Reading many of the posts in the “Latvians on Faith” forum, I find not too many actually talk about faith. My own experience, in my family’s history, has been a mix of :

a. atheism in some cases.
b. Nationalism came first, God was a convenient afterthouht.
c. hmmm… Lutherism… what the f.. was that anyway?
d. Surprised to find some Catholicism

But ..... no depth.

There was nothing in my Latvian upbringing that brought to me to faith in God. I married an Italian, who’s family were an odd mix of people, but had a genuine Love of God. Ultimately after many years of marriage, I came to accept Jesus as my personal Saviour. My Latvian family still can’t figure out what I’m talking about…

So… Do Latvians believe in God?

I find in my experience that Latvians tend to believe in what ever is convenient at any given time, or puts them in the most favourable/powerful position. I do not believe I am alone in the belief that in Latvian Church I was not always sure which God we were there to worship. I myself later converted to Catholicism to support my daughters when they chose that direction (Ukrainian Basican Order). In many ways - I consider myself a good christian, although I am most certainly not a devout one. I personally think that there are many factors in our faith, or lack of faith. The minister/pastor/priest of course holds the pivitol role - and most vary widely in how they operate and preach. Your congregation is also essential. There are wide degrees of faith within every congregation - so it comes down to how you interact. Maybe I have never been fortunate enough to have truly devout people around me - where you do not feel alone in your own beliefs. I find that very often it is the judgemental factor that turns me off the most when it comes to religious exchanges. I guess that condemnation is not a very pleasant aspect of too many religious discussions. I thought it was supposed to be about faith and charity and still many other virtues. Once again though - maybe I have simply not found the right christian home. In that sense - you have also been blessed.

God created Latvians for some purpose, so promoting Latvian language, culture and traditions is in itself a service to God.  Whether Latvians believe in God or not is beside the point!

To sniks,
It sounds like you have encountered the various levels of confusion I encountered amongst Latvians, which is why I posed the question in the first place.
You say “I find that very often it is the judgemental factor that turns me off the most when it comes to religious exchanges. I guess that condemnation is not a very pleasant aspect of too many religious discussions. I thought it was supposed to be about faith and charity and still many other virtues.”
Your comments above are the very reason I professed to atheism for many years, more so it was a rebellion against people telling me what to do and/ or how to think. Any church you belong to that makes you feel inadequate by their judgemental attitude is a church worth dumping immediately. The real fact of the matter is Jesus doesn’t condemn any of us. ( and it’s a good incentive to dump “religion” which is simply the organization or business aspect of theology, you’d be better served by pursuing a relationship with Jesus in the privacy of your own thoughts )

In general, I have found in the Latvian circles this repeating theme of judgemenatlism, condemnation, so I am not surprised to hear you say it. Faith in God is a hard concept for Latvians, I believe. Which is evidenced by spectators useless remark “Whether Latvians believe in God or not is beside the point! “

It seems to favor one of my points of view that say Latvians put “Latvianism first” and everything else is secondary.  He also says “God created Latvians for some purpose, so promoting Latvian language, culture and traditions is in itself a service to God” To specator, what is more inmportant? God or Latvia? If your answer is Latvia, there is nothing left for you and I to discuss.

What a bunch of garbage. Before Latvianism, before anything is God, there isn’t anything more important, especially at this jucture in time, for Latvians and non Latvians to understand what their beliefs are. I wrote this as a provocation to Latvians in general. I know them, I think Latvians faith is thin and veiled in “nationalism” which I have seem well exhibited by my own family. This isn’t faith in God at all.

So… do Latvians believe in God?

Read Latvians on Line, 07 Dec 2004
A PRIMER ON FOLK RELIGION by Amanda Jatniece
http://latviansonline.com/index.php/features/article/1114/

To understand how dievturība, the Latvian folk religion, evolved, it is important to recall some information that everybody already knows, but does not think about on a daily basis. Latvia is located in the northern hemisphere, far enough from the equator to experience four distinct seasons. The Latvians and their ancestors have been an agricultural people for thousands of years, rather than being primarily hunters or nomads. Taking both geography and lifestyle into account, they have always been at the mercy of climate and nature.

