Is participating in the may pole sinful?

It probably is everything else seems to be in that circle of folks who believe in that sort of thing.

What????? The English Puritans were the only Christian tendency to ban the maypole celebrations. They disliked dancing and the theatre, too - an odd echo of the odd minds of the Taliban.

As to the fact that the maypole is pre-Christian, so are the midwinter and spring festivals that the Christian churches adopted as part of the celebration of Christmas and Easter, from earliest recorded times in Europe. And if you mean that it's a phallic symbol, so was a naughty, wicked, sinful top hat.

Incidentally, the more extreme Puritans didn't like Christmas or Easter celebrations much, either. I think I prefer to go with the Christian majority on these issues.

Your question leads me to presume you are Christian. I'm glad you consider the matter serious enough to really think about it.

I don't believe the situation would necessarily be sinful for you. I'm pretty sure that any potential serious sinfulness would exist only in your heart in this case. Keep you heart and mind clear about the whole thing. Putting a maypole up for historical study reasons is different from "participating". While being respectful of other people's beliefs, you personally don't have to attribute any spiritual significance to the pole or the pagan things associated with it. Consider asking your teacher if students can write an extra-credit essay that compares and contrasts maypole related spiritual or religious beliefs with other religious beliefs. If your teacher really wants to "help bring the literature alive", your teacher should welcome students studying the broader social and cultural context in which maypole celebrations have existed over the past few centuries. Since the maypole has clear religious aspects to it, I think it might be discriminatory in an unconstitutional way to prohibit simultaneous discussion of opposing religious views.

If you ever encounter blatant anti-Christian discrimination in a public school, try contacting the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ).

They can be very helpful in such matters.

As a Christian, you should always seek peaceful solutions when possible. Good Luck. Peace to you.

No. Although the May Pole incorporates phallic symbolism which is pagan in origin. Dancing around a May pole is not sinful in of itself. The original purpose for a May pole over time has lost it's pagan meanings and therefore is not sinful.

Edit: If it's Educational then there you should rest assure that the May Pole's purpose is for your educational edification and not for any religious purpose at all.

Mine would probably look like something Charles Manson would have done back in the 60's after popping acid and polishing off a 5th of Jack Daniels ! Maybe some raw eggs cracked open with some dead chicken fetuses stapled to the bottom ! Maybe you could just do the lobby of a KFC as your diorama !

Of course not! The May Pole just celebrates the end of winter.

No,it is just a fun thing to do!

Your instructor sounds cool.

If you know what it stands for, why are you asking this Question...?

that is witchcraft!!! run away!!!!!

NO