The Pagan Easter

[reba]

Seems i am getting lesson on paganism from a Christian site..

 

[gr8grace3]

My parents always stressed the importance that Christmas was not about Santa and Easter not about easter egg hunts. They never said anything about it being pagan, I ask my mom about easter today and she had never heard of it being pagan. Perhaps the worst thing would be if people cared more about the easter bunny than the resurrection. On the flip side, some people might initially celebrate Easter just for the Easter bunny and culture because everyone else is doing it. Then decide to go to an Easter Sunday service and get saved.

It is probably one the most popular days for unbelievers to go to Church. Is it because they think they will get to hear about some sun god? Or is it because they have heard about Jesus Christ?

 

[gr8grace3]

From the article: (highlights mine)

The occult meaning of this mystic egg of Astarte, in one of its aspects (for it had a twofold significance), had reference to the ark during the time of the flood,


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Thanks Gary.

 

[Gary]

Seems i am getting lesson on paganism from a Christian site..

Good post.

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[gr8grace3]

Seems i am getting lesson on paganism from a Christian site..

The Irony of it all!

 

[Lewis]

I like what this guy says in his conclusion, but scroll down to where it says Easter eggs in bold black and read on.

Did Early Christians Celebrate Easter? Where Did Easter Come From?
http://www.cogwriter.com/easter.htm

 

[Lewis]

Men and women
On Easter Monday the women had a right to strike their husbands, on Tuesday the men struck their wives... In the Neumark (Germany) on Easter Day the men servants whip the maid servants with switches; on Monday the maids whip the men. They secure their release with Easter eggs. These customs are probably of pre-Christian origin (Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Das festliche Jahr, 118).
http://www.cogwriter.com/easter.htm

 

[jeff77]

Gary and dianegcook help me understand something here. In a recent thread there was a discussion about whether Mormons are saved or not and both of you said something about (or at least Gary said) God looking at the condition of the heart of someone that is in the Mormon faith. Both of you seemed to be saying in that thread that Mormons could be saved because of how God will judge their hearts despite believing in a different Gospel. I know that topic was a salvific one and this one is different, but help me understand how is it acceptable for Mormons to worship a different Gospel but unacceptable for Christians to participate in an Easter holiday even though they aren't really celebrating the pagan origin?

 

[dianegcook]

Gary and dianegcook help me understand something here. In a recent thread there was a discussion about whether Mormons are saved or not and both of you said something about (or at least Gary said) God looking at the condition of the heart of someone that is in the Mormon faith. Both of you seemed to be saying in that thread that Mormons could be saved because of how God will judge their hearts despite believing in a different Gospel. I know that topic was a salvific one and this one is different, but help me understand how is it acceptable for Mormons to worship a different Gospel but unacceptable for Christians to participate in an Easter holiday even though they aren't really celebrating the pagan origin?

Then you are Mormon.
Worship a different gospel.
I don't recall me condemning either.
Just posted scriptures, you decide for yourself.
Good Evening

 

[jeff77]

Then you are Mormon.
Worship a different gospel.
I don't recall me condemning either.
Just posted scriptures, you decide for yourself.
Good Evening

No I am not a Mormon if that is what you ask. I know you didn't condemn either. I am just making an observation and am curious about what you think. The point of view that some Mormons might be saved and Christians should not celebrate Easter does not make sense to me.

 

[dianegcook]

Jeff, I know you are not a Mormon.
The idea was, what's the difference if both Mormons and other denominations follow a different gospel?
They follow Smith and those whom color Easter eggs.
It originates from pagan worship.

 

[Gary]

how is it acceptable for Mormons to worship a different Gospel

It's not and I don't recall saying that it was.

but unacceptable for Christians to participate in an Easter holiday

I don't believe I said that either.

even though they aren't really celebrating the pagan origin?

But they're going through the motions. Motions that were put in place by pagans long before Jesus was born. The Easter celebration is an imitation of pagan rituals, right down to the Easter ham

I'm not condemning Christians for observing Easter services, but I think they should know that the ceremonies they're taking part in have pagan origins, not Christian.


Colossians 2
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.


Thoughts?

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[Gary]

You should watch this.

 

[jeff77]

I apologize, I should have added that I wasn't quoting your exact words and it seems my interpretation of what you said is off. My best answer to the scripture if tradition of men is referring to pagan rituals is that it is wrong. When I participate in an easter egg hunt I don't do it to worship any of the false gods that were mentioned in the OP.

EDIT: I meant that the scripture warns not to participate in pagan rituals and I agree. I don't think the way easter is celebrated today has anything to do with its origin.

 

[Gary]

I apologize, I should have added that I wasn't quoting your exact words and it seems my interpretation of what you said is off.

Don't worry about it. It happens.

When I participate in an easter egg hunt I don't do it to worship any of the false gods that were mentioned in the OP.

I know. I seriously doubt any Christian would.

This thread isn't about condemning Easter participants. It's about educating them.

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[jeff77]

Don't worry about it. It happens.




I know. I seriously doubt any Christian would.

This thread isn't about condemning Easter participants. It's about educating them.

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It is way past my bed time. Goodnight and God bless

 

[Gary]

Goodnight.

 

[Free]

How is adopting their rituals a positive influence?

Not being argumentative. Just asking.

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It isn't about adopting them so much as redeeming them, Christianizing them. This has happened throughout the centuries and goes both ways, such as with Christmas. It all depends on the meaning that is given to those things. If Christians want to do egg hunts or paint eggs, this does not in any way suggest that they are participating in pagan rituals because they are doing them out of Christian beliefs and giving them new meanings.

 

[jasonc]

It isn't about adopting them so much as redeeming them, Christianizing them. This has happened throughout the centuries and goes both ways, such as with Christmas. It all depends on the meaning that is given to those things. If Christians want to do egg hunts or paint eggs, this does not in any way suggest that they are participating in pagan rituals because they are doing them out of Christian beliefs and giving them new meanings.

which we did with the cross. the early church didn't use the cross. they use the fish symbol with the letters for doctrinal statement or other thing which included a dove. yet no threads on the pagan origins of the cross. a dove is also in islam and used for twitter. heathens repent!

 

[Gary]

It isn't about adopting them so much as redeeming them, Christianizing them.

The devil cannot be redeemed. Those rituals were first observed in honor of Satan. What belongs to him cannot be "christianized".

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