(03-26-2016, 07:41 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Well, being raised a Catholic Christian, Easter is the holiest day of the year.  Even though I haven't been a strong practitioner of my religion in years, I still give this holiday its just and due reverence, out of respect for all of those devout followers.

(03-26-2016, 07:58 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: Let me preface this by saying that I agree this is some crazy, illogical shit. I have my own reasons for having faith in it, and that is what faith is really all about: believing in crazy, illogical shit when you really can't prove it.

Easter is arguably the most important of holidays for Christendom. The entire premise of Christianity is that Jesus died for us, descended to the dead, rose on the third day, ascended into heaven, and through his sacrifice we receive the grace of God and are forgiven of our sins. So Easter, the day he rose, is of extreme importance. Now, I have just started being active in my faith again. I have never done all of the Lent and Holy Week things, but I enjoy Easter because of what it represents. Lunch or dinner with family after church. Its a good time. The chocolate is pretty awesome, too.

Also, celebrations of Eostre are a good time, too. Lots of drink, dancing, and sex.

Frohe Ostern Allen.

(03-26-2016, 08:25 PM)xxlt Wrote: This post may point to some of the reasons why Easter never seemed to have primacy to me. The Eostre symbols do seem to overwhelm the Christian ones more than with some other holidays that while Christian, nonetheless steal pagan imagery.

Arguably the most important, yes, but as you say it is faith and ultimately even the great Thomas Aquinas said his Summa Theologica was, "just straw." It is all spit balling.

I wonder if I had created a poll if I would have gotten more responses... How do you like your Easter rabbits, hollow or solid chocolate comes to mind...

(03-26-2016, 08:42 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: Eh, every holiday has traditions rooted in practices in existence long before the holiday was conceived in it's present form. At least when it comes to religion. Christmas and Easter, the two Christian biggies, are ripe with the stuff. In reality, it is smart, and it is why Christendom grew so large. So many things were done to make it easier for folks to be Christian and hold on to their old ways and in doing so they made it easier to convert. The common rabble often didn't care whether they were praying to Odin/Woden/Wotan or to Jesus, they were more superstitious than religious, and the festivals maintaining some similarities played an important role in maintaining that tradition.

Also, hollow.

(03-26-2016, 09:21 PM)bfine32 Wrote: So you started a thread about a holiday just to say you don't care about the holiday?


Makes sense.

(03-26-2016, 10:08 PM)xxlt Wrote: Spot on with the first part of your post, and while I am well aware of this truth, these are fighting words to many a god-fearin' Christian.

As for the second part, this is where we part ways and I denounce you as an infidel. Solid chocolate, all day.

(03-26-2016, 10:13 PM)xxlt Wrote: No, I started a thread about a holiday because I was genuinely curious about how other people felt about it, be they passionate or indifferent. I realize it is difficult for some people to appreciate, but I am curious about the world around me and the people who inhabit it. And, for those who are likewise curious, I shared some thoughts on this holiday as well as some others to give some context. I imagine this post makes no more sense to you, and if that is the case I am saddened that the nuances of it escape you. I expect more from adults, and pre-K children for that matter.

(03-27-2016, 12:19 AM)fredtoast Wrote: Why is Easter the only Christian holiday tied to the equinox and the phase of the moon instead of given a specific day to observe?

Like XXLT I am often surprised by Easter because I have no idea when it will arrive each year.

(03-26-2016, 07:58 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: Also, celebrations of Eostre are a good time, too. Lots of drink, dancing, and sex.

(03-26-2016, 05:03 PM)xxlt Wrote: So, my questions are - what is your religion and is Easter a big deal for you?

 As I already stated, Easter is not a big deal for me. I get kind of a kick out of the winter solstice but not the summer solstice, and the spring and fall equinoxes are not a big deal for me. The pagan elements of Easter and the Christian ones are just things that don't register much with me, for some reason.

I did accept the lunch invite to be with friends, but Easter is just the pretense for the lunch and I would be hanging with some of the same people on most Sundays whether there was a lunch or not.

Quote:My answers - I am an agnostic. I have friends who are believers (most, but not all, Christians) whom I respect and friends who are atheists whom I respect. Funny thing is it is the same thing that annoys me about both groups - but that is another topic for another thread.

(03-27-2016, 01:35 AM)Bengalzona Wrote: I suspect the great majority of Americans are actually agnostic, despite what they claim to be (Christian, atheist, etc.).

I appreciate anyone who is willing to stand up and say they are agnostic. IMO it is what most actually believe and practice anyway.

(03-26-2016, 11:18 PM)bfine32 Wrote: No you didn't. Your entire OP was to down play the significance of Easter .  Your "thoughts" were you don't care about the Holiday; yet will indulge your friends on the day.  If you want to profess why you truly started the thread; then just say so. I suppose you can expect other adults to believe it is because you are just curious. 

Keep you expectations high for those pre-K folk. 

(03-27-2016, 01:35 AM)Bengalzona Wrote: I'm Christian, but I'm not big on celebrating any holidays. I think part of the theology is that you are supposed to be celebrating them in your heart 24/7 everyday of the year. Most of the established Christian holidays are celebrations co-opted from pagan religions anyway just to recruit people to the church. I'll go to church tomorrow like I do every Sunday (the only difference is that I'll curse about not being able to find a parking space or a seat in the pews). Later we will have some friends over and have a nice big meal. It will be nice seeing the friends, but we probably won't spend a lot of time talking about Christ (my buddy is an agnostic).



I suspect the great majority of Americans are actually agnostic, despite what they claim to be (Christian, atheist, etc.).

I appreciate anyone who is willing to stand up and say they are agnostic. IMO it is what most actually believe and practice anyway.