27767
From: The Hierophant, [DNS_Address]
Subject: The Truth about Easter
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to all those 'Chrisitans' who think their way is the only way (lol), here's some educational information: If you think Easter started as a Christian holiday, think again. The history and origins of how Easter began aren't rooted in what Christians know as Resurrection Sunday, but rather, as part of the lexicon of Pagan holidays and traditions. Even as Christians celebrate the day of Jesus Christ's resurrection, people of other faiths and religious traditions which existed for millennia before Christianity was established celebrate their own stories of gods and goddesses being brought back to life again after death. From the Egyptian god Osiris to the Greek god Dionysus, among others, resurrection and rebirth have been a fairly common theme among religions and mythology. The Story of Pagan Easter Is About Pagan Goddess ĒostreEaster's meaning and traditions are closely connected to paganism. The general symbolic story of the death of the son (sun) on a cross (the constellation of the Southern Cross) and his rebirth, overcoming the powers of darkness, was a well worn story in the ancient world. There were plenty of parallel, rival resurrected saviours, too. In fact, Easter is named after Ēostre, a pagan goddess who was worshiped for centuries before Christ. Eostre was the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility, from whom we get the word estrogen. She was believed to usher in spring every year, thereby resurrecting the earth from the dead of winter into the new life of spring. Ostara is a Pagan festival honoring Eostre that coincides with the Spring or Vernal Equinox on March 21, celebrating the renewal of life on Earth and marking the time when the amount of daylight is equal to the amount of nightfall. In a further effort to aggressively Christianize the pagan population, the Catholic Church "taught" them that the resurrection of their god happened on Easter, thereby claiming the Pagan holiday as a Christian one. That is why, to this day, you will encounter many Christians who mistakenly assume this holiday has purely Christian origins, and who may even feel insulted when anyone challenges this belief. Pagan Easter Traditions Easter itself is not a Pagan holiday. Christians celebrate Easter as the day of Jesus Christ's resurrection. And even though the feast of Jesus's Resurrection coincides with pagan celebrations, that doesn’t mean it's wholly derived from pagan traditions. That said, there are many "traditional" Easter activities that come from pagan practices, rites and stories. Easter Ham One of the reasons ham is part of Easter dinner comes from the pagan lore of Tammuz, a man who was killed by a wild pig. Pagans celebrated by eating a pig to honor Tammuz. But to mourn his death, the pagans gave the tradition of not eating meat for 40 days, which is now part of Lent, and then after every year on the first Sunday, and after the first Full Moon from the spring equinox, which is the kind of timing Easter follows. Easter Eggs and Easter Egg Hunts According to Pagan folklore, one year Ēostre was late coming in and the snow didn't melt. This made it hard for the birds to find food. One little bird broke its leg while digging through the deep snow. Showing mercy for the bird, Ēostre turned it into a rabbit so it could hop on top of the snow. She knew the rabbit still had the heart of a bird, so she allowed it to continue laying eggs — all of which would now boast the glorious colors of spring. It, therefore, became a tradition for families to paint Easter eggs in honor of their goddess and in gratitude for the spring. It was only centuries later that the tradition of "hiding" eggs grew. Many scholars believe this practice was a way for pagan families and children to worship Ēostre without suffering persecution by the Catholic Church, which had criminalized paganism. Decorating eggs was also a pagan tradition. When life began to blossom in nature, pagans decorated eggs to celebrate this time of rebirth and then gift the eggs to family and friends. The easter egg hunt also comes from pagan traditions, as the pagans used eggs in their celebration of Eástre, having to hunt for the eggs and use what they could find. Easter Bunnies In addition to her having been said to turn the bird into a rabbit, Eástre has often been depicted with a hare because she was said to bring light and fertility, which the hare represents. Hot Cross Buns While many people enjoy hot cross buns, which they believe are meant to symbolize the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, on Easter, buns decorated with a cross were also prepared by Pagans celebrating Ostara. For followers of the goddess, the cross represents the four seasons and the four main phases of the moon. Easter Baskets For Christians, giving eggs out at Easter celebrates new life, as the egg is a symbol of the tomb where Jesus was placed after he was taken down from the cross. Cracking an easter egg open represents Jesus's resurrection. In Orthodox traditions, they paint the eggs red to symbolize Jesus's blood that was shed on the cross. But the tradition of decorating eggs for Easter actually dates back to the 13th century. Eggs were formerly a forbidden food in the Lenten season. Therefore, people didn't want to waste them, instead painting and decorating them to mark the end of Lent. Easter eggs and Easter baskets are German traditions that made their way to the U.S. in the 1700s, when German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania. In the German tradition, children would make nests for the egg-laying hare, named Osterhase, to leave its colorful eggs in. Children who planned to be good throughout the year would do this and be rewarded with Osterhase's colorful eggs. As the tradition spread across the U.S., the magical hare was then changed to the Easter bunny, whose morning deliveries were expanded to chocolate eggs, candy, and gifts; instead of children making a nest, the eggs would come in decorated baskets. Pagan traditions remained as Christianity took over, because Christians actually found the pagan traditions special. That's why many Christian holidays fall around the same time as many Pagan festivals — Easter being on the same day as the Pagan spring festival Ostara, Christmas occurring on the same day as the Pagan winter festival Saturnalia, which is the celebration of the birth of the Sun god. |
