Can any Christians tell me why I see churches hosting Easter Egg hunts and similar events at other holidays?

Question

For arguments sake, lets just say that Christian holidays like Easter and Christmas didn't start out as Pagan celebrations, but were rooted in Christian historical events. Why are Pagan rituals STILL praticed at Christian gatherings? I think anyone with half a brain would realize that in the Christian religion, symbols like Santa or the Easter Bunny, are by definition, false idols. When Christians incorporate these charecters into their celebrations, they are actually sinning against God. I think we can all agree that at the present time, Christians have nothing to fear from the savage Pagan heathens. Why not stop being hypocrates and stop insulting the praticing Pagans of todays society. Are you afraid that if you do, the main tool you use in getting children to subconsiously equate religion with good, could disappear? I can think of no other reason that the worship of false idols, would still be practiced, let alone stongly encouraged by the church.

It honestly makes me sick, that people who claim to so strongly believe, so willingly engage in an act that hurts someone they claim to love so much.

Answer 1

Are you suggesting that churches should not instantly embrace the popular culture around them?

Personally I see nothing wrong with letting children enjoy Christmas and Easter regardless of the Santa Claus and Easter Bunny commercialism.

Are they pagan based? Who knows, who cares?

Enjoy life, and stopped to make everyone act and believe that perform and we do believe that they should.

Answer 2

The name Easter comes from a pagan figure called Eastre (or Eostre) who was celebrated as the goddess of spring by the Saxons of Northern Europe. A festival called Eastre was held during the spring equinox by these people to honor her. The goddess Eastre’s earthly symbol was the rabbit, which was also known as a symbol of fertility. Originally, there were some very pagan (and sometimes utterly evil) practices that went along with the celebration. In our day, Easter is almost a completely commercialized holiday, with all the focus on Easter eggs and the Easter bunny being remnants of the goddess worship.



In the Christian faith, Easter has come to mean the celebration of the resurrection of Christ three days after His crucifixion. It is the oldest Christian holiday and the most important day of the church year because of the significance of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the events upon which Christianity is based. Easter Sunday is preceded by the season of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and repentance culminating in Holy Week and followed by a 50-day Easter season that stretches from Easter to Pentecost.

Because of the commercialization and pagan origins of Easter, many churches prefer to refer to it as Resurrection Sunday. The rationale is the more we focus on Christ and the less we focus on the pagan holiday, the better. As previously mentioned, the resurrection of Christ is the central theme of Christianity. Paul says that without this, our faith is futile (1 Corinthians 15:17). What more wonderful reason could we have to celebrate! What is important is the true reason behind our celebration, which is that Christ was resurrected from the dead, making it possible for us to have eternal life (Romans 6:4)!

Should we celebrate "Easter" or allow our children to go on Easter eggs hunts? This is a question both parents and church leaders struggle with. There is nothing essentially evil about painting and hiding eggs and having children search for them. What is important is our focus. If our focus is on Christ and not the eggs, our children will understand that the eggs are just a game. Children can participate in an Easter egg hunt as long as the true meaning of the day is explained and emphasized, but ultimately this must be left up to the discretion of parents.

Answer 3

Wow...your question has such strong emotion. I actually believe that most people fall prey to a new 'religion' of habit called commercialism. In my opinion, the trees and santas, bunnies and eggs have really evolved beyond any Christian historical event or pagan ritual. In today's society as a whole, I believe they are now equated with the "almighty dollar".

Other than the influence of commercialism, I believe most Christians still hide Easter eggs or put up Christmas trees for two basic reasons: 1. Because it is interwoven into the popular culture of our times. 2. Because of the sentimental value--it is a tradition that has passed from one generation to the next and evokes memories of good times with family members and friends.

Answer 4

We cannot change the history of the Church or the things that happened in the 4th century.

That being said: What is the harm of inviting children over for Easter Egg hunts. Other than its pagan origins, if one can change the focus to Jesus, then I see no foul.

It is like when Rock Music was trying to infiltrate the church. There was unjust criticism because of the influence Rock was having on worldly people, the origins of the Rock beats (heard them in native demonic ceremonies,etc.), yet, when people are coming to churches, worshipping God, and getting saved, isn't that the mission of the church?

Does it really matter how it happens so long as it happens?

So, if the Church participates in Easter observances (many will not participate in Halloween), and people are saved, where is the harm?

Many of the practices in Modern Christianity were merged with practices of paganism, Roman Gods, Greek Mythology, etc....

But the real reason for Church is not to give you a place to hang out. It is to teach you how to have a relationship with Jesus.

Religious institutions can get you killed and damned to Hell, but it is a Relationship with Jesus that saves you.

Answer 5

those are churches that are carrying on the pagan Roman traditions imposed on the congregation in 325 A.D. when the Roman government became the ruler of the church.
very few churches have removed those festivals and rituals to fals gods.

Answer 6

When I was a new Christian, I still let my kids hunt eggs and had Easter baskets for them. We had Mr and Mrs Claus on the hearth (ceramic). The kids loved it all. As I grew and learned more about what God wants from us and how we are to live, I changed my way of doing things. No more eggs and baskets. No more Santa Claus. However, my children pointed out to me that they thought of the Christmas Tree as Jesus' birthday candle. So we left it and decorated it even more vigorously.

Answer 7

It simply makes my day when I see someone's veil being lifted as the true God's active force is obviously at work in you and whoever you are, wherever you are, I pray God, our Father in heaven, who yes! hates, abhors idols, as He wants to be worshipped in spirit and truth John 4:24 and I supplicate Him to go on helping you not just in your quest for the truth of all things but for the courage you also have to speak it. May the true God bless you always! and go on guiding you as I also thank Him for delivering you from the power of the god of Matthew 4, who tried his best to deceive Christ and 2 Corinthians 4:4... in the name of Jesus, I do pray these things for you, amen! Please accept a person's love (agape!) who's been right there and finally understood the meaning of Revelation 18:4, which admonishes us to get out of the empire of any and all false religion on earth... and also, I pray for you that the whole truth of Him, who called you, to set you free of all of that empires' lies disguised as truth of the most holy book on the planet! Thank you!!!

Answer 8

look what happened to the Isrealites when Moses went up on the mount.
u make a very good point

Answer 9

get a life you heathen!