Easter Bunny Banned!!

[PSUColonel]

This PC crap is simply out of hand!!...especially among the most liberal of "educators"


(April 7) -- A Rhode Island public school has decided the Easter bunny is too Christian and renamed him Peter Rabbit, and a state legislator is so hopping mad he has introduced an "Easter Bunny Act" to save the bunny's good name.

"Like many Rhode Islanders I'm quite frustrated … by people trying to change traditions that we've held in this country for 150 years, like the Easter bunny," Rhode Island State Rep. Richard Singleton told "Good Morning America Weekend Edition."

The Easter bunny was scheduled to make an appearance at a craft fair on Saturday at Tiverton Middle School in Tiverton, R.I.

But the district's schools Superintendent William Rearick told event organizers to change the bunny's name to Peter Rabbit in "an attempt to be conscious of other people's backgrounds and traditions."

Singleton struck back this week by proposing a bill, nicknamed the "Easter Bunny Act," to stop all local municipalities from changing the name of popular religious and secular symbols like the Easter bunny.

"The underlying theme here is serious," he said. "I don't think a superintendent of schools should have the authority to change something we've held so deeply for 150 years."

Not everyone in Rhode Island, however, believes the Easter bunny is worth fighting for.

"As a Christian symbol, I would say [the Easter bunny] is not one of those that I would go to the barricades to defend," Rev. Bernard Healy, the Catholic Diocese of Providence, R.I., said in a statement.

Singleton, however, said the perceived religious symbolism versus its actual religious significance is why it shouldn't be banned.

"The Easter bunny is not a religious symbol," he said. "Why it's being banned doesn't make sense."

The American Civil Liberties Union has also spoken out the issue.

"Public schools should not be promoting Easter celebrations, and to the extent that the school districts try to avoid that problem they are to be commended," Steve Brown, the executive director of the ACLU Rhode Island affiliate, said in a statement.

Singleton, however, dismissed the ACLU's comments.

"I don't pay a lot of attention to what the ACLU says quite frankly," he said. This is "political correctness gone wild. 'It's crazy."

Singleton said the bill is meant to protect all traditional and religious symbols for example, if someone wanted to change "the name of the menorah to the candelabra."

The politician isn't positive that Peter Rabbit would have been the right replacement anyway.

"By the way, Peter Rabbit stole cabbages and that's not a good role model for our kids," he joked.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

For a moment, I thought SD had gone quite mad...

[miami_fan]

Funny. My grandmother banned the Easter bunny from any celebration she was a part of. She hasn't missed a Sunday service in over 50 years.

[panerd]

On the non-religious aspect of this (Believe me I grew up with both Santa and the Easter Bunny so my intent is not to be politcially correct) but how do parents justify lying to their kids about these two things? I had not yet had any children so I don't know how I would feel about it, but doesn't a little bit of you feel bad that you are duping your kid into believing a complete fantasy and they might start to feel like you are doing this with other things later on. (talks about premarital sex, drug and alcohol use as a kid, religion<---oops, etc)

[JPhillips]

PSU: "But I am constant as the north star."

[Ksyrup]

We've had that discussion here before. IMO, it's an overblown issue - mostly overblown by people without kids (no offense meant, but that's the reality of it). It's part of the fun of being a kid, and I don't know a single kid who grew up resenting his/her parents or felt a sense of betrayal when they found out the truth. Probably the fact that we got tons of stuff outweighed the fact that we were being deceived. If you'd like to con me into believing a mythical creature that comes once a year and hands out thousands of dollars, I promise not to be pissed when I find out it's not true, but the money still spends.

[RedKingGold]

I don't know which is worse. Assholes who get all concerned about things like how the Easter Bunny will warp their kids minds, or the Assholes who complain about the Assholes who get all concerned about things like how the Easter Bunny will warp their kids minds.

[Tigercat]

The only time I've ever heard of a kid resenting it, and this is VERY rare, is if the kid is raised in an environment that discouraged imagination all together, so the kid didn't have a fantasy life, and then they went ahead and did the whole Santa Clause Easter Bunny thing anyway. Then it seems like a lie to the kid when he/she finds out.

But if a kid has an imagination, most kids see it as a fun pretend time part of their lives that just happened to involve their parents. Like playing a game with their friends that wasn't real, only again this time it happened to involve their parents.

[panerd]

But is it even possible to opt out of either of these traditions if you are Christian and you live in a mostly Christian community? How do you explain no Santa or Easter Bunny? Again I have no kids so maybe I am overanalyzing (though I don't intend to be or think I am being an asshole about it) but it seems like something you have to do whether you want to or not.

[WVUFAN]

Isn't the Easter Bunny's "real name" Peter Rabbit?

That's always what I thought. Peter Rabbit WAS the Easter Bunny.

[sabotai]

Peter Rabbit is Keyser Soze.

[WVUFAN]

Peter Rabbit is Keyser Soze.

That Waskily Wabbit.

[Tigercat]

But is it even possible to opt out of either of these traditions if you are Christian and you live in a mostly Christian community? How do you explain no Santa or Easter Bunny? Again I have no kids so maybe I am overanalyzing (though I don't intend to be or think I am being an asshole about it) but it seems like something you have to do whether you want to or not.

I think you can get away with it. For Santa one can just say, "We give you presents instead of Santa," if the parent is every confronted about Santa. And if the kid truly wants to believe in Santa, I would think a parent should be able to cave and not care. Just like any reasonable parent should choose to let a young kid have a fantasy that they choose. Easter Bunny, I don't think a kid cares much about, the parents can just give the kids candy from them and I don't think they would care.

So is it difficult to go against the grain if a parent chooses? Sure, but I think its fully possible, until a kid fully insists on indulging for themselves for fantasy sake. And if that happens, the parent probably shouldn't choose to go against it anyway, at least not IMO.

[PSUColonel]

I am not understanding some of these angles of debate. Why not just have fun upholding tradition, and allowing kids to be kids? I mean sheeesh!!

[Easter Bunny]

For a moment, I thought SD had gone quite mad...

I'm not the first celebrity to step out of line around here...

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Huh? When was the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus ever considered Christian symbols or traditions. Christmas and Easter, yes. Santa and a Bunny who hides chocolate? I must have missed those lessons in Sunday School. I am pretty sure Santa was not one of the wisemen, nor did a bunny hop over to Jesus' tomb that one morning.

[Easter Bunny]

...nor did a bunny hop over to Jesus' tomb that one morning.

Yeah, I actually showed up on Tuesday, and by then, I'd missed all the action. I guess I sort of assumed He meant three business days.

[stevew]

We need the Passover Llama to be friends with the Easter Bunny so that everyone can be happy.

[RedKingGold]

What do the Easter Bunny, Jesus Christ, and John Travolta have in common?

