Easter is a pagan holiday - whoever celebrates Easter is pagan and NOT Christian

Like I have said many times on this site, it is easy to spot a fake Christian or one who has been deceived.

Easter has NOTHING to do with the death and resurrection of Yeshua bar Yosef, also known as Jesus The Christ.

Easter is a pagan celebration. If you research this subject you will easily find sufficient information on the internet.

LINK

Above is a link for easy reading

Although most professing Christians believe Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, its roots can be traced to ancient civilizations that existed long before Jesus’ birth, let alone His death and resurrection. The ancient civilizations of Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, and Greece as well as that of Rome itself all embraced religious rites that greatly resemble the holiday we call Easter.

The term Easter does not come from the Bible, but rather from the name of an ancient goddess of spring. Consider the words of Compton’s Pictured Encyclopedia:

“The name Easter comes from the ancient Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring. Eostre or Ostara, in whose honor an annual spring festival was held. Some of our Easter customs have come from this and other pre-Christian spring festivals.” (Vol. 4, p. 140)

The famous historian Alexander Hislop clearly indicates that the term “Easter” is not Christian, but rather Chaldean in origin:

“It is not a Christian name. It bears its Chaldean origin on its very forehead. Easter is nothing else than Astarte, one of the titles of Beltis, the queen of heaven, whose name, as pronounced by the people of Nineveh, was evidently identical with that now in common use in this country. That name, as found by Layard on the Assyrian monuments, is Ishtar.” (The Two Babylons, Hislop, p.103)

The connection between Easter and the celebration of the goddess of spring is undeniable. Other highly credible reference works acknowledge that the roots of Easter are deeply woven into the pagan world. Consider the words of Funk and Wagnalls Standard Reference Encyclopedia:

“Easter embodies traditions of an ancient time antedating the rise of Christianity. The origin of its name is lost in the dim past; some scholars believe it probably is derived from Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon name of a Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility.” (Vol. 8, p. 2940)

Tragically, despite having its roots in paganism, Easter was a festival later professing Christian leaders came to embrace as their own. According to Grolier’s Encyclopedia, the leaders of the church became more than willing to adopt ancient pagan customs into their worship.

The name of this holiday and the time it is celebrated have led people to believe that an earlier holiday existed on this day before the Christian observance. For many ancient nations joyously celebrated the end of winter and the resurrection of the sun at this season of the year; and some devoted this festival to Eostre, Germanic goddess of spring. The church fathers turned this heathen holiday into the Christian celebration of the resurrection. (1966, Vol. 17)

Many believe that these “church fathers” embraced the symbols of Easter for strategic reasons. In essence, these religious leaders believed the only way they could persuade the pagan world to accept Christianity was by adopting many of the rituals these new “converts” held dear. Consider the words of Reader’s Digest:

“By a stroke of tactical genius, the church, while intolerant of pagan beliefs, was able to harness the powerful emotions generated by pagan worship. Often, churches were sited where temples had stood before, and many heathen festivals were added to the Christians calendar. Easter, for instance, a time of sacrifice and rebirth in the Christian year, takes its name from the Norse goddess Eostre, in whose honour rites where held every spring. She in turn was simply a northern version of the Phoenician earth-mother Astarte, goddess of fertility.” (The Last Two Million Years by the Reader’s Digest Association, 1981, p. 215)

In essence, Christianity has proclaimed as “holy” that which the Bible declares “profane.” God once issued a scathing indictment against the priests of Israel because they did the very same thing. Consider the words of the prophet Ezekiel:

“Her priests have violated My law, and have profaned Mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. (Ezek. 22:26)

These words should stand as a powerful reminder that God takes very seriously the way in which He is worshiped. When man takes upon himself the right to determine how he will honor God, he assumes a right that he does not have. God alone will determine what honors or dishonors Him.

Throughout the Bible, God specifically outlines the terms and conditions of His worship. Still, man believes that he has a better way and as a result, has created symbols that define a faith that is abhorrent to God and is condemned in the scriptures.