The Latvians have always lived in close association with nature, and nature is also a very important part of their ancient religion. Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga wrote that “the ancient Latvian did not think of himself as lord and ruler over nature, nor superior to nature, but rather he considered himself to be an inseparable ingredient of nature.” As opposed to the views of some religions, the Latvian is not the lord and ruler over all of creation, but rather lives in harmony with all of nature and the environment. The Latvian is not superior to animals and plants. The Latvian is good to all of God’s creations: “Ne sunīša es nespēru, ne uguns pagalītes: Ir sunīts Dievs laists, ir uguns pagalīte” (I did not kick the dog nor the firewood, For both the dog and the firewood are made by God.)

The whole world—from the smallest insect, grass seed and tiniest pebble, to the entire sea, stars and universe—is seen as a living organism. The Latvian is continually in awe of the world’s beauty, breadth, complexity and incomprehension: “Kas var dziesmas izdziedāt, kas valodas izrunāt? Kas var zvaigznes izskaitīt, jūŗas zvirgzdus izlasīt?” (Who can sing all songs and speak all languages? Who can count all stars and all the pebbles of the sea?)

Every Latvian farmer wished for wisdom in order to make it through hard times. Each generation wished to pass this wisdom on to the next generation. Latvians did this in poetic form, by crafting folk songs called dainas, into which this wisdom was “locked.” But, of course, the dainas didnt hold only planting and harvesting wisdom; they included all of life: the joys and the sorrows, the good days and the bad days. Universal questions and answers were also locked into the dainas. Why do things happen the way they do? Where does everything come from, and where will it go? Why is my neighbor doing better than I am? And so on. Each generation added its own experiences and conclusions and then passed on this inheritance of songs until it has reached us today.

Dievturība and dainas
Wishing for a “Latvian Latvia” for his people, the archeologist Ernests Brastiņš (1892-1942) turned to this inheritance of folk songs and was the first to devote himself to the wide and systematic research of Latvian religion. In the 1920s, together with his acquaintances, Brastiņš laid the foundation for dievturība, which is the renewed ancient Latvian religion. Long ago this religion probably never had a name, and one must realize that it is impossible to accurately recreate an ancient religion. So, dievturība as we know it is a religion, or more likely a “way of life” (as is Hinduism), based on the ancient Latvian deities, wisdom and values.

Dievturība invites one to live a Latvian life by listening to the Latvian sound and form of God’s wisdom. In other words, across the world there are many roads to God, and each group of people or ethnicity has developed a road that is most appropriate, most sincere, most comfortable and most understandable for itself. It is assumed that the nearest and dearest road for a Latvian will be the Latvian road, in other words the Latvian religion and way of life. Dievturība is based on the sources of spiritual strength of our ancestors, which have helped and strengthened Latvians for countless generations and through a variety of times and events. It is for this very reason that dievturība can also adapt to the modern person’s life.

Dievturība has no priests or priestly orders. Dievturība has no specified dogma and it does not require unquestioning faith and submission of its practitioners. Dievturība allows each individual to understand it according to their own needs and abilities. All new information and research in the fields of science, history, folklore and religion serve to further develop and enrich dievturība. This means that, for example, something like the introduction of the theories of evolution or multiple universes does not go “against” the beliefs of the adherents to dievturība.

The basis of dievturība are the folk verses, or dainas. The dainas are Latvians’ main fountain of wisdom—the most useful wisdom and observations, tested by life and by time. Dainas are timeless and can be applied to and understood just as well in our day as they were 1,000 years ago. The dainas arose from the people’s strength, and they have given and continue to give strength to this day. The dainas teach us to honor all of nature; they tell us how to live together with others; they stress the importance of work, but also the fact that one cannot live without joy.

