Good Friday, Whats Good About It?
I know I am going to get railed for this entry and honestly I don't give a damn. I also know that two of my friends, Jefferey and Jeffrey (the Jeffries) are going to love what I am about to write about.
Today is considered and called Good Friday. Good Friday is celebrated as the day Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and then rose on Sunday, which of course is Easter Sunday. Now, before I go any further I have to make it clear that I am a Christian, Baptized and I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that I can do NOTHING without God. That being said, I am not RELIGIOUS and I have questioned RELIGION since I was a about 18. I am a SPIRITUAL person and I have a SPIRITUAL relationship with God. Religion (practically ALL religions) have been used to justify wars, murder and genocide. I have interest outside of Sex & The City, Blackberrys and clothes, and anything I do not understand or question, I search for an answer or reason(s) behind it.
Growing up I didn't understand Good Friday or Easter, but I (silently) knew better than to question it. I didn't understand what new clothes had to do with Easter Sunday or what was good about Good Friday. We all know the REAL origins and meaning of Halloween (if you don't, you should look it up, I've laid off that one) and some of us know that Christmas, December 25th, was established by the Victorians, but what is Good Friday and Easter? Where did the rituals, doctrines, dogmas and ceremonies we celebrate come from? In order to find out I talked to Jewish, Christian and Muslim theologians and other spiritual leaders. I read opposing and supporting writings on the topic. One of the most informative ways I got answers, more questions or just plain crap was watching investigative specials, documentaries or ministers who go against the "traditional" grain of religious preaching. Over time after talking to a variety of people either on line or in person I got a host of input, some good, some bad and some REALLY bad, but there was one common denominator, a majority of the things we celebrate (religious or not) are not what we think they are or they have been considerably altered over time for various reasons. But back to Good Friday, I couldn't find it in the Bible and nobody ever showed it to me and the reason, it's not there. Now remembering the day he was crucified in and of itself is not bad, the bad part is most people are under the impression it is scriptural. Looking into Good Friday opens up another theological issue, when was he actually crucified? The preceding link is easiest one I could find, for the purpose of this entry, to shine light on the debate. The days have been debated and one reoccuring date is Wednesday. I wont go too deep into this but the short version is, the calendar and clock as we know it is not the calendar and clock of Christ day.
Which brought me to Easter, as Christians traditionally celebrate it. Where did Easter Clothes come from? Where does the Easter Rabbit come from? How do Easter Eggs fit into Christianity? And what is Easter Monday? I NEVER understood any of those growing up and was afraid to ask because questioning those things was unheard of and a CHILD questioning those things was dangerous, Jesus got in hot water for preaching as a child so I knew I didn't stand a chance. . Just think if more people had asked "how was I approved for this loan" or "what type of mortgage is this" our economy may not be in the shape it's in.
Now do I think children shouldn't have color eggs or have Easter Egg hunts, of course not. Do I think the Easter Bunny is inherently bad, no, but we should know where the symbol started. The Easter Bunny is no worse than Santa Claus but, Christians should know what they are celebrating and decide for themselves whether or not they choose to participate. This Sunday I will prepare dinner for the family and depending on who is there (Mom and Cousin are Reverends) the conversation will touch on this topic for the good bad or indifferent.
I'm sure whether or not I'm aware of it my Faith and intentions will be questioned and taken to task and thats fine, thats why I started the site. Intelligent dialect and debates are what spark change, progress or worst case war. The freedom that came with being an adult was the freedom to question and I do. I got some answers and in some instances more questions, either way I have never regretted asking. One thing I've found is that non-Christians, atheist and followers or Wicca and Paganism are extremely knowledgeable about the origins of many holidays, ceremonies and rituals where are us Christians sometimes are in the dark about why we do or what were doing. Questioning the things we do and why we do them is how we grow and evolve, not questioning is like walking on thin ice.
*The link's I used are for reference purposes. There are as many supporting opinions as there are opposing opinions. I chose links that use practical, easy to comprehend language. I encourage everyone to see what you can find on your own.
Today is considered and called Good Friday. Good Friday is celebrated as the day Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and then rose on Sunday, which of course is Easter Sunday. Now, before I go any further I have to make it clear that I am a Christian, Baptized and I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that I can do NOTHING without God. That being said, I am not RELIGIOUS and I have questioned RELIGION since I was a about 18. I am a SPIRITUAL person and I have a SPIRITUAL relationship with God. Religion (practically ALL religions) have been used to justify wars, murder and genocide. I have interest outside of Sex & The City, Blackberrys and clothes, and anything I do not understand or question, I search for an answer or reason(s) behind it.
