Many Easter symbols have pagan origins

Letters

Discussion

April 7, 2012

Many Easter symbols have pagan origins

Anonymous The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Sat Apr 07, 2012, 08:00 AM EDT

MILLEDGEVILLE — Eggs, rabbits and hot cross buns are Easter symbols familiar to us all, yet many of us might be shocked or surprised at the real origin and meaning of many of our allegedly “Christian” Easter customs.

Nearly all of the symbols and customs involved in the modern Christian observance of Easter are actually not Christian at all, but derive from ancient pagan European mythology and superstition. The ancient pagan symbols have simply been taken over into mainstream Christianity and given a pseudo-Christian veneer.

In Germany, a mixture of eggs, bread and flour was smeared on a plow on the Thursday before Easter so that the coming harvest would be plentiful.

Hot cross buns are another symbol associated with Easter, and along with Easter candy, pastries make a high-calorie holiday. Hot cross buns also go back to pagan offerings on ancient holy days. The cross probably replacing pagan symbols or images.

“As in so many other instances where pagan ritual was Christianized nothing is more likely than that the cakes used at pagan festivals become, by an easy transition, cakes associated with Christian festivals. Among cakes which may have had this history may be mentioned Yule cakes... hot cross buns on good Friday, Easter cakes...” (Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, Vol. II, pp. 60-61).

Many modern Christians doubtless feel that these pagan customs have little or nothing to do with their actual Christian faith in Jesus Christ as their resurrected Savior. Yet, do not these customs and symbols obscure, especially for children, the real meaning of the death of Christ and the true symbolism associated with it — bread and wine (Matt. 26:26-28). If you paint eggs this year and roll them across the lawn, you might want to think about it.

Thomas Fuller

Milledgeville

Text Only

Letters

GC students hope to reform education in low-performing communities
Georgia College senior Audrey Smith’s belief in the ‘American dream’ has inspired her to help young citizens realize that dream through the power of education.

March 13, 2013 1 Photo
Tea Party Patriots urge end to fear-mongering over cuts

The Milledgeville Area Patriots chapter of Tea Party Patriots, the nation’s largest tea party organization, are calling on our Congressman and Senator’s to uphold the sequestration law passed by Congress and signed by the President.

February 27, 2013
Position Statement on Amendment 2
Amendment 2, which will be voted on in the upcoming election, is an important issue that has received very little attention.

November 3, 2012
ORMC attempts to put ‘Bed Tax’ rumors to rest
Recently, information has been circulated in the community claiming that Rep. Rusty Kidd voted to tax people when they are sick or injured and need to visit the hospital.

October 31, 2012
Shocked at statements made by Paul Broun
I was astounded when I read your article about our Congressman Paul Broun (a Republican) in the Oct. 18 edition of The Union-Recorder.

October 27, 2012
Help defeat charter school amendment
We soundly defeated the T-Splost in Baldwin County.

October 20, 2012
Thank you to superintendent, Board of Education
Thank you to School Superintendent Geneva Brezial and the Board of Education.

October 6, 2012
Fire trucks too important not to replace
At last week’s Baldwin County Commission meeting, county Fire Chief Troy Reynolds presented a detailed report to the commissioners about major fire equipment operated by Baldwin County.

September 29, 2012
Thanks for giving support in Digital Bridges service
Digital Bridges is a phenomenal service provided by very technically awesome people to everyone in Milledgeville.

September 26, 2012
Thank you for donations to annual Kids Day
We would like to give a thank you to the following local business for the donations for the Community Kids Day in remembrance of the victims during the 9/11 tragedy, keeping their spirit alive

September 22, 2012
More Letters Headlines

Letters

Search Results

Discussion

Many Easter symbols have pagan origins

Site Map

Contact Us