Deities
The dainas also describe deities, which are often seen as aspects or laws of nature dressed in poetic language: Dievs—thought, universe, cosmic intelligence, unchangeable laws of nature and original energy; Māra—the material world and the feminine; Laime or Laima—fate and destiny.

[...]

(To be cont’d)

(continued) A Primer on the Latvian folk religion

The Latvians called the incomprehensible, overwhelming collective energy of the world Dievs. Modern science has uncovered many secrets of nature, but still cannot explain how and where thought originates. That is why possibly the best word to describe the essence of Dievs is thought, or wisdom. Dievs observes everything and offers advice: “Ņemiet, jauni, padomiņu no veciem ļautiņiem; Vecajiem ļautiņiem Dieviņš deva padomiņu” (Young people, take advice from the old people; The old people received their wisdom from God).

But only those who try to develop and broaden themselves to the best of their abilities and who always try their best will receive Dievs’ wisdom and help: “Dievs man deva, Dievs man deva, Dievs rokā neiedeva; Dievs rokā neiedeva, iekams pats nopelnīju” (God gave to me, but God did not put things right into my hands; God didn’t put things into my hands until I earned them myself).

Dievs is not harsh, he does not punish and he does not ask for submission in his presence. He is kind and his presence is almost imperceptible: “Lēni, lēni Dieviņš brauca no kalniņa lejiņā; Netraucēja ievas ziedu, ne arāja kumeliņu” (God rode down the hill slowly, slowly; He did not disturb the blossoms nor the ploughman’s horse).

The Latvian speaks to Dievs with familiarity, as with a friend. Latvians often show special kindness and closeness to Dievs by addressing him with the diminutive form, Dieviņš.

The second Latvian deity (or aspect of Dievs or the Universe, depending on one’s interpretation) is Māra. She symbolizes the material, or physical, world and is the so-called Mother Earth, or Dievs’ material side. Māra’s domain includes all of life, both in This World as well as in the Other World. She is both the giver and taker of life: “Sak’ zemīte ļaunu dara, zeme dara visu labu: Zeme deva ēsti, dzerti, glabā manu augumiņu” (They say that the earth does evil, but the earth does only good: The earth gives food and drink and shelters my body).

Because she attends births and therefore the beginning of life, Māra is very dear to women: “Kur Māriņa basa tek pa ābeļu līdumiņu? Pie jaunām sieviņām grūtajās dieniņās” (To where is Māra hurrying through the apple garden? To the young women during their difficult days (birthing)).

Just like nature, Māra is many-sided. Because of her multiform character, she has received some 60 different names. These names are all just different faces of the one Māra or personifications of certain natural phenomena, for example, Wind Mother, Sea Mother, Forest Mother, Milk Mother or Spirit Mother.

The third Latvian deity (or aspect of Dievs or the Universe), Laime or Laima, is the decider of fate. She personifies that unbreakable law of the world, where each action has its consequence, similar to karma: “Bēgu dienu, bēgu nakti, Laimes likta neizbēgu, Kādu mūžu Laime lika, tāds bij’ man dzīvojot” (I flee all day, I flee all night, but I cannot escape the fate set by Laime; I have to live the kind of life that Laime has given to me).

Laima gives everyone a certain kind of life, or fate, but one is still able to influence one’s fate for the better (or worse), depending on one’s good (or bad) deeds and thoughts. To use one’s mind and understanding, along with Dievs’ wisdom, to form and use the circumstances one has been given by Laima in order to fill one’s life with good work and good deeds is then, for lack of a better term, the “meaning” or responsibility of one’s life.

Values
We find many values (tikumi) expressed in the dainas. These reflect a very highly evolved ethical and value system and provide instruction for living better. These values are very old, passed down from generation to generation, yet they are timeless and apply just as well to us today as they did to people hundreds of years ago. Although much has changed over the years, the basic Latvian values have not changed. They are useful for urban as well as rural inhabitants.

