Christian Discussion Thread IV

[Benuty]

Eostra was the goddess of spring and fertility, and feasts were held in her honor on the Vernal Equinox (aka EASTER). Her symbol was the rabbit because of the animal’s high reproduction rate.

The consumption of a chocolate bunny on that day along with the variety of other pagan activity that is associated with it, suggests that you worship or respect the feasts of other gods and goddesses, and not the 1 true God.

We know nothing about Eostre beyond a single passage of Bede's. It has only been speculated that there was any connection to hares. And it has equally been speculated that Bede made her up.

At most Eostre could be associated with the Angles, and the Saxon for the specific role of the seasons. So at most the accusation of Easter itself being a polytheist celebration is absurd.

[Angleter]

We know nothing about Eostre beyond a single passage of Bede's. It has only been speculated that there was any connection to hares. And it has equally been speculated that Bede made her up.

At most Eostre could be associated with the Angles, and the Saxon for the specific role of the seasons. So at most the accusation of Easter itself being a polytheist celebration is absurd.

And in any case, the overwhelming majority of languages call Easter by a variation on paskha anyway.

[Benuty]

Because its wrong and incorporates worship of other gods into worship of the ONE TRUE GOD. Which the Torah explicitlycondemns.

Nothing personal, but you've really got to loosen up.

If you were to live by every single provision the Torah has, you'd live a very unfulfilled life.

Depends, they would be a Samaritan if they did that (since the Samaritans only believe the first five books are legitimate) rendering them an interesting mix of uber-observant, and compulsively ritualistic. It is such an amazing sight to watch them sacrifice animals in the remains of their temple at Mt. Gerizim during their version of the Passover.

[Benuty]

Well I guess it's worth pointing out I don't believe in any deities. I was just wondering how exactly it was evil or whatnot.

So should we not have pictures of bunnies or anything? Wouldn't that be pagan idolatry in your mind?

A buddny simply by itself is not pagan. However as I said previously when you mix that and everything else that goes on during Easter, you get a very pagan holiday that does in no way honor the 1 living god, but instead honors foreign gods.

Citation desperately needed.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

Eostra was the goddess of spring and fertility, and feasts were held in her honor on the Vernal Equinox (aka EASTER). Her symbol was the rabbit because of the animal’s high reproduction rate.

The consumption of a chocolate bunny on that day along with the variety of other pagan activity that is associated with it, suggests that you worship or respect the feasts of other gods and goddesses, and not the 1 true God.

We know nothing about Eostre beyond a single passage of Bede's. It has only been speculated that there was any connection to hares. And it has equally been speculated that Bede made her up.

While this is true, what's also true is that te tradition of egg painting is actually Germanic brought over by German immigrants to the United States. The problem with Efraim is that he doesn't understand as the Easter bunny and Easter eggs are not theologically part of Easter in any form of Christianity. Rather it's a cultural heritage thing associated culturally with Easter, not theologically. No one is worshiping Eostre. Now granted some pastors do take some enormous leaps to link the eggs and Jesus but I find that more comical than to be taken theologically serious

[Constantinopolis]

Eostra was the goddess of spring and fertility, and feasts were held in her honor on the Vernal Equinox (aka EASTER). Her symbol was the rabbit because of the animal’s high reproduction rate.

You're joking, right?

Sigh... you're not joking. Of course not.

Look, have you considered the fact that Easter did not originate in the British Isles, and therefore all English-language names and cultural associations have nothing to do with the original holiday? Have you considered the fact that Christians were celebrating Easter hundreds of years before the English language (and therefore the English word "Easter") even existed?

If you want to be pedantic, it's not "Easter", it's Πάσχα (Pascha). Most European languages have a name for it derived from that Greek word:
Pasqua. Pâques. Pascua. Páscoa. Paști. Pasen. Påske. Påsk. Пасха.

English and German seem to be the only languages calling it something related to "East" (Easter in English, Ostern in German) for some reason.

Bunnies are perfectly fine, but they are unnaturally brought to the center of attention at the same time as the dying of eggs and other pagan things at and near Easter.

Oh, I completely agree.

