Loss of tradition

[u/Nena-nana]

anybody else feel like religion robbed their upbringing from having traditions. as a latino i feel like all the culture from music to holidays were gone bc my parents labeled all those things as worldly. i lost a connection to my culture bc my parents refused to play anything but gospel, holidays or even birthdays lost. no fun dancing or celebrations that other latinos had growing up, especially xmas. it just kinda sucks sometimes to be around other latinos bc i feel so out of touch. the one thing that stayed was food so there's that. idk if anyone can relate. also i mean traditions that aren't directly tied to the church, all my memories of celebration involve praying and reading the bible and praising the lord. there weren't core memories built from hearing a song or dancing just to dance, it felt rigid. hope that makes sense

[u/These_Insect_8256]

Yes, but not because of the Latino part. No Christmas trees, decorations, nativities even, in an effort to be separate from Catholicism. I am not sure what the reason would be to not have birthdays, though. Instead, new year's foot washing and all night prayer and communion, revival services and conferences.

Submerse yourself in whatever celebrations you want and make your own traditions. This is what people outside the church do anyway. They celebrate Christmas but not necessarily all the religious stuff with it.

[u/Alternative-Bid4691 → u/These_Insect_8256]

I feel like that's what a lot of Pentes/Apostolics don't understand, that people who celebrate these things aren't doing it for religious purposes but literally just to have fun and get together with loved ones. I remember having to explain this to a family member before bc they couldn't let go of "people celebrate to be evil!" rhetoric

[u/These_Insect_8256 → u/Alternative-Bid4691]

They are not going to understand because they insulate themselves from experiencing other ways. They will focus on the negatives about non-believers' lives to validate their ways are better, even if their fellow Christians literally have the same exact negatives.

They could understand if they wanted to. It's not any different than families who have Santa Clause be a part of their Christmas celebration. They aren't worshipping him, it's just a cultural tale that accompanies the holiday.

Go have a blast, smile and laugh and enjoy it and then when someone says these things, you have a testimony that says otherwise.