Is Easter Pagan? Why celebrate it?

[URAVIP2ME]

Christians and pagans killed each other. Jesus as a jew approving of human sacrifice? I'm just not a fan of the whole thing. Easter is about the Passion-life, death, and resurrection. You can't have one without the other. When I think of christian, I think of its history. I don't think jesus since I'm with Jews on the human sacrifice thing.

Yipes, it was 'so-called Christians' (Christendom) that killed.
Jesus as a Jew could never approve of human sacrifice just as his Father did Not approve - see Jeremiah 32:35.
Jesus willingly laid down his life as a ransom giving up of his life for us - Matthew 20:28.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Yes... people kill each other.

But, IMV, there is a difference between "human sacrifice" and "giving one's life for another.

In the first, I am taking the life of another classified as a "human sacrifice".

Jumping in front of another person to "take the bullet" is giving one's life for another.

I don't see it the same way. Jesus was doing his father's will. Premeditated sacrifice. Most people aren't okay with sacrifice. It's something they either must do and/or it's automatic due to human nature. It's not premeditated.

That and no one was in danger when they gave him up to be killed. It was only jesus' conviction. Not everyone agreed. Today, if there was a war, all of us would agree to protect ourselves. However, if it's one person's conviction, we'd probably say it's the guy on the Haley's Bopp. The only "danger" was the one jesus taught.

One person's conviction to die for others is not the same as someone(s) dying for war or to save a child or whomever. The former is premeditated and the later automatic. If jesus wasn't sacrificed, then I can see christianity a bit better but not worshiping a "living" sacrifice. It sounds barbaric to put it bluntly.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Yipes, it was 'so-called Christians' (Christendom) that killed.
Jesus as a Jew could never approve of human sacrifice just as his Father did Not approve - see Jeremiah 32:35.
Jesus willingly laid down his life as a ransom giving up of his life for us - Matthew 20:28.

I wouldn't consider it christianity at all if people followed jesus. Changing the name to christiandom doesn't change that jesus was a sacrifice (regardless the nature) for the atonement of another person's sins.

Do "real christians" believe in human sacrifice?

 

[lostwanderingsoul]

When the early,so called universal church, was starting out, they had two choices. They could try to gain converts by saying they had to give up all their old pagan ideas and follow new ideas. Or they could tell people they could keep their pagan ideas and just give them new names. Obviously the second method proved more popular so all the old pagan ideas came over to the new religion. Everyone was happy.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

We celebrate the resurrection of Easter. It isn't a sin to have fun with eggs and Petercotton tale (unless it violates your conscience.)...........

Easter is: the non-biblical Resurrection of Spring.
Jesus gave his followers only one Red-Letter calendar day to commemorate as found at Luke 22:19.
Jesus only instructed a remembrance of his 'day of death' ( Nisan 14 on the Jewish calendar )
Church customs or church traditions that are outside of Scripture are in vain - Matthew 15:9.
Worship must be based on scriptural truth - John 4:23-24.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

I wouldn't consider it christianity at all if people followed jesus. Changing the name to christiandom doesn't change that jesus was a sacrifice (regardless the nature) for the atonement of another person's sins. Do "real christians" believe in human sacrifice?

Jesus willingly giving up his life was Not for just another person's sins but for all mankind.
Jesus never instructed any human to sacrifice one's life for another's sins.
We are all imperfect so we could never take the place of another.
Because we sin we die, and we can't resurrect oneself or another.
Thus, we need someone who could resurrect us - Jesus can and will.
Because sinless Jesus died a faithful death for us is why we can gain everlasting life.
Jesus' New commandment of John 13:34-35 is to have the same 'self-sacrificing love' for others as he has.
In other words, we are Now to love neighbor ' more ' than self. More than the Golden Rule.
We can't die for another's sins, but we can live for others.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

One would think that if you were seriously committed to following the spirit, as well as the letter, of the instruction to "come out from them and be separate",

• you wouldn't be in this forum to begin with, or
• at most, you'd confine your posts to the Jehovah's Witnesses DIR..... [QUOTE/]
• or just go to www.jw.org

 

[URAVIP2ME]

https://www.history.com/.amp/topics/holidays/easter-symbols
As for Christians celebrating Pagan holidays, well, I mean who doesn’t love chocolate?

It would be so-called Christians......
The so-called Christians also say to sacrifice ( some give up chocolate ) before Easter.
Jesus did Not give up any foods leading up to his death even had a BIG Passover dinner the night before he died.
After all, ' Food does Not commend us to God.....' - 1 Corinthians 8:8; Romans 14:17; Hebrews 13:9

 

[Kenny]

Easter is: the non-biblical Resurrection of Spring.

Definitions vary from place to place and from epoch to epoch. We do celebrate the Resurrection... but not the resurrection of spring.

Jesus gave his followers only one Red-Letter calendar day to commemorate as found at Luke 22:19.

By which he said "as often as you do it". So, it could be any Sunday... or Monday.... or whenever.

