(no subject)

[scottobear]

Getting ready to take my morning walk. One of the bennies of doing that is a lot of time to think, and clear the cobs.

Since it's Good Friday, my mind will no doubt turn to sacrifice and kindness.. I'm happy that is one of the core beliefs of Christianity... I'm surprised Easter isn't the big holiday, instead of Christmas, for most Christians, really. I suppose it's a different vibe, one that may not be as acceptable? (I think Christmas is great by the way, but maybe #2 in priority) Not many folks are fond of a hero being tortured before winning out, these days, I think. I wonder how many kids understand the brutal aspect of crucifixion and death, and the whole miracle of resurrection. When I was little, seeing Jesus nailed to the cross really wasn't a scary thing, just a decoration, really. I was more interested in the saints, and the stations of the cross, than the results... it wasn't until I was older that I realized that it was a guy in a lot of pain, both emotional and physical, sacrificing himself so that humanity would have a chance. I wonder what the age of most folks who go to church, really understood what that was all about.

Not a lot of Easter specials on TV... a few Peter Cottontail things, and a couple of religious things...but nowhere near the media blitz that Christmas gets.. I suppose it's because it's not as marketable? Not as PC to show a story of violence and tears with a happy ending, maybe.

Thinking on a lot of things like this lately.

Comments

[canuckgirl.livejournal.com]

Most of my Christian friends consider Easter to be the "bigger" holiday of the two (Easter and Christmas).

But Christmas has bigger media attention! :-)

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

aaaaahhhh! I love that icon. like a tribble-kitty.

[diaryofahobbit.livejournal.com]

> nowhere near the media blitz that Christmas
> gets.. I suppose it's because it's not as
> marketable? Not as PC to show a story of
> violence and tears with a happy ending, maybe.

i find easter's lack of commercialization
refereshing. if there was a ceremonial gift-
giving at jesus' death as with his birth, you can bet there'd be a little more economic activity this time of year. but the lack of tv specials is probably due to the fact that kids don't get nearly as excited about the easter bunny as they do about santa claus.

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

I think you're right.... lack of ommercialization is nice, but maybe more societal production values would be nice. :)

[drownedinink.livejournal.com]

Its even stranger when you consider that, as far as I know, Easter is more historically sound than Christmas (NO WHERE in the Bible or anywhere else does it say Jesus was born in Dec.)...

[bsgi.livejournal.com]

Christmas has become secularized and, is, for the most part, politically correct as a holiday. Easter is primarily a religious holiday, with strong commercial overtones by the clothing retailers and chocolate manufacturers (as an end to lent with chocolate being the #1 give up). Consequently, it is not as politically correct as a holiday for production of media programming.

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

Move to Britain. Week long "life of jesus" type programs, at least 4 biblical epic type films, current documentary strand on the historical accuracy of the crucifixion (including, according to my tv guide, plenty of film of some place in South America where people volunteer to be crucified each year as penance, nails into hands and all...), religious services on the radio etc etc.
Maybe we go too far the other way?

[ex-foom23660.livejournal.com]

Maybe there aren't any religious based Easter shows on TV because it's construed as being too religious. There is already so much violence on TV, why not show an old story with violence?

So Scotto, are you a believing and/or practicing Christian? Were you raised on church and the Bible? I'm just curious.

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

I'm a wavering agnostic. I was raised in the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran.... even was an altar boy.

I'm building back to that path.

[ckirkman.livejournal.com]

Wonderful post, bud. I've always found Easter to be the more serious of the two main Christian holidays, and your point of some children not understanding the sacrifice of Jesus is a valid one. I think alot of our modern heroes are too jaded, and don't give up enough when the chips are down. They tend to be fairly selfish and opportunistic.

At any rate, Happy Good Friday to you and to all who see this.

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

I think they don't really struggle enough, either.

Easter vs Christmas

[yoames.livejournal.com]

If it's any comfort, I've read for several years in a row that church attendance is actually higher at Easter than at Christmas. So those even those who are dilettantes at worship seem to grasp which one should be the bigger deal.

I'm not an active believer of any stripe, myself, but I do think Christmas is almost completely detached from its meaning in our culture. Of course timing is part of it, as it was scheduled for late December to supplant the pagan Solstice rituals. Which of course still persist in decorated trees and mistletoe.

Re: Easter vs Christmas

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

That's very cool.. and I'm happy to hear it.

right.. well, the whole easter egg thing is fertility thing...

bunnies and eggs? screams sex to me. :)