Pagan Origins of Easter

[Draka]

What does the bible say about pagans and people who practice pagan tradition?

I copied ad pasted verses for people to read.

1 Corinthians 10:20
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

1 Corinthians 12:2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

1 Peter 4:3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.

I'm a Pagan. I don't make any sacrifices as my faith doesn't require that of me. I don't worship idols. I certainly don't live in "debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry" and I don't really personally know any other Pagan that does. In fact, most other Pagans I have met and known have been, on the whole, more honest, open, pleasant, and upstanding people than a lot of people from other religions. So how could incorporating some of our traditions really be that evil? I mean, come on, how harmful is it for children to have an egg hunt or get a basket of candy as a treat?

 

[Colabomb]

God does not look at the form but the intent. I do not worship pagan goddesses, i worship and celebrate my Savior.

 

[Colabomb]

I'm a Pagan. I don't make any sacrifices as my faith doesn't require that of me. I don't worship idols. I certainly don't live in "debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry" and I don't really personally know any other Pagan that does. In fact, most other Pagans I have met and known have been, on the whole, more honest, open, pleasant, and upstanding people than a lot of people from other religions. So how could incorporating some of our traditions really be that evil? I mean, come on, how harmful is it for children to have an egg hunt or get a basket of candy as a treat?

To be fair, what is called paganism today is in many ways different than paganism in the days our Scriptures were wrtten.

And concerning easter eggs etc, God looks at the Heart. I celebrate easter in a more catholic Christian sense, but i see no wrong in eggs etc, if the heart is focused on Christ.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

God does not look at the form but the intent. I do not worship pagan goddesses, i worship and celebrate my Savior.

Well, we'll see about that now won't we.:foot:

 

[turk179]

What does the bible say about pagans and people who practice pagan tradition?

I copied ad pasted verses for people to read.

1 Corinthians 10:20
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

1 Corinthians 12:2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

1 Peter 4:3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.

Excuse me bigd but i need to write down a few things. Now I will read from the passages I just wrote.

Hey bigd! You need to leave the pagans alone. If it wasn't for them, you wouldn't even have a bible.

Now all I did was read, sir. Please take note of that.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

If it wasn't for them, you wouldn't even have a bible.

That's a good one! :biglaugh:

 

[logician]

The Christian religion had its origin in the pagan mysteries religion.

 

[ChristineES]

The most true statement I heard is that "only God can see into a man's (or woman's) heart" (not an exact quote but...).

 

[gnostic]

The origin of Easter is an English (Anglo-Saxon) word. The Christian Easter celebration was originally pascha in Greek and in Latin, as Midnight Blue has already pointed out.

The egg and rabbit are pagan traditions for celebrating Spring (for those living in northern hemisphere anyway) on the equinox is indisputable. It is a renewal of the season.

I don't think the mixing of the two traditions harmful in anyway....except perhaps to the diabetes sufferers. Of the two, Christian celebration is far too solemn for children.

The pagan easter has nothing to do with orgies and debauchery. And it has nothing to do with getting drunk too.

I don't think Peter nor Paul know much about pagan religions, if they seriously think that what ALL pagan religions are about.

 

[Captain Civic]

I always took it that when Paul said pagans he meant differently from the pagans that exist today.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

I always took it that when Paul said pagans he meant differently from the pagans that exist today.

Christianity was a city religion. Pagans = people who live in the countryside with their uncivilized religion.

 

[Smoke]

I don't think Peter nor Paul know much about pagan religions, if they seriously think that what ALL pagan religions are about.

Actually, the NT uses the word ethnoi, or nations (Gentiles). "Pagans" isn't a very good translation unless one is simple-minded enough to think that everyone who isn't a Jew or Christian is a pagan.

The cited remarks about Gentiles are bigoted remarks on a par with Paul's remark about Cretans.

 

[Father Heathen]

"Pagans" isn't a very good translation unless one is simple-minded enough to think that everyone who isn't a Jew or Christian is a pagan.

Some indeed do. I've even been called a "pagan" on more than one occasion. In many of their minds it is either "Worship Jesus" or "Worship Satan". There is no "Other" or "None of the above".