The value of work, or the work ethic, has been held in particularly high esteem by Latvians. It most likely grew out of the northern environment, where nature offers little without hard work, and therefore “work is life.”

The goal or meaning of life for a Latvian is to live in harmony with the cycles/rhythms of nature and other people. In other words, to live well and thoughtfully: “Visi man labi bija, kad es pati laba biju; Visi mani naidenieki, ja es naida cēlējiņa” (Everyone is good to me if I am good myself; Everyone is angry with me if I am the source of anger).

A person decides for themself how they will act towards the world, whether well or badly. Even though there are dishonorable people, the idea of sin and redemption (and especially of original sin) is foreign to the dainas and the Latvian understanding of life. The greatest punishment for a dishonorable act is the experience of shame: “Ej, bāliņ, taisnu ceļu, runā taisnu valodiņu; Tad ij Dievs palīdzēs taisnu mūžu nodzīvot” (Brother, walk a straight path and speak straight(honest) words; Then God will help you to live a straight(honest) life).

Yearly holidays and life’s celebrations
People are connected to events in nature and also to the heavenly bodies—especially the sun, which determines the cycles of the seasons and along with them the rhythms of agriculture. These rhythms also dictate the yearly Latvian holidays. That is not at all surprising, because the path of the sun and the corresponding length of day is very noticeable in a northern land.

(to be cont’d)

(continued) A Primer on the Latvian folk religion

Adherents to dievturība, called dievtuŗi, strive to keep the ancient Latvian holidays and celebrations alive. The biggest holiday, Jāņi, falls on the longest day of the year or summer solstice. Ziemassvētki is celebrated on the shortest day of the year (winter solstice, Dec. 21). On those days when day and night are of equal length (equinox) Latvians celebrate Lielā diena (March 21) and Miķeļi (Sept. 21). Still more holidays occur at the midpoints between the above-mentioned holidays: Meteņi (Feb. 10), Ūsiņi (May 10), Māras (Aug. 10) and Mārtiņi (Nov. 10). Every holiday period has its own traditions, many of which are associated with fertility and the agricultural and growing cycles.

Dievtuŗi observe three rites of passage: a newborn’s name-giving (krustabas), marriage (vedības, līdzināšana or kāzas), and the funeral (bēres). Dievtuŗi also take time in the late fall to remember those who have died and passed on to the spiritual world (veļu laiks or dievaines).

Life and death
Dievtuŗi believe a person consists of three parts: the physical body (augums), the soul (dvēsele) and the spirit (velis, plural veļi). After death the physical body returns to the earth. The dvēsele—a person’s consciousness—eventually returns to Dievs, or the collective energy of the Universe. The velis is a go-between between the body and soul: it is a part of the physical body, but consists of particles that are too small for us to see and which continue to exist for a while after death. The velis is also the deceased person’s thoughts, wisdom and words, as well as the memories about that person: “Veci koki izpraulējši, tāses vien atlikušas; Veci ļaudis nomiruši, valodiņa atlikuse” (The old trees have rotted, only their bark remains; The old people have died, only their words remain).

The more time has passed since a person has died, the fewer people are left who remember the way the deceased looked, moved and spoke. But that does not mean the person’s velis has ceased to exist. Their velis is not lost, just harder to notice and less clear, as is any object that one views from a great distance. During the time of the veļi in late autumn, dievtuŗi invite the veļi of their friends and relatives to return and visit. Even though the veļi are invited to visit with the living, one must remember to “send” them back to their spirit world afterwards.

