The term “Easter” is, as you say, a pagan anglo term. It is rejected by the eastern Orthodox Church, which was (although you can argue with Catholics about this) the original Church. When Pascha was first celebrated, the term “Easter” didn’t exist… it was only called Pascha, which is derived from the Greek word for Jewish Passover (since Pascha is seen by the church as the New Testament replacement of the Jewish passover.)

While I agree that many of the traditions were used as a way to make pagans feel more comfortable with what the Christian church was offering, the pagan-rooted “Easter” traditions followed in the west are rejected by the eastern Orthodox Church. My point is that the western churches have no problem with pagan roots, while the Orthodox Church has always fought against allowing these facets of paganism into paschal worship.

Oh, and just FYI, “Easter Eggs” come from a tradition involving Mary Magdalene, and have nothing to do with “fertility” as is often assumed, but rather “rebirth”, which is a fundamental concept in the Christian faith. The occasional correlation of eggs and fertility in western “Easter” celebration comes after-the-fact.

On a completely different note, if I were Sebastian, I would have disabled comments on this post a long time ago. This is supposed to be a gun blog, not a debate religion! Why do you allow trouble-making trolls like Jym and me on here anyway? Heheh.

The name Easter was given to the holiday when its celebration was declared several hundred years after Christ. The celebration was named after the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, Eostre. More important that the etymology, though, are the copycat myths and traditions.

During their captivity in Babylonia, the ancient Hebrews probably picked up on the myth of Tammuz, who died and was reborn annually. Jesus’ descent into hell is reminiscent of Ishtar’s journey into the underworld. Then there is Osiris, the Egyptian god who was judge of the dead and also happened to die and be resurrected. Again, it’s likely that the Hebrews picked up the Osiris story while enslaved in Egypt. I will mention Attis as well, although the most incriminating bits of that legend are up for scholarly debate.

If the Christian god wanted people to take him seriously, why did he make his plan of redemption so similar to the myths of other religions?

As for the more modern traditions surrounding the celebration of Easter, rabbits and eggs are obvious fertility symbols and the tradition of leaving baskets of candy out for children is probably borrowed from the Celtic tradition of leaving out food for faeries at the equinox, lest they wreak havoc during the coming season (kind of says something about how most people view their kids.)

You forgot the “if you ask me” part at the end…

That’s called an opinion. You disagree. Noted.

I’ll try not to lose any sleep over it tonight.

And, I have seen miniskirts in Baptist churches down here that kept me very occupied during some dull sermons.

I suppose it’s where you live and what segment of Baptist one is speaking of.

Easter has a lot of other traditions associated with it. Ferility rtuals of Britain and other cultures. Early Christians in order to get other cultures to accept Christianity did adopt a lot of local traditions.

This is not to insult the resurrection of Jesus which Easter celebrates.

But really these contentions about a silly post is ridiculous. I saw no insult in the post so people really need to chill.

Yes people, DO lighten up. Maude, better start puttin’ starch in them people’s britches when ya washes them so they can’t get them in a twist!!!

:::ducking:::

Ahab, I have a question: Will there be the riots in heaven like in Boston?

Like you said, wouldn’t be New England sports without riots. I presume that Heaven will have a special “Sox Fans” section. Interestingly enough, the “Sox Fan” section of Heaven gets double use as Hell for Yankees fans.