They're all STAY'IN ALIVE (AH, AH, AH, AH) STAY'IN ALIVE, STAY'IN ALIVE!

[wade moore]

Huh? When was the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus ever considered Christian symbols or traditions. Christmas and Easter, yes. Santa and a Bunny who hides chocolate? I must have missed those lessons in Sunday School. I am pretty sure Santa was not one of the wisemen, nor did a bunny hop over to Jesus' tomb that one morning.

Come on, let's be serious... Santa and the Easter Bunny are intimately tied to Christmas and Easter. To pretend otherwise is just rationalizing your point of view. Santa is the commercial/social representation of Christmas for children and the Easter Bunny is the same for Easter.

So, that being said. I always have mixed feelings about this. While I'm happy that we live in an area where my fiance is free to use Christmas Trees, hide Easter Eggs, etc in her public school Kindergarten Classroom - I can understand why these things would be banned. Particularly in an area where there is a lot of diversity in religions (it's rare that she has a child that is not some form of Christian faith) - it seems a no-brainer in those areas. Now I don't know anything about the area where this took place, but..

I am in favor of the Public Schools not forcing religion upon children. Before someone tries to say it again, yes, Santa and the Easter Bunny force religion on children. You have to realize this is being done to children from 5 years old and on. By people that they are told to look up to, respect, and listen to.

So anyway. I think if there is a fair amount of diversity in religions at schools, this is the right thing. If 99% of the kids are Christian, then meh, no harm in my book.

[bignej]

I am in favor of the Public Schools not forcing religion upon children. Before someone tries to say it again, yes, Santa and the Easter Bunny force religion on children. You have to realize this is being done to children from 5 years old and on. By people that they are told to look up to, respect, and listen to.

Many of the people defending Santa and the Easter Bunny would be the first ones to speak up if schools only only celebrated hanukkah, kwanza etc. Its a horrible double standard. I don't want my daughter getting "brainwashed" when she goes to a PUBLIC school about christianity or any other religion for that matter. Teach your kids to believe in Jesus at home and at church and let the schools teach math etc.

It's beyond what christians believe and its not a war on christianity. Its a battle to keep our children open-minded and above religious influences of those they will certainly respect, like their teacher. If my daughter grows up to believe in god and jesus, thats her decision. I will not teach her to believe my opinion. That breeds robots which I believe many(not all) religious people are.

Just because somethings been done wrong for hundreds of years doesn't mean it isn't wrong. Age does not equal validity.

[BrianD]

Holidays like Christmas and Easter are national holidays. Any celebrations that happen at school revolve around the candy and presents and never even discuss religion. As a kid growing up in a fairly non-religious house I knew on some level that Christmas and Easter were religious holidays, but that never entered my mind on its own. I'd have to stop and really think about them being religious. I don't think schools celebrating the non-religious parts of these holidays (eggs, candy, presents) does anything to promote religion.

[kcchief19]

I am not understanding some of these angles of debate. Why not just have fun upholding tradition, and allowing kids to be kids? I mean sheeesh!!
Do you expect a serious debate under the heading of "Easter Bunny Banned?"

[ShaqFu]

I guess the said school board didn't watch this week's "South Park." Stan wanted to know why people colored eggs and why a bunny delivered them. He couldn't see a connection between the bunny/eggs and Jesus. Stan's dad takes him to a secret meeting and we find out that the first Pope was none other than Peter Rabbit. Therefore, the school board has now whittled it down to not only Christianity, but to a single denomination within.

[ShaqFu]

Holidays like Easter are national holidays.

Not a Federal holiday. It's left up to local jurisdictions. The fact that Easter always is on a Sunday (a non-business day) likely makes it a moot point. More and more businesses are remaining open on Easter, without holiday pay to employees.

[JonInMiddleGA]

More and more businesses are remaining open on Easter, without holiday pay to employees.

Interesting observation, as I was just talking about noticing the opposite this year. I can't recall seeing so many businesses closed as I've noticed this year & some that surprised me by being closed on Good Friday as well. Neither here nor there since it's purely anecdotal evidence (unless you've got a study handy), but I thought the difference in perception and/or regionality was interesting.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

I had a girlfriend answer the door once wearing a leotard, bunny ears and a little bunny tail.

That was a good night. (She was an aerobics instructor.)

I am pro easter bunny! :D

[ShaqFu]

Interesting observation, as I was just talking about noticing the opposite this year. I can't recall seeing so many businesses closed as I've noticed this year & some that surprised me by being closed on Good Friday as well. Neither here nor there since it's purely anecdotal evidence (unless you've got a study handy), but I thought the difference in perception and/or regionality was interesting.

I can't remember the chain, but I was reading of at least one national chain today that used to close and has decided to remain open, without any holiday pay. I know that Kmart stores are open today, but they hardly ever close on holidays. You are right, many stores which have opened on Easter are closing now. I'm sure that more stores stay open on Easter than on Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's or July 4.

[wade moore]

Holidays like Christmas and Easter are national holidays.

Um, no?

Easter isn't even a federal holiday and Christmas is a federal holiday, but not a national holiday. There is no such thing as a national holiday in the US. There are federal government holidays where federal employees get off and many other government bodies and commercial business also do so, but no such thing as a national holiday.

[B & B]

http://rofl.wheresthebeef.co.uk/Super%20Slam.jpg

Snap into a holiday!

[BrianD]

Um, no?

Easter isn't even a federal holiday and Christmas is a federal holiday, but not a national holiday. There is no such thing as a national holiday in the US. There are federal government holidays where federal employees get off and many other government bodies and commercial business also do so, but no such thing as a national holiday.

So substitute Federal for National if I used the wrong word. I thought Easter was on that list as well, but since it is always on Sunday it would be hard to tell the difference. Either way my main point still stands, a large portion of the population celebrates the day and having schools give out candy or participate in an egg hunt with no discussion of the religious parts of the day doesn't seem all that terrible.

[JediKooter]

I guess they've never heard of the Hare Club for Men...

[sterlingice]

I guess they've never heard of the Hare Club for Men...

*rimshot*

SI

[flere-imsaho]

This PC crap is simply out of hand!!...especially among the most liberal of "educators"

I'm getting tired of this shit. Every single problem in the world is wholly the fault of these amorphous "liberals", to you. It's tiresome, and it shows you have a worldview no greater than that of a garden slug.

[stevew]

Now that the Easter Bunny is banned, all we need is the Nittany Lion to get banned as well.

[flere-imsaho]

No one tell PSU that Chief Illiniwik was banned, either.

[14ers]

Isn't the Easter Bunny's "real name" Peter Rabbit?

That's always what I thought. Peter Rabbit WAS the Easter Bunny.
I thought the Easter Bunny's real name was Peter Cottontail?




