Secular vs Sacred Society

ANTHROPOLOGY Is the science that describes the workings of societies around the world. It includes culture, language, religion, traditions and history.

MATERIALISM a way of thinking that gives too much importance to material possessions rather than to spiritual or intellectual things.

SECULAR denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.

SACRED Of or pertaining to spiritual or religious matters.

St. Nicholas or Santa Claus? The evolution of secular norms.

The Origins of “Santa Claus” The name "Santa Claus" is an American accented version of the Dutch “Sinterklaas.” St. Nicholas and Santa Claus are the same person, but many people don't realize that. They are one in the same, but they look different because they are at different points in his evolution. When the Dutch settlers came to the New World, gift giving, which had been until that time a local and seasonal exchange of homemade objects, exploded into something bigger. Mass manufacturing began, retail shops opened, toys became available from Northern Europe, and books, musical instruments and linens all became purchasable. He began to emerge then and his name gradually changed into Santa Claus.

Sacred Origins of Secular Symbols The Easter egg is a symbol for the resurrection, as is the butterfly. The Christmas star represents the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Magi. Christmas lights on the tree started as image of the stars that the shepherds saw. The shamrock is a symbol used by St. Patrick to teach about the Trinity.

INSTITUTIONS IN SOCIETY Think of five (5) institutions in our society and consider if they are religious or secular.

HOLIDAY SACRED OR SECULAR SYMBOL (SACRED & SECULAR) HALLOWEEN   CHRISTMAS EASTER CANADA DAY VICTORIA DAY GOOD FRIDAY ST. PATRICK’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY