64 replies to this topic

[Jor-el]

The pagan festival of Easter originated as the worship of the sun goddess, the Babylonian Queen of Heaven, who was later worshipped under many names including Ishtar, Cyble, Idaea Mater (the great mother), or Astarte for whom the celebration of Easter is named. Easter is the celebration commemorating the death and ressurection of Tammuz the "sun god." As legend has it, Tammuz was out hunting, when he was killed by a wild boar. He is said to have been in the ground three days and then ressurected to ascend into heaven to become the "sun god." (Does it sound familiar?) Easter is not another name for the feast of Passover and is not celebrated at the Biblically prescribed time for Passover. This pagan festival was given a "Christianized" theme 100 years after Christ.

History records the words of Hyginus, an Egyptian, who was a librarian at the Palestine library in Rome during the time of Ceaser Agustus: "An egg of wonderous size is said to have fallen from heaven into the river Euphrates. The fishes rolled it to the bank, where the doves having settled upon it, hatched it, out came Venus, who afterwards was called the Syrian Goddess." That Syrian Goddess, supposedly hatched from the egg, was Astarte, from whom the title "Easter" came from. After Easter/Astarte ascended to heaven she is said to be escorted by rabbits laying colored eggs. The rabbits being a pagan fertility symbol because of their procreation habits, and are also a pagan symbol for spring and the eggs being traditionally a symbol of new life.

Easter vs Passover

We ought not, therefore, to have anything in common with the Jews, for the Saviour has shown us another way; our worship follows a more legitimate and more convenient course [the order of the days of the week]; and consequently, in unanimously adopting this mode, we desire, dearest brethren, to separate ourselves from the detestable company of the Jews.

Constantine I

From the Letter of the Emperor to all those not present at the Council. (Found in Eusebius, Vita Const., Lib. iii., 18-20.)

When reviewing the historical record of the “Passover/Easter” controversy, it is undeniable that the early New Testament Church did not observe Easter. They continued observing Passover, but with a new significance and understanding. In fact one can state that as the church became more gentile and less Jewish in substance, that gentile christians started repudiating all things jewish, until they in fact initiated a trend that culminated in direct anti-semitism, thereby cutting off their own roots.

"Neither the apostles, therefore nor the Gospels, have anywhere imposed…Easter…The Savior and His apostles have enjoined us by no law to keep this feast [Easter]…And that the observance originated not by legislation [of the apostles], but as a custom the facts themselves indicate"
Socrates Scholasticus, Ecclesiastical History V, chapter 22).

So, shouldn't we as christians do the right thing and repudiate this false celebration, and return to our roots, celebrating Passover?

[the L]

As I once read that Bunny and eggs were connected with Slavic paganism. Slavic have beliefs about those colorfull eggs.

[Rlyeh]

Hell if they have no problem using pagan days and a pagan alphabet, why not?

[the L]

Rlyeh, on 02 April 2012 - 07:51 PM, said:

Hell if they have no problem using pagan days and a pagan alphabet, why not?

Pagan alphabet?

[Jor-el]

Melo, on 02 April 2012 - 08:07 PM, said:

Pagan alphabet?

Our alphabet is Latin based, thus it came from the Romans, who took it from the Greeks, who created the 1st true modern alphabet.

Naturally this has nothing to do with the OP itself.

Edited by Saru, 04 April 2012 - 06:22 PM.
Removed quote of deleted post

[HerNibs]

I celebrate it.    All the colors and springtime stuff.  Eggs, candy, gifts, etc.

Having a big dinner on Sunday.  My daughter-in-law celebrates only the Christian version (Jesus back from the dead, etc.)

I just combine everything.  She takes the granddaughters to church in the morning.  Then to my house for the "pagan" celebration.

She says a quick prayer before dinner.  Those of us that don't believe just sit quietly and respectfully because we love her and the girls.

Not a huge deal but a wonderful time.  She is worshipping in her way and we celebrate the spring in ours.  

Combines beautifully.

Nibs

Whoops - forgot to add -

It's what the event means in our hearts that is important isn't it?

Edited by HerNibs, 02 April 2012 - 08:30 PM.

[Jor-el]

HerNibs, on 02 April 2012 - 08:24 PM, said:

I celebrate it.    All the colors and springtime stuff.  Eggs, candy, gifts, etc.

Having a big dinner on Sunday.  My daughter-in-law celebrates only the Christian version (Jesus back from the dead, etc.)

I just combine everything.  She takes the granddaughters to church in the morning.  Then to my house for the "pagan" celebration.

She says a quick prayer before dinner.  Those of us that don't believe just sit quietly and respectfully because we love her and the girls.

Not a huge deal but a wonderful time.  She is worshipping in her way and we celebrate the spring in ours.  

