A Pagan Religion, Pt. 2

We celebrate Easter with Pagan symbols. This seems wrong, yet it continues nearly two thousand years later. In the spirit of Christmas, Easter also falls on and attempts to cover up a Pagan holiday ritual. This time, it is the feast of Ester. Eostre, in Old English, is a Pagan goddess associated with the month of April. It is a known tradition of the 2nd Century Church to replace Pagan holidays for those of a Christian element. Much in the same way God planned all things to parallel Pagan beliefs, these practices were put forth in order to make it easier for Pagans to become Christian. Quite a noble attempt, but the original disciples were never witnessed celebrating any holiday of the kind.

I understand and accept these attempts to ease Pagans into Christianity as righteous and worthy acts, but I also feel that America has taken it too far. Easter has become synonymous with bunnies and eggs. These are symbols of Easter, symbols of fertility, and Eostre is as well. What we use as tools to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus were originally symbols of a very Pagan nature. It seems silly to continue this practice. And people wonder why the American church seems to have no power.

I have learned that certain Christian denominations celebrate an authentic Hebrew Passover, but with a more gospel-related message. Some don't even celebrate Easter at all. Kudos to them. The enemy uses every way and mean he can to seperate us from God, and if this silly secular-laden holiday has succumed to his wrath, I would rather have no part in it. I'm not saying Easter is a satanic holiday by any means, but considering what it is based upon, it does tread upon dangerous shores.

We as Christians must be careful what we allow ourselves to get into. Christian-covered Pagan traditions are one of them. Of course it is completely acceptable, completely religious, and in some cases necessary to celebrate Easter. Just be careful what you use to celebrate. Remember, the things of God belong to God and things that are not do not belong to Him. The symbols of Eostre certainly are not the things of God. Therefore, be careful how you celebrate the death and rebirth of the Savior.

I propose the church stops using the term Easter. There are too many non-Christian beliefs and traditions associated with this name. Rather, we shall call it what it really is: Resurrection Day. This is the secondary name used for this joyous holiday, some American churches and other countries use this name, I say we adopt it world- and church-wide. If you are reading this, suggest it to all your friends, family, and clergy. We must break Christianity free from the Pagan traditions if we want to be taken more seriously.

Don't be the lizard.