Easter is blasphemous - a great sin.

Today, Easter is regarded as the chief of Christian holidays. However, it is anything but Christian. Many ancient civilizations celebrated festivals centering around the death and resurrection of a man-god. In Assyria, it was Semeramis and Ninus. In Babylon, it was Ishtar and Tammuz. In Syria, it was Astarte and Baal. In Greece, it was Aphrodite and Adonis.

The Interpreter’s Dictionary provides some very interesting insight concerning how ancient civilizations embraced a belief strangely familiar to that of Easter:

“The oldest common feature of the religions of the ancient Near East was the worship of a great mother goddess, the personification of fertility. Associated with her, usually as a consort, was a young god who died and came to life again, like the vegetation which quickly withers but blooms again… His absence produced infertility of the earth, of man, and of beast. His consort mourned and searched for him. His return brought renewed fertility and rejoicing. In Mesopotamia, the divine couple appear as Ishtar and Tammuz, in Egypt, as Isis and Osiris.” (Vol. 2, p. 265)


Consider the Easter story as it originated in Egypt. According to tradition, the goddess Isis was married to her brother Osiris. Osiris was killed and pieces of his body were scattered over the land of Egypt. When Isis received word of the death of her brother-husband, she set out on a journey to retrieve the pieces. Once she found them, Isis began casting spells in an attempt to bring Osiris back to life. According to the legend, she partly succeeded and appealed for one last night with Osiris. During that evening, she conceived a son named Horus; however, Osiris departed to take his place in the heavens along with his father, Ra, the sun god.

Tradition holds that Osiris was raised from the dead and ascended to heaven during the time of the vernal (spring) equinox. It was at this time that the death and resurrection of pagan gods were claimed to have taken place.

This is only one of several legends concerning the resurrection of a man who had joined the ranks of the gods but it stands as a model which has been used throughout the Christian world. Tragically, such Pagan myths cloud the truly miraculous story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, especially when their symbols and customs are promoted by professing Christian ministers and their churches.

The symbols and customs of Easter convey powerful images of this holiday. Consider the Easter egg, bunnies, hot cross buns and sunrise services, just to name a few. These symbols stand as a constant reminder of the Easter season.

Throughout history, religions have used symbols and traditions as a means by which to perpetuate their beliefs. Symbols are designed to add both meaning and appeal to seasons and events. The symbols associated with Easter have great appeal to this holiday’s celebrants.

However, after careful examination of these symbols and traditions, a much different picture emerges. As unbelievable as it may seem, these symbols can be traced to the pagan world and were used extensively in the worship of false gods. Consider the words of Compton’s Encyclopedia:

“Many Easter customs come from the Old World… colored eggs and rabbits have come from pagan antiquity as symbols of new life… Our name “Easter” comes from Eostre, an ancient Anglo-Saxon goddess, originally of the dawn.” (Vol. 4)

The symbols of Easter, as appealing as they may be, have nothing to do with the resurrection of Jesus Christ but rather find their roots in religions that reject the God of the Bible. Consider the following symbols associated with the celebration of Easter.

One of the most prominent symbols associated with Easter is the egg. Every year, unsuspecting children are taught to decorate this symbol with bright colors and designs. Sometimes, the eggs are hidden and everyone is encouraged to seek out these “treasures” and place them in baskets. Even the White House hosts an annual Easter egg hunt. But from where did this custom originate? And what does it have to do with the resurrection of Jesus Christ? It is important to understand that Easter eggs have absolutely nothing to do with biblical Christianity but rather trace their origin to the pagan world. This fact is confirmed by the Encyclopedia Britannica:

“..at Easter, popular customs reflect many ancient pagan survivals connected with spring fertility rites, such as the symbols of the Easter egg and the Easter hare or rabbit.” (Vo. IV, p. 605)

The Encyclopedia of Religion states that the Easter egg was used prominently in pagan fertility rites:

“… the egg is a powerful symbol of fertility, purity and rebirth. It is used in magical rituals to promote fertility and restore virility; to look into the future, to bring good weather; to encourage the growth of crops and to protect both cattle and children against misfortune. All over the world it represents life and creation, fertility and resurrection… (and) was linked with Easter.” (1987, p. 37)

The egg has been a sacred symbol to numerous pagan civilizations and was used prolifically in religious ceremonies in Egypt. Alexander Hislop, in his book The Two Babylons, relates an interesting chronicle of its use in religious practices.

