Happy Easter

[BWF89]

I woke up at 6:00AM and found about $20 dollars worth of candy and Silly Putty (http://www.sillyputty.com/). Although it wasn't much of a suprise seen as my parents took me to Target when they bought me my candy.

Happy Easter!

[panickedthumb]

Happy Easter everyone!

Though it does deserve some explanation:
Eostre was the Pagan celebration of life and fertility. The rabbit was a symbol of fertility (hence all the jokes about having sex like a rabbit) and that's where the Easter bunny came from. Easter (under different names, as a Christian tradition) has been around as long as recorded Christianity, but during one of the many scourges that the early Christians did of other religions (I have nothing against Christians, don't get me wrong, most of my friends are Christian and we have long discussions about it. But you have to admit, they killed a lot of people back in the day in the name of spreading the word of God). Anyway, people were allowed to practice their Pagan traditions as long as they were doing it "in the name of God."
This is also why we have a tree decorated at Christmas-- it's another Pagan tradition that was "allowed" to stick around as long as the dirty unwashed Pagans (sarcasm) converted to Christianity.

So celebrate Easter, but keep in mind those who were persecuted in Easter's early days.

[poofyhairguy]

Anyway, people were allowed to practice their Pagan traditions as long as they were doing it "in the name of God."
This is also why we have a tree decorated at Christmas-- it's another Pagan tradition that was "allowed" to stick around as long as the dirty unwashed Pagans (sarcasm) converted to Christianity.



Very true. It is also a fact that the institution of the saints in the Roman Catholic church was created as a way to mix Roman mythology with the new faith so that Romans would accept it. Thats why there are patron saints of certain things (like traveling or harvests) just like each Roman (Greek) god represented something different.

There are many times in history that bad things are carried out in each religion's name. What matters to me as a Christian is that I myself do not fall prey to the same mistakes.

I wish a happy easter for everyone, Christian or not....you don't have to believe in Jesus to believe in forgiveness (the major theme of Easter).

Can't wait to get some discount easter candy tomorrow.

[zenwhen]

Happy Easter everyone.

I really didn't expect this thread to be a place for someone to take a shot at the holiday and candy coat it though.

One does not have to dwell on the negative things about something any time they celebrate it. Also, Easter in its current state has little to do witht he pagan holiday that was celebrated at the same time as Easter is now.

[totalshredder]

Happy Easter everyone!

Though it does deserve some explanation:
Eostre was the Pagan celebration of life and fertility. The rabbit was a symbol of fertility (hence all the jokes about having sex like a rabbit) and that's where the Easter bunny came from. Easter (under different names, as a Christian tradition) has been around as long as recorded Christianity, but during one of the many scourges that the early Christians did of other religions (I have nothing against Christians, don't get me wrong, most of my friends are Christian and we have long discussions about it. But you have to admit, they killed a lot of people back in the day in the name of spreading the word of God). Anyway, people were allowed to practice their Pagan traditions as long as they were doing it "in the name of God."
This is also why we have a tree decorated at Christmas-- it's another Pagan tradition that was "allowed" to stick around as long as the dirty unwashed Pagans (sarcasm) converted to Christianity.

So celebrate Easter, but keep in mind those who were persecuted in Easter's early days.

Just remember, easter is a time to remember Jesus rising from the dead, it's a time of rejoicing(for me at least.) I admit there were some really stupid people back in the day, who belived the best way to spread the gospel was to do it by force, which was wrong, for sure. But that has NOTHING to do with easter. Those people do not reflect what Christ did on the cross for us.

The christmas tree thing is true though, funny as well.

Luke O:)

[panickedthumb]

Not to be misunderstood, I DID NOT mean it as taking a shot at Easter. Just a time to reflect on religious freedom (which I do at all major holidays, reflecting on the history of the holiday and what different groups of people went through FOR the holiday-- leads to a lot of interesting discussion) as well as celebrate Easter in whichever way you choose. All people who had a part in the holiday deserve to be represented, especially as many of the Easter traditions came from the pagan holiday. I don't think anyone gives candy, hides easter eggs, or waits for the Easter Bunny to reflect Jesus' rising from the grave. For today's purposes at least, I'd be happier had the pagan rites been lost, so that the religious meaning behind the holiday would be stronger.

Personally, I wish that they hadn't chosen Eostre for the day of celebrating Christ's rising, so that the religious part of the holiday would be more prevalent. Same with Christmas (though that one is definitely celebrated more religiously than easter). Nobody actually knows when Christ was born, or when he rose again, these dates were chosen to bring Pagans over the fence, and in doing so it diluted the religious meanings.

I don't mean to take a shot at any of these holidays, just express my remorse that they aren't more authentically celebrated by the masses, and try to bring out the meaning of Easter. Sorry if I came off harsh-- I had just gotten out of bed, so I may have been cranky ;)

[poofyhairguy]

I really didn't expect this thread to be a place for someone to take a shot at the holiday and candy coat it though.

There is a big difference between taking a shot at something and simply telling about it. I mean, what Christian really cares that Easter was once a humping holiday? I think its cool that post Jesus the focus of the holiday changed from natural pleasures to eternal life....

One does not have to dwell on the negative things about something any time they celebrate it. Also, Easter in its current state has little to do witht he pagan holiday that was celebrated at the same time as Easter is now.

Not quite true Zenwhen. Easter is still associated with fertility symbols - eggs, bunnies, chocolate...

Its it negative that it was once a pagan holiday? I don't think so, its doesn't change what it is today. The history of my religion is very interesting to me...

[poofyhairguy]

Personally, I wish that they hadn't chosen Eostre for the day of celebrating Christ's rising, so that the religious part of the holiday would be more prevalent.

Heck, I wish companies didn't chose the Christmas season as the time to smooze people into buying as much as they can so they can get back into the black, "so that the religious part of the holiday would be more prevalent. "

[defkewl]

Happy easter too. Sorry that I was too late.

[bored2k]

Happy easter too. Sorry that I was too late.
me too .