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 Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 1:28 pm
To my fellow Christian Guild Family,
This is my first time posting my own topic in this guild, so please forgive me if I had to get special permission or something like that to post like this. However, I do feel that I should discuss this, get this out of my system and this is the only safe place to do so, without getting rudely flamed at, without getting told to go kill myself or "F" off.
I went onto Gaia today, hoping to talk to my friends and get my order from a shop called Chibiland (where I ordered my chibi in my signature). As I logged in, I couldn't help but feel so upset and angry at the thought of giving out Easter eggs,bunnies and chicks at the Easter Event. Sure, it was nice that the Gaia administrators would do something at all for these holidays and it was lovely that they went to all that trouble, making those items for us Gaians to enjoy and have fun with.
But all the same, where did the idea of Easter eggs, Easter bunnies and chicks come from? Whatever happened to the fact that Jesus died for us by crucifiction, to forgive all our sins? Each and every one of all our sins? And still many people nowadays don't pay attention to the real purpose of Easter. Instead, they go out to the shopping malls and spend large quatities of cash on Chocolate Easter eggs, chick and rabbit decorations. Also, on Easter cards, there are constantly (if not always) pictures of cute rabbits and chicks or colorful Easter eggs. Why do people do this? What is so bad about the real purpose and reason for Easter? Why do they cover up the real purpose by adveritising Easter with commercial items like the chocolate eggs?Quote: God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, and who so ever believes in him, will have eternal life.
And now, this is how people repay and thank him? By manufacturing bunny decorations with bright-colored eggs? Come to think of it, no, people don't thank or repay Jesus in this way. They IGNORE him and all those numerous miracles he did for us in his lifetime when he was here on Earth.
Easter is called what it's called for a reason. Same with Christmas*. Why do people ignore the real reason and purpose and make their own fantasy of a Holiday? So that the holidays are more "fun" and "international"? For whatever reasons that may be, I still strongly disagree with this. I wish people would open their eyes, throw away their Easter eggs, bunny decorations and chicks and put up some church like icons and crosses for the decorations instead. Trust me, it would be a lot less painful that way.
*Guess I'll make another edition for when Christmas come sweatdrop
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Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 2:40 pm
Welcome to a secular nation, and a secular website. Gaia is not going to cater to Christianity because a fair portion of Gaians are not Christian. Religion is a personal thing, and I firmly believe that if it is imperative that you celebrate Easter to celebrate the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus, that you do it within a solely Christian society. Like this guild for example. While there are few exceptions, mostly everyone in this guild is Christian, and this guild is created FOR Christians and Christianity. Perhaps a guild event that brings the religious meaning of Easter in to play would be best... Like a Bible/Life of Jesus Trivia or something, or simply group... prayer, however that would work online. Group discussion, what have you. However, being that most Western societies (which I am assuming you're posting from one of) are secular or diverse societies, and being that this website is just that, making reference to Jesus's life might be inappropriate or even offensive to many people. My co-worker just asked me what I was doing for Easter and I replied "dying eggs and eating chocolate?" and he said "That's just wrong. You should celebrate Jesus." knowing full well I am not a Christian... Hello, offensive? The bunnies and the eggs arguably come from pagan tradition, much like the case with Christmas, where such elements were incorporated to win pagan converts over to Christianity and the likes. Their popularity, however, I have heard was attributed to Warner Brothers and Disney. Still having problems confirming that... The "true" meaning of Easter for everyone will not be the same. Celebrate Jesus's resurrection here, and with family, or Christian friends. Society will not conform, nor should it. Also, you can post whenever you feel like. You don't need special permission. Edit: Found this in M&R: Raven of Silent Death Yes, the Christian version of Easter overtook a pagan religion by the name of Ostara, which was celebrated around the Vernal Equinox. The reason eggs and rabbits are used to symbolize this holiday is because they represent fertility and the earth re-awakening after a long winter. It was a common Pagan practice to paint eggs and plant them in the ground to symbolize the earth's fertility. The name 'Ostara' comes from the german goddess Eostre or Ostara. The following is an article from Wikipedia: Many linguists agree that Eostre and Ostara are derived from the Old Teutonic root 'aew-s', 'illuminate, especially of daybreak' and closely related to (a)wes-ter- 'dawn servant', the dawn star Venus and *austrôn-, meaning "dawn". Similar words, which it has been suggested are variations of Eostre's name, include Ostare, Ostara, Ostern, Estre, Ester, Eoster, Eostra, Eastre, Eostur, Eastra, Eastur, Austron, Aurora, and Ausos. There is no certain parallel to Eostre in Old Norse though Grimm speculates that a "spirit of light" named Austri from the Eddas might be related. Note that Bede appears to have Latinized the name of the second month from English Sun or Sunna to Sol (perhaps for the benefit of his Latin readers). He seems to have done the same sort of thing with the goddess and her fourth month festival (English Estre or Eastre into Eostre/Eostur).