From Egypt these sacred eggs can be distinctly traced to the banks of the Euphrates. The classic poets are full of the fable of the mystic egg of the Babylonians; and thus its tale is told by Hyginus, the Egyptian, the learned keeper of the Palatine Library at Rome, in the time of Augustus, who was skilled in all the wisdom of his native country: “An egg of wondrous size is said to have fallen from heaven into the river Euphrates. The fishes rolled it to the bank, where the doves having settled upon it, hatched it, and out came Venus, who afterwards was called the Syrian Goddess” (Astarte). (p. 109)

In addition to its use in the religious ceremonies in Egypt, the egg was also a powerful religious symbol throughout Asia and Europe:

“The mystic egg of Babylon, hatching the Venus Ishtar, fell from heaven to the Euphrates. Dyed eggs were sacred Easter offerings in Egypt, as they are still in China and Europe. Easter, or spring, was the season of birth, terrestrial and celestial.” (Egyptian Belief and Modern Thought, pp. 211-212).

Tragically, despite knowing of its pagan origin, the church at Rome willingly adopted the egg as its own symbol of the resurrection:

“The church did not oppose this, though many egg customs were pre-Christian in origin, because the egg provided a fresh and powerful symbol of the resurrection and the transformation of death into life.” (The Encyclopedia of Religion, 1987, p. 37)

Hislop, in his work The Two Babylons, explains that it was the normal practice of the Catholic church to integrate paganism into its liturgy. This was done to attract pagan converts:

“To conciliate the pagans to nominal Christianity, Rome, pursuing its usual policy, took measures to get the Christian and Pagan festivals amalgamated, and, by a complicated but skillful adjustment of the calendar, it was found no difficult matter, in general, to get Paganism and Christianity – now sunk far in idolatry – in this as in so many other things, to shake hands.” (p. 105)

It is clear that the church of Rome did not find it difficult to embrace pagan practices and integrate them into their own worship. But God warns against such a practice. The great prophet Jeremiah wrote, “Learn not the way of the heathen” (Jer. 10:2). Even Jesus warned that it was possible to worship God in vain:

“In vain do they worship Me, seeking after doctrines the commandments of men.”(Mk. 7:7)

Jesus went on to say, “You make the law of God of none effect through your tradition” (Mt. 15:6). The point to this is that God never instructed man to gather eggs and decorate them. As fun as this activity may be to children and parents alike, its origins are pagan and this God hates.

Happy Easter DeathSlayer!

The bunny is one of the most cherished symbols of Easter. These cuddly creatures are included in numerous bedtime stories and have endeared themselves to children around the world. But how did the bunny become such an integral part of a holiday designed to celebrate the resurrection of the Savior of the world? This question is answered reluctantly by the Catholic Encyclopedia:

“The custom may have its origin in paganism, for a great many pagan customs, celebrating the return of spring (and therefore directly related to SUN-worship), gravitated to Easter. The egg is the emblem of the germinating life of early spring… the Easter rabbit lays the eggs, for which reason they are hidden in a nest or in the garden. The rabbit is a pagan symbol and has always been an emblem of fertility.” ( p. 227)

Other credible sources openly acknowledge that the Easter bunny has absolutely nothing to do with Christianity but rather the pagan world. That world worshiped fertility and rebirth and the rabbit played a critical part in this worship:

“The Easter bunny had its origins in pre-Christian fertility lore. Hares and rabbits were the most fertile animals our forefathers knew, serving as symbols of abundant new life in the spring season.” (Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs, 1958, p. 233-6)

The Encyclopedia Britannica indicates that the bunny was associated with the beginning of life and was a symbol of fertility.

