question for christians

[hicksfan]

can anyone tell me how they calculate easter sunday each year and one further does anyone know how that celestial occurrence ties to christ? if you've read any joseph campbell, you should be good to go.

[lionslicer]

Easter was invented by a giant bunny so he could hide his eggs for children to find.

I never understood why Easter is on Sunday. If Jesus rose from the dead on a certain day, shouldn't that day be constant every year? And why not eat meat on Friday? I always thought it was the churches way to get people to by more fish because the fish markets were run by the mafia.

[hicksfan]

easter sunday is always the first sunday on or after the first full moon after the vernal (spring) equinox.

[tony hipchest]

*edited thread title*

i have seen no reason why a single poater should be excluded from this fun little trivia thread.

[hicksfan]

several years ago i came across an interview with joseph campbell, the master of myth and metaphor. he was discussing the subject of easter sunday. he was blending elements of the equinox, the cycle of the moon, and story of christ. regeneration and transformation was the basic thrust. he set up his story of easter by reminding us of a more difficult time. a time when we came out of the fall equinox and harvest season with the hopes of making it through what could be a difficult winter. he described the celebration of the winter solstice, and the turning point from the darkest of days, when the light of hope appeared on the horizon, leading us to spring and our salvation. a time of regeneration, resurrection, and fertility. but the most intriguing metaphor he described, for me, was the cycle of the moon as it related to the lifespan and maturity of a man/jesus. the moon, like a child, shows it's first sliver of light and intellect in the form of the crescent. and as it progresses, it's light and understanding becomes stronger and brighter. this being/ego/entity begins to shine brightly, until it reaches it's MID life, the full moon. this is the beauty of the equinox and easter.

for those lucky enough to have a clear view of both the eastern and western horizons, do yourself a favor and get up at sun rise. on a perfect easter/equinox morning, you should be able to see 2 bodies of light, one on either horizon. if it's clear enough, and If you don't know your east from your west, the sun and moon appear to be equally bright and you may not be able to tell them apart. It's at this moment in this mans/moons life that he should realize, if he's a truly conscious and connected being, that the light he has been emanating and boasting about is not his own. rather it is being reflected off/through him from a higher source/power. "i and my father are one," if i may quote today's guest of honor.

[ricardisimo]

A word of caution: be careful quoting Campbell. On the one hand he's widely regarded as the authority on myth and legend. On the other hand, he was almost certainly a barely closeted racist. One of my professor friends was at a few conferences with him when he was still alive, and not to put too fine a point on this, but he wasn't terribly fond of African-Americans, and would make that clear to anyone within earshot.

I don't think he ever once covered African creation stories or myths in any of his works. I could be wrong, but his own blindness and prejudice would explain such an oversight, especially regarding mythology from everyone's ancestral home.

[BrandonCarr39]

Originally Posted by hicksfan

can anyone tell me how they calculate easter sunday each year and one further does anyone know how that celestial occurrence ties to christ? if you've read any joseph campbell, you should be good to go.

No, Easter Sunday is a PAGAN holiday, it has nothing to do with Jesus' death and resurrection.

It was Constantine, I believe, that used astrology to make up these pagan holidays like this, and I believe xmas. The bible condemns astrology and witchcraft, FYI.