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Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 10:58 pm
Thank you PirateEire, for explaining things in a polite,reasonable way. Thank you for saying what you said instead of "Ohmigod, you're stupid, you should go kill youself!", despite your different beliefs.
I understand America is a very diverse nation, but unfortunately, I don't live there, so sometimes I forget about its diverstiy sometimes.
In fact, I come from a small country; a small island to be exact where most of the population (if not all of it) is an Orthodox Christian. Now I live in a bigger country, but still small compared to the U.S.A.
I am sorry to hear that your co-worker sort of tried to shove those beliefs down your throat, despite his great knowledge that you aren't a Christian. I am glad I am not one of those extremists out there. But sometimes, I guess I get misunderstood by my Christian faith. Sad really, but I don't care; for I am who I am. 3nodding
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Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:28 pm
top_spy Thank you PirateEire, for explaining things in a polite,reasonable way. Thank you for saying what you said instead of "Ohmigod, you're stupid, you should go kill youself!", despite your different beliefs. I'm sorry about any non-Christians may have told you that. There is no reason you should take your own life for wondering about these things. Pay them no mind. Quote: I understand America is a very diverse nation, but unfortunately, I don't live there, so sometimes I forget about its diverstiy sometimes. In fact, I come from a small country; a small island to be exact where most of the population (if not all of it) is an Orthodox Christian. Now I live in a bigger country, but still small compared to the U.S.A. May I ask what country you lived in, and what country you currently reside in? I myself am an Irish immigrant to the U.S.A. Quote: I am sorry to hear that your co-worker sort of tried to shove those beliefs down your throat, despite his great knowledge that you aren't a Christian. I am glad I am not one of those extremists out there. But sometimes, I guess I get misunderstood by my Christian faith. Sad really, but I don't care; for I am who I am. 3nodding It's fine. I find said co-worked to be a bit of an inconsiderate person in all fields really (like trying to set my $40+ Gundam figurines on fire and jumping into my cubicle and shaking my chair while I am on the phone with a customer). Otherwise, I enjoy discussing religions of all sorts. The second-in-command sort of office manager is an Episcopalian priest and is an utter joy to speak with because he will carry out actual mature scriptural/theological discussions with me, unlike said co-worker who simply says "you're weird" or "you should think about Jesus more."
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 1:58 am
well, I'm glad you have an example of an intelligent Christian in your workplace as well, Pirate!
I realize that the secularization of easter is a bit disheartening...and it's alot worse than we realize alot of the time--I just got off work at my grocery store, and There were people coming in and spending over a hundred dollars to make easter baskets---well into the night, too! but it's something that happens with alot of holidays that we use to celebrate something more important. But, unfortuantely, it is just how things are.
besides, the other side of it can be worse. I know a couple that refuse to call it "easter" instead they insist on calling it "resurection day." Yeah, that's not awkward at all in a multi-cultural nation. "Happy Resurection Day!"
