Easter (Astarte) is of pagan orgins.

[Bob]

Judging by some of the topics of 'Today's Posts' it looks like this forum is going Pagan ??? what's up with that.

[Tomoshibi]

The forum isn't going Pagan as a whole, but I did drop one Pagan-oriented thread in the religious section here. Other than that, there is just this thread that is discussing Easter and it's historical significance.

However, I did notice something on my previous post on this topic. I got my holidays a little crossed. Beltane isn't our equivalent of Easter. Ostara is the Pagan Easter. Sorry for the confusion. Here is a small cut from Lady Bridget's article on this holiday. This will sound a whole lot more sensible.

Ostara, Eostre, Easter, Vernal Equinox, Spring Equinox, and First Day of Spring are all names for the same festival time. This is the day when the light and darkness are of equal length, and afterwards the days get longer. This occurs when the Sun enters Aries, which is on March 20th or 21st. This is the time when the light symbolically "triumphs over darkness", so it is no wonder that the Christian's put their Easter, wbere the God of Light triumphs over darkness and rises again, at this time of year. It has long been the time for Gods to return from the Underworld, or the darkness, as we shall see.

Agriculturally, this is the time in most of Europe and America when the seeds are sown and planted in the ground. This corresponds in Wicca also to the planting of new ideas, new goals for the coming year, new businesses or new activities to be started.

This holiday is sacred to Eostre, Anglo-Saxon Goddess of Spring, also known as Ostre. Sacred to Her are eggs, and white rabbits. There is a legend in which a white rabbit fell in love with her, and to prove his love he laid colored eggs for her everyday. (Eggs and white rabbits, sound familiar anyone?) The white rabbit symbolizes the transformation of innocence, and constant fertility. The eggs symbolize new life, and also rebirth. In ancient times, when hens were not domesticated, it was necessary to climb trees and hunt for these eggs, no doubt a welcome treat after the dreary winter fare. Thus we may have the origination of the egg hunt so many cultures still do today. Also, since the eggs are found in the woven nests of birds, which were the inspration for woven baskets, we can see the link between the ancient ways and our traditions today of putting the colored eggs into pretty woven baskets.

[rhertz]

Originally Posted by Bob

Judging by some of the topics of 'Today's Posts' it looks like this forum is going Pagan ??? what's up with that.

God I hope not. I kinda wish Isaac didn't mention the "P" word. It's not even Easter, it's Christmas! Almost as bad as discussing evolution.

Merry Christmas everyone! And don't give me any crap about Christmas trees or whatever having Pagan origins... (from either side of the equation) Things are whatever you want to make of them sometimes. Truth is relative to what we choose to believe.

[Isaac-Saxxon]

Originally Posted by rhertz

God I hope not. I kinda wish Isaac didn't mention the "P" word. It's not even Easter, it's Christmas! Almost as bad as discussing evolution.

Merry Christmas everyone! And don't give me any crap about Christmas trees or whatever having Pagan origins... (from either side of the equation) Things are whatever you want to make of them sometimes. Truth is relative to what we choose to believe.

Well folks it is that time of year to get the bunnies and eggs out and bring them in to the church. Anime do you get a easter basket each year
Isaac

[AnimeSpirit]

Originally Posted by Isaac-Saxxon

Well folks it is that time of year to get the bunnies and eggs out and bring them in to the church. Anime do you get a easter basket each year
Isaac

Not usually. I help with such events, but I usually don't take part myself. The holiday antics are more for children these days.

Originally Posted by Isaac-Saxxon

Well folks it is that time of year to get the bunnies and eggs out and bring them in to the church. Anime do you get a easter basket each year

I looked for some chocolate crosses at the store but they didn't have any. It looks like more eggs and bunnies again this year in my house. Which gives me an idea for a new store. Easter Chocolates for Christians! We could offer chocolate crucifictions. The kids could fight over who gets to bite off Jesus's head. Maybe offer Lifesaver Bibles with Genesis first as butterscotch.



I think you are just jealous that you don't get to eat bunnies and eggs and you really want to. I know you want to. They might be evil, but they taste so good.