Dying is seen as the separation of the body, soul and velis. Latvians tend to await it calmly, without fear. Often Latvians speak of This World (šī saule, pasaule), where we are currently living, and the Other World (viņsaule) or the world Behind the Sun (aizsaule), where the veļi continue their lives after their bodies have died: “Šai saulē, šai zemē, viesiem vien padzīvoju; Viņa saule, viņa zeme, tā visam mūžiņam” (I lived only as a guest in this sun, in this world; The other sun, the other world – that is forever).

Dievturība does not try much to explain what goes on in the Other World, because that is not known to us. But it is thought, anyway, that the veļi continue their lives in the Other World in much the same way as we live our lives here.

sniks et al.,

“I do not believe I am alone in the belief that in Latvian Church I was not always sure which God we were there to worship. “

There is no such thing as “Latvian Church”.

“I myself later converted to Catholicism to support my daughters when they chose that direction (Ukrainian Basican Order)”.

I suppose if your daughters decide to join a pagan order you would join one too.

What a bunch of BS.

Visu labu,

To Ozols - I don’t know that there is truly confusion, or merely frequent misdirection in many things Latvian. I know that even in dealing with the older members of my extended family that I located in Latvija - that they often advise that all information and documents were destroyed at the time of the Soviet occupation. In speaking to the younger relations- they advise that there are all kinds of document in their elders’ possession. I guess this is the preservation mode that they are in - they will not send to you because they claim not to have it- but if you go them - they will gladly give you whatever they have.

I also am convinced that faith is a difficult option at times in this particular culture - perhaps simply because of the many different occupations and ideas that our ancestors were subjected to and the very real teachings in our upbringing of resistance to many ideas because of that. I know that even for myself - I am considered to be very stubborn by so-called Canadian standards - but was always viewed as being too lax and accepting by much of the former Latvian community here. Using that as a gage - I would guess that in the general population here - the precentage of truly devout would likely be about 15 to 20%. In the case of the Latvians that I have known over the course of my life - I would say that the percentage would likely be about 5% at best. Again just a personal opinion - but it seemed that as many of the older Latvians aged - they began to view church as being more important than in previous years. I did not see any real change in their attitudes or opinions though. Perhaps it was simply that church often offered what many of these individuals valued - a conflict of some sort - the opportunity for a good discussion/argument. I know that at times I sound more critical of my heritage than I intend to - and quite often perhaps I do not express it as well at it should be - but I do find it difficult at times not to remember that it seemed that for most things we were taught - we were reminded that there was always a struggle of some sort. Perhaps that is also too general a statement.

I know that on an issue of faith itself - everyone truly must have a personal belief. In respect to that statement - I believe that it is often difficult to find so-called kindred spirits. It may very well be that at times Latvians are simply not trusting enough to demonstrate their true beliefs.

That’s an outstanding article, “A Primer on Folk Religion” by Amanda Jātniece. It should provide a clearer picture about the Latvian way of life to the uninitiated.

Here is another excellent article: “The Ancient Latvian Religion – Dievturība” - http://www.lituanus.org/1987/87_3_06.htm - Tupešu Jānis. It’s comprehensive information although the article has been posted on LOL a number of times.

Sounds like Iki and snik have been out of the loop as far as Latvian history is concerned. Call it culturally alienated. I can assure you that Catholicism; hence Christianity didn’t come to Latvians from heaven. If you guys want to separate the gods, the Latvian god is much much older and wiser than the Christian god, but most Latvians see the same intelligent designer that’s just viewed differently. The Latvian god is more down to earth and understanding. He does not attempt to install fear in his people in order to be all omnipotent. Christianity is a foreign religion to Latvians. It would not have a foundation with Latvians if it were not piggybacked with the traditional Latvian pagan beliefs – the Latvian way of life.

Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus,
Ivars

Wow… I have to say that the respondants to my original question have been really quite intriguing and not the usual dull responses of idoits who say, I am right, you are wrong .. f .. you.
which is what you usually find in these forums.

The thesis on dievturiba was quite interestesting, and quite exhaustive in it’s 3 pages of argument in favor of. I have to say it was quite illuminating.