Here comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity hoppity,
Easter's on its way

Bringin' ev'ry girl and boy
A basketful of Easter joy
Things to make your Easter
Bright and gay

He's got jelly beans for Tommy
Colored eggs for sister Sue
There's an orchid for your mommy
And an Easter bonnet too. Oh!
http://www.yankeeharvest.com/pumpkin/estr-eggbar6.gif
Here' comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppity
Happy Easter Day

Look at him hop and listen to him say,
"Try to do the things you should"
Maybe if you're extra good
He'll roll lots of Easter eggs your way

You'll wake up on Easter morning
And you'll know that he was there
When you find those choc'late bunnies
That he's hiding ev'rywhere, Oh!

Here' comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppity
Happy Easter Day.

[cartman]

Or, the Hare Club for Men version:

Sanctum Peter oteum, Deus ore uneum.
Hippitus hoppitus reus homine.
In suspiratoreum, lepus in re sanctum.
Hippitus hoppitus Deus Domine.

[JediKooter]

*rimshot*

SI

Thank you! I'll be here all week and don't forget to try the veal. :D

[Karlifornia]

I'm glad to see our paid legislators tackling the big issues.....like Easter Bunny rights.

[PSUColonel]

No one tell PSU that Chief Illiniwik was banned, either.

Yes, I was aware of this, and I though that was pretty much BS as well.

[flere-imsaho]

As my brother-in-law likes so say: "The whole 'Fighting Illini' thing is a bunch of BS. If you want to be historically accurate, they were really the 'Farming Illini'. In fact, if they had actually been the 'Fighting Illini', they probably would have hung around for a bit longer."

[wade moore]

So substitute Federal for National if I used the wrong word. I thought Easter was on that list as well, but since it is always on Sunday it would be hard to tell the difference. Either way my main point still stands, a large portion of the population celebrates the day and having schools give out candy or participate in an egg hunt with no discussion of the religious parts of the day doesn't seem all that terrible.

That's because you're likely Christian or from a Christian Upbringing - as are you children (i think you have some?)...

As others have said, imagine if your schools ignored christmas and played only dradle (sp?) games - think you might have a different take on the matter?

The whole point of seperation of church and state is to avoid what you stated above, the majority religion steamrolling the minority religions. Our influential young children seems like the place where we would most want to avoid this.

[Schmidty]

Christian-aphobes crack me up.

[PSUColonel]

As my brother-in-law likes so say: "The whole 'Fighting Illini' thing is a bunch of BS. If you want to be historically accurate, they were really the 'Farming Illini'. In fact, if they had actually been the 'Fighting Illini', they probably would have hung around for a bit longer."

what the hell do you care? It is simply a team nickname based on a school mascot!! Why do people like you even give a crap this much??? get a life Flere, you are constantly attempting to pick fights with me with your incredibly sacrastic quips. Give it a rest, and if you don't have anything truley constructive to say or add, then please don't.

[Karlifornia]

what the hell do you care? It is simply a team nickname based on a school mascot!! Why do people like you even give a crap this much??? get a life Flere, you are constantly attempting to pick fights with me with you incredibly sacrastic quips. Give it a rest, and if you don't have anything truley constructive to say or add, then please don't.

Why do you care that he cares? He has just as much of a right to care about it as you apparently do. And now my head will explode.

[PSUColonel]

Why do you care that he cares? He has just as much of a right to care about it as you apparently do. And now my head will explode.

because he is constantly trying to goat me(and I guess now succeeding) into an argument simply because he for some reason seems to have a major problem with me. All I am saying is, you stay clear of me, and I'll stay clear of you.

[st.cronin]

goat meat is overrated

[Karlifornia]

because he is constantly trying to goat me(and I guess now succeeding) into an argument simply because he for some reason seems to have a major problem with me. All I am saying is, you stay clear of me, and I'll stay clear of you.

I hate it when someone goats me. At least find one that doesn't have horns.

[Schmidty]

because he is constantly trying to goat me(and I guess now succeeding) into an argument simply because he for some reason seems to have a major problem with me.

HAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!

BLEEET BLEEET!!!!!!!! :D

[Schmidty]

Damn. My typing is too slow.

[cartman]

goat meat is overrated

I was goaded into eating cabrito once. It was quite tasty.

[Izulde]

FWIW, I can understand wanting to change it to Peter Rabbit, but the Easter Bunny backlash is simply ridiculous. I mean, it's not like the symbol itself is banished. There's just a slight name change to remove a specific religious slant to it. No harm, no foul.

[BrianD]

That's because you're likely Christian or from a Christian Upbringing - as are you children (i think you have some?)...

My family was pretty completely non-religious until late in my schooling. I suppose I was aware of Christianity but that would have been from reading or TV. I don't have any children...unless you count cats...and they haven't been brought up Christian.

As others have said, imagine if your schools ignored christmas and played only dradle (sp?) games - think you might have a different take on the matter?

I might, it is hard to say. As a child I understood there was a connection between Christmas and Christianity, but I'm not sure where that came from. I'm guessing friends.

The whole point of seperation of church and state is to avoid what you stated above, the majority religion steamrolling the minority religions. Our influential young children seems like the place where we would most want to avoid this.

So does the school mention Easter/Christmas because they are pushing a religion, or because they are aware that they are part of the lives of the children...or because they reflect the religion of the school employees? I guess I don't see where mentioning a holiday (in a non-religious sense) constitutes endorsing that religion.

To give context to my words, I consider myself non-religious. I do have some Christian background, but I'm not really a believer. Actually, I don't really know what to believe. Nothing has really caught hold in my mind. I certainly don't like people pushing religion on me, but I've never thought a school I have attended has even touched on religion. Of course I can only speak for the schools I have attended in Wisconsin. Things may be different elsewhere.

[Subby]

No way things end well for PSU.

[BrianD]

FWIW, I can understand wanting to change it to Peter Rabbit, but the Easter Bunny backlash is simply ridiculous. I mean, it's not like the symbol itself is banished. There's just a slight name change to remove a specific religious slant to it. No harm, no foul.

My guess is that some people see a religious slant and believe in a separation of church and state while other people don't see a religious slant and dislike tradition being torn down for what they see as an unnecessary reason.

[Tigercat]

I am normally on the ACLU-political correct side of things in these types of debates.

BUT, some people who want to argue about the separation of church and state in our society with issues like these have to recognize that some institutions that were established by or because of religion are no longer simply religious institutions and events, they are part of the majority cultural, and therefore are even often celebrated independent of organized religious belief or membership.

And to pretend that they don't exist or renaming them when they permeate the majority culture can be a silly, silly thing. If one wants more cultural influence beyond things Christian, the way to do it is to increase awareness of other cultural heritage, not to try and throw a sheet over the things rooted in Christian history that are already a major part of our collective culture.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Come on, let's be serious... Santa and the Easter Bunny are intimately tied to Christmas and Easter. To pretend otherwise is just rationalizing your point of view. Santa is the commercial/social representation of Christmas for children and the Easter Bunny is the same for Easter.