Growing up I didn't understand Good Friday or Easter, but I (silently) knew better than to question it. I didn't understand what new clothes had to do with Easter Sunday or what was good about Good Friday. We all know the REAL origins and meaning of Halloween (if you don't, you should look it up, I've laid off that one) and some of us know that Christmas, December 25th, was established by the Victorians, but what is Good Friday and Easter? Where did the rituals, doctrines, dogmas and ceremonies we celebrate come from? In order to find out I talked to Jewish, Christian and Muslim theologians and other spiritual leaders. I read opposing and supporting writings on the topic. One of the most informative ways I got answers, more questions or just plain crap was watching investigative specials, documentaries or ministers who go against the "traditional" grain of religious preaching. Over time after talking to a variety of people either on line or in person I got a host of input, some good, some bad and some REALLY bad, but there was one common denominator, a majority of the things we celebrate (religious or not) are not what we think they are or they have been considerably altered over time for various reasons. But back to Good Friday, I couldn't find it in the Bible and nobody ever showed it to me and the reason, it's not there. Now remembering the day he was crucified in and of itself is not bad, the bad part is most people are under the impression it is scriptural. Looking into Good Friday opens up another theological issue, when was he actually crucified? The preceding link is easiest one I could find, for the purpose of this entry, to shine light on the debate. The days have been debated and one reoccuring date is Wednesday. I wont go too deep into this but the short version is, the calendar and clock as we know it is not the calendar and clock of Christ day.
Which brought me to Easter, as Christians traditionally celebrate it. Where did Easter Clothes come from? Where does the Easter Rabbit come from? How do Easter Eggs fit into Christianity? And what is Easter Monday? I NEVER understood any of those growing up and was afraid to ask because questioning those things was unheard of and a CHILD questioning those things was dangerous, Jesus got in hot water for preaching as a child so I knew I didn't stand a chance. . Just think if more people had asked "how was I approved for this loan" or "what type of mortgage is this" our economy may not be in the shape it's in.
Now do I think children shouldn't have color eggs or have Easter Egg hunts, of course not. Do I think the Easter Bunny is inherently bad, no, but we should know where the symbol started. The Easter Bunny is no worse than Santa Claus but, Christians should know what they are celebrating and decide for themselves whether or not they choose to participate. This Sunday I will prepare dinner for the family and depending on who is there (Mom and Cousin are Reverends) the conversation will touch on this topic for the good bad or indifferent.
I'm sure whether or not I'm aware of it my Faith and intentions will be questioned and taken to task and thats fine, thats why I started the site. Intelligent dialect and debates are what spark change, progress or worst case war. The freedom that came with being an adult was the freedom to question and I do. I got some answers and in some instances more questions, either way I have never regretted asking. One thing I've found is that non-Christians, atheist and followers or Wicca and Paganism are extremely knowledgeable about the origins of many holidays, ceremonies and rituals where are us Christians sometimes are in the dark about why we do or what were doing. Questioning the things we do and why we do them is how we grow and evolve, not questioning is like walking on thin ice.
*The link's I used are for reference purposes. There are as many supporting opinions as there are opposing opinions. I chose links that use practical, easy to comprehend language. I encourage everyone to see what you can find on your own.
Easter eggs come from the pagan fertility goddess, Eustere,(I think that is how you spell it). Hence the eggs. Eggs as you know are a symbol for fertility. So is the bunny. I forgot the full story. I could find out for you though.
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DING DING DING! I knew that! My Mom and I were actually discussing that this morning. I NEVER understood the celebrations etc associated with Easter. When I researched and talked to people I was amazed. As a Christian I believe in Christ and the resurrection but the other stuff never made sense to me and you know something is off if I'm not in a rush for a new outfit! Thanks for the info Ginger. I was wondering who would be brave enough to post it. I like smart, bold subscribers!
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Coley, Coley, have you talked to your mom? Jesus wasn't just going on a vacation to Jerusalem. He was going there for a purpose, a ritual known as the Feast of the Passover. A ritual still celebrated by the Jews. We may be one day off (which is why during Christian Holy Week Services Wednesday is the hardest day to teach because nothing was recorded as happening on day) Anyway, not to debate with you but if you sit down with your Bible, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, and start reading at John 11:55 i think you may be surprized by the answer you receive from Papa. Keep reading thru the Resurrection then let me know what you have learned. : ) love you lots!
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Yep, we have spoken in detail. What I used to question was what do the images, symbols and traditions most Christians subscribe to and practice have to do with Jesus dying for us and his resurrection, they didn't add up. I have no questions about the crucification or his resurrection, thats why I didn't touch those in the entry, I've read it, understood it, know exactly what happened. The questions I had, were all answered, God lead me to an answer for each. Look at the first comment in response to this entry.
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