While at the moment, i profess some difficulty in trying to re-read it again to form my response, I think it’s safe to say that it omits Jesus in the philosophy of Dievturiba, is that right? If it does, I have a problem with it.

But to summarize in my way what I read into it:
1. Latvians have always lived in close association with nature, and nature is very important part of their ancient religion.

2. Dievturibas is a religion, or more likely a “way of life ( as in Hinduism ) based on ancient latvian dieties.

3. It is assumed that the nearest and dearest road for a Latvian will be the Latvian road.
( based on the sources of spiritual strength of our ancestors)

4. Dievturiba has no priest or priestly orders.

5. The basis of dievturiba are the folk verses or dainas.

6. The best word to describe the essence of of Dievs is thought, or wisdom.

7. Then of course there is Mara and Laima

Ivars Graudins says: Sounds likd Ika an snik have been out of the loop as far as Latvian history is concerned. Call it culturally alienated. Then later, the “ Latvian god is much older and wiser than the Christian god.” ( i enjoyed this poorly veiled snipe at me and snik who are asking honest questions, what does that have to do with “culture “ or worse the “Latvian god”.... what’s his name Ivars?)

My responses:

Im my opinion, the Christian bible is the literal word of God.

To Graudins, so what if Latvian pagan beliefs existed longer than the Christian God made it’s way to Latvia? God has his own timing.
In the meantime, the old latvians had to guess at something, didn’t they?

Many early peoples believed in the sun god too before they believed in the one true God. Along with Thor, and Neptune and Zues and...... countless others.

And to both Graudins and whoever it was that wrote the thesis on Dievturiba, the Bible, I believe it says about prophets, “ you will know them by their fruit” meaning a false prophet or false teaching bears little or no fruit, and a truthful prophet yields abundant fruit.
It is easy to see, that faith in Christ has yielded a huge harverst in this world, while Dievturiba has yielded what?
Not much that I know of. Answers anyone?

And who does it benefit? (Dievturiba )… only Latvians who without priestly orders, no ministry, somehow gather solice from the obscure Latvian writings and dainas it’s meaning and purpose?  Sorry, this just sounds more like Latvian National Identify/ pride than faith in God. What does it do to help a person who isn’t Latvian?

What will Dievturiba do to help a prostitute in Prague, a drug addict in New York, a depressed person in Canada, a person who has given up life in South Africa?

The answer is “NOTHING”. Can you refute this simple point? I know you can’t.

But what can Jesus do about these same issues, even in Latvian by the way? Everything..
It can and has saved thousands of human beings from personal disaster and brought them to salvation.

And has done it already for thousands of years. Jesus always offered hope, salvation, love, and forgiveness, and the joy of communion with God. If you need examples of this reality, let me know, ( You don’t need me to located the witnesses of God’s miracles on this planet, check the internet you’ll find them.) they are bountiful, show me the bounty of Dievturiba… can you? I doubt it.

By the way, sniks, it’s not in Catholicism either. It’s a personal relationship with God. You don’t need a building, a church, an organization to find Jesus. If you seek him, even in your own home, you will find Him. I’m not a great minister of the faith, but I could connect you to others that are better at it than me.

So going back to my original question, and a conclusion about Dievturiba, or perhaps a new question,

a. Dievturiba sounds to me like Latvian Nationalistic pride in it’s histroy, which I agree is beautiful in it’s dainas and musical history,AND while it may form a faith for some Latvians, I’m sure it’s not representative of all Latvian people, or even close to what… 10%, more?. ( There are Catholic and Protestant Churches in Latvia.)

I see it as paganism, not linked in any way to the larger world outside it’s borders.
A dead end.

I can’t see how it offers any comfort, solice or joy to even a Latvian beggar on the streets of Riga who needs more than dainas and heady philosophy. Jesus can save that beggar, without a doubt.

