Rabbits ??????

[Dad1]

Hi,
We have a large Narthex at our UMC and it is decorated for Easter. Big round table w/ 2-4 foot easter rabbits next to it, several small bunnies included.

Does this strike anyone else out there as WRONG ?

We have had a couple of ideas (we - see profile - if I say we it's my wife & I)
1. Nail the "bunnies" to the thieves crosses on the hill
2. Place a crown of thorns on their heads and put a sign on them asking people who do they worship ?

Just a question. Please help...

 

[footprints1973]

That strikes me as wrong also.

Your ideas are funny, but I don't know if that's the best solution.

Perhaps you could hide the bunnies and replace them with a simple cross, and a sign saying "Easter is not about bunnies"

Laura

 

[pgp_protector]

If it's not your property / equipment, you really don't have right to do anything to it.

 

[Dad Sr]

Maybe you don't know what a narthex is. It's a gathering area in front of the sanctuary IN the church building. It is not a place for pagan symbols. No - it's not my property. But if it is in the church building and it is wrong then it is my responsibility and a member, a christian, and as Chairman of the Admin Board to get rid of it.
Thanks

 

[GraceSeeker]

Maybe you don't know what a narthex is. It's a gathering area in front of the sanctuary IN the church building. It is not a place for pagan symbols. No - it's not my property. But if it is in the church building and it is wrong then it is my responsibility and a member, a christian, and as Chairman of the Admin Board to get rid of it.
Thanks

If you are chair of the Ad Board, you probably know who put it up and why? Is its primary purpose decoration? Perhaps you have a committee or a person in your church who normally does these things. Perhaps the person asked to provide some Easter decorations wasn't thinking very clearly? Perhaps it is for some other purpose, which if explained, would make more sense?

But in your position, you could probably simply move them (or even remove them) without taking too much heat and then "get permission later". Of course you will be questions on it, I would probably simply say that while you appreciate this persons willingness to make a contribution to the church decorations, that it seems that the focus of Easter should be on Christ and his resurrection and less on other elements that might distract from this message.

On the other hand, if you do this, be prepared to be consistent with regard to other things. Easter eggs, Santa Claus, even candy canes and Christmas trees, and especially the displaying of a national flag in a building that honors God first and above all.

 

[joyfulthanks]

Stuff like that gets under my skin, too. I would definitely encourage you to do something about it - but in a spirit of gentleness and kindness toward the person/persons who put it there. People are gifted differently, and the person in charge of decorations might have an eye for design, but might not be the most discerning when it comes to theological issues. They were definitely misguided, but were probably well-intentioned.

Maybe you could use this as an opportunity to educate folks as to why our decorations should focus on Christ and not bunnies.

 

[RedTulipMom]

On the other hand, if you do this, be prepared to be consistent with regard to other things. Easter eggs, Santa Claus, even candy canes and Christmas trees, and especially the displaying of a national flag in a building that honors God first and above all.

This is an interesting point you bring up. Most churches have no problem with Christmas Trees in the Narthex, yet they are just as much of a pagan symbol as Easter Eggs and bunnies are. For that matter...wedding rings are pagan symbols also. So the question then is..do we accept that we Christianized pagan symbols? Do we pick and choose WHICH ones? I would love more thoughts on this.

Is an Easter Bunny any worse than Santa? Santa comes to many churches and gives gifts to kids. Yet, somehow the Easter bunny seems worse, even to me..lol

 

[joyfulthanks]

This says it better than I did above:


2 Timothy 2:24-25

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,
with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,

 

[joyfulthanks]

And, by the way, welcome to Wesley's Parish, Dad1 !

 

[homeschoolmama]

I guess I see bunnies as a symbol of Spring but definitely understand your concern. In a church setting yeah it should be more about Jesus, not bunnies, as cute as they are! There's this some fertility god that has to do with bunnies and that's way wrong.

Santa - he was a real person who was also a Christian.

Christmas tree - I believe it was Martin Luther who said they point up to Heaven.

I never heard of wedding rings being pagan symbols; I thought they were just to show you were married. And think of a circle - no beginning, no end, just like God's Love.

I'm not arguing the symbolism here, just making some comments. I'm kinda unsure what I'd do about them myself, except for Santa. I know that the whole story was turned into some guy in red coming down the chimney, etc. and all..

Dad1, did you ever say anything about those bunnies? What happened with that?

 

[MrJim]

...I dunno, could work I guess...

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

If you are chair of the Ad Board, you probably know who put it up and why? Is its primary purpose decoration? Perhaps you have a committee or a person in your church who normally does these things. Perhaps the person asked to provide some Easter decorations wasn't thinking very clearly? Perhaps it is for some other purpose, which if explained, would make more sense?

But in your position, you could probably simply move them (or even remove them) without taking too much heat and then "get permission later". Of course you will be questions on it, I would probably simply say that while you appreciate this persons willingness to make a contribution to the church decorations, that it seems that the focus of Easter should be on Christ and his resurrection and less on other elements that might distract from this message.

On the other hand, if you do this, be prepared to be consistent with regard to other things. Easter eggs, Santa Claus, even candy canes and Christmas trees, and especially the displaying of a national flag in a building that honors God first and above all.

Good point.

I hadn't thought about it from the Christmas tree perspective... but that's a very good point.

There is a hanging of the greens ceremony that we have, when all the decorations get put up in throughout the church including the sanctuary for Christmas, but Easter decorations are limited to the children's areas. In fact, we have an annual Easter egg hunt for the children in the community and even have prizes (bikes, etc.). I've never been involved in either of these, but I've never stood against them either. This is clearly something to think about and especially HOW it is utilized.

 

[cristianna]

I will admit your ideas of what to do are comical. But in all truthfulness, the bible says if we have a problem with what a person has done or said, we must go to that person first.

So quite honestly I think your best bet would be to discuss this with the person who decorated.

 

[Redheadedstepchild]

I wonder what the purpose of the bunnies was? Was it part of some children's display/activity? Our church sponcered an Easter Egg hunt, would you consider that inappropriate as well?

 

[Onesimus85]

I'd opt for #2. Getting on the ladder, holding the 4' rabbit, trying to nail it to the cross without smashing your finger would be a hare too much work.

In all seriousness, I would contact the pastor to see where he/she stands and if they are in agreement then I would talk to the person that is responsible for the rabbits (I cannot call something 4 feet tall a bunny).

Regarding the question of whether an easter egg hunt is inappropriate:

"The precise origin of the ancient custom of coloring eggs is not known. Greeks to this day typically dye their Easter eggs red, the color of blood, in recognition of the renewal of life in springtime (and, later, the blood of the sacrificed Christ). Some also use the color green, in honor of the new foliage emerging after the long dead time of winter." -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_bunny

So dye of all the eggs red to cover your bases and I see no problem