I was serious. You do know that some of the more "serious" Christians greatly frown upon the inclusion of either Santa or the Bunny in these religious observances.

I would point out that I am a supporter like you of not forcing religion on kids in school. I do not favor school prayer in public schools, etc. However, my point is that Santa and the Bunny are not inherent in Christian religion. You will find no reference to Santa or the Bunny in the Bible or any religious teachings of the mainstream Christian faith. In fact, many atheists still have Santa visit their kids at Christmas and the Bunny at around Easter time. So how can you say these are Christian symbols or traditions? Let me ask you, "do you consider egg nog" to be a Christian symbol or tradition because it happens to be drunk mostly at a time on the calendar when Christmas arrives.

[PSUColonel]

No way things end well for PSU.

and why is that?...there is nothing wrong with posting a legitimate news story.

[Glengoyne]

And here I was thinking that the Easter Bunny had precisely zilch to do with the Easter holliday, at least in religious terms. The easter bunny is to Easter as Santa is to Christmas. They are the secular heralds of those religious holidays. Many Christians don't want their kids exposed to either Santa or the Easter Bunny.

[Karlifornia]

Many Christians don't want their kids exposed to either Santa or the Easter Bunny.

Well, when I was young, both Santa and the Easter Bunny exposed themselves to me.....and I subsequently lost my belief in God. I did, however, gain a belief in dressing up my girlfriends in costumes and doing unspeakables to them.

[Easter Bunny]

I was really expecting a little more airtime in this thread. Maybe I've been ghost-banned?

[Danny]

One time when I was three the easter bunny broke into my room at night and molested me

[wade moore]

So does the school mention Easter/Christmas because they are pushing a religion, or because they are aware that they are part of the lives of the children...or because they reflect the religion of the school employees? I guess I don't see where mentioning a holiday (in a non-religious sense) constitutes endorsing that religion.

To give context to my words, I consider myself non-religious. I do have some Christian background, but I'm not really a believer. Actually, I don't really know what to believe. Nothing has really caught hold in my mind. I certainly don't like people pushing religion on me, but I've never thought a school I have attended has even touched on religion. Of course I can only speak for the schools I have attended in Wisconsin. Things may be different elsewhere.

I was serious. You do know that some of the more "serious" Christians greatly frown upon the inclusion of either Santa or the Bunny in these religious observances.

I would point out that I am a supporter like you of not forcing religion on kids in school. I do not favor school prayer in public schools, etc. However, my point is that Santa and the Bunny are not inherent in Christian religion. You will find no reference to Santa or the Bunny in the Bible or any religious teachings of the mainstream Christian faith. In fact, many atheists still have Santa visit their kids at Christmas and the Bunny at around Easter time. So how can you say these are Christian symbols or traditions? Let me ask you, "do you consider egg nog" to be a Christian symbol or tradition because it happens to be drunk mostly at a time on the calendar when Christmas arrives.

Ok, both of you seem to be forming the same basic premise - that Santa and the Easter Bunny are not Christian/Don't endorce Christianity.

Ok - you have to be kidding, right? How many people that are Islamic do you know that do Easter Egg hunts or have a Christmas Tree? How many Buddhists color eggs? Need I go on?

They may not be part of the bible, but seriously, they are directly tied to the Christian faith. Kids know that Santa is to Christmas and Christmas is to Christianity. Kids know that the Easter Bunny is to Easter and Easter is to Christianity. Let's not kid ourselves that these two symbols have become that removed from Christianity that kids don't know what they are. Sure, they're very commercialized, but at their core they are tied to Christianity and kids know that.

Realize that all this being said, I'm still wishy washy on thise whole thing. As a whole, as I said, in places where the dramatic majority (as where I am) are Christian, it seems ok. But if this is say NYC - I don't think it is appropriate unless you are giving some fair time to other similar events in other religions.

As much as these two rituals may seem "harmless", you have to think about the poor 7 year old who is Islamic (or hell, even Jehovah's Witness which is Christian) and sees all of this at school every year and goes home and they don't have presents or dye eggs and mommy and dad have to explain "it's against our religion" - yet all of the kids at school get to do this "fun" stuff.... You don't think that makes a 7 year old conflicted about his/her religion?

[Danny]

As a little kid, I never tied Santa or the Easter Bunny to Christianity. I tied Santa to a big jolly fat guy who brought me presents, and the easter bunny to a white rabbit who hid eggs and loved for me to eat lots of chocolate. My family is jewish.

And even if they are tied to Christianity, why must we get rid of what makes cultures unique? Instead of getting rid of the Easter Bunny, bring that furry little guy on, and while you're at it, bring on matzoh, bring on Cinco De Mayo, bring on ramadan etc... Cultures should be something to learn about, embrace and celebrate. I don't think anyone has ever been hurt by gaining knowledge and understanding of another's beliefs.

[wade moore]

As a little kid, I never tied Santa or the Easter Bunny to Christianity. I tied Santa to a big jolly fat guy who brought me presents, and the easter bunny to a white rabbit who hid eggs and loved for me to eat lots of chocolate. My family is jewish.

And even if they are tied to Christianity, why must we get rid of what makes cultures unique? Instead of getting rid of the Easter Bunny, bring that furry little guy on, and while you're at it, bring on matzoh, bring on Cinco De Mayo, bring on ramadan etc... Cultures should be something to learn about, embrace and celebrate. I don't think anyone has ever been hurt by gaining knowledge and understanding of another's beliefs.

If you are indeed teaching about the other Holidays, then I think that it's ok. But by-in-large, that is just not the case.

[Danny]

Probably not, but that should be the focus of these groups, not getting rid of the easter bunny.

[flere-imsaho]

what the hell do you care? It is simply a team nickname based on a school mascot!! Why do people like you even give a crap this much??? get a life Flere, you are constantly attempting to pick fights with me with your incredibly sacrastic quips. Give it a rest, and if you don't have anything truley constructive to say or add, then please don't.

And here I was thinking the "Farming Illini" was a good joke with which to lighten the mood. Guess not.

[flere-imsaho]

and why is that?...there is nothing wrong with posting a legitimate news story.

That's not what you did, though.

This PC crap is simply out of hand!!...especially among the most liberal of "educators"

While others may just post news stories, you've got to take a swipe at people. And you do this every time. Is it any wonder there's a good number of people here who are tired of your crap?

[wade moore]

Probably not, but that should be the focus of these groups, not getting rid of the easter bunny.

I can't disagree with that at all. I'd be in full support of addressing the major holidays of the major religions (let's not get nitpicky here in deciding what those are)... One obstacle of course is that Christmas/Easter are the most commercial, but certainly at least Hannikah and Kwanzaa have commercial/social aspects worth discussing.. and I'm sure that there are others that have elements that can be discussed without getting to heavy into the religious aspects (the fact that I'm dancing around since I don't know what they are tells you something about what public schools tell us about other religions vs. Christianity)...