Combines beautifully.

Nibs

Whoops - forgot to add -

It's what the event means in our hearts that is important isn't it?

Problem is, it isn't even the anniversary of Jesus resurrection... there is absolutely nothing that links it to christianity, tradition notwithstanding...

[and then]

I have struggled a bit with this one, Jor el.  Nibs describes the typical celebration of Easter in my family as well.  God is acknowledged but not emphasized and the truth is that the pagan tradition is not a proper way to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.  But neither is keeping the tradition of the Jews of Pesach.  I maintain an awareness of the calendar for Pesach and worship privately at that time for the resurrection then enjoy my family as we gather for the bunny and egg silliness.  I also teach the true meaning to my nieces and nephews at that time and no one seems to mind too much.

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

the concept of the Easter celebration? That the Son of God came, taught and died in a terribly excruciating manner to expunge sin and open the door to everyone to Heaven? What, pray, is wrong with that? Now the commercialism of it all is an irritant but that's the modern scourge IMO and replaced the need for some mortification in the penance, we're still suffering to expedite the expurgate of sin it's just there aren't whips involved anymore


Easter falls on a pagan holiday yes. But then so does Christ's Mass, and many biblical scholars and theologians suggest that that should be falling about now rather then the Paschal Mystery.

[markdohle]

Jor-el, on 02 April 2012 - 08:33 PM, said:

Problem is, it isn't even the anniversary of Jesus resurrection... there is absolutely nothing that links it to christianity, tradition notwithstanding...

For Christians Easter is a celebrations of Christ rising from the dead.  In other traditions it is a celebrations of life renewing itself.  Both are conncected.  We can both get along.

Peace
Mark

[HerNibs]

Jor-el, on 02 April 2012 - 08:33 PM, said:

Problem is, it isn't even the anniversary of Jesus resurrection... there is absolutely nothing that links it to christianity, tradition notwithstanding...

Nope, no connection at all, but does that really matter?  She's thankful for the resurrection of Jesus and the gifts (she believes) that were given to her by God.

Give thanks/praise to the Lord

I know I seem to be really simplifying this but I really do see it as simple.  Does the "date" and "name" of the day really matter?

Heck - Sunday isn't even considered a holy day in many places.  

I'm not trying to make light of the question as much as I'm stating that the actual date and name of the day isn't that important.

Nibs

[the L]

Jor-el, on 02 April 2012 - 08:16 PM, said:

Our alphabet is Latin based, thus it came from the Romans, who took it from the Greeks, who created the 1st true modern alphabet.

Im aware of that. But they didnt took it from the greeks. And Greeks defenetly didnt create 1st true modern alphabet.
As for Pagan alphabet , Italic people gone long way. From people who prosecuted Christians to one who prosecuted in the name of Christ.
So called Italic, Roman people pagans is little wierd since word pagan came from latin word paganus which means villager and is often used by Romans after they adopt Christianity for Barbarians and their old Gods.

Latin alphabet  =/= Pagan alphabet

Edited by Melo, 02 April 2012 - 08:47 PM.

[Beckys_Mom]

Growing up we were taught Easter Sunday was when Jesus rose again..


But we celebrated it  and only thought about chocolate eggs and  eating a big Easter Sunday dinner...  then eat more chocolate .

Only thing I didn't like was - Made go to Mass and  wear dooley new clothes some family members bought......  HA HA  my daughter is going through the SAME thing..  The clothes, sent to church and the rest    Oh wait maybe I should not laugh...cuz I used to moan about it lol

Edited by Beckys_Mom, 02 April 2012 - 09:29 PM.

[Jor-el]

One of the things I cannot agree with, is not the commercialism of easter, it isn't the bunnies, the chocolate eggs, I can live with all that. What I have difficulty with is the idea that we have divorced ourselves from our roots and have taken foreign beliefs into our midst. I speak to christians of course.

Passover is the only real time to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus, no matter on what days of the week they land on. The church has allowed this situation for ages and then they are surprised when they are accused of almost being paganistic in their rituals...

[Meiliken]

I think it's rather moronic to set aside a day to show others you care for them.  Holidays are only made to remind people to do this.  But if you need reminding, you're a sorry excuse for a human being.  This goes with all holidays, easter, christmas, new years, mothers day, fathers day, st patricks day, you name it.  Even birthdays and anniversaries fall into that.  Why not show people you care every day?  You humans get complacent and that's why your divorce rates are so high, and why love and honor are going the way of the dodo.  You want to show your spouse you're thinking of them?  Don't wait for anniversary or birthday; surprise them with a flower/card at random.  You want to show your family they're special to you; invite them over for dinner.  Making up special days just to do what you should have been doing all along is outright ludicrous.

Welcome to the human condition.