 

[FFH]

Some indeed do. I've even been called a "pagan" on more than one occasion. In many of their minds it is either "Worship Jesus" or "Worship Satan". There is no "Other" or "None of the above".

Great point, we all need to remember that, there's such a wide spectrum.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Actually, the NT uses the word ethnoi, or nations (Gentiles). "Pagans" isn't a very good translation unless one is simple-minded enough to think that everyone who isn't a Jew or Christian is a pagan.

The cited remarks about Gentiles are bigoted remarks on a par with Paul's remark about Cretans.

It's fine as long as there is a dynamic equivalence in what we mean by "pagan" and what the NT meant by "ethnoi." "Ethnoi" is used to refer to Christians in Rom 16.4; Gal 2.12; and Eph 3.1.

ESV Romans 16:4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.

ESV Galatians 2:12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.​

ESV Ephesians 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles-

 

[Kcnorwood]

Christianity was a city religion. Pagans = people who live in the countryside with their uncivilized religion.

Um so Pagans were dumb & christians were not.... intresting...

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Um so Pagans were dumb & christians were not.... intresting...

.....

 

[Colabomb]

honestly, people are looking over the facts.

Paganism today, does not at all resemble paganism of the past. Paganism of the past involved sacrifice to gods (animal or human depending on the religion), religious orgies (experiencing the divine through sex), drug use (in some cases but not all), and many of the things paul mentioned.

Earth based paganism was almost unknown in Paul's time. While I would say that modern day paganism is still sinful (with all due respect to my pagan friends, this is what my faith teaches however), I will definitely say it is much different and less extreme than it was in paul's day.

 

[gnostic]

Paganism of the past involved sacrifice to gods (animal or human depending on the religion)

So did the ancient Israelites.

religious orgies (experiencing the divine through sex)

There are some instances of orgies, but not many. What I find is unnatural is to Abrahamic religion abhor to sex. It is the most natural thing in the world, but Abrahamic religions are unnatural aberration.

And what do Paul knows anyway about ancient paganism? It would seemed he know superficially as you do.

What I dislike most about Christians and their doctrines, even today, is that they immediately attribute any other religions to devil worship, which is nothing more than the same old propaganda that they used to burn witches and heretics. Thereby showing their ignorance and hate-mongering.

 

[Colabomb]

So did the ancient Israelites.

True, i didn't say that animal sacrifice is necessarily wrong. I simply contrasted it to the earth based paganism of today.

There are some instances of orgies, but not many. What I find is unnatural is to Abrahamic religion abhor to sex. It is the most natural thing in the world, but Abrahamic religions are unnatural aberration.

Actually i have no abhorrance of sex at all. I quite look forward to it I plan to express my sexuality quite vigorously and actively with my wife. We simply have certain beliefs about sexuality, such as containing it in marriage, that some find restrictive.

But all religions have some sexual morality, for most religions it prohibits rape and incest, for most theistic religions there is usually a wedlock restriction.

Just because some puritans take it too far and see even marrital, blessed and holy sex as disgusting, doesn't mean my faith as a whole is sexually repressed.

And what do Paul knows anyway about ancient paganism? It would seemed he know superficially as you do.

I admit I am not an expert of ancient paganism, although i do believe myself to be somewhat knowledgable.

However, Paul grew up in a world where his homeland and the entire surrouding region was occupied by a pagan nation. You would imagine that he saw paganism occasionally in his many travels across the ancient world.

Anyway you are getting to defensive. I actually commented that modern day paganism is much better than its predecessors. Modern Day pagans, for the most part, truly are kind peaceloving people.

What I dislike most about Christians and their doctrines, even today, is that they immediately attribute any other religions to devil worship, which is nothing more than the same old propaganda that they used to burn witches and heretics. Thereby showing their ignorance and hate-mongering.

Blindly accusing my people of hatemongering is quite intolerant honestly. I believe that Christ is the True and only Path to salvation. Others disagree with me. We peacefully coexist.

My God tells me to love all men, regardless of their faith.

You barely know me, why the harsh treatment?