Comments on: Lunchtime Quiz: Roastin’ Some Chestnuts

By: m

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:05:00 +0000

while state workers in nc might not officially add a reflective red nose to deer crossing signs, i have seen a few around raleigh. they are quite amusing.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:35:00 +0000

Joel, that’s one popular theory, yes. I was very careful to phrase the question to say “St. Augustine believed…” to indicate that I wasn’t taking any sides in that argument. :)

By: Joel

Joel — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:39:00 +0000

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the (primary) reason why Christmas is on December 25th is to align it with the Roman pagan holiday celebrating the winter solstice. This is called “Dies Natalis Solis Invicti”. In fact, according to wikipedia, the first christmas celebrated on December 25th was in the year 243 AD/CE.
St Augustine, as with many others, is the basis for the dogma Christianity uses to justify it’s celebration on the 25th. Ironically, he lived about 150 years after Christian Rome had been celebrating Christmas on Dec 25th. Imagine if he had suggested his fellow romans started celebrating Christmas on another day.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:15:00 +0000

Caitlin, believe me, I empathize. When I first took the quiz myself (to double-check the answers and spelling and such) I got two wrong because I’m so used to automatically choosing the correct reponse.

Alas, that’s why it’s mental floss. Sometimes I feel like I need to go in for a full cleaning. :)

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:09:00 +0000

it would be so much easier to do “which one is true” I know that’s not the application, but still.

I messed yesterday’s up too.