[Passacaglia]

And here I was thinking the "Farming Illini" was a good joke with which to lighten the mood. Guess not.

In an effort not to offend Pennsylvania's Lion community, I propose we start calling them the Penn State University...Colonels. :cool:

[Danny]

I can't disagree with that at all. I'd be in full support of addressing the major holidays of the major religions (let's not get nitpicky here in deciding what those are)... One obstacle of course is that Christmas/Easter are the most commercial, but certainly at least Hannikah and Kwanzaa have commercial/social aspects worth discussing.. and I'm sure that there are others that have elements that can be discussed without getting to heavy into the religious aspects (the fact that I'm dancing around since I don't know what they are tells you something about what public schools tell us about other religions vs. Christianity)...

That's a good point. I live and grew up in a city with many different cultures and while I know a little bit about non Christian based holidays, I can't think of specifics of others (besides the Jewish ones for obvious reasons) like I can of Christmas or Easter for example. And the great majority of the knowledge I do have was accumulated after high school.

[Butter]

You mean you never heard of Hanukkah Harry?

[PSUColonel]

And here I was thinking the "Farming Illini" was a good joke with which to lighten the mood. Guess not.


Are you joking? What was this?

I'm getting tired of this shit. Every single problem in the world is wholly the fault of these amorphous "liberals", to you. It's tiresome, and it shows you have a worldview no greater than that of a garden slug.


You initiated any hostility going on here. Who did I personally attack? You are the only one attacking people (namingly me) personally. Yes, you are really out to lighten the mood from what I can tell.:rolleyes:

[BrianD]

Ok, both of you seem to be forming the same basic premise - that Santa and the Easter Bunny are not Christian/Don't endorce Christianity.

Ok - you have to be kidding, right? How many people that are Islamic do you know that do Easter Egg hunts or have a Christmas Tree? How many Buddhists color eggs? Need I go on?

I agree that I am forming that premise and no I am not kidding. I don't know any Buddhists or followers of Islam well enough to say what they do at this time of year. I do know that holidays at Christmas time and Easter time predate Christianity and that they were both coopted by Christians. The main participants of the holidays are probably Christians and non-religious people. I have always celebrated these holidays and I have never been religious.

I see the point you are trying to make with the Islamists and the Buddhists, but for a long time they have been fairly geographically isolated. Their cultures didn't grow up with our Pagan/Christian traditions. If they never had an Easter or a Spring Fertility Festival, I don't expect them to start celebrating it just because they move to this country...much like they probably don't celebrate the 4th of July.

They may not be part of the bible, but seriously, they are directly tied to the Christian faith. Kids know that Santa is to Christmas and Christmas is to Christianity. Kids know that the Easter Bunny is to Easter and Easter is to Christianity. Let's not kid ourselves that these two symbols have become that removed from Christianity that kids don't know what they are. Sure, they're very commercialized, but at their core they are tied to Christianity and kids know that.

Kids know what they are taught and what they pick up from their friends. Sure their Christian friends will probably tell them about the religious aspects of the holidays. Kids will probably also ask what Santa has to do with the brith of Christ and the Christian friend will tell them "nothing". Again, being non-religious, I have been aware my whole life that Christian friends went to special church services during this time of year, but that never made me want to go. I got candy and presents and had to do nothing for them. They just came at this time of year. The holidays were a great time as a kid (still are I suppose) but they were always without religion for me. Maybe I was just a special kid and understood that I didn't have to share the religious beliefs of my friends. I never felt that they pushed me toward anything. What I can't say is if they would have pushed followers of other religions away from anything. I have no experience with that.

Realize that all this being said, I'm still wishy washy on thise whole thing. As a whole, as I said, in places where the dramatic majority (as where I am) are Christian, it seems ok. But if this is say NYC - I don't think it is appropriate unless you are giving some fair time to other similar events in other religions.

As much as these two rituals may seem "harmless", you have to think about the poor 7 year old who is Islamic (or hell, even Jehovah's Witness which is Christian) and sees all of this at school every year and goes home and they don't have presents or dye eggs and mommy and dad have to explain "it's against our religion" - yet all of the kids at school get to do this "fun" stuff.... You don't think that makes a 7 year old conflicted about his/her religion?

Actually, I give kids more credit than that. Different religions have different traditions and probably have some fun that Christians don't. I would also say that I would be surprised if giving presents or dying eggs would be against any religion. It is really all a matter of perception. The holidays have religious roots, and deeper non-religious roots. What you teach your kids is up to you.

[BrianD]

dola

Really, I think a lot of this stuff comes down to previous perceptions. If you are strongly religious, or if you have been non-religious in the face of pressure to be religious you are going to see these symbols as strictly Christian symbols and react accordingly.

If you are non-religious and reasonably comfortable with you ability to be non-religious you probably see these symbols as imaginary fun like the Tooth Fairy.

Maybe it is hard to be objective in a debate like this because perceptions we project on others are so colored by our own past experiences.

[flere-imsaho]

Are you joking? What was this?

That was another, completely different, post. Well spotted.

[KWhit]

That was another, completely different, post. Well spotted.

Don't let him goat you into a fight.

[wade moore]

dola

Really, I think a lot of this stuff comes down to previous perceptions. If you are strongly religious, or if you have been non-religious in the face of pressure to be religious you are going to see these symbols as strictly Christian symbols and react accordingly.

If you are non-religious and reasonably comfortable with you ability to be non-religious you probably see these symbols as imaginary fun like the Tooth Fairy.

Maybe it is hard to be objective in a debate like this because perceptions we project on others are so colored by our own past experiences.

FWIW, I fall into your second group. I can count the number of times on my hands that I have attended church (outside of weddings and funerals) and never felt pushed by outside sources to pursue religion further. I consider myself "Christian" and grew up in a lax Catholic household. So I was not pushed towards christianity, because I felt I was Christian. I did not go to church, but..

So anyway, I'm not sure that what you're saying applies. I'm someone that is pretty concerned with children being made uncomfortable because they don't "fit in" when not necessary. This seems like one of those times. I have become extra sensitive as my fiance became a Kindergarten teacher and I saw some of the challenges some of her kids faced.

*shrug*... It just seems like something we don't need to be focusing on for kids at school.

But again, if we're doing this for all major religions, I'm in favor. or, again, if essentially all/large majority of the kids are Christian anyways, it doesn't seem to be harmful.

[Subby]

and why is that?...there is nothing wrong with posting a legitimate news story.
No I mean things for you personally. Things don't seem to end well for folks who get all worked up about stuff over which they have little or no control. You seem to have a disproportionate level of rage and it will probably end up manifesting itself (if it hasn't already) in really bad ways for you. You should seriously consider getting some help.

