -
I found "Thanksgiving and its pagan background" to be extremely biased and misleading. The documentary presented a one-sided view of Thanksgiving, painting it as a purely pagan festival with no acknowledgement of its cultural and historical significance. The lack of objectivity was disappointing, and it felt like the filmmaker had an agenda to discredit and undermine Thanksgiving rather than providing a balanced and informative perspective. I would not recommend this documentary to anyone seeking a fair and accurate understanding of Thanksgiving.
3. John - 2/5 stars -
I was hoping to learn more about the origins of Thanksgiving in "Thanksgiving and its pagan background," but unfortunately, I was left unsatisfied. The documentary presented a lot of theories and speculations without substantial evidence to support them. It lacked concrete historical facts and relied too heavily on assumptions. I think the concept of exploring the pagan influence on Thanksgiving could have been intriguing, but the execution fell short. I would have preferred a more scholarly and rigorous examination of the topic.
4. Emily - 1/5 stars -
"Thanksgiving and its pagan background" was a complete disappointment. Instead of being informative and thought-provoking, it came across as incredulous and sensationalized. The documentary seemed more interested in generating controversy and stirring up a debate rather than offering any valuable insights. I felt like my time was wasted watching it, and I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a nuanced and balanced understanding of Thanksgiving's history.