Christian holidays

[just_a_sliver]

The question I have about so-called "Christian" holidays is why isn't Easter Sunday a bigger deal? Most Easter traditions are derived from pagan sources, but if you believe that's when Jesus rose from the dead, why wouldn't it be the most important Christian holiday? Isn't the story of death and resurrection the main focus of Christianity?

Comments

[rodshark]

But you don't get all the presents for Easter (or by its original name Eoster).

I think the reason Christmas has become the predominate holiday despite Easter being a supposedly more religiously significant event in their mythology, is that the birth of Jesus has been transformed through the centuries into a miracle, when God gave the world the gift of his son and the king of men. Jesus was Gods gift to the Earth, while Easter was just Jesus doing what he was sent here to supposedly do, cleanse the sins of man and provide mankind a "qictix" line into heaven.

[just_a_sliver]

I think Christmas is the predominate holiday because it's more fun. If Christians don't have any need to proclaim that "Jesus is the reason for the season" at Eastertime, then I think they are kidding themselves about Christmas.

[rogueblack]

Also, if I remember correctly, didn't Jesus call for the remembrance of his death at the last supper?

Yes! Which is why Catholics celebrate this every Mass in the Eurcharist, just as he commanded.

My question is why do most Christians continue to follow these holidays when they know they are rooted in pagan holidays. I know when I was a Christian; this knowledge bothered me and caused me to change my beliefs and actions towards these holidays.

It doesn't bother me because the root of belief is pagan. It would be silly to deny that. Over the centuries, the various councils had made political decisions to incorporate pagan celebrations with Christian celebrations to make converting pagan cultures easier.

[possumcowboy]

Let's not forget the deities who are slain and resurrected began with the egyptians:
"Egypt was precisely the classic home of the myth of a slain and resurrected god. "I am the Resurrection and the Life" is merely an epitome of what the Egyptians chanted for ages about their great god Osiris, the judge of the dead, one of the oldest and most revered gods of Egypt. He had been slain by "the powers of darkness" embodied in his wicked brother, Set. His sister and wife, Isis, had sought the fragments of his body and put them together again. And he had arisen from the dead, and was enthroned in the world of souls, to judge every man according to his works. The resurrection of Osiris was the basis of the Egyptian's firm hope of eternal life. Every year the fair strip of land along the Nile mourned for days over the slaying of Osiris and then rejoiced exceedingly over his resurrection."
The whole article; I cut-n-pasted from about halfway down.

[johnmill79]

Hmmm, interesting point. I hadn't thought of that much, but I guess it's because they consider his birth a sign of hope that things are finally about to change.

[just_a_sliver]

Sure, but since 2000 years have passed, shouldn't Christians be putting more emphasis on the death and resurrection that supposedly brings salvation?

[johnmill79]

Oh yeah, I agree with you there. And quite frankly, Christmas has lost much of its religious meaning, but I'm sure I don't have to tell you that.

[just_a_sliver]

I think people should use Christmas however they need it. I just find it odd that so many Christians get upset by the "banning Christmas" concept as if Christmas is the holiest of holidays when Easter has a more sacred purpose (in my opinion). They don't seem to mind that Easter is a pagan fertility celebration with its rabbits and eggs. Not many Christians complain about commercial side of Easter.

[rogueblack]

To Catholics it is a big deal. We have weeks of fasting, sacrifice and atonement in preparation for the celebration of Easter.