Jojo Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 I was at Target yesterday and saw the Easter section and I was curious about the occasion and how many people actually celebrate it. I googled it and found this website and it stated that 80% of American adults will be celebrating this year. That's huge! It's a religious occasion but it's not even in the Bible. Check it out: https://incmedia.org/celebrating-easter/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellnamed Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 I think the way Christians in Europe appropriated/incorporated pre-existing pagan holidays/rituals is fascinating but I think the idea that Easter -- as celebrated by modern Christians -- has nothing to do with Jesus is clearly wrong. They kept the pagan name (well, except the Eastern Orthodox) and some of those pagan-y aspects and substituted a lot of other symbolism about the resurrection. The relationship between any modern Christian holiday and the gospels or 1st century Christian practice is tenuous at best, but that's true across the board. Some Christians become very uncomfortable with that history and so reject the idea of "Easter" as a Christian holiday. Others really want to practice something they believe to be "authentic" early Christianity so they reject other ideas. Other Christians don't particularly mind about any of this. I think pretty much everyone would benefit from knowing more of the history just because I think it helps illustrate how religious practice is created by people in specific historical contexts over time. That is, it's useful as a reminder that religions are human creations, and not the pristine, internally consistent, perfect and unchanging revelation of God handed down on stone tablets once and for all. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christforums Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 35 minutes ago, Jojo said: I was at Target yesterday and saw the Easter section and I was curious about the occasion and how many people actually celebrate it. I googled it and found this website and it stated that 80% of American adults will be celebrating this year. That's huge! It's a religious occasion but it's not even in the Bible. Check it out: https://incmedia.org/celebrating-easter/ We don't celebrate them there easter bunnies and colored eggs. We celebrate "Resurrection Sunday". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefty Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 Part of the problem with holidays is that much of the so-called Christian holidays is that they were created and promoted by the Catholic church, and the rest by those who want to justify still being knee deep in the "world" and living among the heathen. Christian doctrine says for believers to be separate from the world, yet they don't separate, but instead, they go about life like everybody else. According to sound doctrine, they are wrong. It's as if they never even read the story about the Prodigal Son. The actual doctrine says to not be like the unbelieving world. The truth is, believers are to gather socially, yes, but wherever you meet, on a street corner, in a home, etc. Not a single verse in the bible says to build church buildings. The truth is, that these "holidays" are not Christian and have no basis in the Christian doctrine for any celebrations. They are nothing more than attempts to increase attendance and increase their financial budgets. Also, consider that many are also based on Old Testament Jewish occasions and rituals. Easter itself has some basis in the Christian doctrine, but it's not doctrinal at all. Their own god never said celebrate his rising from the dead. What history has shown us though is that the Catholic church has been expert at incorporating various pagan practices so as to appeal to said pagans and to make it easier for those people to join the RCC cult. And we also know from the historical record, that many so-called Christians were forcing their ideas on the unbelieving via the point of a sword through the conquest of foreign lands. Heck, if it even exists, if you want to find the Ark, look to the Vatican. As I understand the Christian doctrine, believers were never to celebrate such things as Easter (pagan adaptation), Lent (Catholic invention), and all the rest. Pagans understand rituals and idols. Old habits die hard. The churches are to this day just as ritualistic as any pagan religion. But, it is said the god of the bible is an understanding god, right? Lots of compassion and all that. So it actually says, "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind...". I cannot count how many debates I've had over the years with other "Christians" and pastors on that topic alone. Ultimately, it boils down to the fact that it varies from person to person based on how they choose to interpret things that are written. If a person believes a word says orange when it says white, it is only they who can change their own minds. I believe in the rights of man to believe or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator TheRedneckProfessor Posted March 12, 2019 Super Moderator Share Posted March 12, 2019 I celebrate the lactating of the ewes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator TheRedneckProfessor Posted March 12, 2019 Super Moderator Share Posted March 12, 2019 28 minutes ago, Christforums said: We don't celebrate Welcome back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christforums Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 1 minute ago, TheRedneckProfessor said: Welcome back. Thank you my 4x4 driving confederate flag waving raccoon cap wearing stump jumping friend. Let's talk about cousin marriage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christforums Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 6 minutes ago, Lefty said: Part of the problem with holidays is that much of the so-called Christian holidays is that they were created and promoted by the Catholic church, and the rest by those who want to justify still being knee deep in the "world" and living among the heathen. Christian doctrine says for believers to be separate from the world, yet they don't separate, but instead, they go about life like everybody else. According to sound doctrine, they are wrong. It's as if they never even read the story about the Prodigal Son. The actual doctrine says to not be like the unbelieving world. The truth is, believers are to gather socially, yes, but wherever you