Is Easter 'pagan'?

[historia]

In an earlier thread back in December I asked whether Christmas was 'pagan'. And while participants in that thread supplied a few references to non-experts repeating 19th Century speculation that Christmas celebrations are based in pagan practices, no one provided any historical evidence or contemporary scholarship to substantiate those claims.

With Lent nearly upon us, let me ask the same question about Easter:

Questions for debate:

(1) Is Easter 'pagan'?

(2) Should Christians celebrate Easter?

[Perspectivo]

I'm assuming people will be talking about Ishtar\Eostre and Austra\East. Oh, and various cultures who had various reasons for using eggs in rituals.

I look forward to seeing people debate each other over this.

I never thought of cultic eggs or the goddess Eostre when I ate chocolate bunnies and picked up plastic eggs with jelly beans. All I thought of was chocolate bunnies and plastic eggs with jelly beans. Hmm, i guess those plastic eggs were cultic after all. Well, I didn't think of Eostre

[placebofactor]

I'm assuming people will be talking about Ishtar\Eostre and Austra\East. Oh, and various cultures who had various reasons for using eggs in rituals.

I look forward to seeing people debate each other over this.

I never thought of cultic eggs or the goddess Eostre when I ate chocolate bunnies and picked up plastic eggs with jelly beans. All I thought of was chocolate bunnies and plastic eggs with jelly beans. Hmm, i guess those plastic eggs were cultic after all. Well, I didn't think of Eostre

Originally it was a festival of the Christian church, observed in commemoration of our Savior's resurrection. It occurs on a Sunday, the third day after Good Friday. It answers to "pascha" or the Passover of the Hebrews. Also, there are those to this day who call it Pascha.

As for me, like you, it's about the kids, chocolate bunnies, jellybeans and decorated eggs. Never knew anyone in my 87 years that worshipped chocolate, jellybeans, eggs or the chicken itself.

[1213]

...
(1) Is Easter 'pagan'?

(2) Should Christians celebrate Easter?

1) If you have it like a pagan.
2) Not like a pagan.

I think for Christians it should be Passover, in the same way as Jews have it in the Bible. And then it is not pagan.

[historia]

I think for Christians it should be Passover, in the same way as Jews have it in the Bible. And then it is not pagan.

I'm not sure I understand what that means. Are you saying Christians should not celebrate Jesus' resurrection, but should instead observe Passover?

[1213]

I think for Christians it should be Passover, in the same way as Jews have it in the Bible. And then it is not pagan.

I'm not sure I understand what that means. Are you saying Christians should not celebrate Jesus' resurrection, but should instead observe Passover?

I think Passover, or more precisely the feast of unleavened bread is a good way to celebrate all good God has done. I think it includes also sending Jesus and resurrecting Jesus. I have understood that it originally was a feast because of God had released Jews. I think also Jesus was send to release people, from sin. That is why I think it is very fitting also for celebrating Jesus and his resurrection, and especially the message he declared.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Luke 4:18-19

However, I don't mean with this that you can't celebrate it in any other way. I just think it is the best way. And not only because of the idea of release, but also because it was the Passover and feast of unleavened bread when Jesus was crucified and resurrected.

[onewithhim]

[Replying to historia in post #1]

What does Christ have to do with eggs, chickies and rabbits? Nothing! Those are from pagan fertility rites of Spring. It is insulting to Jesus to associate his name with Easter egg hunts.

[onewithhim]

I think it is worth thinking about that Jesus didn't mention celebrating ANY event except his death. (Luke 22:19,20)

[historia]

What does Christ have to do with eggs, chickies and rabbits?

I'm glad you asked.

Eggs are connected to Lent. The liturgical season before Easter, Lent, involves 40 days of fasting. That is, of course, patterned after Jesus' 40 days of fasting (Matt 4:2). Traditionally, that fast included refraining from consuming dairy and meat. And so, in the Middle Ages, eating eggs on Easter became a traditional way to break the fast. That's why eggs are associated with Easter.

The hare -- in America it became a rabbit -- was a symbol for the Virgin Mary based on the widely-held notion in ancient and Medieval times that hares could reproduce without loss of virginity (see Wikipedia).

Those are from pagan fertility rites of Spring.

There is no evidence whatsoever to support this idea.

As I pointed out in the earlier thread concerning Christmas, this idea that Medieval and early modern Christian traditions concerning Christmas and Easter somehow have "pagan" origins is nothing more than the unfounded speculation of 19th Century folklorists.

Modern-day scholars have repeatedly debunked this idea. See, for example, recent videos from Andrew Henry and Dan McClellan.

In repeating these outdated and discredited claims, you are spreading misinformation.

[onewithhim]

What does Christ have to do with eggs, chickies and rabbits?

I'm glad you asked.

Eggs are connected to Lent. The liturgical season before Easter, Lent, involves 40 days of fasting. That is, of course, patterned after Jesus' 40 days of fasting (Matt 4:2). Traditionally, that fast included refraining from consuming dairy and meat. And so, in the Middle Ages, eating eggs on Easter became a traditional way to break the fast. That's why eggs are associated with Easter.

The hare -- in America it became a rabbit -- was a symbol for the Virgin Mary based on the widely-held notion in ancient and Medieval times that hares could reproduce without loss of virginity (see Wikipedia).

Those are from pagan fertility rites of Spring.

There is no evidence whatsoever to support this idea.

As I pointed out in the earlier thread concerning Christmas, this idea that Medieval and early modern Christian traditions concerning Christmas and Easter somehow have "pagan" origins is nothing more than the unfounded speculation of 19th Century folklorists.

Modern-day scholars have repeatedly debunked this idea. See, for example, recent videos from Andrew Henry and Dan McClellan.

In repeating these outdated and discredited claims, you are spreading misinformation.

I am not spreading misinformation. Anyway, while you and people of your mind-set have your children going hunting for Easter eggs, give a thought to the idea that Jesus has nothing to do with Easter eggs and bunnies. It's very convenient for those that want to celebrate fertility rites to have the church saying that Easter aligns itself with Christian beliefs. It doesn't. It is quite obvious that it is blended in with the pagan rites of Spring. You described some of those in your post above, along with religious lies and superstitions. The belief that rabbits could reproduce without losing their virginity? Really?? How ridiculous it all is, and you think it's just fine to equate Mary with rabbits.

The evidence is right under your nose.

(And have you given any thought to the fact that "Easter" is named after a pagan goddess? Have you looked up information about the name of "Easter?" Look up "Easter and the rites of Spring." There's some interesting information there on that website concerning the goddess Eostre.)