Pagan origins of Easter?

[BibleStudent100]

As we merge from Good Friday to Easter Sunday, do we take the time to differentiate the commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ from the pagan ceremonies that have sprung up around this most holy of events over the centuries?   I wonder how my fellow Christians in this forum distinguish in their personal and church celebrations what is holy from what is not holy regarding Easter.  As a cursory review, please note the following:

• Easter was “originally the spring festival in honor of the Teutonic goddess of light and spring known in Anglo-Saxon as Eastre.” (The Westminster Dictionary of the Bible) “There is no indication of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament.”—Encyclopædia Britannica.
• The rabbit “was the escort of the Germanic goddess Ostara.”—Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend.
• Eggs “were said to be dyed and eaten at the spring festivals in ancient Egypt, Persia, Greece, and Rome.”—Celebrations.
• The Easter bonnet originally “was a wreath of flowers or leaves. The circle or crown expressed the round sun and its course in the heavens which brought the return of spring.” The new Easter outfit developed because “it was considered discourteous and therefore bad luck to greet the Scandinavian goddess of Spring, or Eastre, in anything but fresh garb, since the goddess was bestowing one on the earth.”—The Giant Book of Superstitions.
• Hot cross buns: “Like the Greeks, the Romans ate bread marked with a cross . . . at public sacrifices.” They were eaten by pagan Saxons in honor of Easter.—Encyclopædia Britannica.
• Sunrise services parallel rites “performed at the vernal equinox welcoming the sun and its great power to bring new life to all growing things.”—Celebrations

In other words, how do you all separate "light from darkness...[and avoid] touching the unclean thing"? (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).  

 

Warm Christian Regards,

 

[Jayne]

Been discussed quite a lot.  Maybe you could find some of those posts.

[JustPassingThru]

Yeah, I know the history of Easter and it's customs, and for almost 37 years I participated in them, ...but, 33 years ago I became a born again child of God, a new creation in Christ, the salt and light to this dying world, ...what the world celebrates as Easter I celebrate as the resurrection of my Lord Jesus Christ, I celebrate the Truth that I died with Him and He provided for me the way to arise out of my life of death into the brilliant Light of Sonshine!

Would I participate in Easter traditions..., you bet I would, ...if I had grandkids I would be right there on Saturday coloring eggs with them, singing songs and telling them kid stories about Jesus. ...but it wouldn't be only at Easter, ...I would of been there at their birth, the first time I held them I would of whispered into their ears, Jesus is God, Jesus is your Lord, Jesus loves you, etc., ...and every time there after, ...I would of read them Jesus bedtime stories, ...I would of encouraged them to memorize Scripture, ......before Easter I would of told them to invite their friends to grandpa's house and come join the fun with us, what a delight it would of been hiding 50, 100, 200 eggs, ..along with those special plastic eggs (that my grandkids would over look if found) that held special rewards redeemable after the hunt, ...extra chocolate, children's Bibles, books of Christian Bible Stories for kids, and most important, ...tell them the Story of Jesus' resurrection and what it means to us!

If the movie "the Passion of Christ," produced by an anti-semitic infidel with actors that were known porn starts can be claimed by the church as a useful tool to evangelize with, ...how much more the Truth of the Resurrection of our Lord? 

The only danger I see in participating in Easter festivities is Christian parents haven't taught their children, ...on loan to them from God and accountable to Him for them, ...the Truth about the Bible and about their Savior Jesus Christ.

Lord bless

 

[Xethea]

6 hours ago, BibleStudent100 said:

As we merge from Good Friday to Easter Sunday, do we take the time to differentiate the commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ from the pagan ceremonies that have sprung up around this most holy of events over the centuries?   I wonder how my fellow Christians in this forum distinguish in their personal and church celebrations what is holy from what is not holy regarding Easter.  As a cursory review, please note the following:

• Easter was “originally the spring festival in honor of the Teutonic goddess of light and spring known in Anglo-Saxon as Eastre.” (The Westminster Dictionary of the Bible) “There is no indication of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament.”—Encyclopædia Britannica.
• The rabbit “was the escort of the Germanic goddess Ostara.”—Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend.
• Eggs “were said to be dyed and eaten at the spring festivals in ancient Egypt, Persia, Greece, and Rome.”—Celebrations.
• The Easter bonnet originally “was a wreath of flowers or leaves. The circle or crown expressed the round sun and its course in the heavens which brought the return of spring.” The new Easter outfit developed because “it was considered discourteous and therefore bad luck to greet the Scandinavian goddess of Spring, or Eastre, in anything but fresh garb, since the goddess was bestowing one on the earth.”—The Giant Book of Superstitions.
• Hot cross buns: “Like the Greeks, the Romans ate bread marked with a cross . . . at public sacrifices.” They were eaten by pagan Saxons in honor of Easter.—Encyclopædia Britannica.
• Sunrise services parallel rites “performed at the vernal equinox welcoming the sun and its great power to bring new life to all growing things.”—Celebrations

In other words, how do you all separate "light from darkness...[and avoid] touching the unclean thing"? (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).  