[BrianD]

FWIW, I fall into your second group. I can count the number of times on my hands that I have attended church (outside of weddings and funerals) and never felt pushed by outside sources to pursue religion further. I consider myself "Christian" and grew up in a lax Catholic household. So I was not pushed towards christianity, because I felt I was Christian. I did not go to church, but..

So anyway, I'm not sure that what you're saying applies. I'm someone that is pretty concerned with children being made uncomfortable because they don't "fit in" when not necessary. This seems like one of those times. I have become extra sensitive as my fiance became a Kindergarten teacher and I saw some of the challenges some of her kids faced.

*shrug*... It just seems like something we don't need to be focusing on for kids at school.

But again, if we're doing this for all major religions, I'm in favor. or, again, if essentially all/large majority of the kids are Christian anyways, it doesn't seem to be harmful.

Since I don't have kids, I may be underestimating the pressures from other kids. I don't remember there being any when I was 7, but that was 26 years ago.

I still think that religions should be ok to talk about in school if you are going at them from a historical perspective. I also only think Santa and The Bunny have a religious tie if someone else makes that tie for the kids. Of course having them displayed in school might cause kids to ask questions which would ultimately lead in those ties being made.

There is a tough balance between not pushing a religion and preventing people from even mentioning a religion.

[PSUColonel]

No I mean things for you personally. Things don't seem to end well for folks who get all worked up about stuff over which they have little or no control. You seem to have a disproportionate level of rage and it will probably end up manifesting itself (if it hasn't already) in really bad ways for you. You should seriously consider getting some help.



I'm not really sure where I've exuded any real rage????:confused:

[wade moore]

There is a tough balance between not pushing a religion and preventing people from even mentioning a religion.

Agreed. That's why in my perfect world it would revolve around talking about all of the major religions, rather than only one or none at all.

[BrianD]

Agreed. That's why in my perfect world it would revolve around talking about all of the major religions, rather than only one or none at all.

I can't really argue with that, though if we get to discuss perfect worlds, mine would have no more than one religion...and that one would have to include a healthy amount of tolerance.

[wade moore]

I can't really argue with that, though if we get to discuss perfect worlds, mine would have no more than one religion...and that one would have to include a healthy amount of tolerance.

Let's not get crazy. :D

[st.cronin]

What exactly is a "nittany lion" anyway.

[BrianD]

Let's not get crazy. :D

You were talking about a perfect realistic world? OK, my idea is right out. :)

There was a different thread talking about "what if" scenarios. I occasionally ponder the "what if" of either having no religions in the world, or having just one. It just seems like things could be so much easier that way.

[wade moore]

You were talking about a perfect realistic world? OK, my idea is right out. :)

There was a different thread talking about "what if" scenarios. I occasionally ponder the "what if" of either having no religions in the world, or having just one. It just seems like things could be so much easier that way.

I'm sure we'd find something else to fight about. What toothpaste people use or something.

[Passacaglia]

Anybody who uses Dent-o-tape is an idiot.

[BrianD]

Anybody who uses Dent-o-tape is an idiot.

Troll.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Ok, both of you seem to be forming the same basic premise - that Santa and the Easter Bunny are not Christian/Don't endorce Christianity.

Ok - you have to be kidding, right? How many people that are Islamic do you know that do Easter Egg hunts or have a Christmas Tree? How many Buddhists color eggs? Need I go on?

Yes, please actually go on because you are jumping to way too many conclusions. And yes, I know quite a few who do. I just had an easter egg hunt yesterday where two friends (Sikhs) had their kids come over and enjoy the celebration. And during Chistmas holidays, there are indeed quite a few non-Christians at the stores buying gifts to give to their children at Christmas time. You see, gift-giving at Christmas time is a Western thing, not a Christian thing in many respects, and I have seen many people of non-Christian religions who have emigrated here joining in some of the Christmas time (and I stress non-Christian) traditions -- like Santa. They may even go to baseball games too, something they have never done in the past until moving here.



They may not be part of the bible, but seriously, they are directly tied to the Christian faith. Kids know that Santa is to Christmas and Christmas is to Christianity. Kids know that the Easter Bunny is to Easter and Easter is to Christianity. Let's not kid ourselves that these two symbols have become that removed from Christianity that kids don't know what they are. Sure, they're very commercialized, but at their core they are tied to Christianity and kids know that.



Nope. Don't agree. Simple as that. Try asking a number of kids about Santa and what he is and what he stands for. Many of the answers will have no tie to Christianity at all. Your premise falls apart at the language I bolded. Many kids do not draw that connection at all.

With all that said, I agree with the suggestion above that schools take the time out to celebrate traditions from several religions throughtout the year. This would grow religious tolerance and eliminate ignorance. Embracing all instead of banning all is the much better approach.

[wade moore]

I'm going to agree to disagree on the first point here because I could come up with many contradictory anecdotal stories to your anecdotal stories and grasp onto the point we agree on - that rather than pushing this stuff out of the schools, we should be embracing all instead of banning all.

[JonInMiddleGA]

What an odd twist this thread has taken.

I've spent my whole life smack in the middle of the Bible Belt, and can't recall once hearing anyone connect the Easter Bunny to religion. I do, however, recall several occasions when people railed against it for various religious reasons.

[wade moore]

What an odd twist this thread has taken.

I've spent my whole life smack in the middle of the Bible Belt, and can't recall once hearing anyone connect the Easter Bunny to religion. I do, however, recall several occasions when people railed against it for various religious reasons.

I think I may not be explaining myself well.

It may not be "part of religion", but it only exists because of religion and is an extension of a religious holiday. You can't talk about the Easter Bunny without Easter.

[JonInMiddleGA]

How many people that are Islamic do you know that do Easter Egg hunts or have a Christmas Tree? How many Buddhists color eggs? Need I go on?

Umm ... I personally know several Jewish households that routinely both put up Christmas trees and decorate eggs/have egg hunts.

Methinks the religious connotation isn't as strong as youthinks it is.

[BrianD]

I think I may not be explaining myself well.

It may not be "part of religion", but it only exists because of religion and is an extension of a religious holiday. You can't talk about the Easter Bunny without Easter.

I'm going to disagree slightly with this one. As far as I understand, both Santa and the Easter Bunny came before the Christian religions existed on these days. In an effort to help the religion, early Christians embraced these characters (and holidays) as their own. There is no reason other religions couldn't also claim these ancient Pagan holidays as their own if they wanted to. The word "Easter" isn't all that much of a deviation of the early "Eastre" who was a Saxon Goddess celebrated on what became Easter.

Edit: The above came from some quick reading on Wikipedia and About.com. I am nothing close to an expert on this stuff so feel free to point out other histories which contradict this.

