Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Rhea · 04-01-2002, 10:54 AM

Has anyone ever heard from a Christian why their holiest day is called "Easter"

I've never figured that one out..

ohwilleke · 04-01-2002, 11:00 AM

Most languages don't. In most languages the word for Easter is derived from the word for Passover. English is the only language I know of where the holiday has a name derived from a pagan goddess associated with fertility and spring.

04-01-2002, 11:09 AM

New Life and paradise regained, hence new life on earth as in heaven or heaven on earth.

[ April 01, 2002: Message edited by: Amos ]

Rhea · 04-01-2002, 11:27 AM

Amos: Etymology, please?

How does Easter mean "new life" in a christian context?

Ohwilleke, that's what I'd always thought. But how do the Xians live with that???

[ April 01, 2002: Message edited by: Rhea ]

Jamie_L · 04-01-2002, 12:01 PM

Furthermore, where does the seemingly (to me anyway) bizarre determination of Easter's date come from? Is that of pagan or Christian origins?

Jamie

Bill Snedden · 04-01-2002, 12:02 PM

Maybe....maybe...ummm...

...because the Son rises in the East?

<ducks for cover>

Bill

IvanK · 04-01-2002, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jamie_L:
Furthermore, where does the seemingly (to me anyway) bizarre determination of Easter's date come from? Is that of pagan or Christian origins?

Clearly pagan, what with the moon cycles and all. Another case where the early Christian fathers interpreted pre-existing pre-Christian ritual observances according to their own theology, magical enough as it was.

stryder2112 · 04-01-2002, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jamie_L:
Furthermore, where does the seemingly (to me anyway) bizarre determination of Easter's date come from? Is that of pagan or Christian origins?

Try Jewish. The date of Easter is tied to the Jewish holiday of Passover (15th day of the month of Nissan). Since the ancient Hebrew calendar is lunar based and the Gregorian calendar (e.g. April 1, 2002) is solar based, the correlation between dates in each calendar vary from year to year. All of the Jewish holidays float like this (so do the Muslim holidays for the same reason - lunar calendar.)

I find it funny that Easter is "Easter" in English. The name for the holiday in the Romance languages (Passion, etc.) is derived from the Hebrew word for Passover - Pasach. I guess when the Irish evangelized the Saxon heathens, they kept the name of their pagan holiday and pasted over the new Christian one.

Stryder

ohwilleke · 04-01-2002, 01:11 PM

Easter isn't much less shocking than the fact that the names of the days of the week and month retain their pre-Christian names.

Jonsey3333 · 04-01-2002, 01:27 PM

some info: <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/easter.htm" target="_blank">Easter History</a>

-Mike

04-01-2002, 10:54 AM	#1
Rhea Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Recluse Posts: 9,040	Why Do they call it EASTER? Has anyone ever heard from a Christian why their holiest day is called "Easter" I've never figured that one out..

04-01-2002, 11:09 AM	#3
Amos Guest Posts: n/a	New Life and paradise regained, hence new life on earth as in heaven or heaven on earth. [ April 01, 2002: Message edited by: Amos ]</p>

04-01-2002, 11:27 AM	#4
Rhea Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Recluse Posts: 9,040	Amos: Etymology, please? How does Easter mean "new life" in a christian context? Ohwilleke, that's what I'd always thought. But how do the Xians live with that??? [ April 01, 2002: Message edited by: Rhea ]</p>

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04-01-2002, 11:00 AM	#2
ohwilleke Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Denver, Colorado, USA Posts: 4,834	Most languages don't. In most languages the word for Easter is derived from the word for Passover. English is the only language I know of where the holiday has a name derived from a pagan goddess associated with fertility and spring.

04-01-2002, 12:01 PM	#5
Jamie_L Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: U.S. Posts: 2,565	Furthermore, where does the seemingly (to me anyway) bizarre determination of Easter's date come from? Is that of pagan or Christian origins? Jamie

04-01-2002, 12:02 PM	#6
Bill Snedden Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,597	Maybe....maybe...ummm... ...because the Son rises in the East? <ducks for cover> Bill

04-01-2002, 01:11 PM	#9
ohwilleke Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Denver, Colorado, USA Posts: 4,834	Easter isn't much less shocking than the fact that the names of the days of the week and month retain their pre-Christian names.

04-01-2002, 01:27 PM	#10
Jonsey3333 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: St. Paul, Minnesota, USA Posts: 92	some info: <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/easter.htm" target="_blank">Easter History</a> -Mike

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