 

Warm Christian Regards,

 

It was all about another false god, a bunch of worldly stuff for worldly pleasures, etc. I wouldn't want to say I'm celebrating the death of Jesus Christ if it was named "Lucifester" naming it after Satan/Lucifer, and start decorating things symbolizing Satan but the decorations are so colorful and pretty and the activities are fun but claim i am celebrating it for Jesus, but I'm spending my time doing what Satanists do. Same thing, just with Paganism. Christians who do this Easter stuff are doing it for themselves, they enjoy worldly things, for there is no glory in God about this bunny, chocolate and egg stuff. That's simply worldly entertainment with history hundreds of years ago for a false god.  It's even celebrated on a day named after the Sun god, Sunday.

The last chapel I went to understand this, but they say they need to have easter stuff to attract people to hear the Gospel. But when you put out stuff to attract people with things that give pleasure to even unbelievers, then all you're going to do is attract unbelievers who will keep being unbelievers who are just there for the fun and pleasure, then they will leave until you have another Easter, Christmas, party, event, famous band, plays, camping trip, etc.  If people are interested in truth, the Gospel, and Jesus, God will draw them there without needing any Easter, holiday, party, revival, etc. Saying "you need" to do something to get people saved, is simply saying "Christ isn't enough."

 

We stay away from all holidays for their meanings behind them. If I was to care so much that I needed or wanted to celebrate Jesus' birth and death, then I'd throw a celebration every single day of my life. Literally. But I simply remember and thank the Lord every day for what He's done and who He is. People mostly like celebrations for the fun and pleasure, they dont do it for the Lord. That's very rare.

[shortangel]

I know that this is a hard topic for most people but I think churches should hold Easter egg hunts & evangelize the lost with the truth of the Gospel,  we have to be salt & light in the world even if unbelievers hate us, parents have to decide for their children if they want to allow them to have candy, Easter baskets dye Easter eggs,  or do the Easter egg hunts at church, 

[BibleStudent100]

Thanks friends for the input.  It sounds like many are not pleased with the religious accoutrements of the "pagan" aspects of Easter, but are willing to overlook these trappings involved with the bunnies, eggs, etc.  as they may be practices that invite others to religious services.  I suspect this creates some cognitive dissonance, but acceptance of some "bad" with the good occurs and it is what it is.

 

Thanks for sharing all!

[JustPassingThru]

On 4/20/2019 at 12:26 PM, Xethea said:

The last chapel I went to understand this, but they say they need to have easter stuff to attract people to hear the Gospel.

My church back in the States didn't celebrate Easter, instead the pastor taught on the subject and meaning of the Resurrection.

 

On 4/20/2019 at 12:26 PM, Xethea said:

If I was to care so much that I needed or wanted to celebrate Jesus' birth and death, then I'd throw a celebration every single day of my life.

The church does have a celebration for these things, and Jesus told us to do it as often as we want to, ...it's called Communion.

[Tzephanyahu]

On 4/20/2019 at 4:21 PM, BibleStudent100 said:

I wonder how my fellow Christians in this forum distinguish in their personal and church celebrations what is holy from what is not holy regarding Easter. 

Shalom BibleStudent100,

A timely post and a stance I take with you.  

There are two paths to take at this time of year:  Passover or Yeaster.  The former is ordained, celebrated by the Lord and witnesses to His death and resurrection.  But many refuse to celebrate it, probably because of either anti-semitism or fear of coming under the law?

Some people love man-made traditions.  If the truth won't change them, then one post or ten of them won't.  I fear that this is a matter where some hold on to traditions of man endlessly, refusing the good advice you have offered.

But I wanted to say thank you for standing up for the truth anyway.  May Yahweh bless you richly for your heart that shines in this way, in the name of the Lord Jesus.  

Love & Shalom

[Neighbor]

On 4/20/2019 at 8:25 PM, BibleStudent100 said:

Thanks friends for the input.  It sounds like many are not pleased with the religious accoutrements of the "pagan" aspects of Easter, but are willing to overlook these trappings involved with the bunnies, eggs, etc.  as they may be practices that invite others to religious services.  I suspect this creates some cognitive dissonance, but acceptance of some "bad" with the good occurs and it is what it is.

 

Thanks for sharing all!

Hi, I suggest  that you are expressing an errant conclusion about others.

[Still Alive]

This pretty much covers the whole thing in probably more detail than any of us need:

 

http://drmsh.com/tag/easter/

 

First words from the first article there:

Is Easter Named After a Pagan Goddess?

Short answer: Nope.

A bit more of an answer: Nope, and let’s stop the “Easter is pagan” madness.

Edited April 24, 2019 by Still Alive