Easter: It's all about Life, mate, Life!

Easter is a time for renewal, the end of a sad existence in the winter months and the anticipation of a new, happy existence in the warm, bright sun of the summer. It is not a festival to remember the dead, but to look forward to new life. Cute little bunnies, gambolling lambs and yellow chicks are the order of the day for those of us with a pagan heritage. Christianity, on the other hand, has tainted (I want to say screwed) the festival with forty days of miserable abstinence and temptation, a day of humiliation on an ass, four days of treachery, goodbyes, fear, trepidation, injustice and whippings for some reason described as Jesus' passion as if he's enjoying it all, a day of horror and agony on the cross, earthquakes, darkness, two days of contemplating death and finally it gives us brief optimism in the resurrection but leaves us hanging painfully because Christ doesn't really do anything after that apart from show his wounds, ask for something to eat and piss off on a cloud. 2000 years later and we're still waiting for Christ's spiritual summer to start, only we're promised it will come with doomsday. Great. The Easter story falls flatter than the pancakes we eat at the beginning of this tragedy. Roasts and Chocolate are the only relief and you can have them any time. They are also not good for you in large quantities. Still, at least in the UK we get two Bank Holidays. But then the weather is always crap and the clocks change so you lose an hour in bed and have to deal with mild jet-lag. It's a blessing to go back to work on the Tuesday and some semblance of normality with the bright prospect of the two holidays in May to look forward to. Only 60 sleeps until then.

We should be inspired by the start of Spring. Lent should be a time to start returning what's been borrowed. Seeds are returned to the land. Animals start the life creation process to replace those that have passed. Why don't we turn Easter into a time of thanking those who have helped us spiritually and financially, those who have lent us kindness and generosity through our winters. Return what you've borrowed and start afresh on your own two feet. And then at Easter, after you've completed all that, treat yourself for making those who have been there good about themselves, making you feel good at the same time. Celebrate all the life threads intertwining with yours through Lent and look forward to a positive future, not mull over some macabre event without a definitive conclusion that happened before any of us were born.

In essence, resurrect others and then yourself. That's what Jesus did: he helped and raised those who were spiritually spent before the ending of his current existence (and therein lies the true passion), and then he sorted himself out by drawing a line in the earth and starting afresh where the sky is the limit. Admittedly that can be challenging, but Jesus is a worst case scenario. That's all. Thank your lucky stars.

That's how the story of Jesus should be interpreted and that is how it should compliment the original pagan Easter festival. Misery and death aren't a part of the arrival of Spring in nature, so why even think about it? Life, mate, life!

a reply to: Koban

Excellent Easter OP!

Yah, they sure do have it backwards, don't they? They have the birth of "life" happening in the dead of winter and "death" happening at the opening of spring.

a reply to: Koban
That's why it comes to a climax in the story of the Resurrection.
Incidentally, the word "passion" means "suffering". It comes from the same root as "passive". It is what someone experiences.

a reply to: Koban
Godless heathen! To the inquisitor with ye!

sorry to burst your bubbles but easter has nothing to do with jesus at all...it predates him by thousands of years s a rite of fertility and a rite of spring celebrated by pagans for a milllenia prior to christianity. was folded into christianity to foster converts. look it up in any encyclopedia.

a reply to: Koban

Cathoilicism is not Chrsitianity.

Lent is not Biblical, Easter is a pagan holiday.

the resurrection of Christ was proof to the Jews he was the son of God, their promised King after the line of David and their Messiah under the Kingdom Gospel. That was rejected in full by Act 7.

The Ressurection of Chrsit was for all the pure without spot and blemish sacrifice for the forgiveness of Sins. It was God's only way to save man from his sin nature. No works iinvolved faith alone through Chrsits work of the cross under the Gospel of the Grace of God which was given to Paul in Acts 9. The book is called the Axtsof the Apostles of whihc Paul was one.

we celebrate New Life each and everyday and no need to folllow superstitious holidays and useless fastings and lamentings.

O Ye of little faith. We need not Christ to appear to beleive on his works. We walk by faith not by sight.

Chrsit is surely alive!!!