meet, on a street corner, in a home, etc. Not a single verse in the bible says to build church buildings. The truth is, that these "holidays" are not Christian and have no basis in the Christian doctrine for any celebrations. They are nothing more than attempts to increase attendance and increase their financial budgets. Also, consider that many are also based on Old Testament Jewish occasions and rituals. Easter itself has some basis in the Christian doctrine, but it's not doctrinal at all. Their own god never said celebrate his rising from the dead. What history has shown us though is that the Catholic church has been expert at incorporating various pagan practices so as to appeal to said pagans and to make it easier for those people to join the RCC cult. And we also know from the historical record, that many so-called Christians were forcing their ideas on the unbelieving via the point of a sword through the conquest of foreign lands. Heck, if it even exists, if you want to find the Ark, look to the Vatican. As I understand the Christian doctrine, believers were never to celebrate such things as Easter (pagan adaptation), Lent (Catholic invention), and all the rest. Pagans understand rituals and idols. Old habits die hard. The churches are to this day just as ritualistic as any pagan religion. But, it is said the god of the bible is an understanding god, right? Lots of compassion and all that. So it actually says, "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind...". I cannot count how many debates I've had over the years with other "Christians" and pastors on that topic alone. Ultimately, it boils down to the fact that it varies from person to person based on how they choose to interpret things that are written. If a person believes a word says orange when it says white, it is only they who can change their own minds. I believe in the rights of man to believe or not. I couldn't agree more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellnamed Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 I was about to say Lefty's post is protestant as fuuuuucck but then William beat me to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefty Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 LOL, we all have our bias! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jojo Posted March 12, 2019 Author Share Posted March 12, 2019 3 hours ago, wellnamed said: I think the way Christians in Europe appropriated/incorporated pre-existing pagan holidays/rituals is fascinating but I think the idea that Easter -- as celebrated by modern Christians -- has nothing to do with Jesus is clearly wrong. They kept the pagan name (well, except the Eastern Orthodox) and some of those pagan-y aspects and substituted a lot of other symbolism about the resurrection. The relationship between any modern Christian holiday and the gospels or 1st century Christian practice is tenuous at best, but that's true across the board. Some Christians become very uncomfortable with that history and so reject the idea of "Easter" as a Christian holiday. Others really want to practice something they believe to be "authentic" early Christianity so they reject other ideas. Other Christians don't particularly mind about any of this. I think pretty much everyone would benefit from knowing more of the history just because I think it helps illustrate how religious practice is created by people in specific historical contexts over time. That is, it's useful as a reminder that religions are human creations, and not the pristine, internally consistent, perfect and unchanging revelation of God handed down on stone tablets once and for all. 2 hours ago, Lefty said: Part of the problem with holidays is that much of the so-called Christian holidays is that they were created and promoted by the Catholic church, and the rest by those who want to justify still being knee deep in the "world" and living among the heathen. Christian doctrine says for believers to be separate from the world, yet they don't separate, but instead, they go about life like everybody else. According to sound doctrine, they are wrong. It's as if they never even read the story about the Prodigal Son. The actual doctrine says to not be like the unbelieving world. The truth is, believers are to gather socially, yes, but wherever you meet, on a street corner, in a home, etc. Not a single verse in the bible says to build church buildings. The truth is, that these "holidays" are not Christian and have no basis in the Christian doctrine for any celebrations. They are nothing more than attempts to increase attendance and increase their financial budgets. Also, consider that many are also based on Old Testament Jewish occasions and rituals. Easter itself has some basis in the Christian doctrine, but it's not doctrinal at all. Their own god never said celebrate his rising from the dead. What history has shown us though is that the Catholic church has been expert at incorporating various pagan practices so as to appeal to said pagans and to make it easier for those people to join the RCC cult. And we also know from the historical record, that many so-called Christians were forcing their ideas on the unbelieving via the point of a sword through the conquest of foreign lands. Heck, if it even exists, if you want to find the Ark, look to the Vatican. As I understand the Christian doctrine, believers were never to celebrate such things as Easter (pagan adaptation), Lent (Catholic invention), and all the rest. Pagans understand rituals and idols. Old habits die hard. The churches are to this day just as ritualistic as any pagan religion. But, it is said the god of the bible is an understanding god, right? Lots of compassion and all that. So it actually says, "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind...". I cannot count how many debates I've had over the years with other "Christians" and pastors on that topic alone. Ultimately, it boils down to the fact that it varies from person to person based on how they choose to interpret things that are written. If a person believes a word says orange when it says white, it is only they who can change their own minds. I believe in the rights of man to believe or not. Oh Lefty, The Father is the only true God. Jesus is the son, therefore not God. Easter is a non Christian feast that we should not celebrate. Be persuaded n your own mind to believe these and much more as written in the Bible. incmedia.org/thatsinthebible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefty Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 1 hour ago, Jojo said: Oh Lefty, The Father is the only true God. Jesus is the son, therefore not God. Easter is a non Christian feast that we should not celebrate. Be persuaded n your own mind to believe these and much more as written in the Bible. incmedia.org/thatsinthebible Seriously? Are you actually trying to save my soul on an ex-Christian forum? I have been fully persuaded in my own mind for years thank you very much. With all due respect, you don't want to draw your sword on me of all people. