And once again we see the reliability of just trusting what you read on the Internet.
Eostar or Ostara celebrations featuring colored eggs and honoring the animals that reappeared in Spring (like rabbits and chicks) LONG predate Christianity. Christianity, as it was wont to do simply absorbed these customs and co-opted the date.
The celebration of Eggs and Bunnies in the Spring certainly had enough of a fun "cache" and meaning that it would have survived to modern times and probably evolved more or less exactly as it has. Cadbury Eggs would very likely have occured with or without any help from Christ or Christians.
We could have had Cadbury Eggs and never have had to deal with Bush or The Inquisition.
Eggs and bunnies go way back, but the combination of market penetration and willingness to commercialize pretty much means Cadbury Eggs required Christianity to be deployed.
I agree that the Cadbury Egg needed for genesis the presence of a Hedonist and a Capitalist. (They could even reside in the same body.)
BUT- Christianity is NOT a pre-requisite for either, and has frequently been a severe damper on both.
I dare posit that had Pagans been in charge (or at least not repressed) that Cadbury Eggs would have happened sooner!
See the movie _Chocolat_ for more info on how Pagans keep being the ones who make holidays interesting and yummy. Christians can be good, even excellent customers, but I think to really make chocolate go up to 11 takes someone who's at least Pagan in their heart if not in name.
Bzzzt. It was clearly Christianity's religious imperialism that led to Columbus's voyages. No Christianity, no Columbus. No Columbus, nobody from Europe goes to America. No European conquest of America, chocolate stays a ceremonial Aztec drink, symbolic of blood. No Cadbury Eggs.
(no subject)
Eostar or Ostara celebrations featuring colored eggs and honoring the animals that reappeared in Spring (like rabbits and chicks) LONG predate Christianity. Christianity, as it was wont to do simply absorbed these customs and co-opted the date.
The celebration of Eggs and Bunnies in the Spring certainly had enough of a fun "cache" and meaning that it would have survived to modern times and probably evolved more or less exactly as it has. Cadbury Eggs would very likely have occured with or without any help from Christ or Christians.
We could have had Cadbury Eggs and never have had to deal with Bush or The Inquisition.
(no subject)
(no subject)
I agree that the Cadbury Egg needed for genesis the presence of a Hedonist and a Capitalist. (They could even reside in the same body.)
BUT-
Christianity is NOT a pre-requisite for either, and has frequently been a severe damper on both.
I dare posit that had Pagans been in charge (or at least not repressed) that Cadbury Eggs would have happened sooner!
See the movie _Chocolat_ for more info on how Pagans keep being the ones who make holidays interesting and yummy. Christians can be good, even excellent customers, but I think to really make chocolate go up to 11 takes someone who's at least Pagan in their heart if not in name.
(no subject)
No Christianity, no Columbus.
No Columbus, nobody from Europe goes to America.
No European conquest of America, chocolate stays a ceremonial Aztec drink, symbolic of blood.
No Cadbury Eggs.