The Real Easter

[Silver]

Ēostre

[Thumpalumpacus]

I wonder if it shares some etymology with estrus.

[Fake Messiah]

[Ravenshire]

I wonder if it shares some etymology with estrus.

It seems that it should, what with Easter's links to renewal and fertility, and I had a sociology teacher once who claimed it did, but it doesn't.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I wonder if it shares some etymology with estrus.

It seems that it should, what with Easter's links to renewal and fertility, and I had a sociology teacher once who claimed it did, but it doesn't.

Good old "Sounds a lot alike" fallacy. I thought the same thing for a split second, then laughed.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I wonder if it shares some etymology with estrus.

It seems that it should, what with Easter's links to renewal and fertility, and I had a sociology teacher once who claimed it did, but it doesn't.

Anywhere I might read more?

[brewer]

These folks in NOLA seem to be doing it right.

[Astreja]

(Springy G enters stage left, munching on a piece of chocolate) How are you gentlemen!! All your Easter are belong to Us.

[Ravenshire]

It seems that it should, what with Easter's links to renewal and fertility, and I had a sociology teacher once who claimed it did, but it doesn't.

Anywhere I might read more?

Etymology of estrus.

Etymology of Easter.

There is a lot written on the etymology of Easter and whether the Easter holiday, as observed today, has it's roots in Christianity of Paganism, and there are many authors still attributing estrus and estrogen to the goddess, but they are mostly ill informed. Christians want to dismiss the pagan roots, while Wiccans (and other pagan groups) decry the theft of their holiday by the Holy Roman Church. The majority of the evidence points to 'both' as the most likely answer. Christianity likely took over the practices of the spring renewal festivals in order to more easily convert those pagan worshipers, much like they did when changing the "proper" day of worship from the 7th day of the week (the Sabbath) to the first day of the week (the Lord's day), oddly enough justified by the alleged resurrection on Sunday) in order to ease conversion of sun worshipers. The general consensus Points to adoption by the church, but it is by no means an overwhelming consensus.

Personally, based on what I've read and what we know about the behavior of the early church, I have little doubt that most major Christian holidays have their roots at least partly in paganism, no matter how many ill informed preacher-men deny it.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Anywhere I might read more?

Etymology of estrus.

Etymology of Easter.

There is a lot written on the etymology of Easter and whether the Easter holiday, as observed today, has it's roots in Christianity of Paganism, and there are many authors still attributing estrus and estrogen to the goddess, but they are mostly ill informed. Christians want to dismiss the pagan roots, while Wiccans (and other pagan groups) decry the theft of their holiday by the Holy Roman Church. The majority of the evidence points to 'both' as the most likely answer. Christianity likely took over the practices of the spring renewal festivals in order to more easily convert those pagan worshipers, much like they did when changing the "proper" day of worship from the 7th day of the week (the Sabbath) to the first day of the week (the Lord's day), oddly enough justified by the alleged resurrection on Sunday) in order to ease conversion of sun worshipers. The general consensus Points to adoption by the church, but it is by no means an overwhelming consensus.

Personally, based on what I've read and what we know about the behavior of the early church, I have little doubt that most major Christian holidays have their roots at least partly in paganism, no matter how many ill informed preacher-men deny it.

Thanks for taking the time, bud -- much appreciated.