Can anybody supply leads to historical documents that prove the Christian feasts were established to counteract pagan celebrations held on the same dates? The Christian feasts have many elements related to their pagan predecessors - this would seem to indicate an evolution from the pagan celebrations, rather than something legislated to supplant the pagan feasts. I'll stick to my "folk process" theory until somebody comes up with solid evidence to the contrary. I've studied a lot of church history - most everything in churches happens by evolution, and then is eventually made official by some sort of decree.
It would seem that people kept their traditions after they converted to Christianity, more-or-less putting a Christian "spin" on things they had done for centuries. I realize that it was once common practice for Christians to deny that their faith had in any way developed from earlier paganism, but more recent students of church history see a much closer relationship between Christian traditions and earlier pagan traditions. Christian theologians also have developed a much more favorable view of ancient paganism, and the earlier religions are no longer rejected as "evil." Perhaps those who call themselves pagans might consider doing the same favor to Christianity - to look to see what we all have in common, and to see where there is good in all systems of belief.
-Joe Offer-