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Post by homeylu on Apr 4, 2010 9:32:00 GMT -5
First Happy Easter to all those celebrating!
For Christians, Easter marks the historical Crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The First Council of Nicaea (325) established the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the full moon (the Paschal Full Moon) following the vernal equinox. This represents the beginning of the Christian traditions as we know it.
But how much of it is rooted in Pagan Tradition? Let's explore:
The modern term Easter supposedly derives from an Ancient Germanic goddess, named Eostre as attested by an 8th century scholar by the name of Bede. Eostre was the pagan goddess who was celebrated at the Spring Equinox.
Easter also corresponds with Jewish Passover feast, but of course the dates may differ according to the various calendars used for each holiday.
The lamb is the typical feast in Passover traditions. Many of these traditions go back to Ancient Egyptian times, when every spring the lamb was sacrificed for the sun god Horus. Is it possible that the Hebrew word Pssch derive from the AE word Pkhns?
Some scholars have claimed that the sun rays shine directly on the Great Sphinx every Spring Equinox, and believe there is some religious significance to this.
Even in modern Egypt, the Egyptians celebration always coincides with the Coptic Easter. This holiday is called Sham El Nassin. Some traditions include coloring eggs which represent fertility, and eating salt fish is also common which date to Ancient Egyptian times.
What other pagan traditions may be rooted in Easter?
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Post by truth on Apr 4, 2010 9:58:01 GMT -5
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Post by homeylu on Apr 4, 2010 10:30:08 GMT -5
So truth, you don't find any of the so-called traditions associated with Easter, deep rooted in some of the Pagan traditions.
For example, the coloring of Easter eggs? How is that related to the resurrection of Jesus?
What about the 'mythical' Easter Bunny, wasn't the hare part of Anglo-saxon pagan traditions, again how is it related to the resurrection of Jesus.
I know of some Jehovah's witnesses, that do not allow their children to have 'Easter baskets' and color eggs, because of the pagan/non-christian elements to it.
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Post by truth on Apr 4, 2010 10:48:53 GMT -5
^My dear sister, what you described is Catholocism.
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Post by homeylu on Apr 4, 2010 10:57:20 GMT -5
I understand that many Catholics and Coptics do not have these 'commercialized' celebrations, but other Christians, especially here in the U.S. are practicing traditions without realizing their pagan history.
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Post by truth on Apr 4, 2010 11:07:38 GMT -5
Then perhaps your assertion should be a little more.... specific? The heavy handed broad generalization is a bit harsh, dont you think? I understand that many Catholics and Coptics do not have these 'commercialized' celebrations, but other Christians, especially here in the U.S. are practicing traditions without realizing their pagan history.
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Post by homeylu on Apr 4, 2010 11:18:29 GMT -5
Actually I was simply exploring which portions are rooted in paganism, and not that ALL the traditions of Easter are pagan in itself. I hope you can see the clarification, in case the title is misleading.
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Post by truth on Apr 4, 2010 11:21:27 GMT -5
"Incase the title is misleading?" (LOL) My dear, that is an understatement. Ever hear of the term "Yellow Journalism?" What you did is considered yellow journalism. Actually I was simply exploring which portions are rooted in paganism, and not that ALL the traditions of Easter are pagan in itself. I hope you can see the clarification, in case the title is misleading.
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Post by homeylu on Apr 4, 2010 11:22:23 GMT -5
^ Truth are you truthcentric from ESF? What does this have to do with the topic at hand, do you have something specific to add to the topic?
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Post by homeylu on Apr 4, 2010 11:28:26 GMT -5
"Incase the title is misleading?" (LOL) My dear, that is an understatement. Ever hear of the term "Yellow Journalism?" What you did is considered yellow journalism. Actually I was simply exploring which portions are rooted in paganism, and not that ALL the traditions of Easter are pagan in itself. I hope you can see the clarification, in case the title is misleading. I showed where some traditions of Easter come from. You do understand that many Christian holidays were set by the Council of Nicaea, and I do believe that they allowed some pagan traditions to remain in tact, and not necessarily follow a Biblical tradition, as Jesus himself did not specify how one should celebrate his resurrection. The Tamud, however does specify how Jews should celebrate passover.
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Post by Charlie Bass on Apr 4, 2010 11:32:43 GMT -5
It is a pagan tradition for no where in the Bible is it found that the disciples celebrated Easter.
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Post by truth on Apr 4, 2010 12:38:17 GMT -5
I showed where some traditions of Easter come from. What you showed is where the catholic tradition of painting eggs comes from. You did not show the oirgin of easter itself. Easter comes from an OT tradition called "Pasach." Pasach or Passover is based in the the Hebrew exodus. Give me another example. You failed w/the easter example. Jesus did not make his death a holiday. It was the xtians and they used passover to commemorate his death since Jesus did not try to hide the fact that he modeled himself after the jewish seda.
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Post by truth on Apr 4, 2010 12:40:35 GMT -5
The last supper you will find the disciples holding passover. You dont know what you are talking about It is a pagan tradition for no where in the Bible is it found that the disciples celebrated Easter.
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Post by truth on Apr 4, 2010 12:50:55 GMT -5
No. ^ Truth are you truthcentric from ESF?
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jari
Scribe
Posts: 289
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Post by jari on Apr 4, 2010 14:45:38 GMT -5
Pagan, the original tradition is the Passover celebrated by Christ himself.
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