Easter and Christians

Christians are celebrating their Easter (supposed to be the resurrection of the Christ) with eggs. Colored, painted and hidden eggs.

Comments from Ricky Maestrado:

Like Halloween, Santa Claus, and even Sinulog are among the many pagan traditions adopted by early Christians just because it falls on the same time of the year as with another Christian event. (And also back then, it would be easier for them to convert the local non-believers if they could show that Christianity is somehow connected with their traditions.)

The bunny, eggs, chicks, even lambs and daffodils are all to do with the spring season which symbolizes rebirth like the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The influence in the Philippines, however, is due to commercialization and has nothing to do with religion.

Drawing from lynnrockets.wordpress.com

This is not about religion

The volatile Egyptian protests are now starting to boil with the announcement that Hosni Mubarak is not going to step down despite 30 years of mean police rule.

Because of this, Muslims and Christians in Egypt joined hands to show a force Mubarak could not ignore. Not anymore! No more! Such is their deep love for their country almost everyone: children, women, laborers, professionals; everyone, went out to make one big force to show their disgust for the widespread poverty, unemployment and corruption in the government.

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"That's why we have to destroy the system, which is based on the theory that people shouldn't speak out, that this country is their country, so it's not your right to ask. No, it is my right to ask you. If you're a minister, you are a civil servant, you are an employee of the government. With all due respect, my taxes pay for your salary." ~Wael Ghonim, Google executive & Egyptian protester

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But there is one touching scene I wish would happen not just in Egypt but also around the world: Christians forming a circle defending Muslims praying in Tahrir Square. Now, in return, Muslims are doing the same favor for the Christians who decided that doing prayers in the same square is a welcome option. Both the Christian cross and the Quran are raised together without fear, without prejudice, and sharing a common goal.

What a beautiful world.

Imagine.

Photo from Getty Images/AFP thru CNN

Dying for A Cause? For Chrissakes!

I am not religious. I do not wish to fight zealously over some issues with religions and other sects. I even hate those all-pious Catholics, Bible-toting Protestants and Born Again Christians who have nothing to say but make you feel you are the dirtiest scumbag on earth.

But what about killing people for your religion?

When I woke up this morning and read the news online, it hurts me to know that suicide bombers have already killed 10,000 people in Iraq and these bombers "usually are alienated young men from large families who are desperate to stand out from the crowd and make their mark," a study profiling these bombers said.

The study further states that most of these young men came from impoverished or middle class families and have been recruited by Al Qaeda from outside of Iraq.

What a waste of life! Trained to kill people, some of which are innocent to their blind cause.

The news further said- The social and economic situation in the region "will keep this generation, and the next generations to come, impoverished," the summary says. That will give fertile ground for al-Qaida to give such men "a purpose, a direction, and a reason to live and die."

I know you will say these are imperialistic US-generated public stunts so people will support their cause. But reason still prevails. Who would do a massive destruction like that? Well- not much of us have, err reason, that is still intact.

So I will just sing my favorite Beatle song- Imagine.

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one.