As the “Easter is pagan” discourse rides once again I remind you that the entire history of Christianity is one of inculturation and adaptation to local worldviews+practices. That doesn’t undercut the wisdom of those practices, or the authenticity of practitioner’s Christianity.

Sometimes blending happened because of imperialism and forced conversions, but many times it happened because communities saw parallels between two worldviews and intentionally did rituals, theology, and festivals to celebrate two ways of life that mattered to them deeply.

Religion isn’t static; it’s adaptable and enriched by whatever new influence it touches. God translating Themself into flesh in order to be known to Christians as Christ (and other faiths have resurrected Gods too!) invites us to translate that story into our own cultures as well

So is Easter pagan? Yes. Is Easter Christian? Yes? Are those worldviews historically mutually exclusive? No. I find it enriching to tease out the influences that result in modern religious practices. I’m in holy awe so many have survived and I grieve for those that have not.

But then again I did do my masters thesis on historical religious inculturation so maybe it’s only interesting to me!

I just get very disappointed when I see religious teachers and occultists with large followings perpetuating this false binary. I know the stakes feel high, but it’s just not correct or helpful to drive a wedge between traditions by playing capture-the-religious-holiday.