Is Easter Pagan?

[Augustus]

Well, yes. That's how syncretism works, ultimately.

It is also how illusory connections are drawn.

It wouldn't matter what date it was or what ever symbolism was drawn, if you start with the assumption that the later thing must have been copied from somewhere there is always something you can find to confirm your prejudice.

There's no deliberate appropriation or theft going on here.

There is usually no evidence of 'borrowing' or influence either

 

[Augustus]

You nailed it,Eostre an Anglo Saxon goddess described by the venerable Bede as the goddess of spring in the 8th century.

But in basically every other language except English (and German which was borrowed from the English) it is some form of Pascha from pesach/passover.

The English etymology is completely irrelevant to the origins of the holy day as the origins predate the English word by centuries.

 

[Glaurung]

The English etymology is completely irrelevant to the origins of the holy day as the origins predate the English word by centuries.

Somewhat connected, I've seen people take the title of Jesus as 'Son of God' as 'proof' that Jesus began as a pagan solar deity.

I don't bother arguing with anyone who can't see the obvious problem with that claim.

 

[amorphous_constellation]

But in basically every other language except English (and German which was borrowed from the English) it is some form of Pascha from pesach/passover.

The English etymology is completely irrelevant to the origins of the holy day as the origins predate the English word by centuries.

Another example from the romance languages, I guess, is the difference between their name of Sunday, and ours. Why is that?

 

[England my lionheart]

But in basically every other language except English (and German which was borrowed from the English) it is some form of Pascha from pesach/passover.

The English etymology is completely irrelevant to the origins of the holy day as the origins predate the English word by centuries.

I don’t think it revolves around a holy day from Christianity,it goes back much further,probably to the beaker people,most pagan festivals happen either on an equinox or Soltice so it makes sense for Easter to be pagan as it’s the spring equinox.

 

[Rival]

Another example from the romance languages, I guess, is the difference between their name of Sunday, and ours. Why is that?

Sunday is called 'The Lord's Day' in English over and over again up to Victorian times. That's the same. The other Roman form was Dies Solis, literally 'sun day'.

 

[amorphous_constellation]

Sunday is called 'The Lord's Day' in English over and over again up to Victorian times. That's the same. The other Roman form was Dies Solis, literally 'sun day'.

And so, you mean that 'sunday,' the name we know, kicked in later? I will look it up later. Maybe I was thinking of saturday..

 

[Rival]

And so, you mean that 'sunday,' the name we know, kicked in later? I will look it up later. Maybe I was thinking of saturday..

No. 'The Lord's Day' is a Christian term.

 

[amorphous_constellation]

No. 'The Lord's Day' is a Christian term.

It is, but Dies Solis probably isn't, right?

 

[Rival]

It is, but Dies Solis probably isn't, right?

Right. I'm only saying that both cultures used both terms for this day.

 

[amorphous_constellation]

Right. I'm only saying that both cultures used both terms for this day.

Same with Saturday, or no? The romance cultures seemed to have renamed it for the Jewish sabbath, but we didn't, correct?

 

[Rival]

Same with Saturday, or no? The romance cultures seemed to have renamed it for the Jewish sabbath, but we didn't, correct?

Generally yes.

 

[Augustus]

most pagan festivals happen either on an equinox or Soltice so it makes sense for Easter to be pagan as it’s the spring equinox.

No they don't.

Some Pagan cultures have festivals on solstices, but they aren't as ubiquitous as is imagined.

The Roman winter solstice festival, for example, Brumalia was never particularly important.

Saturnalia, not a solstice festival, was the main winter celebration.

I don’t think it revolves around a holy day from Christianity,it goes back much further

It's derived from Passover with very explicit theological reasoning.

This is far more persuasive than any speculative assumption that it must have been stolen from the pagans just because it fits a preconceived assumption.

 

[England my lionheart]

No they don't.

Some Pagan cultures have festivals on solstices, but they aren't as ubiquitous as is imagined.

The Roman winter solstice festival, for example, Brumalia was never particularly important.

Saturnalia, not a solstice festival, was the main winter celebration.



It's derived from Passover with very explicit theological reasoning.

This is far more persuasive than any speculative assumption that it must have been stolen from the pagans just because it fits a preconceived assumption.

I disagree,the importance of equinox and solstice is clearly seen in monuments such as Stonehenge,it is also the beginning of the farming year so again this makes sense that a festival would happen just as it does at harvest time.

Easter certainly has it’s roots from paganism,I think the Christian’s back then just adopted it to get a foot in the door,as for Passover it doesn’t really make sense for it to be the root of Easter imo.

 

[metis]

There's something fishy here

Fish eggs?

 

[metis]

Why not celebrate Easter with crosses or something else related to Jesus.

We do. Maybe go to an Easter mass and see for yourself.

The largest church in the world would rather take the easy way and let people keep do the pagan things that were done long before Jesus lived.

False, as I explained previously.

Instead of getting rid of pagan traditions and making new ones that reflect the true meaning of the day.

You're just inventing nonsense on this. Again, maybe go to an Easter mass and see for yourself.

 

[Augustus]

I disagree,the importance of equinox and solstice is clearly seen in monuments such as Stonehenge,it is also the beginning of the farming year so again this makes sense that a festival would happen just as it does at harvest time.

Easter certainly has it’s roots from paganism,I think the Christian’s back then just adopted it to get a foot in the door,as for Passover it doesn’t really make sense for it to be the root of Easter imo.

Stonehenge, England had something to do with the solstice, therefore Easter, a Middle Eastern holy day with no connection to England, is certainly pagan is not a logical argument.

The passover link is from the Gospels so why does it not make sense?

 

[Augustus]

Eggs and rabbits were a heathen sign of fertilit

Rabbits are a 19th c American addition to Easter. They have nothing to do with ancient pagan traditions.

 

[England my lionheart]

Stonehenge, England had something to do with the solstice, therefore Easter, a Middle Eastern holy day with no connection to England, is certainly pagan is not a logical argument.

The passover link is from the Gospels so why does it not make sense?

the vernal equinox the beginning of spring was celebrated at Stonehenge it wasn’t just the summer solstice.

 

[England my lionheart]

the vernal equinox the beginning of spring was celebrated at Stonehenge it wasn’t just the summer solstice.

Just to add that Stonehenge was built long before the gospel,it’s 5000 years old.