Happy Estre

[I Think]

This is the time we celebrate Estre, our Anglo Saxon ancestors worshiped Estre the Goddess of Fertility.
We thank her, each year at this time, for bringing the warmth and sunshine, long before there was a christ figure.

[JayByrd]

What traditions do you observe on this day?

Or are you just thumbing your nose at Christians?

[kgcayenne]

Nibs is just highlighting the theft and re-branding of Pagan holidays and traditions by Christendom.

[I Think]

But we are sacrificing a turkey.

[Farmmaa]

What traditions do you observe on this day?

Or are you just thumbing your nose at Christians?

Thumbing her nose at Christians ? Where in the post does it say anything like that ?
Pointing out the fact that Easter is and has been a celebration of spring, renewal, rebirth and new beginnings for thousands of years before Christianity...is NOT cutting down your religion - it's stating historical facts.

Why would this bother anyone ????

And, do tell, exactly which modern Easter traditions stem from Christianity ?
Bunnies ? Colored eggs ? Chocolate ? Spring flowers ?

[sobrohusfat]

And, do tell, exactly which modern Easter traditions stem from Christianity ?

absolutely zip - zero - nadda - rien - oudeis - ah'yin - nothing.

Should really be more like the cups of Sanctification, Salvation, Redemption, and Hope - you know, some key elements of the Passover Seder.

...but then that was wayyy too Jewish for early Roman Catholics

[cliffy1]

It was much easier for the church to sell the pagans their brand of religion by integrating their holy days into the Christian mythology. It was just good politics for the church. By the time the protestants came around, Easter and Christmas had been so well established and their bent for taking the bible literally, they never questioned the biblical account (which of course, by then had been so changed as to not resemble the original writings at all). But, people gotta believe what they gotta believe and no amount of evidence will change their minds.

[JayByrd]

Thumbing her nose at Christians ? Where in the post does it say anything like that ?
Pointing out the fact that Easter is and has been a celebration of spring, renewal, rebirth and new beginnings for thousands of years before Christianity...is NOT cutting down your religion - it's stating historical facts.

Why would this bother anyone ????

-If it said that explicitly, I wouldn't have had to ask.

-My religion? I don't have one. But for the sake of clarity, I do believe in God but I wouldn't say I'm religious.

-I don't know why it would bother anyone. Why do you think it would bother anyone?

[I Think]

My US atheist friends feel that they have to defend their lack of belief in that country, there is a huge Christian pressure on the people, 'in god we trust' the fact that in order to be elected you pretty much have to be a Christian and many other things.
Here in Canada, one can be anything without having to defend your beliefs, ('cept when the jw's come round).

[OREZ]

So you are or are not celebrating Estre? If you're an atheist, I'm assuming not?

I don't really understand the point you're trying to make in this thread (if you indeed are trying to make a point) or what it is that you would like to discuss.

[I Think]

Since ancient times, the Anglo's learned when the equinoxes were going to happen. The Druids celebrated this, then the Saxons showed up and, being ever resourcefull, decided to make it a celebration of Estre, then the papists came to town and swiped the whole deal. Interesting that they swiped the winter solstice and decided to make it a birthday.

[JayByrd]

Since ancient times, the Anglo's learned when the equinoxes were going to happen. The Druids celebrated this, then the Saxons showed up and, being ever resourcefull, decided to make it a celebration of Estre, then the papists came to town and swiped the whole deal. Interesting that they swiped the winter solstice and decided to make it a birthday.

I think you should swipe Eostre from the Christians and give it back to the Saxons. That'll learn those papists.