Like the Easter egg, the Easter hare came to Christianity from antiquity. The hare is associated with the moon in the legends of ancient Egypt and other peoples… The hare came to be associated with… the beginning of new life in both the young man and young woman, and so is a symbol of fertility and the renewal of life. (“Easter Bunny”)

According to Reader’s Digest, the rabbit has been depicted in Christian art as representing fertility and lust because they are so prolific:

Children’s stories in many countries tell how Easter eggs are brought not by a chicken but by hares and rabbits. These long-eared hopping mammals have represented fertility in many cultures because they breed so quickly. In traditional Christian art the hare represents lust, and paintings sometimes show a hare at the Virgin Mary’s feet to signify her triumph over temptations of the flesh. Yet as a symbol of life reawakening in the spring – often portrayed as the innocent and cuddly Easter bunny – the rabbit co-exists in many places with the solemn Christian rites of Easter. (Readers’ Digest Book of Facts, 1987, p. 122).

It is interesting to note that rabbits do not lay eggs. This fact escapes children because they are misled by adults more committed to perpetuating a tradition than to teaching God’s truth.


Hot cross buns have been a long-standing tradition during the Easter season. But from where did this tradition originate? According to Alexander Hislop, this traditional food is also inextricably linked to the pagan world:

“The hot cross buns of Good Friday, and the dyed eggs of Pasch or Easter Sunday, figured in the Chaldean (Babylonian) rites just as they do now. The “buns” known too by that identical name, were used in the worship of the queen of heaven, the goddess Easter, as early as the days of Cecrops, the founder of Athens – that is, 1500 years before the Christian era. One species of sacred bread which used to be offered to the gods, was of great antiquity, and called Boun.” (Hislop, The Two Babylons, p. 108).

Hislop later explains that the sign of the cross placed on these pastries has nothing to do with Christianity or the resurrection but rather was prominent in the Babylonian Mysteries:

“…the so-called “sign of the cross” and the worship bestowed on it, never came from Jesus or His apostles. The same sign of the cross that Rome now worships was used in the Babylonian Mysteries… That which is now called the Christian Cross was originally no Christian emblem at all, but was the mystic Tau of the Chaldeans and Egyptians.” (ibid, p. 199-200)

The great prophet Jeremiah was inspired to write a scathing indictment against the nation of Judah. In this indictment, God warned His people that their ongoing practice of pagan rites would not go unpunished. Notice these abominations included the making of this special bread to the queen of heaven:

“Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger. Do they provoke Me to anger? saith the Lord: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces? Therefore, thus saith the Lord God; Behold, Mine anger and My fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.” (Jeremiah 7:17-20)

With these words, God is declaring that He is serious about idolatry. No matter how well intended this practice may seem, God condemns it.

One of the most common practices associated with Easter is the sunrise service. Every year, millions of professing Christians come together before sunrise and participate in what they believe is the worship of the risen Christ. Generally, Easter sunrise services are filled with great pageantry and drama. Choirs provide beautiful music declaring “He is risen” while ministers give moving messages about the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. To many, sunrise services are regarded as a religious experience and many well-intended Christians find participation in these services inspiring.

Most believe the Easter sunrise service has its origin in the scriptures. The common belief is that Jesus was risen before dawn on “Easter Sunday.” This, however, is not true as will be explained later in this booklet. Further, it is important to understand that nowhere in the scriptures are Christians instructed to worship at sunrise in celebration of the risen Christ. However, the Bible does describe an event in which 25 men turned their back towards God’s temple and worshiped the sunrise. God called this act of sun worship an abomination that would be dealt with in His fury:

“He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do. Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the Lord’s house which was toward the north; and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. And he brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house, and behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and lo, they put the branch to their nose. Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.” (Ezk. 8:13-18)

To those of you who read and study the scriptures, Jesus was dead for 3 days and 3 nights. We also know a Jewish day starts at sunset ....not sunrise. Jesus was murdered on 14 Nisan, one day before passover..14th (is one day and night) 15th Nisan (one day and night) and 16th Nisan (one day and one night) earliest Christ rose from the dead was sunset on the 16th (which actually starts the 17th of Nisan). Not hard to understand.

