Comments | yousoundblue: [006] The language machine appears to have its shortcomings.

yousoundblue

[006] The language machine appears to have its shortcomings.

Apr 16, 2009 11:53

[audio // English]

...What's "Easter?" I had my helpmate review all the comm logs, and I understand that some people were very happy about it and it has something to do with small animals ugh but nobody actually explained what it was. My helpmate just says it's a "major Christian holiday," and what it has to say about Christianity makes no sense ( Read more... )

kate, what?, i'm from the future!, halp?, verrim, ki, i cannot speak your england, batou, cultural misunderstandings go, zeke

Leave a comment

Back to all threads

Batou to the rescue. electronichound April 16 2009, 21:13:56 UTC

Easter is not an English word. It's an alternative spelling of Eostre, which was an ancient goddess of fertility. Her festival was held in the spring around the equinox, and rabbits and chickens are associated with fertility for obvious reasons, as they reproduce rapidly and are highly sexual creatures.

Christianity tacked the death and resurrection of the saviour demi-god Jesus onto the pagan festival to make their religion easier for the pagans to accept, ensuring more converts.

It is essentially a co-opted pagan fertility festival, a clever marketing ploy by early Christians to convert non-Christians to their religion.

Yay! yousoundblue April 16 2009, 21:19:10 UTC

Oh.

Thank you.

...Why didn't anybody say that?

Batou: B| *rides on white tachikoma* electronichound April 16 2009, 21:21:41 UTC

Most people don't know. Or they're Christian, so they aren't about to admit what the holiday actually is.

Lika: Your robot has a high albedo. :D yousoundblue April 16 2009, 21:30:06 UTC

Why is it a problem for Christians? Lots of cultures celebrate on the solstices, for instance.

Batou: That's what all the women say. electronichound April 16 2009, 22:54:13 UTC

It's a problem for Christians because part of their doctrine is that their religion is the only right, true and moral religion, and followers of other religions are condemned by God. Suggesting that their festivals and doctrines stem from pre-existing celebrations and concepts tends to upset them.

Major: "All the women?" yousoundblue April 17 2009, 00:13:45 UTC

But...everything builds on pre-existing concepts. It's not even possible to--never mind. As long as they mind their own business.

...What's the one with Santa Claus really about?

ttlyisabard April 17 2009, 05:37:52 UTC

I do not mean to butt in; just letting you know that I am listening. This is all so interesting!

['Mental note, ask the deep voiced man about stories, he seems to know a lot.']

yousoundblue April 17 2009, 16:01:51 UTC

Oh, I don't mind. If I wanted to be secretive, I wouldn't be sending unencrypted.

Back to all threads