Can religious holidays...

[cardaway]

Speaking of chocolate and Jesus, I am surprised no one has posted this yet!

http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3006309&GMA=true

I have seen smaller version of Jesus on the cross, or just the cross, done in handy ready to eat sizes. I have to wonder what they were thinking. No doubt kids will do the same things kids do with bunnies - fight over who gets the head and so on.

 

[Ariel Mae]

Oh please.

Research religions that come before Christianity. (And don't tell me Christianity came first. It did not. The term and umbrella of 'paganism' existed long before Christianity. 'Pagans' are those who brought forth Yule, Ostara, Samhain...quite ironically similar to the Christian holidays of Christmas, Halloween, and Easter.

What? It's true. You think Christians were the first ones to think up the resurrection thing? There is very little that's "orginal" about any religion, they all borrow and steal from eachother's doctrines. I'm sorry if you find it offensive.

It's true. Christianity 'stole' (for lack of a better word) from 'Pagans' (for lack of a better word), including Egyptians and Celtic Druids.

Next thing you will say is the Ten Commandments are not original either.

It's actually quite similar to the Witches Crede/Rede, which dates back to Celtic times, which predates even Christianity. Ironic, huh?

 

[N&B'smom]

What? It's true. You think Christians were the first ones to think up the resurrection thing? There is very little that's "orginal" about any religion, they all borrow and steal from eachother's doctrines. I'm sorry if you find it offensive.

'think up the resurrection thing'?? Umm...okay....

Back to the point of this thread -

As a Christian I don't find that the Easter bunny or Santa take anything away from the true meaning of those holidays. My children have been taught what the truth is but that doesn't mean they can't have fun believing in the Easter Bunny or Santa. It just adds a little bit of a kid factor to the holiday and that's okay with me.

Shelby

 

[beattyfamily]

Yes, religious holidays can be fun!

We are quite devout yet we enjoy both the fun and religious aspects of various holidays. My girls absolutely know what the real meaning of Christmas and Easter are but we still enjoy the fun traditions attached to it.

Thought I'd share this I got in the mail. Put a smile on my face and my girls cracked up!

 

[sugarpie]

I have seen smaller version of Jesus on the cross, or just the cross, done in handy ready to eat sizes. I have to wonder what they were thinking. No doubt kids will do the same things kids do with bunnies - fight over who gets the head and so on.

Ewwww. I understand the need to bring religion back into the Easter picture, but there's something not right about eating a chocolate Jesus. I'm sticking to bunnies.

 

[KristinBelle]

Yes, religious holidays can be fun!

We are quite devout yet we enjoy both the fun and religious aspects of various holidays. My girls absolutely know what the real meaning of Christmas and Easter are but we still enjoy the fun traditions attached to it.

Thought I'd share this I got in the mail. Put a smile on my face and my girls cracked up!

 

[beattyfamily]

Research religions that come before Christianity. (And don't tell me Christianity came first. It did not. The term and umbrella of 'paganism' existed long before Christianity. 'Pagans' are those who brought forth Yule, Ostara, Samhain...quite ironically similar to the Christian holidays of Christmas, Halloween, and Easter.

It's true. Christianity 'stole' (for lack of a better word) from 'Pagans' (for lack of a better word), including Egyptians and Celtic Druids.

It's actually quite similar to the Witches Crede/Rede, which dates back to Celtic times, which predates even Christianity. Ironic, huh?

Thanks, but I don't need to research as I know the history of Christianity and my Church. We 'stole' or better yet, incorporated, some pagan traditions over 1500 years ago, people need to get over it. I found the 'resurrection thing' comment by that poster, though, to be quite offensive.

 

[goofygirl]

Don't we already eat the "body of Christ" at communion?

If only communion wafers tasted like chocolate!

 

[Ariel Mae]

Thanks, but I don't need to research as I know the history of Christianity and my Church. We 'stole' or better yet, incorporated, some pagan traditions over 1500 years ago, people need to get over it. I found the 'resurrection thing' comment be that poster to be quite offensive.

I didn't mean to sound offensive in my 'research' wording. I didn't put it off as I said it in my mind. My apologies.

As I said, stole was for lack of a better word. Incorporated, as you put it, serves best.

As a Pagan, I take offense, as you did to the 'ressurection thing' to 'people need to get over it'. Our religion was tainted, labeled heathenry, because of the incorporation and converting that was going on. Said incorporation labeled us Satanists, Devil Worshippers, and Witches, which we are not, nor where not.

What gave Christians the right to incorporate, or infringe, on other religions, as they did? We were living quite peacefully until said time...

How is it the 'ressurection thing' offends you? (Serious question).

 

[sugarpie]

Don't we already eat the "body of Christ" at communion?

If only communion wafers tasted like chocolate!

Yes, they should coat communion wafers with chocolate. Taking communion kinda skeeves me out anyway - the body and blood of Christ are not something I like to think about eating. I used to gag taking communion when I was younger.

But there's just something about gnawing on Jesus, even if he is chocolate. I couldn't do it, but I'm sure my kids would have no problem.

 

[beattyfamily]

How is it the 'ressurection thing' offends you? (Serious question).

She said:

"The resurrection story was stolen "

then she said:

"You think Christians were the first ones to think up the resurrection thing?"