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 2:58 am
PirateEire top_spy Thank you PirateEire, for explaining things in a polite,reasonable way. Thank you for saying what you said instead of "Ohmigod, you're stupid, you should go kill youself!", despite your different beliefs. I'm sorry about any non-Christians may have told you that. There is no reason you should take your own life for wondering about these things. Pay them no mind. Quote: I understand America is a very diverse nation, but unfortunately, I don't live there, so sometimes I forget about its diverstiy sometimes. In fact, I come from a small country; a small island to be exact where most of the population (if not all of it) is an Orthodox Christian. Now I live in a bigger country, but still small compared to the U.S.A. May I ask what country you lived in, and what country you currently reside in? I myself am an Irish immigrant to the U.S.A. Quote: I am sorry to hear that your co-worker sort of tried to shove those beliefs down your throat, despite his great knowledge that you aren't a Christian. I am glad I am not one of those extremists out there. But sometimes, I guess I get misunderstood by my Christian faith. Sad really, but I don't care; for I am who I am. 3nodding It's fine. I find said co-worked to be a bit of an inconsiderate person in all fields really (like trying to set my $40+ Gundam figurines on fire and jumping into my cubicle and shaking my chair while I am on the phone with a customer). Otherwise, I enjoy discussing religions of all sorts. The second-in-command sort of office manager is an Episcopalian priest and is an utter joy to speak with because he will carry out actual mature scriptural/theological discussions with me, unlike said co-worker who simply says "you're weird" or "you should think about Jesus more." I lived in Cyprus for most of my life and now I live in Greece. Cyprus especially, is a religious country. We have to do Religious Instuction classes in Greece AND Cpyrus at school, for it is the law here and there. I am glad that you have someone to talk to about your beliefs like your second-in-command office manager, for that is important and it shows that you should never close any doors to anyone, for you may have a lot to teach each other. 3nodding smile
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 7:43 am
PirateEire I find said co-worked to be a bit of an inconsiderate person in all fields really (like trying to set my $40+ Gundam figurines on fire and jumping into my cubicle and shaking my chair while I am on the phone with a customer). That's actually harassment, and have you talked to your superiors, both at your main work site, and your current one?
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:05 am
Se Ga Takai PirateEire I find said co-worked to be a bit of an inconsiderate person in all fields really (like trying to set my $40+ Gundam figurines on fire and jumping into my cubicle and shaking my chair while I am on the phone with a customer). That's actually harassment, and have you talked to your superiors, both at your main work site, and your current one? Nah, I figure I will when he annoys me too much. I'm surprisingly more tolerant of annoyance than I seem online. I figure I've got enough to use against him now--he constantly violates my personal space, touches and breaks my things, annoys while I am on the line with a customer, asks incessant questions, peers over at what I am doing on my computer (so the whole office is now aware that I am a Satanic lesbian), etc etc. I can use it at my breaking point. I am at the "treat him cruelly and without mercy" bit. If he persists, destruction will occur with said collection of annoyances to take to an advisor.
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 9:01 am
PirateEire Se Ga Takai PirateEire I find said co-worked to be a bit of an inconsiderate person in all fields really (like trying to set my $40+ Gundam figurines on fire and jumping into my cubicle and shaking my chair while I am on the phone with a customer). That's actually harassment, and have you talked to your superiors, both at your main work site, and your current one? Nah, I figure I will when he annoys me too much. I'm surprisingly more tolerant of annoyance than I seem online. I figure I've got enough to use against him now--he constantly violates my personal space, touches and breaks my things, annoys while I am on the line with a customer, asks incessant questions, peers over at what I am doing on my computer (so the whole office is now aware that I am a Satanic lesbian), etc etc. I can use it at my breaking point. I am at the "treat him cruelly and without mercy" bit. If he persists, destruction will occur with said collection of annoyances to take to an advisor. You should report him for that. Really you should. That is harassment and he should get fired for what he is doing to you. If he can't work with you around, then he shouldn't work where you work. 3nodding
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 9:01 pm
PirateEire I find said co-worked to be a bit of an inconsiderate person in all fields really (like trying to set my $40+ Gundam figurines on fire and jumping into my cubicle and shaking my chair while I am on the phone with a customer). sounds like something from The Office. :B
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 11:00 pm
Okay listen everybody. I don't want to sound rude or mean or anything like that, but this discussion is getting a little bit off topic... sweatdrop Okay sure, even I got a little bit off-topic, I admit.
