Posted on 04/21/2011 3:45:20 PM PDT by AnalogReigns
The historical evidence contradicts this popular notion.
Anyone encountering anti-Christian polemics will quickly come up against the accusation that a major festival practiced by Christians across the globe, namely, Easter, was actually borrowed or rather usurped from a pagan celebration. I often encounter this idea among Muslims who claim that later Christians compromised with paganism to dilute the original faith of Jesus.
(Excerpt) Read more at christianitytoday.com ...
I think that people who use this line of reasoning do so because, ultimately, they couldn't be bothered to celebrate Christ's Resurrection by going to church. They're too lazy and they use this "pagan holiday" argument to justify staying home and watching TV instead.
A very well researched look at what the Magi probably followed--and the signs in the sky 33 years later...
Typically its a skeptic’s/athiest’s/neo-pagan’s/cultist’s argument that is picked up, oddly enough, by some Christian fundamentalists who like to think all of the rest of Christianity is out of step but them....
I think the R. Mod must of removed the “caucas” in the title...(I must not of submitted it right?)
Actually, RnMomof7 there is only once source to link word Easter to pagan sources, which is the venerable Bede—and the article gives a very good argument why Bede was likely speculating at that point, and just plain wrong.
I know for a fact, that even in modern German the word for “East” (Osten, or Öster) sounds a lot like the English “Easter,” so the etymology is likely there and not some far flung (5000 mile away)Ishtar connection. Churches have always been pointed East too...in honor of the Resurrection (and anticipating the 2nd Coming, and last resurrection).
Read the article, it will encourage your heart.
Shalom sister,
Anglican ping....
Tried to make this an “Anglican Caucus” thread to avoid the usual wrangling—and, in honor of the fact we Anglicans abide by the Christian calender and have never questioned the holidays... (I must of not followed procedure though, as my “caucus” designation was removed.)
A well done little article none-the-less, on why Easter is excellent.
Interesting; thanks for the info!
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.
FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this low-volume ping list.
This list is pinged by sionnsar.
Resource for Traditional Anglicans: http://trad-anglican.faithweb.com
Humor: The Anglican Blue
Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.
FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this low-volume ping list.
This list is pinged by sionnsar.
Resource for Traditional Anglicans: http://trad-anglican.faithweb.com
Humor: The Anglican Blue
Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15
I'm pinging the Religion Moderator so that he can add a caucus label to the title of the thread.
You may consider, however, that the caucus could be somewhat broader and you'd still avoid a lot of nastiness.
Not sure too many Catholics or Orthodox would go along with the idea that Easter is just a warmed-over pagan holiday. ;-)
sitetest
Never mind. Apparently you put a caucus label on and it was removed? * sigh *
The egg associated with easter has roots in Passover.
http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/2000/jewish/The-Egg.htm
You were correct until you made the Halloween comment. All Hallows Eve is ALL about Christianity.
no it isn’t. its a celtic pagan holliday. samhain. celtic newyears. they believed the dark spirits came out to attack mortals the night before the new year.
“As far as Christmas, the timing was related to the new year (since Joseph & Mary were traveling to Bethlehem as instructed to comply with the Roman census.”
The “new year” in Israel is Rosh Hashanah, which is (under our calendar) in September or sometimes October.
What we called the “new year” is a new invention.
The best arguments I’ve seen regarding the date of Christmas being correct relate to certain traditions about notable prophets dying some number of days after their birth date.
More likely dates (using the scriptures) place the accurate date for Christmas in the fall or spring due to shepards being out, etc, which also coincides with Rosh Hashana or the Feast of the Tabernacles, which are both, indeed, logical times for a census due to gathering of people at homes.
The symbolism of our Savior coming at either holiday is rather appropro, too.
That said, this is a hijack, and I think the idea that Easter is misdated is beyond stupid.
“The “new year” in Israel is Rosh Hashanah, which is (under our calendar) in September or sometimes October.”
I see; I was thinking along the ines of a Roman census, not a Jewish one - it was throughout the empire.
As far as the precise dates, if I was to find out that either celebration was not exactly correct, it would be irrelevant to me. There is no doubt in my mind that both events occurred, and nothing will convince me otherwise. Enough atheists have conceded the existence of Jesus Christ (though they have different interpretations of what that means).
Freegards!
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