Dear Christian friends can youu answer this Question about Easter?

I'm not 100% sure, but I imagine it was something done by secular society to make Easter a "holiday" for everyone, not just the religious/spiritual Christians. I feel that the same thing has happened with Christmas. Where did Santa come into a holiday that is supposed to celebrate the birth of Christ?

Mashlomech Sarah, You need to read the history of the Council of Nicea. This was where all the different factions of christianity were brought under one roof by the pagan ruler Constantine. The pagans were also incorporated into the mix. The only ones who exited the party were the Jews they wanted no part of the whole business. It is also when the Gnostics were destroyed. The Gnostics were the folks who followed the lifestyle of the christ the closest. For some reason this was not pleasing to the other factions. This is why all of the major christian holidays are celebrated on old pagan holidays and why pagan rituals sneak into christian rituals. Its not just the egg which is the pagan symbol for life. There is the incense used in the catholic church to purify both people and religious icons etc. Then of course there are the icons themselves. Icons begat Icons! Shalom~Adoniah

I think it's interesting that you have more Pagans replying to your question than Christians. it makes me wonder if the Christians are in denial about the Pagan influence of if they just don't know the answer to your question. Thanks for asking the question though, I've been curious about that too. I do remember hearing one time (I think it was while I was attending church) that it has something to do with symoblizing "rebirth" the the Pagan connection was not mentioned.

Seriously I was wondering the same thing yesterday....I don't know how it got started.....I do know that it's the most joyous of all occasions!

I was raised Catholic but don't really know where the Easter bunny came from. I like Pyewhcket's explanation. I'm aware that quite a few of our rites and rituals are from the pagan rituals of bygone centuries -- but couldn't pinpoint them if I had to. Incidentally, I question everything and the more I read, the more I lean towards Judaism.