Churches and Eggs

[Last Things]

Simply check this out:

The Pagan Origin Of Easter

How do I know this article is making legitimate historical references and is not just the speculation of the author? I do not see any footnotes, citations, references, etc?

For example, somethings do not make sense to me:
"The holiday often involves a church service at sunrise, a feast which includes an "Easter Ham", decorated eggs and stories about rabbits."
That is the way is it celebrated in northern Europe and those related to the culture (USA/Canada).

""Ishtar", which is pronounced "Easter" was a day that commemorated the resurrection of one of their gods that they called "Tammuz", who was believed to be the only begotten son of the moon-goddess and the sun-god."

This I do not get either. Ishtar was a Sumerian/Babylonian/Assyrian god. Ishtar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tammuz was a different summerian god. Tammuz - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I am also perplexed because Easter is the English name for what is otherwise called Pascha. Pascha - OrthodoxWiki Pascha - definition of Pascha by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia. Easter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
From what I can find it other sources, Ishtar was the consort of Tammuz, not the name of the holiday.
These are just the first two claims in the article.

 

[Ophel]

How do I know this article is making legitimate historical references and is not just the speculation of the author? I do not see any footnotes, citations, references, etc?

For example, somethings do not make sense to me:
"The holiday often involves a church service at sunrise, a feast which includes an "Easter Ham", decorated eggs and stories about rabbits."
That is the way is it celebrated in northern Europe and those related to the culture (USA/Canada).

""Ishtar", which is pronounced "Easter" was a day that commemorated the resurrection of one of their gods that they called "Tammuz", who was believed to be the only begotten son of the moon-goddess and the sun-god."

This I do not get either. Ishtar was a Sumerian/Babylonian/Assyrian god. Ishtar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tammuz was a different summerian god. Tammuz - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I am also perplexed because Easter is the English name for what is otherwise called Pascha. Pascha - OrthodoxWiki Pascha - definition of Pascha by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia. Easter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
From what I can find it other sources, Ishtar was the consort of Tammuz, not the name of the holiday.
These are just the first two claims in the article.

Holy Spirit should be speaking to you about these things, telling you what is true and warning you. The message is not getting through. There is nothing I can say that can convince you more than He.

 

[Last Things]

Holy Spirit should be speaking to you about these things, telling you what is true and warning you. The message is not getting through. There is nothing I can say that can convince you more than He.

The problem I have is that this is not an issue entirely of doctrine, but of facts and history. Obviously, the Holy Spirit, if we are open, will guide us into the right faith. But to say Easter is of pagan origin, or egg hunts, etc is historical and verifiable. God guides us, I believe, by grace and knowledge. We must be open and informed. I have asked for information that this has anything to do with paganism, but I get information that seemingly contradicts history.

For example, I have heard that Easter comes from Ishtar. Yet, no one calls it Easter except the English. Everyone else calls it Pascha or some derivative. I am told eggs, bunnies and hams are some Middle-Eastern pagan tradition, but Christians in the Middle East do not celebrate it that way. Egg hunts and hams are a northern European tradition.

 

[Last Things]

www.talkjesus.com/scriptural-answers/2635-christmas.html

In this topic Chad provides some great information about Christmas and its traditions. That Christmas, the Christmas tree, etc are not of pagan origin. I believe it is the same way with Easter.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

What's wrong with kids having fun?

Nothing wrong at all. Let them enjoy their Easter Egg hunt. Tell them the Easter story later. Don't make it a complicated mess.

SLE

 

[Ophel]

The problem I have is that this is not an issue entirely of doctrine, but of facts and history. Obviously, the Holy Spirit, if we are open, will guide us into the right faith. But to say Easter is of pagan origin, or egg hunts, etc is historical and verifiable. God guides us, I believe, by grace and knowledge. We must be open and informed. I have asked for information that this has anything to do with paganism, but I get information that seemingly contradicts history.

