Easter, ABC-Style: Cluster Bombs, 'Pagan' Easter Bunny

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

You might think that Easter would be an occasion for an MSM outlet like ABC to invite in a serious Christian theologian or minister to discuss issues of death and resurrection. Please. I did say "an MSM outlet." ABC's Good Morning America decided the best way to celebrate Easter today was to devote one segment to an anti-war activist who had organized a "cluster bomb hunt" to parallel the White House's Easter egg hunt, and another segment to a mocking examination of the Easter bunny.

In the first segment, GMA's Kate Snow interviewed Brian Hennessey, organizer of the "cluster bomb hunt" outside the White House to protest the use of the weapons. Small children were shown constructing the mock bombs, and later would be sent out to search for them. Claimed Hennessey "we're not trying to politicize kids in any way." Right. When he later mentioned that the kids' parents would be "looking for weapons of mass destruction which of course aren't there," Snow didn't bother to suppress a laugh. Not surprising. This is the same Snow who a couple weeks ago who was moved to laughter by a painting that depicted Christ and his disciples as dogs.

Next, it was time for ABC's Marisol Castro to explore the origins of the Easter bunny. "Why is one of [Easter's] most popular symbols a bunny rabbit? We went far and wide posing that question to the masses." The masses? Ah yes, let's explore how the little people celebrate their quaint religious customs. "Do they really know anything about him?" wondered Castro. And sure enough, there she was, putting kids, adults and even a shopping mall Easter bunny on the spot: "do you know where the Easter bunny comes from?" Subtext: don't you rubes know you're propagating a pagan custom?

To clear things up, Castro brought in someone from Beliefnet to explain: "The holiday started off as a fertility festival celebrating the goddess of Oestera, whose sacred animal was a bunny rabbit. Eggs have been a symbol of fertility for even longer than that."

CASTRO: The holiest date on the Christian calendar, Easter got its name around 325 A.D. Over the centuries, these pagan symbols have become synonymous with the Christian holiday.

BELIEFNET SPOKESMAN: The existence of the Easter bunny and Easter eggs has actually been a very powerful and effective way of drawing children into the Easter celebration. After all, the story of the crucifiction and resurrection is a tough story.

Too tough for ABC, at least, to treat respectfully.

Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net

[Inspectorette]

Yes, Lars is a hoot. I love the way he skewers our guv, "Sleepy Ted", and Portland mayor Tom Potter. Wish I could've heard you when you were on his show, but here on the Coast, our AM radio reception is almost non-existent, save for the local station, KBCH. We could listen to the live feed, but that mean we're stuck in the house. (We do listen to Rush, however - 9-12 a.m. here, and we're usually home anyway.

We always listen to Lars in the car when we're back and forth between the Portland-Salem area, until the signal dies out :-(

[betsyross1776]

Can you sat boycott? Every hour on the hour Fox news has gone to Israel and see how pilgrims are celebrating the HOLIEST OF HOLY DAYS for this world.By watching these stations we only become more broken hearted . To celebrate Easter tonight ABC has desperate housewives. The edited version of the Ten Commandments was on last night. They want to ridicule us fine. It means they are afraid if us. We are too many and when we stand for our faith they cannot stop us. I say don’t watch their networks and the programs that are an insult to our faith. Faith can move mountains, and our faith can move ABC and MSNBC right where they belong, right in the toilet!

[betsyross1776]

Begin the boycott now! Send Abc and MSNBc scrambling. We are more of them then they are of us. No ratings they will wise up. Believe me they will never reduce Jesus do just another guy. They can try , but we are strong! the more they take Him down the stronger he has become. Keep trying , they tried this for 2000 years. JESUS lives period! For 2000 years they kept trying He will last 2000000000000000000000000000more long after abc and msnbc studios are dust.>

[sten]

i have heard the rolling of the egg can symbolize the rolling of the stone away from Christs' tome. I also heard that Mary Magdalen gave a red egg to the emperor of Rome declaring that 'Christ has risen' (although this one is new to me).

otherwise, the bunny and the egg, or chick, are traditionally symbols of fertility... associated with spring following the 'death' of winter. (basically anything associated with birth)

[betsyross1776]

No since Jesus died , the easter bunnies now symbol rebirth. Lighten up the Easter bunny never hurt anyone but brings joy to kids. Everyone who celebrates easter knows JESUS IS RISEN even better HE lives! He is alive and we and all our lives are different because of Him. When I see a young Bunny , the wind blow , anything , the sky above I see Jesus and His LOVE! Peace!