[Texasbelle]

Originally Posted by BrianSmashR

I looked for some chocolate crosses at the store but they didn't have any. It looks like more eggs and bunnies again this year in my house. Which gives me an idea for a new store. Easter Chocolates for Christians! We could offer chocolate crucifictions. The kids could fight over who gets to bite off Jesus's head. Maybe offer Lifesaver Bibles with Genesis first as butterscotch.



I think you are just jealous that you don't get to eat bunnies and eggs and you really want to. I know you want to. They might be evil, but they taste so good.

Brain I am so sorry for you that you feel the need to say such things and make fun of a man who was willing to die for you. I hope that one day you will find him and come to know him in the same manner that myself, Isaac, Isabella, and others on this board have. It will be the greatest day of your life EVER!

Somebody asked "Is this board going Pagan?" I hope not, if it does...I'M GONE!

To whomever quoted the Bible as saying "Honor thy neighbor". It's actually "Love thy neighbor". Now you can interpret that many ways I suppose and Isaac can jump in here. I at this stage in my growth as a Christian understand it to mean that I am going to love you as another of God's creations. I do not have to accept you choosing to worship as a Pagan and I don't. It goes against everything written in God's word. I will love my fellow humans and pray for those not in God's will. I do not have to accept things they do not in God's will. It's really that simple. I can still be your friend and I will. I will have dinner with you, but I will try to lead you to a better way with prayer and by living by example. I have to "Honor" my father and mother, not you.

[Isaac-Saxxon]

Originally Posted by Texasbelle

Brain I am so sorry for you that you feel the need to say such things and make fun of a man who was willing to die for you. I hope that one day you will find him and come to know him in the same manner that myself, Isaac, Isabella, and others on this board have. It will be the greatest day of your life EVER!

Somebody asked "Is this board going Pagan?" I hope not, if it does...I'M GONE!

To whomever quoted the Bible as saying "Honor thy neighbor". It's actually "Love thy neighbor". Now you can interpret that many ways I suppose and Isaac can jump in here. I at this stage in my growth as a Christian understand it to mean that I am going to love you as another of God's creations. I do not have to accept you choosing to worship as a Pagan and I don't. It goes against everything written in God's word. I will love my fellow humans and pray for those not in God's will. I do not have to accept things they do not in God's will. It's really that simple. I can still be your friend and I will. I will have dinner with you, but I will try to lead you to a better way with prayer and by living by example. I have to "Honor" my father and mother, not you.

I could not agree more. I do not think that this board is going pagan even though there are a few on the board and we all know who you pagans are but they too are nice folks just on the wrong thread in life.
Isaac

[AnimeSpirit]

Originally Posted by Texasbelle

Somebody asked "Is this board going Pagan?" I hope not, if it does...I'M GONE!

I do not have to accept you choosing to worship as a Pagan and I don't. It goes against everything written in God's word. I will love my fellow humans and pray for those not in God's will. I do not have to accept things they do not in God's will. It's really that simple. I can still be your friend and I will. I will have dinner with you, but I will try to lead you to a better way with prayer and by living by example. I have to "Honor" my father and mother, not you.

That's a shame, really, Tbelle. Isaac is right. There are some Pagans on this board as well and they have so far not made any implications against Christianity.

[Isaac-Saxxon]

Originally Posted by BrianSmashR

I looked for some chocolate crosses at the store but they didn't have any. It looks like more eggs and bunnies again this year in my house. Which gives me an idea for a new store. Easter Chocolates for Christians! We could offer chocolate crucifictions. The kids could fight over who gets to bite off Jesus's head. Maybe offer Lifesaver Bibles with Genesis first as butterscotch.



I think you are just jealous that you don't get to eat bunnies and eggs and you really want to. I know you want to. They might be evil, but they taste so good.

I am glad I did not make that post. Wow ! Do you do voodoo dolls too ? I sure hope you do not choke on that chocolate in your mouth I am sure mother Tbelle will have some more words of wisdom for you before the night is over Hope you can sleep tonight after that post
Isaac the Saxxon

[Texasbelle]

Mother Belle doesn't have anything else to say to Brain Jr. I am quite sure that he got my point the first time and it won't happen again son will it?

There are times when people do things that just leaving you scratching your head and saying to yourself "What were they thinking?". This was one of those times. Now we have to move on past Brain Jr.'s moment of insanity.