For example, I have heard that Easter comes from Ishtar. Yet, no one calls it Easter except the English. Everyone else calls it Pascha or some derivative. I am told eggs, bunnies and hams are some Middle-Eastern pagan tradition, but Christians in the Middle East do not celebrate it that way. Egg hunts and hams are a northern European tradition.

Easter is not biblical. So, you have no leg to stand on.

 

[Last Things]

Easter is not biblical. So, you have no leg to stand on.

You mean it is not in the bible? Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is in the bible, no?

I notice people sometimes say "that's not in the bible". Does that mean we are not allowed to do anything the bible does not tell us we can do?

 

[Ophel]

You mean it is not in the bible? Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is in the bible, no?

I notice people sometimes say "that's not in the bible". Does that mean we are not allowed to do anything the bible does not tell us we can do?

Yes, it is not biblical---we celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection, nothing more. We may join in with the Passover, but as for "EASTER"---that has nothing to do with it.
Easter is a conglomeration (out of ignorance) of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ with a whole lot of pagan elements added. Believers really need to pay closer attention to what they lend their lives to---and why.

 

[farout]

Yes, it is not biblical---we celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection, nothing more. We may join in with the Passover, but as for "EASTER"---that has nothing to do with it.
Easter is a conglomeration (out of ignorance) of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ with a whole lot of pagan elements added. Believers really need to pay closer attention to what they lend their lives to---and why.

Amen, and amen! Resurrection Sunday is what we should celebrate. Easter eggs and fertility symbols should be done at home is people want, but not at church.

 

[farout]

Nothing wrong at all. Let them enjoy their Easter Egg hunt. Tell them the Easter story later. Don't make it a complicated mess.

SLE

I think telling the Biblical story of Jesus should be first before the symbols of fertility are handed out at home might be the better place for easter eggs abd candy bunnys. It would be less problemsome for old folks who have a problem with such.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I think telling the Biblical story of Jesus should be first before the symbols of fertility are handed out at home might be the better place for easter eggs abd candy bunnys. It would be less problemsome for old folks who have a problem with such.

*

How many five year olds think of the Easter Bunny as a symbol of fertility? Come on, this should be discussed with children, but not when they're to young to understand. In the meantime, let them have their fun.

SLE

 

[Ophel]

We owe it to our Christian children to offer them better ways to have fun. Do Christian parents really have no imagination? No---they are highly creative. We need to see more creativity rather than their pandering to old pagan nonsense.

.

 

[farout]

*

How many five year olds think of the Easter Bunny as a symbol of fertility? Come on, this should be discussed with children, but not when they're to young to understand. In the meantime, let them have their fun.

SLE

I sincerely don't want to upset you. I have had grown men tell me they did not believe in Jesus, because it was a lie just like the one their parents told them about Santa Clause.
I am not the only person who has been a Pastor that has had someone tell them this. Mixing anything with special days of celebrating Jesus Christ is in my opinion wrong. However everyone has their own way of adding or taking away from days of celebrating Jesus Christ.

I don't want to be snarky or seem like I am attacking you, I am only stating my feelings and why I feel that way.

With the rotten movied on HBO and other pay for TV channels you might be alarmed at what 4 year olds see and believe today. I think we need to protect little ones even more now a days. The evil one is out in full force to destroy these little ones God has instructed us to portect. That's just how I feel, it's just my opinion, as I see what the Bible says.

 

[Jonah]

I don't see anything wrong with it but it is not promoting jesus. A church would not spend it's money on something like that if they could be using it for something else.

 

[Last Things]

Yes, it is not biblical---we celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection, nothing more. We may join in with the Passover, but as for "EASTER"---that has nothing to do with it.
Easter is a conglomeration (out of ignorance) of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ with a whole lot of pagan elements added. Believers really need to pay closer attention to what they lend their lives to---and why.

Easter is the name of a holiday that has many different ways of being celebrated by every culture. Easter is not about eggs, rabbits, and ham. There are some Anglo-Saxon traditions/groups who celebrate Easter with these things, but most Easter celebrations are not Anglo-Saxon. I still see no evidence for them being of pagan origin.