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 11:33 pm
i like burnination PirateEire I find said co-worked to be a bit of an inconsiderate person in all fields really (like trying to set my $40+ Gundam figurines on fire and jumping into my cubicle and shaking my chair while I am on the phone with a customer). sounds like something from The Office. :B I love the Office! okay, now to get back on topic a bit: check this out! http://www.sermonspice.com/videos/5300/easter-linebacker/
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 5:53 pm
happy easter everyone! don't worry top_spy, there are still ppl out there who value easter as something very important more than any easter egg or bunny or whatever... it is what our faith believes in and has been one of the very cores of our faith... God bless everyone! mrgreen
Oh and btw, I just want to share the easter preaching that one of our pastors gave last sunday. He discussed several "theories" about how ppl disapprove on the resurrection. He gave a lot of examples and explained what the scriptures say about those theories. One of the things that struck me, even before I was just a baby Christian, was the fact that if those ppl (Jesus' disciples) were really just a bunch of liars, why would they risk their lives to preach and share the gospel and tell everyone that Jesus was raised from the dead? I mean, really now, who in his right mind would do that? Are you insane? lol lol If what you are preaching is just a lie and if what you are sharing is just a bunch of made up stories, then one way or another you're going down. lol I remember that it is written by the apostle Paul something that goes like this: "if what we believe in is not true then our faith is futile and we are still in our sins." Then that means we are to be pitied among all men because what we believe in is a lie, but if it is the truth then we are already saved and forgiven! Wow! Praise God! mrgreen
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Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:22 am
tomoyo_daidouji happy easter everyone! don't worry top_spy, there are still ppl out there who value easter as something very important more than any easter egg or bunny or whatever... it is what our faith believes in and has been one of the very cores of our faith... God bless everyone! mrgreen Oh and btw, I just want to share the easter preaching that one of our pastors gave last sunday. He discussed several "theories" about how ppl disapprove on the resurrection. He gave a lot of examples and explained what the scriptures say about those theories. One of the things that struck me, even before I was just a baby Christian, was the fact that if those ppl (Jesus' disciples) were really just a bunch of liars, why would they risk their lives to preach and share the gospel and tell everyone that Jesus was raised from the dead? I mean, really now, who in his right mind would do that? Are you insane? lol lol If what you are preaching is just a lie and if what you are sharing is just a bunch of made up stories, then one way or another you're going down. lol I remember that it is written by the apostle Paul something that goes like this: "if what we believe in is not true then our faith is futile and we are still in our sins." Then that means we are to be pitied among all men because what we believe in is a lie, but if it is the truth then we are already saved and forgiven! Wow! Praise God! mrgreen I don't understand. Why is the preist saying that they were telling lies? I thought the whole thing was supposed tp be true. sweatdrop Darn, I am confused.
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 12:51 am
top_spy tomoyo_daidouji happy easter everyone! don't worry top_spy, there are still ppl out there who value easter as something very important more than any easter egg or bunny or whatever... it is what our faith believes in and has been one of the very cores of our faith... God bless everyone! mrgreen Oh and btw, I just want to share the easter preaching that one of our pastors gave last sunday. He discussed several "theories" about how ppl disapprove on the resurrection. He gave a lot of examples and explained what the scriptures say about those theories. One of the things that struck me, even before I was just a baby Christian, was the fact that if those ppl (Jesus' disciples) were really just a bunch of liars, why would they risk their lives to preach and share the gospel and tell everyone that Jesus was raised from the dead? I mean, really now, who in his right mind would do that? Are you insane? lol lol If what you are preaching is just a lie and if what you are sharing is just a bunch of made up stories, then one way or another you're going down. lol I remember that it is written by the apostle Paul something that goes like this: "if what we believe in is not true then our faith is futile and we are still in our sins." Then that means we are to be pitied among all men because what we believe in is a lie, but if it is the truth then we are already saved and forgiven! Wow! Praise God! mrgreen I don't understand. Why is the preist saying that they were telling lies? I thought the whole thing was supposed tp be true. sweatdrop Darn, I am confused. He pastor was talking about the evidence that what they were saying WASN'T a lie. hope that helps./
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