[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Sticks

The word Easter comes from Eostre an Anglo Saxaon pagon Goddess, so Christians celebrating Easter are celebrating a pagan rite.

Jsnip.

Whilst what you say is technically true to a degree there is abundant evidence supporting the fact that the Greco-Roman church tended to amalgamate idolatrous rites into the Christianity they were introducing to heathen cultures. If you place yourself in the history of the time it was a fairly sensible way to evangelise and spread the good news. It was not some cloak and dagger way of tricking people etc.

The idea was that non-Christians would be more likely to embrace Christianity if they were allowed to retain their pagan practices, especially if some Christian correspondence with their traditions could be established.

As you say there is no mention of "Easter" in my Bible I have on my desk here (ESV).

However for Christians I do not think that out customs built up over the years detract from the "Easter" message. We should celebrate the resurrection and our churches do. Whilst the secular Easter is chocolate, bunnies and holiday, the Christian Easter is marks the end of Lent, the death of Jesus on Good Friday and his resurrection from the dead three days later on Easter Sunday.

As long as Christians gather to celebrate this then that is in my mind correct and good.