Happy Easter?

In most countries in Europe, the name for Easter is derived from the Jewish festival of Passover. "So in Greek the feast is called Pascha, in Italian Pasqua, in Danish it is Paaske, and in French it is Paques," Professor Cusack said.

But in English-speaking countries, and in Germany, Easter takes its name from a pagan goddess from Anglo-Saxon England who was described in a book by the eighth-century English monk Bede. "Eostre was a goddess of spring or renewal and that's why her feast is attached to the vernal equinox," Professor Cusack said. So sure. Happy Easter. Or whatever trips your trigger. Or floats your boat. Have a nice day.

This President Seems to be Coming Unglued

Honestly, it's as though this President Trump is losing it. Did you hear what he did Monday at the White House during the Easter Egg roll?

Trump touts economy, military but slams Democrats at Easter egg roll

To children. To an audience of mostly children and again, at an Easter event. And nothing like trying to be the President, the leader, of all of us, eh?  This, during the event, is how he described, or tried to describe, the White House.

“I also want to thank the White House Historical Association, and everybody who works to keep this incredible house, or building, or whatever you want to call it — because there really is no name for it. It’s special. And we keep it in tip-top shape. We call it sometimes 'tippy-top shape,' and it’s a great, great place."
And that's the adult speaking. The man who is supposed to be leading the nation.

Then there is this, just breaking.

“Trump Is Like, 'How Can I F--k with Him?'”: 

Trump's War 

with Amazon Gets Personal

This is the way he conducts the highest level White House meetings, apparently.

Trump reportedly puts a Fox News host on speakerphone during meetings in the Oval Office

Then, finally, at least for now, for today, there is this.

Trump touts Rasmussen poll results: 

'Higher than Cheatin' Obama

Somebody, someone at the White House and/or in the Republican Party needs to get a handle on this guy.

Jesus Was Neither Alone Nor Was He the First

Just so you know some human history, Jesus wasn't the only--or even the first--god said to have risen from the dead. Actually, far from it.

Jesus: Just One More Dying 

and Rising Savior

History records many dying-and-rising saviors. Examples from the Ancient Near East that preceded the Jesus story include Tammuz, Osiris, Dionysus, Adonis, Attis, and Baal.

Dying-and-rising god

A dying-and-rising, death-rebirth, or resurrection deity is a religious motif in which a god dies and is resurrected. "Death or departure of the gods" is motif A192 in Stith Thompson's Motif-Index of Folk-Literature, while "resurrection of gods" is motif A193.

Examples of gods who die and later return to life are most often cited from the religions of the Ancient Near East, and traditions influenced by them including Biblical and Greco-Roman mythology and by extension Christianity. The concept of a dying-and-rising god was first proposed in comparative mythology by James Frazer's seminal The Golden Bough. Frazer associated the motif with fertility rites surrounding the yearly cycle of vegetation. Frazer cited the examples of Osiris, Tammuz, Adonis and Attis, Dionysus and Jesus Christ.

Frazer's interpretation of the category has been critically discussed in 20th-century scholarship, to the conclusion that many examples from the world's mythologies included under "dying and rising" should only be considered "dying" but not "rising", and that the genuine dying-and-rising god is a characteristic feature of Ancient Near Eastern mythologies and the derived mystery cults of Late Antiquity.

And what is religion, anyway, if not a huge denial of death? An attempt to explain "what comes after." It only stands to reason that we want our god or God or gods dying and coming back, just to prove what we want and that it can be done, that this life isn't all there is. There's no better example or reason for this than that we want to deny death and dying.
Just saying.

That said, if you're into it, if you celebrate Easter, have at it. Enjoy.

Happy Easter.

Whatever gets you through.

Links:

The pagan roots of Easter

The Ancient Pagan Origins of Easter

Goddess Easter: Celebration of the Spring Equinox

Ēostre 

Easter