Sorry, deleted post.

Happy Easter everyone, whyever you celebrate it.

a reply to: ChesterJohn


The Lord's death and resurrection are a fulfillment of the Passover.
10 Nisan - Present Passover Lambs for Inspection - Jesus presents Himself to the Priest for Inspection on Palm Sunday
11-13 Nisan - Inspection of the Lambs - Jesus inspected and questioned at the Temple
14 Nisan - Passover Lambs Killed - Jesus Crucified
17 Nisan - Feast of Firstfruits - Jesus was Resurrected as the Firstfruits of the Great Harvest of Jews and Gentiles

I could have sworn that Easter was about candy. Lots of candy.

Easter dinner doesn't need to be too big a feast since everyone has gorged themselves on Candy.

originally posted by: ChesterJohn
a reply to: Koban

Cathoilicism is not Chrsitianity.

Lent is not Biblical, Easter is a pagan holiday.

the resurrection of Christ was proof to the Jews he was the son of God, their promised King after the line of David and their Messiah under the Kingdom Gospel. That was rejected in full by Act 7.

The Ressurection of Chrsit was for all the pure without spot and blemish sacrifice for the forgiveness of Sins. It was God's only way to save man from his sin nature. No works iinvolved faith alone through Chrsits work of the cross under the Gospel of the Grace of God which was given to Paul in Acts 9. The book is called the Axtsof the Apostles of whihc Paul was one.

we celebrate New Life each and everyday and no need to folllow superstitious holidays and useless fastings and lamentings.

O Ye of little faith. We need not Christ to appear to beleive on his works. We walk by faith not by sight.

Chrsit is surely alive!!!

Catholicism is not Christianity? What is it then?

Lent is the remembrance of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness so it is Biblical.

Jesus knew he would resurrect so where is the sacrifice?

Walk by faith not by sight, yet we say 'seeing is believing'?

If you read my post properly you would see that I was actually dismissing fasting and lamenting as a waste of time and not in the spirit of the meaning of the six week run up to the death and resurrection which only get a couple of pages in the Bible compared to the description of the life of Jesus.

Nobody, not even the most devout Christian celebrates new life everyday. Life in a day is for insects, not us. And there is nothing in Christianity that celebrates the good things that people do for each other and repaying that kindness. It's all "Do this or burn". It never says, "Well done for doing x...". It doesn't teach manners, it only teaches manna and that comes from God, not a fellow human being. None of the benefactors of Jesus' miracles ever say "Thank you, let me return the favour"...

You're winding me up,aren't you?

originally posted by: Klassified
a reply to: Koban
Godless heathen! To the inquisitor with ye!

Yep, a typical Christian response. I don't need the Christian god. I have the Creator, the Big Fella by my side.

originally posted by: Koban

originally posted by: Klassified
a reply to: Koban
Godless heathen! To the inquisitor with ye!

Yep, a typical Christian response. I don't need the Christian god. I have the Creator, the Big Fella by my side.

You're new here, so I'm going to overlook that. When you see certain emoticons after a comment, like these...
...among others, it's a good idea to pay attention and see if the poster is being sarcastic, tongue in cheek, etc.

Welcome to ATS.

A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act. Mahatma Gandhi

We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining - they just shine. Dwight L. Moody

All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!
Lucy Van Pelt, "Peanuts"

Happy Easter ATS

a reply to: Koban

You are uninformed and mixed up about Catholicism. It is a conglomerate of different practices of other religions and pagan beliefs cloaked with the Bible. The priesthood was for Israel of which Rome has stole. Jesus wasn't in the wilderness 40 days before he was crucified. It is all just a bunch of nonsense created by men to control people and get their money. Ever wonder why you have to pay for a mass to be done.

"Do this or burn" man I am sure glad I don't live like that.

We a Christians we give of our clothing, food and pray for healing not for favours of men or God. We never expect anything back for the sacrifices we make to our fellow humans and to the body of Christ. We know that when we do these things we glorify Christ.

a reply to: ChesterJohn

You are uninformed and mixed up about Catholicism. It is a conglomerate of different practices of other religions and pagan beliefs cloaked with the Bible

That is a falsehood started by Alexandor Hislop in the 1800's that still lingers to this do. It's 100% false.