[wade moore]

I'm going to disagree slightly with this one. As far as I understand, both Santa and the Easter Bunny came before the Christian religions existed on these days. In an effort to help the religion, early Christians embraced these characters (and holidays) as their own. There is no reason other religions couldn't also claim these ancient Pagan holidays as their own if they wanted to. The word "Easter" isn't all that much of a deviation of the early "Eastre" who was a Saxon Goddess celebrated on what became Easter.

Edit: The above came from some quick reading on Wikipedia and About.com. I am nothing close to an expert on this stuff so feel free to point out other histories which contradict this.

I know this is the case for Christmas, it's news to me if the Easter Bunny is from Pagan holidays - but I'm far from an expert.

Meh. I understand that there are Jewish people, etc. that celebrate these holidays. More power to the adults that choose to do so.

Anyway...

I feel like we're just going in circles. That's why I want to say let's support the idea of embracing all rather than banning all and all agree that only focusing on what are at minimum more strongly tied to the Christian faith than other mainstream religions is bad.

[BrianD]

I know this is the case for Christmas, it's news to me if the Easter Bunny is from Pagan holidays - but I'm far from an expert.

Meh. I understand that there are Jewish people, etc. that celebrate these holidays. More power to the adults that choose to do so.

Anyway...

I feel like we're just going in circles. That's why I want to say let's support the idea of embracing all rather than banning all and all agree that only focusing on what are at minimum more strongly tied to the Christian faith than other mainstream religions is bad.

I'm going to skip the last part of your post since I've pretty much agreed with it already.

As for the first part, any Christian religion that has some pretty major components that really don't fit (fat guy giving presents, rabbits that hide eggs) are probably pagan holidays "borrowed" by early Christians. As I understand it (and I'm sure others have a better understanding), to help the religion gain traction, Christian holidays were placed on top of pagan holidays/festivals. People celebrating the winter solstace were celebrating at the same time as those celebrating Christmas. This made conversion easier since people were still doing familiar things.

Early Christians had very good marketing skills. :)

[wade moore]

I'm going to skip the last part of your post since I've pretty much agreed with it already.

As for the first part, any Christian religion that has some pretty major components that really don't fit (fat guy giving presents, rabbits that hide eggs) are probably pagan holidays "borrowed" by early Christians. As I understand it (and I'm sure others have a better understanding), to help the religion gain traction, Christian holidays were placed on top of pagan holidays/festivals. People celebrating the winter solstace were celebrating at the same time as those celebrating Christmas. This made conversion easier since people were still doing familiar things.

Early Christians had very good marketing skills. :)

Yup. I won't disagree with any of this.

[PSUColonel]

What exactly is a "nittany lion" anyway.

"Nittany" is the name of an old Indian tribe that roamed the mountains of Centre County. Mountain Lions were also abundant there at one time, hence the name Nittany Lions.

[bignej]

CHRISTmas(celebration of the birth of Jesus CHRIST), the day Santa gives us presents
EASTER(day jesus resurrected) and also the day the EASTER Bunny gives us eggs and candy

Regardless if true "christians" believe or agree with this, the connection is very easy to make. I was raised christian so Santa and the easter bunny were staples of my childhood. It doesn't matter if a jewish family you know gets presents from santa. Not everyone seperates these things.

Many times I've driven around looking at christmas lights and see someone put a santa claus right next to a jesus: the reason for the season sign. I think it's fair to imagine a 10 year old connecting the dots.

I would guess that the average IQ on this board is above average for society so maybe people here can make the seperation. I know my family, as crazy as they were, were not the only ones to treat these things as one and the same.

[sabotai]

I actually had no idea that Easter had anything to do with Christianity until high school. I just thought it was holiday like Halloween, an excuse to give kids candy. Christmas yes, but not Easter. But I wasn't raised a Christian, so no one told me it was about the ressurection, just that I got lots of candy. For me, that was enough reason to celebrate.

When I found out, I had pretty much the same reaction as Stan on South Park. We celebrate Jesus' ressurection by coloring eggs and a giant bunny brings us candy? There seems to be a gap in logic between them.

[BrianD]

CHRISTmas(celebration of the birth of Jesus CHRIST), the day Santa gives us presents
EASTER(day jesus resurrected) and also the day the EASTER Bunny gives us eggs and candy

Regardless if true "christians" believe or agree with this, the connection is very easy to make. I was raised christian so Santa and the easter bunny were staples of my childhood. It doesn't matter if a jewish family you know gets presents from santa. Not everyone seperates these things.

Many times I've driven around looking at christmas lights and see someone put a santa claus right next to a jesus: the reason for the season sign. I think it's fair to imagine a 10 year old connecting the dots.

I would guess that the average IQ on this board is above average for society so maybe people here can make the seperation. I know my family, as crazy as they were, were not the only ones to treat these things as one and the same.

Of course you treated them as one and the same - you grew up Christian. Those that didn't grow up Christian (as have pointed out in this thread) don't treat them as one in the same.

I don't see how handing out candy and eating colored eggs can be seen as celebrating the resurrection of Christ. Because they happen on the same day or are celebrated both ways by some people don't make them the same thing.

This is why when a kid sees bunny and egg decorations at school and goes home to mom and dad to ask about them, they can get totally different answers.

[st.cronin]

If a Christian eats pancakes for breakfast, does that make pancakes a Christian breakfast?

[Groundhog]

I can't be bothered to read the first 2 pages of this thread, but I'll put my hand up as someone who: a) knows that Easter has ties to Christianity, and b) had no idea what a bunny and painted eggs has to do with the Christian ties.

I've always assumed that the eggs symbolise life or something like that, but that sounds a little too Pagan to me, so I wouldn't be surprised if that's completely wrong, or is related to a non-religious or Pagan origin of the holiday.

But hey, lets face it, Easter has now joined Christmas as a holiday that is far more about buying things (eggs, in this case) than about any kind of religious celebration. I associate Christmas with buying gifts and Easter with eating chocoloate, and I'm sure the majority of people are much the same.

[SFL Cat]

I know a lot of Christian folk who aren't fond of either Santa or the Easter Bunny. They feel both detract from the true meanings of the holiday celebrations...Christmas - the birth of Christ...Easter - His death and resurrection.

I can see their point to a degree. To most unchurched kids, Santa, the Easter Bunny and "getting stuff" are what the holidays are all about.

Still, I think it is a fun tradition, especially if you tie them to the deeper religious meanings of the holiday. For Santa -- Saint Nicholas, it isn't that hard. The Easter Bunny...well, that's a little bit more of a stretch.

For those who are offended by these traditions...tuff. Like I'm sure a government in an Arab/Muslim country would cancel one of their rituals/celebrations if a Christian were offended by them.

[dawgfan]

I figure this thread is as good a one as any to post this video:

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BPb0po2jzfg"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BPb0po2jzfg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

[Groundhog]

I know a lot of Christian folk who aren't fond of either Santa or the Easter Bunny. They feel both detract from the true meanings of the holiday celebrations...Christmas - the birth of Christ...Easter - His death and resurrection.