Jesus only instructed a remembrance of his 'day of death' ( Nisan 14 on the Jewish calendar )

He didn't say to do it on just one day. And you can't remember his death, his blood without remembering His resurrection.
Philippians 3:10

Church customs or church traditions that are outside of Scripture are in vain - Matthew 15:9.

9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Celebrating the resurrection is not a "teaching for doctrines" nor is it a "commandment.". So I don't think it applies.

Worship must be based on scriptural truth - John 4:23-24.

Agreed. When we worship the Father and Jesus, we do it on the basis of scriptural truth.

 

[rational experiences]

We celebrated the sea of the son, for it was a taught celebration for Nature and human life existing.

Dinosaurs never owned seasons.

Evolution and the healing/return and reincarnated animal and human life healing owned ICE and 4 seasons.

Autumn was the death in Nature without dying. Spring was the rebirth.

And it never had anything to do with a human being life accept in a study/teaching and celebration model. To love life, to love food and the rebirthing of the life in Nature, as it springs into rebirth.

Why it was taught to be a Nature celebration.

For Christ mass was when ICE and its rebirth/amassed presence allowed newly born babies to have their DNA returned...their Genesis...as that form of human celebration/advice.

Yet science had been causing our life attack/sacrifice. Jesus challenged them in their Temple sciences. And said, do a TEST meant in the cross of the seasons, and it will show you my life in sacrifice, as ICE, not in that seasonal condition, would show you all that due to ICE, it is the only reason why we own our life on Earth.

And it was a teaching and a test against science, to force them to realize that they had been murdering/sacrifice human life. And that circumstance was not any celebration, except for one condition. We were still alive afterwards...and science stopped it evil atmospheric attack. Temples were destroyed.

 

[Deeje]

There's nothing wrong with Paganism.

Unless you are a Christian that is....the Bible does not allow for the mixing of true worship with false worship. The nation of Israel was punished severely for doing just that.

The Canaanites who remained after the Israelite conquest became subject to slavish forced labor (Joshua 16:10; 17:13; Judges 1:21, 27-35), but because the Israelites did not drive them out of the land and eradicate their worship as Jehovah had commanded (Judges 2:1-2), the Canaanites in general continued to practice their idolatrous and degraded religion.
As a result the Israelites were continually being led into false worship (Psalm 106:34-39), particularly the worship of the Baals and the Ashtoreth images. Easter is as pagan today as that false worship was back then. We were told not to mix the two. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) If we do, we cannot be counted among God's "sons and daughters".

Christians killed pagans (death then and words now).

Not true. Christ did not advocate violence at all....those "Christians" who 'killed pagans' were not Christians because they failed to obey the teachings of Jesus....they were "Christians" in name only. A true Christian was to love their enemies, not do them harm in any way. (Matthew 5:43-48)
'Killing them with words' is not what we are to do either....we are messengers who have a 'life or death' message to deliver....it wasn't given as an option, but a command to go out into all nations with that message. (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20) Those who listen and respond will get to enjoy the life that God created them to live.....those who reject it will be in the same position as those in Noah's day who chose to mock and ridicule, and ignore his warning rather than to listen and act.....there were no 'unbelievers' at the end of that world......I don't believe that there will be any at the end of this world either....

Ezekiel 36:23...
"And I will sanctify My great Name, which was profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am Jehovah - is the declaration of Jehovah God - when I will be sanctified through you before their eyes."

Who are we to tell the Sovereign of the Universe that he no right to ask for our obedience to his laws...all of which are for our benefit, not his.

 

[Revoltingest]

Easter....time for ham & games for kids.

 

[Deeje]

Ahhh, ... so by your own testimony, all Jehovah's Witnesses come to RF to preach/proselytize, in violation of Forum Rule #8.

You obviously don't know the real meaning of the rules .....its not what you say but the way that you say it.....You can state your beliefs just as I can.....all you have to do is say..."I believe"....and apparently the rules are not broken. The reason for religious forums is to discuss religion.....if you do not share your beliefs, how is there any 'religious' discussion? Seriously?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

You obviously don't know the real meaning of the rules .....its not what you say but the way that you say it.....You can state your beliefs just as I can.....all you have to do is say..."I believe"....and apparently the rules are not broken. The reason for religious forums is to discuss religion.....if you do not share your beliefs, how is there any 'religious' discussion? Seriously?

"I believe" is magikal like that.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

Definitions vary from place to place and from epoch to epoch. We do celebrate the Resurrection... but not the resurrection of spring.
By which he said "as often as you do it". So, it could be any Sunday... or Monday.... or whenever.
He didn't say to do it on just one day. And you can't remember his death, his blood without remembering His resurrection.
Philippians 3:10
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Celebrating the resurrection is not a "teaching for doctrines" nor is it a "commandment.". So I don't think it applies.
Agreed. When we worship the Father and Jesus, we do it on the basis of scriptural truth.

What about Philippians 2:9 ___________
I find Scriptural truth is what Jesus instructed as to who to direct worship as found at John 4:23-24.