This 'ressurection thing' is the most important aspect of my religion and she is basically saying it was made up. That is offensive to me. Also, her tone is quite insulting calling it a 'resurrection thing'.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I have seen smaller version of Jesus on the cross, or just the cross, done in handy ready to eat sizes. I have to wonder what they were thinking. No doubt kids will do the same things kids do with bunnies - fight over who gets the head and so on.

When I was little I wouldn't even eat the bunnies! It made me feel bad to bite their ears off!! Hyper-sensitive, what can I tell you?

The chocolate Jesus was predictable. A few years back we had the crucifix dipped in urine. Ho hum...

yesterday's Times had an article about an archeologist who said that the parting of the Red Sea never happened. It hasn't gotten the play that the Jesus coffin did, but it's the same M.O. On the first day of Passover, an article comes out refuting a major tenet of the Jewish faith.

 

[Ariel Mae]

Okay, so, to prevent this topic from further straying...yes, religious holidays can be fun.

Just look at how Pagans celebrate their holidays. They incorporate faith and fun into the celebrations, worshipping the Goddess whilst having an appropriate amount of fun.

(BeattyFamily, I'm going to create a new thread on our topic. It's interesting, in my opinion.)

 

[meandtheguys2]

I am all for Santa Claus ... I think it is creates a special time for kids ... one that will not duplicated for the rest of their lives. But the Easter Bunny??? I just think there is something twisted there. I have always hated the idea of a big rabbit coming into my house on Easter Eve ... would he be mad that, at times, rabbit was served on a platter in our house?? I think Easter baskets are a lot of fun and would not take that away from kids, I just think someone could have come up with a better idea that an oversized rodent delivering them.

The easter bunny concept creeped my son out. Whether it was a giant rabbit (could have too much "Holy Grail"!), or looked like the costumed guys in the mall.

beattyfamily...love the pic!

 

[iloveboardwalk]

Resurrection thing? Yes, I do find very offensive especially right before Easter.

I'm sorry you find it offensive. Christianity took most of it's major tenants and holidays and what not from other religions.

 

[iloveboardwalk]

Thanks, but I don't need to research as I know the history of Christianity and my Church. We 'stole' or better yet, incorporated, some pagan traditions over 1500 years ago, people need to get over it. I found the 'resurrection thing' comment by that poster, though, to be quite offensive.

I'm sorry the ENTIRE premis of Christianity is about how Jesus died on a cross for your sins and then rose from the dead. That's the "good news" as Christians say, that should be spread, belief in that process is what gets you into heaven, there is no other way to salvation, according to most Christians. So, yeah, the fact that Christianity "incorporated" it from other sources is sort of important.

You were offended before I even said "resurrection thing" You were offended on my first post on that particular topic spare me the false outrage. You were offended that I brought it up, not because of the phrase I used in the second post on the issue.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm sorry the ENTIRE premis of Christianity is about how Jesus died on a cross for your sins and then rose from the dead. That's the "good news" as Christians say, that should be spread, belief in that process is what gets you into heaven, there is no other way to salvation, according to most Christians. So, yeah, the fact that Christianity "incorporated" it from other sources is sort of important.

You were offended before I even said "resurrection thing" You were offended on my first post on that particular topic spare me the false outrage. You were offended that I brought it up, not because of the phrase I used in the second post on the issue.

Not worth my time to debate you on your opinion on my religion's resurrection. I see absolutely no point.

But just to clarify, you are correct, I was offended before the 'resurrection thing' comment. I was initially offended by your similar comment in your original post; "The resurrection story was stolen ". Thought I made that clear, guess not.

There's no false outrage, I was offended by both comments and if you wish to be spared, then don't read my posts.

Hopefully now this thread can get back on topic.

 

[iloveboardwalk]

Not worth my time to debate you on your opinion on my religion's resurrection. I see absolutely no point.

But just to clarify, you are correct, I was offended before the 'resurrection thing' comment. I was initially offended by your similar comment in your original post; "The resurrection story was stolen ". Thought I made that clear, guess not.

There's no false outrage, I was offended by both comments and if you wish to be spared, then don't read my posts.

Hopefully now this thread can get back on topic.

Oh, I'm sorry, it wasn't stolen, it was incorporated. Either way, it's not an original concept which was my ON TOPIC point in my first post. I see no issue with celebrating the bunny since the holiday is a hodge podge of customs from a few religions, not just about Jesus and his resurrection.

 

[Galahad]

the holiday is a hodge podge of customs from a few religions, not just about Jesus and his resurrection.

A fact that bears no relevance to the modern practice of any religion - nor a fact that logically negates the beliefs or practice of any religion. An interesting "tidbit" at best.

To the OP - I think churches struggle a lot with Easter. It is the central holiday of the religion (not Christmas). But the concepts around it are really not simple when given their fair amount of thought. So how do you deal with that with kids or the seekers and others?

 

[iloveboardwalk]

A fact that bears no relevance to the modern practice of any religion - nor a fact that logically negates the beliefs or practice of any religion. An interesting "tidbit" at best.

I guess that depends on the person, personally, if my religion was heavily dependant on a "fact" that was taken from another religion, it might give me pause. YMMV.

But the TOPIC was about the "fun" in holidays vs. the religious aspects of holidays. My ON TOPIC response was that it doesn't matter since the bunny stuff isn't even about christianity, it's part of pagan tradition, one can do the "fun" stuff or not and it has nothing to do with Jesus.