[JBurgs]

ok so my other thread just got closed for some reason i guess but i really wanna know whats the connection to christianity and lil chocolate bunnys and there eggs

[alex06]

Because on that day, god created bunnies.

/thread

[ISmokeIce]

Commercialism?

[Seithman]

Originally Posted by JBurgs

ok so my other thread just got closed for some reason i guess but i really wanna know whats the connection to christianity and lil chocolate bunnys and there eggs

For the most part, there's no connection. (Though some people have come up with some interesting interpretations of how one might find a connection.) These traditions are actually cultural customs related to other celebrations that Christianity came into contact with as it expanded into Europe. As the Christian holiday began to supplant the religious practices in those regions, new converts would often continue practicing these old customs because they were familiar and a part of their culture. Smart priests began to find ways to explain these old customs from a Christian perspective, often giving them new meaning.

As an aside, earlier this week, a blogger I read posted an interesting piece on the history of eggs in Christianity. As she didn't cite the original source of the story, I have to admit that I find myself wondering if it isn't more an urban legend. Hopefully someone like RamboPreacher will be able to further comment on the veracity of the claims.

[RamboPreacher]

Originally Posted by Seithman

For the most part, there's no connection. (Though some people have come up with some interesting interpretations of how one might find a connection.) These traditions are actually cultural customs related to other celebrations that Christianity came into contact with as it expanded into Europe. As the Christian holiday began to supplant the religious practices in those regions, new converts would often continue practicing these old customs because they were familiar and a part of their culture. Smart priests began to find ways to explain these old customs from a Christian perspective, often giving them new meaning.

As an aside, earlier this week, a blogger I read posted an interesting piece on the history of eggs in Christianity. As she didn't cite the original source of the story, I have to admit that I find myself wondering if it isn't more an urban legend. Hopefully someone like RamboPreacher will be able to further comment on the veracity of the claims.

yup - no real connection, but people come up with the weirdest ideas, like that one. I have never heard of any link of the eggs they propose, and any archaeological or textual reference, that I am aware of to Christianity. The "bunny" came much later as part of celebration of springtime.

In Acts the 12th chapter and the 4th verse the Greek Word PASCHA is translated Easter. This same word, PASCHA is mentioned 26 other times in the Bible. However, each of those times it is correctly translated as meaning Passover.

The reason why this translation is unfortunate has to deal with the derivative of the word Easter. In all actuality EASTER was a pagan festival observed long before Christ. It is not a Christian name, but is derived from Ishtar, one of the Babylonian titles of an idol goddess, the Queen of Heaven.

The Saxon Goddess EASTRE is the same as ASTARTE, the Syrian Venus, called ASHTORETH in the Old Testament. As to Easter eggs, which play a great part in this day's celebration, they were common in all heathen nations. The fable of the "egg" declares that "an egg of wondrous size fell from heaven into the river Euphrates, the fish rolled it to the bank, where doves settled upon it and hatched it and came out ASTARTE, or ISHTAR, the Goddess of Easter."

Easter, and some of our other "religious holidays" were all borrowed from these (pagan) religions and were all observed centuries before Christ. None of them in themselves have any relationship to Christ or Christianity.

[Mastermind26]

Some helpful links on Easter and its pagan origins.

Origins of Easter celebration

How easter got it's name

Easter on Wiki Yes, Wiki, bu the etymology is right on.

EDIT: RP That is interesting.

Here is a snip from the wiki article:

The English and German names, "Easter" and "Ostern," are not etymologically derived from Pesach and according to the 8th century Christian monk and historian Bede are instead related to ancient name for the Anglo Saxon goddess, Eostre, who was celebrated during Eosturmonath, equivalent to April/Aprilis[4] Bede wrote in Latin:

"Eosturmonath, qui nunc paschalis mensis interpretatur, quondam a dea illorum quae Eostre vocabatur et cui in illo festa celebrabant nomen habuit."

Translated: "Eosturmonath, which is now interpreted as the paschal month, was formerly named after the goddess Eostre, and has given its name to the festival."

In most Slavic languages, the name for Easter either means Great Day or Great Night. For example Wielkanoc and Velikonoce mean Great Night or Great Nights in Polish and Czech, respectively. Великден (Vělikděn') and Вялікдзень (Vjalikdzěn') mean 'The Great Day' in Ukrainian and Bulgarian respectively.

[TESlight'emupTES]

Originally Posted by alex06

Because on that day, god created bunnies.

/thread

Seriously, if you're just going to troll, why bother coming here?

[mulletmadness]

Originally Posted by TESlight'emupTES

Seriously, if you're just going to troll, why bother coming here?

It was a joke?

[josh_did_what? (Banned)]

so its not celebrating the reincarnation of jesus as a bunny?

[alex06]

Originally Posted by TESlight'emupTES

Seriously, if you're just going to troll, why bother coming here?

......

Originally Posted by mulletmadness

It was a joke?

[graysonp]

IIRC, the Egg is a traditional symbol of life and rebirth. I suppose Easter began with some type of egg tradition, and then snowballed from there.

[Tippmann playa]

Just like Christmas and Santa, they dont mean anything but its part of the holiday tradition

[Mastermind26]

Originally Posted by Tippmann playa

Just like Christmas and Santa, they dont mean anything but its part of the holiday tradition

Christmas and santa do have meaning, but they have been "christian"-ized.

[Tippmann playa]

Originally Posted by Mastermind26

Christmas and santa do have meaning, but they have been "christian"-ized.

Really? How do the correlate?

[Mastermind26]

Originally Posted by Tippmann playa

Really? How do the correlate?

In pagan origins/celebrations, yes.

[Tippmann playa]

Originally Posted by Mastermind26

In pagan origins/celebrations, yes.

Hmm. I never knew that. I guess ya learn somethin' knew everyday

[Mastermind26]

Originally Posted by Tippmann playa

Hmm. I never knew that. I guess ya learn somethin' knew everyday

Yup. Besides that, even the "intent" to put a christian spin to these celebrations has deteriorated into pure consumerism.

[Seithman]

Originally Posted by RamboPreacher

I have never heard of any link of the eggs they propose, and any archaeological or textual reference, that I am aware of to Christianity. The "bunny" came much later as part of celebration of springtime.

I suspected that'd be your analysis, but thanks for confirming it.

Originally Posted by RamboPreacher

Easter, and some of our other "religious holidays" were all borrowed from these (pagan) religions and were all observed centuries before Christ. None of them in themselves have any relationship to Christ or Christianity.

Quite true, though I'm glad you said it and not me. After all, the last thing I want to do this weekend is start a new incarnation of the whole "the big bad Christians stole our holidays" argument.

For those of you who celebrate it, Happy Easter/Resurrection Day.

[RamboPreacher]

Originally Posted by Seithman

I suspected that'd be your analysis, but thanks for confirming it.

Quite true, though I'm glad you said it and not me. After all, the last thing I want to do this weekend is start a new incarnation of the whole "the big bad Christians stole our holidays" argument.

For those of you who celebrate it, Happy Easter/Resurrection Day.

thank you. as you know, I prefer resurrection Sunday or just Resurrection day, but it's all good.

and BTW - it really wasn't "Christianity" that stole (borrowed?) your festivals and holidays. I don't think there is exception, but I believe it was the RCC. and while there may be some correlation, it's not really the same thing (as you know).

[Johnny Rebel (Banned)]

Why don't you ask the Hare Club for Men.