Yes, in the modern secular Western world, among non-religious people and non-practicing Christians, Easter has experienced cultural drift over the past 100-200 years so that today it is mainly about rabbits, eggs and chocolate. Just like Christmas is mainly about pine trees, Santa Claus, and getting presents. These are all recent inventions, and in another one or two centuries they will surely be replaced by a different set of secular imagery.

But among practicing Christians, the Great Feasts of the Church are celebrated properly. Easter/Pascha is about the Resurrection, and Christmas is about the Incarnation.

[The Union of the West]

Please enlighten me as to how eating chocolate somehow equates to me worshiping x god or goddess.

I'll get my popcorn.

Eostra was the goddess of spring and fertility, and feasts were held in her honor on the Vernal Equinox (aka EASTER). Her symbol was the rabbit because of the animal’s high reproduction rate.

The consumption of a chocolate bunny on that day along with the variety of other pagan activity that is associated with it, suggests that you worship or respect the feasts of other gods and goddesses, and not the 1 true God.

Easter isn't on the Vernal Equinox. Neither was Ēostre's holiday. Ēostre festival lasted the entire month of April. It is, however, celebrated on the Vernal Equinox by modern neopagans, whose religion is much newer than Christianity. There is no real connection between Ēostre and Easter, other than the fact that they sound similar.

And no. Eating chocolate does not equate to worshiping a pagan deity.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

Eostra was the goddess of spring and fertility, and feasts were held in her honor on the Vernal Equinox (aka EASTER). Her symbol was the rabbit because of the animal’s high reproduction rate.

The consumption of a chocolate bunny on that day along with the variety of other pagan activity that is associated with it, suggests that you worship or respect the feasts of other gods and goddesses, and not the 1 true God.

Easter isn't on the Vernal Equinox. Neither was Ēostre's holiday. Ēostre festival lasted the entire month of April. It is, however, celebrated on the Vernal Equinox by modern neopagans, whose religion is much newer than Christianity. There is no real connection between Ēostre and Easter, other than the fact that they sound similar.

And no. Eating chocolate does not equate to worshiping a pagan deity.

Especially since Chocolate was developed or at least produced by monks for a long time

[The Princes of the Universe]

Easter isn't on the Vernal Equinox. Neither was Ēostre's holiday. Ēostre festival lasted the entire month of April. It is, however, celebrated on the Vernal Equinox by modern neopagans, whose religion is much newer than Christianity. There is no real connection between Ēostre and Easter, other than the fact that they sound similar.
And no. Eating chocolate does not equate to worshiping a pagan deity.

Especially since Chocolate was developed or at least produced by monks for a long time

It was?

[The Union of the West]

Easter isn't on the Vernal Equinox. Neither was Ēostre's holiday. Ēostre festival lasted the entire month of April. It is, however, celebrated on the Vernal Equinox by modern neopagans, whose religion is much newer than Christianity. There is no real connection between Ēostre and Easter, other than the fact that they sound similar.

And no. Eating chocolate does not equate to worshiping a pagan deity.

Especially since Chocolate was developed or at least produced by monks for a long time

Not only that, chocolate wasn't introduced to Europe until the 16th century, long after the Christianization of Europe. The Ēostre-Worshipers would have never heard of chocolate.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

Especially since Chocolate was developed or at least produced by monks for a long time

It was?

Spanish Friars and nuns got into it after it was brought back from the new world. Chocolate is part of Christian heritage

[The Princes of the Universe]

It was?

Spanish Friars and nuns got into it after it was brought back from the new world. Chocolate is part of Christian heritage

Doesn't stop it from going straight to my butt though.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

Spanish Friars and nuns got into it after it was brought back from the new world. Chocolate is part of Christian heritage

Doesn't stop it from going straight to my butt though.

Well yeah if you eat that shitty waxy chocolate bunnies are made of

[The Princes of the Universe]

Doesn't stop it from going straight to my butt though.

Well yeah if you eat that shitty waxy chocolate bunnies are made of

Touché.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

Well yeah if you eat that shitty waxy chocolate bunnies are made of

Touché.

I just remembered I have frozen peanut butter cups

[Luminesa]

It was?