The 'Easter is pagan' idea relies upon people not realizing that not everyone in the world celebrates it the way we in America do. If you were to go to Italy, you eat lamb on Easter and they have no idea what cross buns are or Easter bunnies. Indians have different traditions, Latin Americans, Middle-Easterners, Africans, everyone does things different. When people say Easter is pagan because bunnies, eggs, hams, cross buns, etc are all from Sumeria they are forgetting the fact these things have no association with most Christians.

 

[Last Things]

I don't see anything wrong with it but it is not promoting jesus. A church would not spend it's money on something like that if they could be using it for something else.

As long as they connect the egg with the resurrection I think it would be promoting Jesus. I cannot imagine Jesus being disappointed with bringing the little ones to him and let the children have fun.

 

[Ophel]

Easter is the name of a holiday that has many different ways of being celebrated by every culture. Easter is not about eggs, rabbits, and ham. There are some Anglo-Saxon traditions/groups who celebrate Easter with these things, but most Easter celebrations are not Anglo-Saxon. I still see no evidence for them being of pagan origin.

The 'Easter is pagan' idea relies upon people not realizing that not everyone in the world celebrates it the way we in America do. If you were to go to Italy, you eat lamb on Easter and they have no idea what cross buns are or Easter bunnies. Indians have different traditions, Latin Americans, Middle-Easterners, Africans, everyone does things different. When people say Easter is pagan because bunnies, eggs, hams, cross buns, etc are all from Sumeria they are forgetting the fact these things have no association with most Christians.

Easter isn't the name I use for the day I celebrate Jesus' Resurrection. I don't pander to what the world does. It's good to educate the Church about these things. People in other nations are enured to the religious, it is obvious. Jesus came to free us from religion.

 

[Last Things]

Easter isn't the name I use for the day I celebrate Jesus' Resurrection. I don't pander to what the world does. It's good to educate the Church about these things.

I agree it is good to be educated about things, including those of the world, so that people do not think Easter is about rabbits, eggs, and hams. You can call it whatever you want, but you are celebrating it on the same day because of the same theology. You join the rest of us in celebrating the Resurrection, with holidays of different names and different practices.

People in other nations are enured to the religious, it is obvious. Jesus came to free us from religion.

I am not sure what the whole "not religious, but Christian" thing is about.

For example New Age people say they are 'spiritual but not religious' as do non-practicing, false Christians. When someone says that are not religious, I wonder what they mean. Religion is what we call a collection of beliefs. I am always wondering why you think people in other nations are more 'religious' than the US?

 

[Ophel]

I agree it is good to be educated about things, including those of the world, so that people do not think Easter is about rabbits, eggs, and hams. You can call it whatever you want, but you are celebrating it on the same day because of the same theology. You join the rest of us in celebrating the Resurrection, with holidays of different names and different practices.

I do not join with the rest of anyone in celebrating Resurrection Day, except for those who celebrate the same way.

I am not sure what the whole "not religious, but Christian" thing is about.

For example New Age people say they are 'spiritual but not religious' as do non-practicing, false Christians. When someone says that are not religious, I wonder what they mean. Religion is what we call a collection of beliefs. I am always wondering why you think people in other nations are more 'religious' than the US?

New Agers are religious. We are not to take part in religiosity but we are called to freedom from such a thing. Jesus didn't come to establish another religion in the world. He came to free us from sin and such bondage as religion brings to a person's life.

 

[Last Things]

I do not join with the rest of anyone in celebrating Resurrection Day, except for those who celebrate the same way.



New Agers are religious. We are not to take part in religiosity but we are called to freedom from such a thing. Jesus didn't come to establish another religion in the world. He came to free us from sin and such bondage as religion brings to a person's life.

What does being religious mean to you? I believe that Jesus came to fulfill the law, but not abolish it. He ended the various destructive man made traditions.It is easy to vilify 'religion' without saying that that means.