Easter Bunny: Christian Symbol?

[Corlyss_D]

See, it would pay to teach paganism in schools. Then the human rights guy would have known the bunny was not a Christian symbol. We need to make the world safe for whimsey.

City Hall evicts Easter Bunny
St. Paul civil rights chief says non-Christians might find the holiday decoration offensive
BY JASON HOPPIN
Pioneer Press

So long, Easter Bunny.

A toy rabbit decorating the entrance of the St. Paul City Council offices went hop-hop-hoppin' on down the bunny trail Wednesday after the city's human rights director said non-Christians might be offended by it.

The decorations — including the stuffed rabbit, Easter eggs and a handcrafted sign saying "Happy Easter," but nothing depicting the biblical account of Christ's death and resurrection — were put up this week in the office of the City Council by a council secretary.

It was not the first holiday decoration ever to go up in the building, but City Hall observers believe it is the first one to come down out of concerns for religious sensitivity.

"I sent an e-mail that Easter is viewed as a Christian holiday and advised that it be taken down," said Tyrone Terrill, the city's human rights director. "It wasn't a big deal."

But City Council Member Dave Thune thought the display was harmless.

"I absolutely wonder how colored eggs and bunnies and chickens are Christian," Thune said. "I'm a little puzzled how people can be offended."

Courts have long wrestled with the display of religious symbolism on public property, including as recently as in 2005, when the U.S. Supreme Court allowed one display of the 10 Commandments to remain outside the Texas State Capitol but barred another at a Kentucky courthouse.

But judges have largely left alone more secular aspects of religious celebration — such as displaying evergreen trees at Christmastime, something the city of St. Paul has traditionally done downtown at Ecolab and Hamm plazas.

Still, Council President Kathy Lantry said it's not the government's business to celebrate holidays.

"We're a public building. We're open to all the public," Lantry said.

Council staffers were buzzing with the news Wednesday, with most feeling the display was harmless. The secretary who put the decoration up said she did not want to get involved in the debate.

Some City Hall staff members said Terrill's action was prompted by a complaint, but the human rights director said that was not the case.

City Hall does display holiday decorations near Christmas — including "Happy Holidays" banners — but they are not specific to a particular holiday. In addition, some council members display religion-specific holiday memorabilia in their own offices.

It is not the first time secular celebrations of religious holidays have been an issue at City Hall.

Before Christmas 2001, Council Member Jim Reiter and a Ramsey County district judge sneaked a half-dozen red poinsettias into City Hall — which also serves as the Ramsey County Courthouse — leaving them near the "Vision of Peace" statue that dominates the lobby. Red poinsettias had been banned as being too connected to Christianity. Instead, the City Hall-Courthouse was displaying white poinsettias during Christmas that year.

In subsequent years, poinsettias of any color have been allowed.

As for the Easter bunny, the disputed rabbit has its origin in pre-Christian beliefs in Europe, according to theological historians. The hare was the most fertile animal known and served as the pagan symbol of new life during the spring season.

The rabbit and the related pagan symbolism of the egg later became incorporated into the widening Christian observance of the Easter holiday during springtime.

Jason Hoppin can be reached at jhoppin@pioneerpress.com or 651-292-1892.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/14163580.htm

[DavidRoss]

[Ralph]

The Pesach Pigeon has also been evicted in some places.

[Haydnseek]

Tell me again: what was the name of the city?

[lmpower]

I had the same reaction when I heard this story a few days ago. It reminded me of the divorced Jewish gentleman who wanted custody of his children during the holidays. Did he mean Hannukah? No, he meant Christmas, because that was Santa Claus, Jingle bells, Christmas trees etc. This illustrates two points: first the assimilation of the Jews into American culture, second the paganization of Christian holidays. None of the things he mentioned had much to do with Christianity. I'm sure more Americans celebrate Easter with the bunny than with the resurrected savior.

[Corlyss_D]

Tell me again: what was the name of the city?

They are thinking of changing it to Saul of Tarsus.

[Brendan]

Tell me again: what was the name of the city?

They are thinking of changing it to Saul of Tarsus.

How do I nominate Corlyss for Post of the Day?

[IcedNote]

People are stupid.

-G

[Ralph]

Tell me again: what was the name of the city?

They are thinking of changing it to Saul of Tarsus.

How do I nominate Corlyss for Post of the Day?

*****Send your recommendation to me by snail mail with a postal money order for $15 (Australian or U.S., I don't care).

[Corlyss_D]

Tell me again: what was the name of the city?

They are thinking of changing it to Saul of Tarsus.

How do I nominate Corlyss for Post of the Day?

Thanks for the thought, Brendan!

[blogGreen88]

This is a good talking about the christmas tree decorations!!I learn a lot more about christmas tree decorations here,I like it.
I search Yahoo for long time and find here.By the way I found some content on another website about it.Also,you can find some other on it,such as niagarafalls or arcade machines or flirtline.
LOL!Good job and go on talking plz,boys

[Ralph]

They'll pry my Easter chocolate bunny from my cold dead fingers!

[Donald Isler]

Symbols do mean different things to different people. While I find the story about the Easter Bunny amusing, I remember having a discussion years ago with the mother of a student, a very nice Christian lady, who couldn't understand why we non-Christians see some things, like Christmas trees and wreaths, as religious symbols, and, because of our different background, don't want them in our homes. But such is the case.