But truthfully I would like to discuss what Easter is all about. The resurrection of Christ.
Many have agreed, Atheistic, Agnostic or not, that Jesus Christ existed a little over 2000 years ago. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicity_of_Jesus (there's simply way too much evidence to disagree. If you disagree it's because you 'want' to disagree. This is simply his existence, not his divinity.)
Anyway if you don't know the story of Jesus Christ, it was basically like this:
About 2000 years ago, during the Roman empire, there was a province called Judea (I won't go into Judea's significance in the Bible.) Judea was a special place to be in the Roman Empire. It was one of the only places that was allowed to practice its own religion. The religion that existed there was Judaism (the Jews). So anyway, for thousands of years the Jews predicted the visiting of a messiah that would save the Jews from tyranny. Well, now that they were under control of the Roman Empire they felt that this time was coming. (At this time they thought that the messiah would lead them to war and then to victory against the Roman Empire.) However, they received something else.
So than there was Jesus, a boy born in Nazareth. (I won't go into the things that happened prior to his birth either.) He grew up like any other child, and he became a carpenter when he grew up. To make things short, he soon found out he was the 'Son of God'. (Please do not complain if you have no idea what Son of God means.) So he began the Ministry of Jesus, which was the starting of Christianity (or Catholicism you could say as well). So all the people began to talk about Jesus and his ministry, he was said to be able to heal the broken of any problems. This started to piss off the Jewish leaders, because Jesus was taking away many of their members.
Now on the other side, was the Roman Empire. They started getting all of this talk that there was a 'Kingdom' rising in Jerusalem, and that it would defeat the Roman Empire. (Jesus nearly died when he was just born because of this). The Romans needed to end this empire before it began. So the pissed off Jewish leaders soon went to Pontius Pilot (the current Roman governor of Israel) and they wanted him to crucify Jesus. (Crucification was of the worst punishments a person could receive. A person was nailed onto a giant cross, and left to die while their lungs cave in and cause them to suffocate. It could last for hours.) So, without conviction, Pontius Pilot crucified him. (Pilot actually liked what Jesus was doing in these lands and had a talk with Jesus before sentencing him). When being crucified, Jesus was first beaten, battered, and lashed (watch the "Passion of Christ" to see what it was like.) And then he was nailed to the cross. Before dieing he screamed out, "Forgive them Father, they don't know what they're doing." He then died, and was buried in a tomb with a giant rock and Roman guards covering the exit.
In three days, Jesus Christ was resurrected and he flung the giant rock and the guards out of the way and he returned to heaven. (after making a few stops along the way.) His disciples (special followers) became apostles and journeyed across Rome to tell of Jesus' majestic tale. The only thing that was left at the tomb (for a short time) was an angel messenger, who told those who came to the tomb that Jesus has been resurrected for the people.
In essence, what Jesus did was give his blood to save all the people from there sins. But because Jesus did not fulfill their prophecy the Jews did not accept him as a messiah.
And that's what Easter is about, the people being forgiven of their sins by Jesus.
(mind you I left a lot of detail was left out of this summary, and I advise you read the Bible, or more specifically the new testament).
What are your thoughts. (Do not bash Christianity if you have no idea what you're talking about.)
None.
