Reader gives us something to look over

Here at The Neath Ferret we have an open mind and believe all readers views and beliefs should be put up for discussion.   So when a reader wrote about Easter we looked at it more closely.

We went to the University of Hertfordshire and this is what they had to say:

"Easter is a pagan festival. If Easter isn't really about Jesus, then what is it about? Today, we see a secular culture celebrating the spring equinox, whilst religious culture celebrates the resurrection. However, early Christianity made a pragmatic acceptance of ancient pagan practises, most of which we enjoy today at Easter. The general symbolic story of the death of the son (sun) on a cross (the constellation of the Southern Cross) and his rebirth, overcoming the powers of darkness, was a well worn story in the ancient world. There were plenty of parallel, rival resurrected saviours too.

The Sumerian goddess Inanna, or Ishtar, was hung naked on a stake, and was subsequently resurrected and ascended from the underworld. One of the oldest resurrection myths is Egyptian Horus. Born on 25 December, Horus and his damaged eye became symbols of life and rebirth. Mithras was born on what we now call Christmas day, and his followers celebrated the spring equinox. Even as late as the 4th century AD, the sol invictus, associated with Mithras, was the last great pagan cult the church had to overcome. Dionysus was a divine child, resurrected by his grandmother. Dionysus also brought his mum, Semele, back to life."

Like many Christians' we believe in faith - faith in the scriptures and the Holy Bible.   We believe in a power that is greater than our own.    There are many things relating to life and death that we cannot explain - and that is another reason why we like to have views from readers - and, if we may say, without going over the top.

Remember, without faith and a sense of purpose in life we are like an empty vessel being tossed about on a turbulent sea.

End of sermon!