I too enjoy discussing religion with others who can do so without turning it into "die, heretic" or attempting to convert each other. And yes, of course you can add me to your friends list, if enough of what I write in my journal in interesting enough for you to want to read.
I do consider Easter a completely Christian holiday because it celebrates the very central concept in our theology, the place where our mythology and philosophy are most tightly bound to each other, and because (as far as I can tell) it wasn't invented to distract potential converts from something else ... despite recognizing the similarities between what we celebrate and events in other mythologies. (That's what I meant by "similaritof theme to earlier mysteries".)
Even if the story of a chosen one dying or visiting the underworld and returning is not unique, I see the story of Easter as being its own tale, not just the latest dressing of an old one, because of the peculiarly Christian notions of orignal sin and salvation. It's that binding of theology/philospophy/mythology that makes Easter, not just the myth-portion by itself.
As for the currents and symbols resonating, yes. Even a sociologist or psychologist with a rationalist-materialist point of view can see that (though they'd explain it differently than you or I would).
The way I see it, just being people of faith means we have more in common between our religions than either of us does with an "apathist" (who doesn't consider spirituality important enough to even wonder about) or a dogmatic atheist. There are very real differences beyond the window dressing of nomenclature and mythology, but there are important points of communion as well.
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Re: The holidays
Date: 2004-12-15 12:15 am (UTC)I do consider Easter a completely Christian holiday because it celebrates the very central concept in our theology, the place where our mythology and philosophy are most tightly bound to each other, and because (as far as I can tell) it wasn't invented to distract potential converts from something else ... despite recognizing the similarities between what we celebrate and events in other mythologies. (That's what I meant by "similaritof theme to earlier mysteries".)
Even if the story of a chosen one dying or visiting the underworld and returning is not unique, I see the story of Easter as being its own tale, not just the latest dressing of an old one, because of the peculiarly Christian notions of orignal sin and salvation. It's that binding of theology/philospophy/mythology that makes Easter, not just the myth-portion by itself.
As for the currents and symbols resonating, yes. Even a sociologist or psychologist with a rationalist-materialist point of view can see that (though they'd explain it differently than you or I would).
The way I see it, just being people of faith means we have more in common between our religions than either of us does with an "apathist" (who doesn't consider spirituality important enough to even wonder about) or a dogmatic atheist. There are very real differences beyond the window dressing of nomenclature and mythology, but there are important points of communion as well.