So it is impossible for Christ to die on a Friday and rise on Sunday.

a reply to: DeathSlayer
Not as far as I am concerned. Happy Easter! Thank you Jesus!

Thank you Jebus for giving us the gift of chocolate eggs and hot cross buns.

Thank you for proving my point.

originally posted by: SlapTheGinkels
Happy Easter DeathSlayer!

Funny , I have never seen anyone worshiping eggs nor any pagan gods .
It's all about peace and love and celebration of life .
Sadly , some folks don't get that .

Right. Why would anyone celebrate the resurrection of this cross-dude, it's bad fiction anyways...
Let's embrace celebrating the return of spring and life, I mean at least that is really happening.
🐣🌺🐇

Christians don’t celebrate Easter. They celebrate the resurrection of Jesus that happens to be on Easter.

a reply to: DeathSlayer

Easter is a pagan celebration.

So is Christmas but I am happy to celebrate both Pagan traditions because I am not a Christian , Paganism seems to me a more honest belief system that celebrates our mother Earth rather than a mystical being who makes requirements of us and classes enjoyment as a sin.

Paganism predates all major religions and our abandonment of it in favour of organized religion lies at the heart of many of our problems today.

I thought it was pretty much common knowledge that early christian authorities set days/dates for holidays to coincide as closely as possible with pagan holidays so as to make transitioning to the new, probably forced, religion a bit easier. You seem pretty worked up so wait til later to look up the origins of the yule log and horn of plenty.

At least you are honest and have chosen your belief, as I have chosen my belief.

We will let God judge.

AMEN

originally posted by: gortex
a reply to: DeathSlayer

Easter is a pagan celebration.

So is Christmas but I am happy to celebrate both Pagan traditions because I am not a Christian , Paganism seems to me a more honest belief system that celebrates our mother Earth rather than a mystical being who makes requirements of us and classes enjoyment as a sin.

Paganism predates all major religions and our abandonment of it in favour of organized religion lies at the heart of many of our problems today.

a reply to: DeathSlayer

God? You mean the one who said you shouldn't have other gods besides him?
Don't kid yourself if you're worshipping Jesus you declare a human as another God.
Personally I think it's a lot less bad to paint eggs and be happy spring is back.
Let's let God judge

a reply to: DeathSlayer

Easter in the minds of most, is a time to think about the death of Christ, and that he loved us and died for us. Regardless of your feelings on the holiday, that is how most view it. And to have people reminded of Christ and his sacrifice, is a good thing. All holidays are pagan in nature.

Blasphemous is like Hillary Clinton's crimes. Intent is key. Jesus Knows.

Happy spring festival where we are reminded of Christs' sacrifice. (See, Easter is much shorter)

a reply to: Jesus buddy calm down. Besides my nana no one is catholic and goes to churc in my family. It's just a holiday. Kids want candy. Families want to hang out and drink wine and eat delicious food. No one gives a crap about the religion behind it it's just a fun holiday relax buddy. Jeesh.
DeathSlayer

With Easter and Christmas of pagan origins, it makes one wonder what's left of the faith that wasn't appropriated. Sometimes, though, it's not the unique origin that gives a belief value but the content and meaning to the believers. Aside from intellectual value, I'm willing to let this one go for the sake of others.

I am curious....did you partake of the Lord's supper on 14 Nisan?

originally posted by: InwardDiver
With Easter and Christmas of pagan origins, it makes one wonder what's left of the faith that wasn't appropriated. Sometimes, though, it's not the unique origin that gives a belief value but the content and meaning to the believers. Aside from intellectual value, I'm willing to let this one go for the sake of others.