I find it that Carnivals are not only a waste of money and precious time, but also they are rooted to paganism beliefs. The Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, edited by James Hastings states that carnivals were dedicated for the goddess Dionysus. She was primarily associated as the goddess of fertility and wine. But, she is also known as the goddess of “Grape-harvest, winemaking, orchards and fruit, vegetation, insanity, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, festivity and theatre” as mentioned by Wikipedia. The Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics also states that: The worship of Dionysus had its Roman counterpart in the Bacchanalia, as also in the Saturnalia and Lupercalia—festivals which in the later Roman period were characterized by wanton raillery and unbridled freedom, and were in a manner a temporary subversion of civil order. This general spirit, together with certain special features, was transmitted to the Carnival in particular, and this explains why that festival has assumed its peculiar character in regions where Roman civilization reigned supreme.”—Vol. 3, page 226.
Carnivals were celebrated inside the Catholic environment. But, in reality what they did was a modification of ancient pagan festivals. The Encyclopedia Britannica, in its eleventh edition explains the attitudes of the popes toward carnivals. He stated:
“The carnival was held to begin on (6th January) and last till midnight of Shrove Tuesday. There is little doubt that this period represents a compromise which the church always inclined to make with the pagan festivals and that the carnival really represents the Roman Saturnalia. Rome has ever been the headquarters of carnival, and though some popes, notably Clement IX. and XI. and Benedict XIII., made efforts to stem the tide of Bacchanalian revelry, many of the popes were great patrons and promoters of carnival keeping.”—Vol. 5, page 366.
But why have religious leaders who have claimed to be Christian promoted a festival that is of pagan origin? The reason behind it is because of the profound attachment this festival had with the ancient people. The festival was so much attached to the people that the individuals did not want to give it up. So, what happened was that the Church gave in and let the individuals keep celebrating their festival or carnival by claiming it holy. And, the festival they changed its meaning, “associating them with Church teachings such as Lent” as so explains the magazine “Carnival and its Origins” published in 1973. The Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics explains:
“By way of effecting a desirable change in the character of long-established popular festivals which could not be summarily abolished, the Church adopted the plan of providing them with Christian motives—a procedure which was very largely adopted in the case of the Carnival festivities.”
Carnivals are bad for people who are Christians and have a religious conscious. Sure, many people who aren't religious will come. But, we want an entire crowd of pagans, non-believers and Christian worshippers to assist to our events. So, its best to go for something that will appeal to everyone. And, focus on everyone's needs.
