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Huh? I think I missed the political significance of this article.

It has the same significance as Christmas only it hasn’t reached the heights that the Christmas issue has yet. Maybe next year.

Instead of considering the deterioration of the significance of religion in religious holidays, why not consider the deterioration of Christ’s actual teachings? Like “turn the other cheek” or “the meek with inherit the earth”. Since Calvinism, we’ve seen capitalism being supported by Christianity, and we’ve seen the majority of capitalist nations being predominantly Christian nations. In his most pure form, Christ was a “communist”. Why have we come so far from his teachings?

Josie

Communism in the modern world comes with a lot of extra baggage. Most people mean Marxism, which is a horrible and hateful ideology. The communism you are probably talking about is the small group sharing of resources and duties and shares nothing with the modern version except the name. Unfortunately we can’t use the term without explanation.

People of good will (and others) have discussed Jesus’ teaching for almost 2000 years. I am not sure that we could all agree about which teachings to get back to.

By the way, the meek might inherit the earth, but they won’t get the mineral rights and will be subject to restrictive covenants.

Jack,

Of course Jesus wasn’t a communist, as there was no such ideology with that name at that point. But you cannot deny that His teachings in their most pure form parallel Marxism or Communism much more than they do capitalism.

I myself do not buy into Marxism, but I cannot consider it a horrible and hateful ideology. I think that an ideology that says that people who are born into poverty and must deal with it by themselves is a horrible and hateful ideology. When you force people to dutifuly contend with the unfair circumstances of their birth, I think you are being horrible and hateful. At least under a system of Marxism or Communism, each person is equal economically, and from their they can determine what to do with their lives. I understand that such a system is much too ideal for this world, as historical experience clearly shows us.

But I think that the Christian idea of Heaven is in its purest form a Communist or Collectivist (whatever you might call it) Utopia. Because Jesus’ taught of the creation of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, you must admit that this would be such a society. If Christ lived today, I can assure you that His teachings would be more closely associated with Communism than with capitalism.

The social, political, economic changes that have come into this world as a result of “Christianity” are perhaps the exact opposite of what Jesus truly taught in his ministry. With the wars fought in His name, the persecution of “false” religions in the Spanish and English inquisitions, and other atrocities, Christianity couldn’t be further from Christ.

As Nietzsche put it, “There was only one true Christian, and He died on the cross.”

Dawn, do you have a link that documents this appalling attack on Easter by the godless and heartless liberals?

Josie

Marx didn’t invent communism. Jesus’ teachings don’t parallel Marxism in any particular way. Marxist too often got a free pass by associating themselves with some platitudes.

Some things in Marx are original and some are good. But what is original in Marxism is not good and what is good in Marxism is not original. I don’t think Jesus would be associated with the class struggle and the streets running red with the blood of the bourgeois. Most important, Jesus believed in the soul and the free will of individuals to choose right from wrong. Marx completely throws that idea out. According to Marx, individuals are completely shaped by their economic circumstances and class.

I know you don’t support Marxism. What I am saying is that you shouldn’t even cut it any slack. Any more than you would cut slack to the Nazis because they talked about brotherhood, built roads, rhetorically supported environmental protection and got the economy moving. Marxism is responsible for more deaths than any other ideology in the history of the world and it only existed for about 150 years.

So use the word communism if you must, but modify it so as to exclude the Marxists. And always also mention that communism (even the good kind) has never been established anywhere but in religious orders that adhered to hierarchical standards of discipline.

I really don’t mean to get on your case. I am dropping much more on you than your comments merit, and I am sorry for that , but I have a real hate spot when it comes to Marx.

Close to Marx in my pantheon of evil philosophers is Nietzsche, but that would be too much to put in one post. I hope you are not a fan of Schopenhauer.

Josie,

In his most pure form, Christ was a “communist”… Of course Jesus wasn’t a communist, as there was no such ideology with that name at that point. But you cannot deny that His teachings in their most pure form parallel Marxism or Communism much more than they do capitalism.

To say that Christ’s teachings bear more similarily to one form of political ideology than to another is an insult at best, but really it’s just an inaccuracy.

In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25) Jesus affirms the concept of investment - clearly the implication is broader than merely a financial model, but one can’t escape the use of the illustration itself.

In the parable of the 10 virgins (again Matthew 25) Jesus specifically attacks communist ideals rooted in laziness and lack of initiative.

For additional references see Mark 14 and John 12 (“giving to the poor”), Matthew 13 (sowing seed), Matthew 17 (sons are exempt from taxes), Matthew 20 (workers in the vineyard), and Matthew 22 (the wedding banquet). Jesus didn’t affirm the selfishness that accompanies capitalism (the rich young ruler), but neither can his caring for the poor be construed as pure communism. I’m not much of a Calvinist but I don’t buy your perspective, and I can provide plenty more examples to refute it.

Christ didn’t come to proclaim a utopia either. Instead, he said this: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” He came to proclaim freedom to the captives (Isaiah 61), to provide them the opportunity to exchange one master for another (Romans 6:14 vs. Colossians 4:1). “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11). That’s what Easter is about.

From Hannity and Colmes

“”Tonight, there may be a new endangered species to add to the national register — the Easter Bunny. Several south Florida shopping malls have renamed the large, white rabbit that’s handing out plastic eggs to kids with names that don’t refer to the Christian holiday, like “Peter Rabbit” and “Garden Bunny”.

