[Scotty]

Its a pagan practice and in the 10 commandments God does not want us to have other gods

Sorry, could you run by me again how what day Easter falls on means we have other gods?

[iamzack]

Its a pagan practice and in the 10 commandments God does not want us to have other gods or (somewhere else it says) partake in their practices or even speak their names.

he explained his reasoning. you didn't quote the whole sentence. emphasis mine.

[Goober5000]

I would counter that by pointing to the passage about eating meat sacrificed to idols.  It's complicated, but it essentially depends on the person's mindset.  This doesn't, of course, sanction clearly detestable practices like child sacrifice.

And holding a new holiday at the same time as an old holiday is a good way to transition people from the old to the new.  In the case of Easter though, it's a coincidence, because it's intrinsically linked to Passover.

[Charismatic]

Deka1184, AFAIK totally right. The church through many years has let pagan practices infiltrate the church and our traditions. I recently heard specficially that Christmas' flaw is that we have cut trees (with ornaments and such). I believe it says not to cut trees (with ornaments) for celebration like the pagans do. Im trying to find the passage now.

I personally like the trees at christmas and the pritty decorations but if God says differently Ill change. Not saying cutting trees down is evil or anything, im just trying to say what the Bible said on the subject.

Specific points aside, Im just saying we (christians) should be careful in what we do and make sure their not as fun and harmless as they seem(Bad phrasing) honest practices--some as mentioned might not be as harmless as you'd think, coming from un christian origins (meh, good enough). Accidently celebrating Ester via easter eggs is just an example.

iamzack, Thanks for the backing. I apprecaite it.

Goober5000, what scrpiture was that?
And I agre. That is why im starting to call it Resurrection Day instead of Easter.

EDITED

[Deka1184]

You could just use artificial trees. 

[Nuclear1]

Specific points aside, Im just saying we (christians) should be careful in what we do and make sure their not as fun and harmless as they seem. Accidently celebrating Ester via easter eggs is just an example.

Or pagan rituals like cannibalism and drinking blood.

Oh, wait...

How about just forget the pagan roots and celebrate what you're supposed to celebrate?  If anything, giving gifts and going tree shopping at Christmas and painting eggs at Easter is something that allows families to spend time together and grow closer.  There's no intention of honoring some ancient fertility ritual...it's just having some goddamn fun.

[jdjtcagle]

We are no longer justified by works but by faith, notice the passage. There isn't anything we can do to save ourselves, only faith.

1 Corinthians 8

 1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.

 2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;

 3but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.

 4Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one.

 5For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,

 6yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

 7However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

 8But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.

 9But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

 10For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols?

 11For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died.

 12And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

 13Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

EDIT: So what see here, we know that there are no other gods and we are not sinning by partaking in traditions that originally belong to pagan origins. But it's a stumbling block to some and therefore I will not hunt my eggs in front of you Charismatic

[Deka1184]

-snip- goddamn fun.

might wanna rephrase that 

[Bobboau]

And holding a new holiday at the same time as an old holiday is a good way to transition people from the old to the new.  In the case of Easter though, it's a coincidence, because it's intrinsically linked to Passover.

Yeah, like the passover bunny, and that tirade Jesus went on about how he didn't like eggs and was all like 'I don't care if you paint them colors and hide them, I just don't want to see any more eggs'

[S-99]

I MISSED WALKING JESUS ZOMBIE DAY!
For god so loved the world that he ressurected his one and only son.

[NGTM-1R]

We are no longer justified by works but by faith, notice the passage. There isn't anything we can do to save ourselves, only faith.

Of course the concept of rejecting works is going to be a really big problem for reality...

...and the words of Jesus in several places reject it so mere letters of the apostles/Paul don't really give you license to claim that.

[Goober5000]

You might be confusing prerequisites with fruit.

[jdjtcagle]

Obedience to the Christ is not the same as works.  ie., baptism, repentance.  Salvation is a free gift but you have to make a choice to submit to God in order to receive it.

The requirements are listed in throughout the entire New Testament but it starts on the day of Pentecost 50 days after the Passover (Easter) Acts 2:38. Repentance and baptism in Jesus name, then God gives his spirit.

Paul understood the doctrine of faith unto obedience and there are scriptures to prove it.  In-fact the book of Romans is a good place to look, Paul knew that he preached faith so hard that it confused most when they heard it. Earlier in Romans Paul says this (paraphrased) So what does this mean? (talking about faith) Do we sin so that grace may abound? No. He goes on to further explain what he means.

[iamzack]

There are more One True Paths to Heaven than ways to go to hell.

[jdjtcagle]

There are more One True Paths to Heaven than ways to go to hell.

True, some people hold onto the faith aspect. Others the confession which is more like a magical phrase. Some works, others baptism... Which, all they are is a means to an end. The way to be saved might be debated but it's those with the Spirit that are truly saved.

Some say you get the spirit when... <insert scripture>

When you really look at all passages in their proper context. It's actually harmonious and laid out clearly, just (IMHO) very different from traditional belief. (Council of Nicea)

[jdjtcagle]

Back to Acts 2:38.  Acts 2:37 the people ask Peter how to be saved.

37Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?"

And Peter responds...

38Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This is clearly THE WAY (tm)

For those who say that this was for them and not us then read the next verse

39"For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself."

[S-99]

Obedience to christ eating brains?

[swashmebuckle]

Darn, I can't believe I missed the chance to trot out my resurrection-related sacred opus again.  Oh well here it is anyway:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkvHHBYOXz0&fmt=22

Happy belated Easter!  He is risen indeed

[NGTM-1R]

When you really look at all passages in their proper context. It's actually harmonious and laid out clearly, just (IMHO) very different from traditional belief. (Council of Nicea)

When you say something like that, it instantly becomes clear you're not viewing the same Bible I am, and I reject the concept of organized religion.

[General Battuta]

Darn, I can't believe I missed the chance to trot out my resurrection-related sacred opus again.  Oh well here it is anyway:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkvHHBYOXz0&fmt=22

Happy belated Easter!  He is risen indeed

This **** is A-grade, people.