Is Easter Pagan?

[Vic]

(04-22-2011 11:29 PM)sari83 Wrote:  [quote='Vic' pid='7326' dateline='1303448044']
Sarah putting two natural things together is not pagan. Putting dye on something is not pagan. God had Israel dye things. Look it up. If I dye cotton, which is not naturally anything but white, I am not entering into a pagan practice am I? If dye is added to a food, is it a pagan practice? If you boil an egg with onion skins and it turns color---is that a pagan practice?

Quote:I think you are saying that it is not the action itself. but the intentions behind the actions that really matter, yes?

Yes Sarah. Each of those actions/activities is benign spiritually. They are just actions or activities. For Christians, all that we do is supposed to be for the honor and glory of God. Therefore, if I color an egg, it is in no way in my mind whatsoever that I am doing it or have the intent to worship or follow some perceived pagan practice which involved worship of non-existant false gods in the first place. In fact, in looking at that issue, Christians that actually do color eggs, make it a way to share the Gospel, and as an activity for children to understand the cross, Christ dying etc. I have never done that, but for some they see it as a means to present those Truths.

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Quote:That may be a step in cutting back on all the commercialism and support of corporate greed.

Yes but somehow I think the world kind of likes the profits....

Quote:I don't see it as accusing Christians of being pagan. I know many people who celebrate Easter, and I do not think they are pagans.

>>>I am glad Sarah. But unfortunately in your presentation of it, the same issues came through that permeate Hebrew Roots (and others) false accusations about these and many other exact same things. I didn't even get into the pagan words issue on this....the ishtar, tammuz etc...Christians don't even think in those terms because what they do is centered on Christ. Those things don't exist to them.

Quote:I know that Christians believe in the one true God. I completely see your perspective. I'm pretty sure my friends that are celebrating Easter with the whole bunny story and dying eggs are not doing that with the intentions of worshipping a false god. I know that.

>>If Christians perpetuate the myths of the bunny they need to reconsider that. Just as promoting santa claus as the myth and arriving and bringing presents isn't based on Truth. Those things are issues because it overturns Scriptures. Do you understand what I am saying in that.

If I color an egg and present it as pertaining to Christ, there is nothing wrong with that, because it honors Christ. But, if I tell my children that the easter bunny is real and brings things to children or whatever the myth is, and present it as truth, I am at fault. That's the difference, Sarah. If I look at the bunny and commercial stuff downtown and all I see is a cartoon rabbit, etc, whereby it means nothing to me, but a custom of the world--and most in the world view it as a secular holiday,-- it's just one of those things to me. I think most in the world view it as a fable/lie/story, not something 'real', even though they might tell small children it's real. That's why we are to have nothing to do with fables and old wives tales, because we are to speak truth always.

Quote:My intentions were to discuss the origins, and at the same time I was researching and learning new things too. The times have changed very much. Mankind has made many advancements in all areas of life. Christianity has by large brought the knowledge of the one God who created all things to many places world wide.

>>>It's actually more than that, I think. Jesus said that the Gospel would be proclaimed and published throughout the world. I believe the knowledge of Christ that is known because of this public declaration and others and celebration is part of that fulfillment.

Mar 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Published means proclaimed to all the nations. The Truth of Jesus crucified and risen and why is being proclaimed to all the world. What an incredible thing that is.

Quote:Paganism was originally defined as the practices of polytheistic religions. However, modern paganism would likely be defined as a higher reverance for nature. I'm having difficulty grasping that we are free to worship Him how we choose. In the Old Testament religious assimilation didn't seem to be an acceptable practice. Has this changed in the New Covenant?

Paganism can also be defined as any religious practices outside of Christianity. Depends how and who is defining it and for what purpose. But yes, nature worship, but if you look at pagan websites, they vary as to focus but they like the myths and legends and whatever god/goddess that appeals to them. Being that it is all false and superstition because we know there are no gods but God.

Keep in mind Israel was taken out from among pagans and yet they repeatedly went after other gods and participated in pagan rituals, images etc. It's not exactly free to do whatever we choose, because there are some things we shouldn't do. We are not going to go to a Shinto shrine as some are wont to do and pray. That falls under the issue of those who give to the idols etc. and would violate these scriptures:

2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Act 21:25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

And as Paul cautioned:

1Co 8:4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
1Co 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
1Co 8:7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

1Co 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1Co 8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

IN other words, we aren't going to be involved with a religious ritual where the people are actually praying to, sacrificing to or observing their false god. We aren't going to their groves or shrines or temples to participate in their religious practices with them, even though we know it's empty superstition. We aren't going to go into a religious pagan celebration like bacchus, and be part of that.

But, we can witness to those people. Just as Paul did at Mars hill. And if I go to the little valley I go to sometimes run my dog, and I sit and watch the sunrise and contemplate the beauty God has created, and pray and thank HIm for all that and more, and thank Him for the changing seasons, while facing east or west to watch a sunset, I am not doing anything pagan. I am showing my love and thankfulness to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.