Is this political correctness going too far? Joining us now is the communications director of American Atheists, David Silverman.

David, what’s up?

DAVID SILVERMAN, AMERICAN ATHEISTS: Hey, thanks for having me back on the show.

You know, first of all, I want to say that this is about private property and this is about private enterprise. And they can name their bunnies anything they want. They can name them Peter Rabbit or they can name them the Jesus Bunny for all we care. They are private enterprises, and they can do what we wish — or what they wish, I should say.”

*Notice the slip in the last sentence.

Mr. Silverman is thrilled that the Easter Bunny is going away and he claims he isn’t doing anything to cause it.
He isn’t?
It looks like fallout from the Christmas issue and some stores are already changing the name of the Easter Bunny to avoid problems.
He claims that stores are doing it to make more sales?
He is trying to convince people that more parents would go out and buy Easter candy for their kids from the ‘Garden Bunny’?
Taking ‘Easter’ out of Easter is the same as taking ‘Christ’ out of Christmas.
Since the name ‘Christ’ isn’t involved the Easter Bunny may slip away quietly into oblivion.
Holiday Characters Lash Out
“Council Bluffs police said that the bunny is Michael J. Desantiago Sr., 36. On Saturday, someone threw water and other items at him as he wore his bunny costume at the Mall of the Bluffs.”

The bunny got mad - after putting his street clothes on - said some not so nice things to a couple people and ended up charged with 2 counts of harrassment himself. I don’t know what happened to those who threw things at him - probably nothing.

‘Meet the Press’ was good yesterday. It had a segment about Religion in America. There were several guests that gave their views of what it means and how it effects them - personally and politically.

You know, I am a Christian and a firm believer in Easter. I love the holiday and what it stands for. And personally, I would mind one bit if the Easter Bunny disappeared from the celebration. Maybe I am uninformed, but I’m not exactly sure what a bunny has to do with my Savior dying for me, then three days later rising again. That is what Easter is…

I actually know of many churches that are going away from using Easter at all. Let’s call it what it is, it is Resurrection Sunday.

HE IS RISEN!!!

If someone is religiously offended by the presence or non-presence of the “Easter Bunny” at a privately-owned shopping mall, that person can go shop somewhere else. Is that what capitalism is all about?

Dawn:
“It has the same significance as Christmas only it hasn’t reached the heights that the Christmas issue has yet.”

The Pastel Egg and Candy Bearing Rabbit has as much to do with Christ’s resurrection as the Guy in the Fur Trimmed Red Suit who drives Reindeer does with his birth. And once again we speak of people of various faiths using what many like to think of as a Public Space, even though in this case it is privately owned.

Perhaps it might develop that there will be separate Christian Malls and Secular Malls? That way, devout Christians may indulge in their religion-related fantasy symbolism with complete impunity — and with the side benefit of not ever having to breathe the same plastic-tainted airspace alongside of consumers who are in any way different than themselves?

It could actually happen — but maybe instead of such divisiveness, Christians might somehow find a way to feel satisfied and fulfilled by religious expression at church and at home.

Jack: “Marxism is responsible for more deaths than any other ideology in the history of the world and it only existed for about 150 years.”
Sorry; There have been far more despotic, religious, and ethnic wars than wars over economic theories. I wouldn’t acknowledge Stalin’s murders or Mao’s Cultural Revolution as death by Marxist theory any more than I would the Nazi’s.

Dawn: Hannity is a putz. Sorry, I won’t go any futher than that about the lying liars, their lies, and how Soviet era propaganda techniques have invaded Fox, et. al. Also, I tried to go to the store to buy some shelving for my daughters room. Everyplace was closed. That sounds alot more religious than some guy in a big bunny suit and alot like a return to blue laws.

Ghandi: References to paraticalities from daily life 2000 years ago doesn’t disprove the communism analogy. Sacrifice for the greater good is a tenet of many religions and true communism, not of capitalism. Besides, I never heard of Jesus preaching the benefits of materialism.

The capitalism side of the equation will certainly win out on this one. As we are a secular semi-free market society, that is as it should be.

Whew, for a moment there I thought someone had sexually assaulted the Easter Bunny.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eostre

I think it seems likely that the word Easter derived from the goddess Estrus/Eostre and the use of eggs and bunnies is an indication of its connection to pagan fertility celebrations.

It does seem to have as little to do with the Resurrection as Saint Nicholas and flying reindeer have to do with the birth of Christ.

Don’t be sorry Dave.
I don’t like Hannity (putz) or Colmes (dweeb) - I was looking for a link for William.
I did not watch that particular show and I only watch when I like the guest.
They are up against Dennis Miller here - I prefer him or this dumb computer.
There was a stir about the Bunny and I was just interested in seeing what people think, if they noticed, or if they even care.
The Easter Bunny is for the kids and should be left alone.

If we ban the Easter Bunny, then we should ban leprachauns from St. Patrick’s day. Because they are both more mythology than they are religion. I, personally, think banning mythological figures (like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Jack the pumpkinhead, and leprechauns) is foolish.

I suppose we could spin this towards an issue of tolerance for multiculturalism. Is having an easter egg hunt on the front lawn of the White House somehow excluding other Americans?

I don’t think anyone really cares, honestly.

I totally agree with you Julia, nobody really cares about it.
These “mythological figures” as you say, are nothing more than figures created for children to have fun and I’m sure the marketing aspect is part of it to.
We need to stop and just let kids be kids. Childhood is over much too quickly as it is.