[concretebob]

There is little, if any, difference between islam and paganism, IMAO.
After all, pagans use sacrifice of humans as a ritual.
Homincide bombers are just another form of human sacrifice to their god.

Disclaimer: The above is the express opinion of a God-fearing, America-loving, whiskey drinking, tobacco smoking, gun-toting heterosexual former Marine.
No one says you have to agree.

[dan1123]

Because Jesus told his followers to “turn the other cheek”. Since Jesus said the right cheek, he meant specifically a slap with the back of the hand—or an insult.

So when Christians get insulted, we follow our teachings, not lashing out from an insult.

[cartoonistx]

ABC: Anything But Christianity

[Wilhelm Tell]

We are in a struggle to maintain our own civilization as well as fighting the Islamofascists (and sometimes, fighting the remnants of communism and any other type of fascism that might pop up). Anything or anyone that hinders this struggle is an enemy.

If the blacks had just "turned the other cheek" for their enemies there would still be Jim Crow today and the KKK would still be considered "respectable." Instead, they created a movement that was largely Christian and largely non-violent, but stood up and said, "Enough!" This changed both blacks and whites for the better (although there are still problems to be worked out and political correctness has made things more difficult).

I wonder what would have happened if Christians in Germany had early on and vigorously fought the cultural corruption that was Naziism. Instead, "turn the other cheek" became "turn your head and ignore what is happening."

I don't mean to flame you, but I do think that the concept of turning the other cheek has been over-used and misapplied.

[metmom]

Should be interesting.

[subterfuge]

Here in Orlando there is a mall called “Millenia” that, for the kids, has “The Bunny.” Not the EASTER Bunny, just The Bunny.

It was rather comical that the local TV “news” station was asking those in line to see “The Bunny” if they thought it should be called “The Easter Bunny” and try as they might, they couldn’t find one person that thought using the term “The Bunny” wasn't absolutely ridiculous.

[gawatchman]

“Rabbits and eggs were signs of new life. Eggs especially were signs of the Resurrection because of the idea of life coming out of a shell (like Jesus out of a tomb).”

No. They are symbols of fertility, and, as such, have nothing to do with the redeeming blood of Christ nor his resurrection. They are, rather, representative of ancient pagan rituals in which women were forced to participate in sexual orgies as part of worship of the goddess Eastre. People who paint and roll eggs during Passover are, unknowingly, practicing idolatry, and it is an insult to God when practiced on the highest day of Christianity.

[vladimir998]

You wrote:

“No. They are symbols of fertility, and, as such, have nothing to do with the redeeming blood of Christ nor his resurrection.”

Incorrect. They are symbols of fertility and new life. Christ was resurrected. The connection is obvious - except for those who wish to ignore it.

“They are, rather, representative of ancient pagan rituals in which women were forced to participate in sexual orgies as part of worship of the goddess Eastre.”

Oh, please get a clue. Do you wear a wedding ring? That’s originally a pagan symbol. Christians have used it for centuries with great success.

“People who paint and roll eggs during Passover are, unknowingly, practicing idolatry, and it is an insult to God when practiced on the highest day of Christianity.”

There is no idolatry in painting easter eggs since no one worships the eggs or any Germanic goddess. Again, do you wear a wedding ring? Aren’t you worshipping a pagan god when you wear it? Also, Christians don’t worry about Passover since that is a Jewish holiday and we are not bound to keep it.