I think they are completely correct, and if I were Christian I'd feel the exact same way.

Still, I think it is a fun tradition, especially if you tie them to the deeper religious meanings of the holiday. For Santa -- Saint Nicholas, it isn't that hard. The Easter Bunny...well, that's a little bit more of a stretch.

And I think they are a lot more fun if you don't try and give them a deeper religious meaning. Christmas in my family is a time to get together with your family, which is something that is difficult to do at other times. Gift exchanging is nice too, but it's not the be-all and end-all.

Easter on the other hand... meh. When I was a kid it meant lots of chocolates and stuff, but now days it doesn't really mean anything. I'll buy my girlfriend and egg, and that's it.

For those who are offended by these traditions...tuff. Like I'm sure a government in an Arab/Muslim country would cancel one of their rituals/celebrations if a Christian were offended by them.

Well, the difference is of course that your country is secular. I personally have no problem with christmas trees, christmas carols, prayer in schools, or any of that stuff. I understand that the majority of religious people in my country are Christian or some derivitive, so even if my country is secular I've just accepted it as unavoidable. I have no problem with people taking offense to it either however, because I certainly see where they are coming from.

[cartman]

If a Christian eats pancakes for breakfast, does that make pancakes a Christian breakfast?

If it was on one special day each year at St. Alphonzo's Pancake Breakfast, then the answer is probably yes.

:D

[Warhammer]

Damn, they're outlawing the Easter bunny? I mean why are we swiping at Pagan rituals? Heck, if we wanted to take a swipe at Christians, let's take away the crosses!

(For the record, I am joking.)

In other news, the former Chiefs at U of I are filing suit against the NCAA. Should be an interesting suit.

[AlexB]

CHRISTmas(celebration of the birth of Jesus CHRIST), the day Santa gives us presents
EASTER(day jesus resurrected) and also the day the EASTER Bunny gives us eggs and candy

Regardless if true "christians" believe or agree with this, the connection is very easy to make. I was raised christian so Santa and the easter bunny were staples of my childhood. It doesn't matter if a jewish family you know gets presents from santa. Not everyone seperates these things.

Many times I've driven around looking at christmas lights and see someone put a santa claus right next to a jesus: the reason for the season sign. I think it's fair to imagine a 10 year old connecting the dots.

I would guess that the average IQ on this board is above average for society so maybe people here can make the seperation. I know my family, as crazy as they were, were not the only ones to treat these things as one and the same.

I don't get why you've bolded Easter - Christ and Christmas is a given, but the actual word Easter has no inherent Christian reference :confused:

From Wikipedia


The English name, "Easter", and the German, "Ostern", derive from the name of Germanic Goddess of the Dawn (thus, of spring, as the dawn of the year) - called Ēaster, Ēastre, and Ēostre (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eostre), in various dialects of Old English (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_English). In England (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England), the annual festive time in her honor was in the "Month of Easter" or Ēosturmonath, equivalent to April/Aprilis<SUP class=reference id=_ref-oxford_0>[4] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter#_note-oxford)</SUP>. The Venerable Bede (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bede), an 8th Century English (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Saxons) Christian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian) monk (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monk) wrote in Latin:

"Eosturmonath, qui nunc paschalis mensis interpretatur, quondam a dea illorum quae Eostre vocabatur et cui in illo festa celebrabant nomen habuit."

Which means: "Eastermonth, which is now interpreted as the paschal month, was formerly named after the goddess Eostre, and has given its name to the festival."

In most Slavic languages, the name for Easter either means Great Day or Great Night. For example Wielkanoc and Velikonoce mean Great Night or Great Nights in Polish and Czech, respectively. Великден (Vělikděn') and Вялікдзень (Vjalikdzěn') mean 'The Great Day' in Bulgarian and Ukrainian respectively. In Serbian and Croatian, however, the day's name reflects a more particular theological connection: it is called "Uskrs," meaning 'Resurrection.'

[wade moore]

For those who are offended by these traditions...tuff. Like I'm sure a government in an Arab/Muslim country would cancel one of their rituals/celebrations if a Christian were offended by them.

Come on now SFL, you know better than to use this argument..

Arab/Muslim countries have a national religion, we do not. Apples and Oranges big time.

[bignej]

I don't get why you've bolded Easter - Christ and Christmas is a given, but the actual word Easter has no inherent Christian reference :confused:

From Wikipedia

Thats the problem though. Ask 100 people what happened on Easter and 99/100 would say that is the day Jesus resurrected. I asked my friend at work, a "super" christian, and he agreed that christian don't agree with the easter bunny but that wasn't the point. It was about school children not 30 year old dudes. Can the children make the seperation and what do the teachers say when asked by the children?

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Thats the problem though. Ask 100 people what happened on Easter and 99/100 would say that is the day Jesus resurrected. I asked my friend at work, a "super" christian, and he agreed that christian don't agree with the easter bunny but that wasn't the point. It was about school children not 30 year old dudes. Can the children make the seperation and what do the teachers say when asked by the children?

I will absolutely, positively gurantee that if you ask 100 people what happened on Easter, that 99 people WILL NOT answer that was the day Jesus was resurrected -- not even close. As for school children, I would be shocked if the answer is even close to 50%. You have a very inflated opinion of the importance and (knowledge of the details of the Christian religion) to the average person on the street. And that really is the point that is being made here.

[AlexB]

Got ya.

[stevew]

I will absolutely, positively gurantee that if you ask 100 people what happened on Easter, that 99 people WILL NOT answer that was the day Jesus was resurrected -- not even close. As for school children, I would be shocked if the answer is even close to 50%. You have a very inflated opinion of the importance and (knowledge of the details of the Christian religion) to the average person on the street. And that really is the point that is being made here.

I think you're right.

[dawgfan]

Just to put my $0.02 in -

As someone that is decidedly non-religious, I'm usually rather sensitive to issues of religion intersecting with governmental institutions. However, I think the issue in the linked article is silly - as many here have pointed out, the Easter Bunny is pretty much a secular way of celebrating the religious holiday of Easter in much the same way that Santa Claus is associated with Christmas. I grew up in a non-religious household, and Easter and the Easter Bunny was all about the hunt for eggs. As a kid I had only the vaguest notion of the connection between the Easter Bunny and what Easter actually meant to Christians.

As far as I'm concerned, I have no problem with schools acknowledging the Easter Bunny and having egg hunts and the like so long as it isn't accompanied by a lecture on the meaning of Easter as a religious holiday or pointing out the connection between the two - that's the province of the church and of parents if they so choose, not a public school.

Now, if we're talking High School, I wouldn't be opposed to comparative religion classes where this connection could be discussed.