is it just me or has everything like easter and xmas lost its religious meaning, it never really had one for me in the first place

Does anyone know the meaning of the Easter egg? Over here it's all about the Easter bunny and no one really cares about the true meaning of Easter. My mum used to go to church when she was younger and says the egg represents the tomb that Jesus was put in when he was taken down from the cross. The chocolate is a modern thing but the symbolism of the egg goes back centuries. I'd never heard this before. Anyone else know?

The egg and the rabbit were both symbols of procreation when easter was a pagan festival.

Since most of christianity's festivals are all based upon the exact same dates as pagan festivals (hence why the date of easter changes with the moon).

This was one of the way christianity has become so prevalent, by taking a previous religions festivals and warping them into their own.

Wilf

Originally posted by BrainThrust

This was one of the way christianity has become so prevalent, by taking a previous religions festivals and warping them into their own.

Wilf

Indeed. Nuff said.

Easter comes from Eastre, the goddess of light or spring. It is also the derivation of the word estrus which means:

The periodic state of sexual excitement in the female of most mammals, excluding humans, that immediately precedes ovulation and during which the female is most receptive to mating; heat.

Eggs and bunnies.

Article On easter from a pagan perspective (http://ayla.brinkster.net/Easter.asp)

Easter falls on the first sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox (21st March) hence it not being on a set day like Christmas.

Bunnies and Eggs are symbols of fertility and new life returning after the sleep of winter.

Moon Maiden

The Anglo-Saxon godess of spring, Eostre was frequently associated with a hare, not a rabbit.
This was a magical animal which was thought to lay eggs in the grass.
Could be the bunny came in because it was more cuddly(?)

No offense, but Hare, Rabbit... It's not like that many people can tell the difference between either species, they're both cute, have long ears and cute fluffy tails and go "what's up Doc?" a lot :lol:

Methinks I've been watching too much Bugs Bunny on Sky :blush:

Rich, with my name it'll be no surprise that I'm not all that "in" with all this t'internet business but I'd like to know how you get those smiley icons into the text of your mesages
(sorry for going off subject!)

I was watching Points of View on Easter Sunday and feeling a little puzzled over the number of Christians banging on about how there was no religious coverage of the Easter holiday on the tv...all I could say was "thank **** for that."

We're not bomarded with Islamic or Bhuddist programming at prime time when there happens to be a religious holiday observed by the practitioners of these religions going on.

In the modern day the idea that Chrisitianity is still relevant as a "national" religion seems a bit silly...like the folks who bemoan the loss of national service and corporal punishment in schools as responsible for the decline of western society...grow up, please!

erm...could anyone please tell me exactly where christianity has ceased to influence us in our day to day? Whilst it's aparent hold on society seems to have slackened off, it is still very much a part of our day to day lives and permiates the very essence of who we are.

Have to say tho I don't miss Robert Powell prancing around in a loin cloth come Easter Sunday.

What is wrong with national service and corporal punishment?? Ah I get it we now have points clubs and pop groups - somebody bring back the cane and save me from Atomic Kitten!

Moon

Originally posted by BrainThrust
This was one of the way christianity has become so prevalent, by taking a previous religions festivals and warping them into their own.
Christmas, maybe. But Easter is fixed depending on the date of Passover, so if the date has changed over the years then it is the fault of the Jews, not of the Christians.

Anyway, the date doesn't really matter, it's the symbolism that counts. I think the date of Easter should be fixed.

Originally posted by Sidla
so if the date has changed over the years then it is the fault of the Jews,

I'd rather not blame them, Mel Gibson does enough of that! :P

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Wilf

Originally posted by Moon Maiden
it is still very much a part of our day to day lives and permiates the very essence of who we are.


It's certainly not part of my day to day, week to week, or even year to year life. And my christianity guard (tm) is doing a good job of keeping me impermiable to it, my essence is safe.