THE EDITOR, Sir:
PETER ESPEUT'S article titled, 'Easter is not pagan' published in your publication, on April 14 had many interesting facts since he is a great writer, but I beg to disagree with his claim. Easter is indeed pagan both in etymological and celebratory considerations.
Espeut rightly said that a pagan feast, Astarte (named for the Roman goddess) was responsible for the word Easter. He forgot to note also the pagan goddess Oester, also called Isis, Iris, and myriad other names in various cultural and mythological records. She was the many-breasted goddess featured in sculptors and myths in Roman, Greek, Egyptian and other cultures. She being the goddess of fertility led to the bunny or rabbit being the main symbol of Easter since rabbits are famous for having many offspring.
The Easter egg, from which is hatched the chicken offspring is another related Easter symbol. Other Easter symbols came from the spring synchronisation with Easter celebrations but most ancient records suggest that not only the symbols but also the celebrations of Easter were pagan in origin and format.
The King James Version's (KJV) sole use of 'Easter' in Acts 12:4 was seemingly erroneous because the Greek word 'pascha' which is used in the KJV 28 times was translated 'passover' in all the other places. The context, however, suggested that the focus was on the pagan aspects of the season, since Herod the King and his intent to kill Peter during that season were being emphasised.
On the other hand, if Luke, the very meticulous physician who wrote Acts, wanted to emphasise Easter, he would have used 'Ishtar' not 'pascha' in the original text. I conclude, therefore, that the concept of Easter is entirely pagan and the way it is celebrated in Christian cultures, including Jamaica and the USA, has overwhelmingly pagan and worldly characteristics. Western Easter is dead pagan and cannot ever be resurrected to Christian or biblical standards of the Jewish Passover or the Christian Eucharist. The word is pagan, the symbols are pagan, and the celebrations are pagan.
It was an historical error for the Church to use the pagan word 'Easter' for its commemoration of Resurrection Sunday and Christians will have to live with the consequences.
I am, etc.,
REV. MERVIN
STODDART
INMerv@hotmail.com
P. O. Box 150953
Altamonte Springs, Florida
Via Go-Jamaica
