Happy Belated Vernal Equinox Celebrations!
Time for these perennial favorites once again! As you can see from the articles below, there's more to Easter and Passover than meets the eye.
On April 21st at 9:00 PM EST/6:00 PM PST, I will be appearing once again on the Godless Discussion Radio Program, to discuss the origins of Easter.
Here is the direct link:
Mark your calendar and be sure to listen in! If you miss the show, it will be archived for later access as well.
Enjoy my show and articles!
Easter: Christian or Pagan?
by D.M. Murdock/Acharya S
Contrary to popular belief, Easter does not represent the "historical" crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In reality, the gospel tale reflects the annual "crossification" of the sun through the vernal equinox (Spring), at which time the sun is "resurrected," as the day begins to become longer than the night.
Rather than being a "Christian" holiday, Easter celebrations date back into remotest antiquity and are found around the world, as the blossoming of spring did not escape the notice of the ancients, who revered this life-renewing time of the year, when winter had passed and the sun was "born again." The "Pagan" Easter is also the Passover, and Jesus Christ represents not only the sun but also the Passover Lamb ritually sacrificed every year by a number of cultures, including the Egyptians, possibly as early as 4,000 years ago and continuing to this day in some places.
Easter: The Resurrection of Spring
by D.M. Murdock/Acharya S
Although it is believed to represent the time of Jesus Christ's resurrection, the festival of Easter existed in pre-Christian times and, according to the famous Christian saint Venerable Bede (672-735 AD/CE), was named for the Teutonic or German goddess Eôstre, who was the "goddess of dawn" and who symbolized the fertility found abundantly during the springtime of the year.
The springtime/Easter resurrection myth occurred in Greek mythology with the tale of Kore/Persephone descending into the underworld to reside with Hades, leading to the death of winter. Her remergence out of the underworld represented the springtime renewal of life on Earth - thus, Persephone's resurrection symbolized eternal life, precisely as did that of Jesus and the Egyptian god Osiris. Read more...
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|2011-04-21 17:57:15 colleen - Christian or PaganPagan, and it's way more fun, with out the guilt. The way life should be.
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|2011-04-23 06:33:25 Kung Fu Chigger! (what's in aL.M.F.A.O I am new to this game and would be considered to be by most an "Ignorant Hillbilly" (dropped out in the ninth grade, grew up and still in a small Texas town) but I still continue to learn and you are truly a spot of light in the dark. I have been reading the various comments (which are entertaining) regarding the subjects on this site and you have truly opened a Pandoras Box Acharya. Thank you for doing so the world needs it. I can find plenty of info on what you do not believe in, my question is what do you believe in? If you could post this that might help the ignorant masses (such as myself) process this better. Please be careful as with any new "Messiah" (for lack of a better term) comes the danger of becoming what you are trying to combat. Can a bowl of cereal really change your life? only if you choke on it. Peace and love to all !!!
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|2011-04-25 01:49:00 Acharya SThank you for your kind regards. I'm always delighted when people appreciate my efforts.
I don't really "believe" in anything as the term is commonly used. I enjoy what I know to be true and factual, as well as much that is mythical and imaginative.
You may find more about my philosophy in my book The Gospel According to Acharya S.
I also have some rants that may be of interest in my ebooks, particularly Acharya's Religion 101 for Seekers.
I hope you enjoy them!
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|2011-04-26 10:15:51 Kung Fu Chigger!Thank you for the response Acharya, it's nice to go to a site where the administrator actually reads and responds to the threads. Fair enough, I will obtain the material you suggested and go from there. I am sure it will have the taste of "sweet brain candy" as much as the other writings of yours that I have read on the net. Peace and Love to all !!!
