...Oh, and happy other stolen Pagan festival.
TL;DR
All the fun things about Easter are pagan. Bunnies are from the pagan festival of Eostre, a goddess whose symbol was a rabbit or hare. Exchange of eggs is an ancient custom. Hot cross buns are ancient too. The early church clergy tried to put a stop to sacred cakes being baked at Easter. In the end, in the face of defiant cake-baking pagan women, they gave up and blessed the cake instead.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2010/apr/03/easter-pagan-symbolism
@Clavius_42 The incorporation of pagan symbols into Christianity is one of the greatest — if not THE greatest — marketing takeovers ever.
@lifeinthePNW Hinduism used a similar method of creating unity. it absorbed alien deities into its pantheon. much more civilized than the church, seemingly. i don't know any details of that process.
@holon42 @lifeinthePNW I was part raised in Guyana, in a Hindu community. The colour and celebrations of those, then returning to Wales to dreary, endless, guilt tripping sermons in cold, dusty churches, was the catalyst to my becoming atheist.
@Clavius_42 yes, their festivals are colourful and joyful, and many since so many deities to celebrate 🙏🏻