Hey, it’s a free world, wow what a concept for those of you living in Latvia.
Believe as you wish, make your choices carefully, your soul is at stake.

b. The new question? Do Latvians believe in Jesus?

By the way, I thank you all for your, I know, heart felt responses.

I have learned in this converstation tha Priecigas ZiemasSvektkus doesn’t mean Merry Christmas. So I say to you all “MERRY CHRISTMAS” Thank God that he sent his only begotten son into the world to take away the sins of man. Accept Jesus and you will be saved.

In Jesus name
Amen

Best of the season to you as well Bruno. I had earlier missed your comment. Perhaps you don’t think there is a Latvian Church - but like any church of any denomination goes - when you attach a ethnic denomination to it - it generally means that that is the language of the congregation. I thought that was simple enough that it required no explanation. As far as supporting my daughters in their choice - they were young - so at times parental support can help them in their endeavours. That stands true for friends as well as family by the way. As far as the BS comment - I guess you must have nothing more intelligent to contribute - get a life!

Bruno the Lett I suppose doesn’t know what it is to have children. Bruno, identify your age. It makes a difference in how we see life.

CEROKSLIS--Dievturibas katechisms ( Arvids Brastins, in the year 11966, ASV) sits before me. It sits next to my favourite “Bihbele” ( 1893, Liepaja) in old Latvian script ( I love reading old script!--it’s a brain work-out), next to the Lutheran church’s song book (Dziesmu gramata) and the English version of Old and New Testaments.

DIEV-turiba ( to hold God): Dievs ir ir esosais, paliekosais, viss sakums un padoms. Dievs (God) is mentioned 5000 times in our dainas. Dievturiba dod latviesiem latviskas dzivosanas gudribu. There is nothing in the basics of Christianity that is not in the teachings of Dievturiba. Yes, there is a congregation, there is a “priest or minister” ( dizvadonis) who is chosen because of depth of belief, understanding and wisdom, often an older person who has the ability to guide and teach. There are teachings re behaviours and expectations re our interconnectedness with the world and with each other ( nedrikst sariebt sev un Dievam page 10), there is an afterlife to which to get to you have to have lived properly in this life.

I will quote another section of the katechisms, page 11.: Kadas vainas kristigajai ticibai?
Kristiga ticiba ir celusies no zidiem un mums vaciesu uzspiesta--ta nesaderas ar zinatni, tautibu un latvietibu. ( What’s wrong with Christianity? Christianity began with the Jews and was forced upon us by the Germans---it does not fit with knowledge, nationality and being Latvian) Brastins gives much more history on this than I can post here.

There are three dieties: Laima, Dekla, Karta--all have their own teachings and purpose, augstakais liktena vaditajs ir Dievs ( all knowing and guiding is God)

Ok, it’s Christmas eve--let’s be civil. It is possible for Christianity and Dievturiba to coexist---you can contribute to both and find goodness in both and LIVE both. Neither disqualifies the other. We can coexist in the multicultural, tolerant world and find beauty in each other, n’est-ce pas? ( Sorry, except for Latvians and Russians, Canadians and French-Canadians...you are supposed to chuckle here...)

Just begin reading dainas-- there is guidance on living a good , moral life in every single LINE. Dievturiba is not just about hugging trees.

Priecigus Svetkus, priecigus Ziemas svetkus, priecigus Jezus piedzimsanas svetkus, priecigus Ziemas saulgriezus!!

Ikabods Ozols et al.,

No, I do not have any childrenn that I know off.

So you think that telling you believe in Jesus makes you a christian ?  Jews believe in Jesus, moslems and mormons believe in Jesua too.

Priecīgus Ziemsvētkus visiem LOL lasītajiem.

Visu labu,

Ikabods Ozols et al.,
“Im my opinion, the Christian bible is the literal word of God. “

I do see that you have narrowed your beliefs in Jesus a little.

I believe that in the Bible on can find the word of God

Visu labu,