The priesthood was for Israel of which Rome has stole.

One, the word you want is "stolen." Two, that's yet another falsehood. The ministerial priesthood is 100% biblical.

The sacrament of holy orders is conferred in three ranks of clergy: bishops, priests, and deacons.

Bishops (episcopoi) have the care of multiple congregations and appoint, ordain, and discipline priests and deacons. They sometimes appear to be called "evangelists" in the New Testament. Examples of first-century bishops include Timothy and Titus (1 Tim. 5:19–22; 2 Tim. 4:5; Titus 1:5).

Priests (presbuteroi) are also known as "presbyters" or "elders." In fact, the English term "priest" is simply a contraction of the Greek word presbuteros. They have the responsibility of teaching, governing, and providing the sacraments in a given congregation (1 Tim. 5:17; Jas. 5:14–15).

Deacons (diakonoi) are the assistants of the bishops and are responsible for teaching and administering certain Church tasks, such as the distribution of food (Acts 6:1–6).

In the apostolic age, the terms for these offices were still somewhat fluid. Sometimes a term would be used in a technical sense as the title for an office, sometimes not. This non-technical use of the terms even exists today, as when the term is used in many churches (both Protestant and Catholic) to refer to either ordained ministers (as in “My minister visited him”) or non-ordained individuals. (In a Protestant church one might hear “He is a worship minister,” while in a Catholic church one might hear “He is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.”)

You can read up some more on it here.

Jesus wasn't in the wilderness 40 days before he was crucified.

So, Matthew 4:2 is wrong?

It is all just a bunch of nonsense created by men to control people and get their money. Ever wonder why you have to pay for a mass to be done.

Has it been abused in the past? Absolutely. The folks in those priestly offices I've mentioned a few lines up are people after all, and as individuals can make mistakes and even *gasp* sin. Now, as far as "to pay for mass to be done":

Why must Catholics pay money for a Mass that is offered up for deceased relatives and friends when the Bible states that the gift of God is not to be purchased with money? (Acts 8:20).

Catholics are not compelled to pay for Masses offered up for someone’s special intention. They are simply reminded that giving a “stipend” (usually $5) is the custom. Priests will oblige without a stipend being paid if the one making the request can ill afford it. Giving stipends for special intention Masses is the custom because it is only fitting and proper that there should be some token of appreciation for the special service rendered, especially in view of the fact that the average priest draws a very small salary. For many priests these stipends mean the difference between standard and sub-standard living conditions. And this custom definitely has scriptural approval. Wrote the Apostle Paul: “Who serveth as a soldier at any time, at his own charges? . . . Who feedeth the flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? . . . So also the Lord ordained that they who preach the gospel, should live by the gospel.” (I Cor. 9:7-14). Of course the gift of God is not to be purchased with money. But that does not imply that God’s ministers are free-serving slaves. Protestants will generally agree to this because within Protestantism it is likewise customary to give the minister who performs baptisms, marriages, etc. a token of appreciation in the form of money. Protestants do not call their gift of money a stipend, but that is exactly what it is.

Once again, it seems you're a might mistaken.

We a Christians we give of our clothing, food and pray for healing not for favours of men or God. We never expect anything back for the sacrifices we make to our fellow humans and to the body of Christ. We know that when we do these things we glorify Christ.

I can agree with you there. The only true statement you've made in that post.

Perhaps you'd reconsider whom is mixed about Catholic beliefs after all?

a reply to: IsidoreOfSeville

That is a falsehood started by Alexandor Hislop in the 1800's that still lingers to this do.

do = day. Brain was moving too fast for my keyboard.

originally posted by: CaDreamer
sorry to burst your bubbles but easter has nothing to do with jesus at all...it predates him by thousands of years s a rite of fertility and a rite of spring celebrated by pagans for a milllenia prior to christianity. was folded into christianity to foster converts. look it up in any encyclopedia.

The Tower of Babel is what easter is all about. The great usurper used religion to sucker the dumbness of the religious minded.