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[27783] [27784] [27785] [27769] [27778] [27781] [27782] [27780] [27771] [27774] [27772] [27775] [27770] [27776] [27777] [27773] [27768]
27783
From: Sue/Seattle, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Truth about Easter
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Yes many Christian holidays began with pagan rituals. It would be nice if Christians would acknowledge that. As I read it thats all you are trying to say. |
27784
From: Meghan, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Truth about Easter
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Except for her (lol) interjection. It came off as a put-down. Stupid Christians! The days of the week are named after Norse PAGAN 'heroes'...should we stop using them, too? Earth Day is PAGAN...SOME people 'get' it. Many so-called 'myths' have proven to be true. Time will tell. Only the FATHER knows the hour. |
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[27785]
27785
From: The Hierophant, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Truth about Easter
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Meghan, the only thing that I was trying to point out is that Christians keep dis'ing non-believers and telling them they are all going to hell because they don't 'beleive' yet the holidays that the Christians celebrate and call 'Christin' are all pagan based - so sort of two-faced hypocritical. |
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27769
From: ryan, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Truth about Easter
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easter is not about religious ceremony or practice (although it certainly has been commercialized and distorted to promote religion and keep the $$$ rollin' in...there are always those that set up their money tables in the holy places)... it is the celebration of the knowledge jesus shared with the world, and his supreme sacrifice that showed what he was talking about...you minimize the truly amazing work that he did to help mankind and the planet... |
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[27778] [27781] [27782] [27780] [27771] [27774] [27772] [27775] [27770] [27776] [27777] [27773]
27778
From: akira, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Truth about Easter
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The only value served by perpetuating the Jesus mythology is this- reminding human beings of who we are. When that’s realized, actualized, the myth will fall away. |
27781
From: Meghan, [DNS_Address]
Subject: You WISH!
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Your voice was the loudest: "CRUCIFY HIM"! Ya. Guilt much? |
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27782
From: Eve, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: You WISH!
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27780
From: Eve, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Truth about Easter
URL: https://www.doc.wa.gov/docs/publications/infographics/100-PO047.htm
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Paganism is built upon the myths of many gods. |
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27771
From: The Hierophant, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Truth about Easter
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these are the same 'Christians' who then turn around and chide and condemn others because they won't celebrate Easter the 'Christian' way, yet, these same 'Christians' then make sure that they buy baskets filled with Easter eggs and candy, which are pagan. |
27774
From: ryan, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Truth about Easter
| as you know, those ain't christians... |
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27772
From: Eve, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Truth about Easter
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Yes they are pagan in that way same as other pagans. |
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[27775]
27775
From: Eve, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Truth about Easter
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And the pagan pagans chide the others ones whom are labeled by mans ways so it's one pagan against another pagan...tribal stuff, Harry Potter wizard wars. Some pagan tribes though are okay with admitting they indulge while other pagan tribes are in denial, some are organized, some are not. Even the days of the week this world follows are pagan named gods, so when RCC pope says all gods are same it's basically pagan. |
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27770
From: The Hierophant, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Truth about Easter
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there were many other prophets from other religions throughout time that shared their knowledge with the world - why does this holiday have to be hijacked by Christians who then turn around and call those who do not believe in Christianity 'heathens' and 'pagens'? |
27776
From: Eve, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Truth about Easter
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In the beginning, the first son is first and is the only begotten whom had no sin...this is The King, the one and only whom will put all errors of all the man made governments and religions under his feet as conquered as they fall because they all do but his kingdom not of this world will not fall...This world has other kings they are ones of flesh and blood people chose not they are not first and only begotten who was created without sin, that is why he did not fight for it. |
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[27777]
27777
From: Eve, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Truth about Easter
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Easter is about Esther is about estrogen which is why this world is of the female...the only door to the Father is through the Son. |
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27773
From: ryan, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Truth about Easter
| why does the message have to be hijacked by tangential bs? |
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27768
From: Meghan, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Tell Us The Truth about the Tooth Fairy...
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Be kind! Why do some children receive more than others? Not fair! Must be something sinister going on...what say you? |
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