Happy Easter!

The Pagan origins of Easter

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Censorship reflects society's lack of confidence in itself. It is a hallmark of an authoritarian regime. ~Potter Stewart

Easter is a metaphor for change. It transends all organized religions.

Easter is an ancient fertility rite.

Why do you think the Rabbit and Egg are two of its symbols.

This ranks right up there with December 25th as being the day of Jesus' birth. The resurrection of Christ is a matter of faith. There is no science behind it and no secular histories to document it... it is a matter of faith. Like Christmas (December 25th) Easter is a day set aside to commemorate an event. It was combined with pagan Spring ritual... no doubt to gain converts for the early Christian church.
As with any of our modern traditions we just need to accept it as it is... commemorate the ideas/events associated with them and have fun with the traditions as we have developed them. Personally, I'd rather bite the ears off a chocolate rabbit than a chocolate Jesus... there's more chocolate!

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Paul
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CLERGYMAN, n.
A man who undertakes the management of our spiritual affairs as a method of bettering his temporal ones.
Ambrose Bierce

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I love Easter. It's the day Jesus rose from the dead, celebrated with the Roman symbols of fertility (cause it is Spring). I love seeing old Roman traditions being used today.

I also love the chocolate bunnies!

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Non concupisces domum proximi tui; nec desiderabis uxorem eius, non servum, non ancillam, non bowem, non asinum, nec omnia quae illius sunt.

I agree...I have a soft spot for ancient tradition.

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Mmm, chocolate bunnies... I also like the little cream eggs; they're delicious!

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An' it harm none, do as ye' will.


Never argue with an idiot. He'll just drag you down to his level of intelligence and beat you with experience.

Actually the Gospels document four independent eye witness accounts. As for the science behind it, you can't explain how life occurs, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't.

I do see your point, but have to differ in that when the 4 accepted New Testament gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) were accepted into the canon they ceased to be secular histories or eyewitness accounts and were henceforth defined, by Christians, as the written word of God. Maybe I should have been clearer... by 'secular history' I mean documentation outside of the generally accepted New Testament accounts.

And while I can't explain how life occurs neither one of us, nor modern science, can instill life into a mammalian life form that has been dead and buried for three days and three nights. Therefore, as stated before, the resurrection is a matter of faith. Ask any Christian and that is what they will tell you... they accept it on faith which, according to Christian doctrine, is a pre-requisite for one's salvation.

I am not saying this to degrade Christianity, only to accent the point that Christian Easter commemoration is based upon an article of faith. In order to help spread their religion early Christians incorporated pagan rites of Spring into their commemorative observances resulting in the development of our present Easter traditions... which are very enjoyable and mentally and spiritually rejuvenating...

Would you like a chocolate bunny ear?

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Paul
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CLERGYMAN, n.
A man who undertakes the management of our spiritual affairs as a method of bettering his temporal ones.
Ambrose Bierce

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I wonder what do the animal rights activists say about the dismembering of chocolate bunnies?