Spanish Friars and nuns got into it after it was brought back from the new world. Chocolate is part of Christian heritage

MONKS ALSO MAKE BREAD.

AND BEER. MONKS DO BREW BEER.

[The Princes of the Universe]

Touché.

I just remembered I have frozen peanut butter cups

I'll be right over!

Spanish Friars and nuns got into it after it was brought back from the new world. Chocolate is part of Christian heritage

MONKS ALSO MAKE BREAD.
AND BEER. MONKS DO BREW BEER.

And lushes worldwide do so thank them!

[Luminesa]

I just remembered I have frozen peanut butter cups

I'll be right over!

MONKS ALSO MAKE BREAD.
AND BEER. MONKS DO BREW BEER.

And lushes worldwide do so thank them!

GIVE ME DAT PEANUT BUTTER!

[The Creepoc Infinite]

I'm Christian now yo #Jesus4Life

Well that is great!

Ha!! Got you!! April Fools!!!

[Luminesa]

Well that is great!

Ha!! Got you!! April Fools!!!

-___-

[Washington Resistance Army]

Ha!! Got you!! April Fools!!!

-___-

C'mon Lumi, it was super obvious.

[Luminesa]

Eostra was the goddess of spring and fertility, and feasts were held in her honor on the Vernal Equinox (aka EASTER). Her symbol was the rabbit because of the animal’s high reproduction rate.

You're joking, right?

Sigh... you're not joking. Of course not.

Look, have you considered the fact that Easter did not originate in the British Isles, and therefore all English-language names and cultural associations have nothing to do with the original holiday? Have you considered the fact that Christians were celebrating Easter hundreds of years before the English language (and therefore the English word "Easter") even existed?

If you want to be pedantic, it's not "Easter", it's Πάσχα (Pascha). Most European languages have a name for it derived from that Greek word:
Pasqua. Pâques. Pascua. Páscoa. Paști. Pasen. Påske. Påsk. Пасха.

English and German seem to be the only languages calling it something related to "East" (Easter in English, Ostern in German) for some reason.

Bunnies are perfectly fine, but they are unnaturally brought to the center of attention at the same time as the dying of eggs and other pagan things at and near Easter.

Oh, I completely agree.

Yes, in the modern secular Western world, among non-religious people and non-practicing Christians, Easter has experienced cultural drift over the past 100-200 years so that today it is mainly about rabbits, eggs and chocolate. Just like Christmas is mainly about pine trees, Santa Claus, and getting presents. These are all recent inventions, and in another one or two centuries they will surely be replaced by a different set of secular imagery.

But among practicing Christians, the Great Feasts of the Church are celebrated properly. Easter/Pascha is about the Resurrection, and Christmas is about the Incarnation.

And Easter is related to Passover!

[Constantinopolis]

You're joking, right?

Sigh... you're not joking. Of course not.

Look, have you considered the fact that Easter did not originate in the British Isles, and therefore all English-language names and cultural associations have nothing to do with the original holiday? Have you considered the fact that Christians were celebrating Easter hundreds of years before the English language (and therefore the English word "Easter") even existed?

If you want to be pedantic, it's not "Easter", it's Πάσχα (Pascha). Most European languages have a name for it derived from that Greek word:
Pasqua. Pâques. Pascua. Páscoa. Paști. Pasen. Påske. Påsk. Пасха.

English and German seem to be the only languages calling it something related to "East" (Easter in English, Ostern in German) for some reason.


Oh, I completely agree.

Yes, in the modern secular Western world, among non-religious people and non-practicing Christians, Easter has experienced cultural drift over the past 100-200 years so that today it is mainly about rabbits, eggs and chocolate. Just like Christmas is mainly about pine trees, Santa Claus, and getting presents. These are all recent inventions, and in another one or two centuries they will surely be replaced by a different set of secular imagery.

But among practicing Christians, the Great Feasts of the Church are celebrated properly. Easter/Pascha is about the Resurrection, and Christmas is about the Incarnation.

And Easter is related to Passover!

Yes. Πάσχα (Pascha) is the Greek translation of פסח (Pessach), which is the Hebrew word for Passover. Thus, Easter isn't just related to Passover, it means Passover. Or at least it's supposed to. It's a translation of a translation of the name for Passover.