I can't find anywhere where Jesus instructed a celebration of his resurrection.
The only instruction was about his 'day of death' (Luke 22:19)
That death day comes only once a year - Nisan the 14th day.
Just as Passover day still comes only once a year.
Just as a wedding anniversary does Not always come on a Friday, his day of death does Not always fall on a Friday.
So, his resurrection day could Not always come on a Sunday.
There is No such thing in Scripture as a Sunday set aside as Resurrection Sunday.
Yes, always on a Sunday would be a teaching for doctrines the commandments of men - Matthew 15:9

The the Greek/English Interlinear it reads:
.... as often as if ever you may be drinking....... 1 Corinthians 11:25
.... as often as for if ever you may be eating.... 1 Corinthians 11:26
In Latin the word ' often ' reads as ' seldom '.
Eating the bread and drinking the memorial wine (the cup which stands for the new covenant (testament) would be on the anniversary of the day of Jesus' death which does Not come on an annual Friday, just as resurrection day could Not always be on a Sunday. Nisan 16 would Not always fall on a Sunday.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Unless you are a Christian that is....the Bible does not allow for the mixing of true worship with false worship. The nation of Israel was punished severely for doing just that.

Well, I'm not. I rather see the beauty in religions than look down on those not like mine. I personally never seen any spiritual growth in christianity insofar that ones faith is dependent on one's depravity in nature and separation between them and myself. It's not really religious, just life in general.

Not true. Christ did not advocate violence at all....those "Christians" who 'killed pagans' were not Christians because they failed to obey the teachings of Jesus....they were "Christians" in name only. A true Christian was to love their enemies, not do them harm in any way. (Matthew 5:43-48)

Hmm. I think christians today may have a better less bloody handle on things than back then. But it wasn't that far back. If we are all sinners, and christians are too, whose to say they weren't christians?

Of course jesus didn't advocate violence, but I do believe christians have killed others and we do so today by word of mouth rather than by sword. Maybe people are in denial or see what they want to see.

Who are we to tell the Sovereign of the Universe that he no right to ask for our obedience to his laws...all of which are for our benefit, not his.

I see no issue with that. Mine is more of an earthly issue.

One how can anyone judge another person's relationship with god?
And two, do you believe you are right?

 

[URAVIP2ME]

Ahhh, ... so by your own testimony, all Jehovah's Witnesses come to RF to preach/proselytize, in violation of Forum Rule #8........]

How could speaking about Bible education be wrong___________
It is Not as if foul language, name calling or swearing is being used.
Freedom of Speech, talking about taking in Bible knowledge is No violation.
I find others 'express their views' (is that preaching) about their beliefs.
Me thinks you just want other religions on this forum, and just to exclude Jehovah's people.
For me, this www.religiousforum.com is good study time because I have an inquiring mind and sincerely want to know what others think.
If anyone's views are restricted then how can we know what other's want us to know.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

One person's conviction to die for others is not the same as someone(s) dying for war or to save a child or whomever. The former is premeditated and the later automatic. If jesus wasn't sacrificed, then I can see christianity a bit better but not worshiping a "living" sacrifice. It sounds barbaric to put it bluntly.

Yipes! In Scripture No one worships a ' living sacrifice ' Jesus instructed as to who to worship at John 4:23-24.
I find Jesus instructed No one to worship him, but only to worship his God, his Father.
A person choosing to die for war or to save a child can be both premeditated or automatic by conscience.
Jesus taught Not to die for war, it is false clergy who used the pulpit as a recruiting station so that parents would sacrifice their young on the Altar of War as it that is the same thing as the Altar of God, which it isn't.
Jesus and his followers were politically 'neutral', they did Not even get involved in the political issues of the day between the Jews and Romans.
What Jesus sacrificed was putting his love for us 'ahead' of his love for himself.
We can't resurrect oneself or another person, so we need someone who can resurrect us. Jesus can and will.

 

[Heyo]

So y'all knew I could not get through Easter without putting it up. What are all the similarities about Easter and the Pagan Holiday? Where did we get our Petercotton tale and Easter egg celebrations and why do Christians celebrate it?

As an Agnostic (and in consequence atheist) I'm slightly enraged that other atheists try to sell Easter as a pagan festival. Easter, together with Good Friday, Ascension and Pentecost are genuinely Christian Holy Days. (Everything else is appropriated from pagans.) The date for Easter is in the bible (and follows the Jewish calendar not the Roman like e.g. Christmas). Learn about what you are criticising.
And the eggs and bunnies? They come from the pagan Eostre. Yep, and they have been appropriated but Easter was there before. And I haven't seen eggs and bunnies in Churches or pastors speak about them. It's more like a folk tradition that the Church couldn't eradicate than a conscious appropriation by the Christian church.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

So y'all knew I could not get through Easter without putting it up. What are all the similarities about Easter and the Pagan Holiday? Where did we get our Petercotton tale and Easter egg celebrations and why do Christians celebrate it?

So, this is just one person's opinion, and you have to ignore the 'atheists are smug' trope, but it's not a bad read for all that.

www.bellejar.ca/2013/03/28/easter-is-not-named-after-ishtar-and-other-truths-i-have-to-tell-you/amp/