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christforums Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 1 hour ago, Jojo said: Oh Lefty, The Father is the only true God. Jesus is the son, therefore not God. You're not Trinitarian are you? 4 hours ago, wellnamed said: I was about to say Lefty's post is protestant as fuuuuucck but then William beat me to it If you want a good laugh check out from time to time the Protestant website, Lutheran satire. They came out with a video rather recently on the second amendment where Martin Luther and the Pope debate. When 1:45 seconds into the video the king restores the power of the Pope and he..... lets say I rolled out of my chair: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jojo Posted March 12, 2019 Author Share Posted March 12, 2019 13 minutes ago, Lefty said: Seriously? Are you actually trying to save my soul on an ex-Christian forum? I have been fully persuaded in my own mind for years thank you very much. With all due respect, you don't want to draw your sword on me of all people. I'll do what I can if it means saving a soul and through whatever forum it may be. I do not wish to draw my sword on anyone, I simply want to share my faith and the peace that it's given me throughout my life. Also, it's not I that will persuade your mind, only the Biblical truth can. Thank you for your reply, Lefty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jojo Posted March 12, 2019 Author Share Posted March 12, 2019 4 minutes ago, Christforums said: You're not Trinitarian are you? No sir, I am not Trinitarian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christforums Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 Just now, Jojo said: No sir, I am not Trinitarian. Which cult do you belong? JW? Are you Arian in theology? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jojo Posted March 12, 2019 Author Share Posted March 12, 2019 Just now, Christforums said: Which cult do you belong? JW? Are you Arian in theology? I don't belong to any cult. I'm not JW and I'm not Arian in theology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disillusioned Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 30 minutes ago, Jojo said: I don't belong to any cult. I'm not JW and I'm not Arian in theology. So how do you classify yourself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christforums Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 2 minutes ago, Jojo said: I don't belong to any cult. I'm not JW and I'm not Arian in theology. May I ask which school of thought best aligns with your theology? Trinitarian theology is considered essential soteriology. It is characteristic of cults to distort essential doctrine enough to make salvation unattainable. For example, on one hand an essential is that there's only one God Isaiah 43:10; 44:6; 44:8; 45:5 and that believing in a false God brings judgment Exodus 20:1-6. On the other hand there are those that reject God the Son John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9 and such rejection results dying in one's own sin John 8:24. Trinitarianism teaches that there is One God in Three Persons. The Three Persons are not distinct enough to have separate wills but individual enough to commune together. All denominations agree to these essentials, for example, the truths conveyed from Scripture in the Nicene Creed are considered essential to the faith. The Nicene Creed establishes Trinitarianism. All denominations are "Christian" because they agree upon these essential truths while rejection of the truths conveyed from Scripture in the Creed are generally a tell tale, red flag, or a litmus test to orthodoxy which places an individual or congregation outside Christianity and into the class of cult or sect. Just to emphasize, a person is not placed outside of Christianity because they disagree with or reject the Nicene Creed but because they reject the essential truths conveyed from Scripture in the Creed. I don't mean to pick you apart but just noted something of interest when reading your responses. I love theology so I'll be eager to listen to you. Look forward to our future engagements, enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator LogicalFallacy Posted March 13, 2019 Moderator Share Posted March 13, 2019 41 minutes ago, Christforums said: Which cult do you belong? JW? Are you Arian in theology? Person in a cult asks another person in a cult which cult he belongs to 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orbit Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 Easter? Personally I get shitfaced on red wine while singing along to Jesus Christ Superstar. YMMV 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator florduh Posted March 13, 2019 Super Moderator Share Posted March 13, 2019 Christians are the champions at re-branding the Pagan holidays everybody was already celebrating anyway. I think it was a quite brilliant plan, actually. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orbit Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 5 hours ago, Christforums said: Thank you my 4x4 driving confederate flag waving raccoon cap wearing stump jumping friend. Let's talk about cousin marriage. How Christian of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midniterider Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 4 hours ago, LogicalFallacy said: Person in a cult asks another person in a cult which cult he belongs to That was kind of my thought too. http://www.neopagan.net/ABCDEF.html Scroll down to the Cult Danger Evaluation Frame - just for fun. Christianity scores pretty high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midniterider Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 4 hours ago, Orbit said: How Christian of you. Perhaps the "Enemy" suggested he log on and be naughty here. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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