Several Orthodox hymns for the occasion refer to "...a new and holy Pascha..." Why "new"? Because it's the new Passover. As Passover celebrates liberation from literal slavery, Pascha celebrates liberation from the metaphorical slavery of sin. As Moses led his people from the land of Egypt to the promised land, Christ led His people from the land of death to the land of eternal life.

"... It is the day of Resurrection, let us be radiant, O peoples! [Passover], the Lord’s [Passover]; for Christ God has brought us from death to life, and from earth to heaven, as we sing the triumphal hymn: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life! ..."

-___-

C'mon Lumi, it was super obvious.

Indeed, I was hoping it would be some sort of meta-April Fools, where you make people think that something is an April Fools joke when it's actually true.

Alas, no such luck.

[Wintanceastre]

Not according to the Catholic Church. Catholics cannot participate in Holy Communion in Anglican or Orthodox Church services. Something about, "they're church isn't our church, so they don't have a valid Apostolic succession, so their communions aren't valid." Meanwhile, the Anglican (and I believe the Orthodox Church) says their members can participate in a Catholic communion (though, again, the Catholic Church says we can't because we're not Catholic, so we're not properly baptised, because Apostolic succession).

That's not true. Catholics can have Orthodox Communion: http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/ ... on-at-them

I'm really not sure that's correct. Because if you look at Cannon 861 (quoted below) you'll find that it clearly states that only Roman Catholics can receive Communion from a Catholic Minister, and a Catholic Minister can only give communion to Catholics. The only exception to this being in times of grave danger and death when they cannot safely or quickly reach a minister of their own church (Cannon 844 §4.) That being said, Catholics can attend Orthodox Services (though it does not fulfil the Sunday obligation), they are not meant to take communion as per cannon law. As for the Orthodox, the Catholic Magisterium has made an exception to the Cannon law to allow them to participate in the Holy Communion; but for those who are not Orthodox or Catholic we simply cannot participate. But it has not made exceptions for Catholics participating in Orthodox communion, except for a few exceptions (such as death and no Catholic priest available)

Not according to the Catholic Church. Catholics cannot participate in Holy Communion in Anglican or Orthodox Church services. Something about, "they're church isn't our church, so they don't have a valid Apostolic succession, so their communions aren't valid." Meanwhile, the Anglican (and I believe the Orthodox Church) says their members can participate in a Catholic communion (though, again, the Catholic Church says we can't because we're not Catholic, so we're not properly baptised, because Apostolic succession).

That is incorrect. The Orthodox wont let anyone take communion in their Church. The Catholics allow both Anglican and Orthodox to take communion.

I know this can't be correct. Because I have been denied Communion in Catholic Churches on two occasions. I was told the priest would offer me a blessing, but I would not be permitted to partake in Communion. In fact, as per the Catholic Church canon law, "Catholic ministers may licitly administer the sacraments to Catholic members of the Christian faithful only and, likewise, the latter may licitly receive the sacraments only from Catholic ministers with due regard for parts 2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and can. 861, part 2. (Cannon 844.1).

[Menassa]

And Easter is related to Passover!

Yes. Πάσχα (Pascha) is the Greek translation of פסח (Pessach), which is the Hebrew word for Passover. Thus, Easter isn't just related to Passover, it means Passover. Or at least it's supposed to. It's a translation of a translation of the name for Passover.

Several Orthodox hymns for the occasion refer to "...a new and holy Pascha..." Why "new"? Because it's the new Passover. As Passover celebrates liberation from literal slavery, Pascha celebrates liberation from the metaphorical slavery of sin. As Moses led his people from the land of Egypt to the promised land, Christ led His people from the land of death to the land of eternal life.

"... It is the day of Resurrection, let us be radiant, O peoples! [Passover], the Lord’s [Passover]; for Christ God has brought us from death to life, and from earth to heaven, as we sing the triumphal hymn: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life! ..."

C'mon Lumi, it was super obvious.

Indeed, I was hoping it would be some sort of meta-April Fools, where you make people think that something is an April Fools joke when it's actually true.

Alas, no such luck.

Ah, but Passover is stated for the the actual passing-over.