h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I can report that Pepsi did not invent the Easter Bunny - but who did?

Cadbury's chocolate company, I imagine.

History of the Easter Bunny

The Easter bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore. The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the Spring season. The bunny as an Easter symbol seems to have it's origins in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s. The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s. And were made of pastery and sugar.

The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve. The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs. The children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests . The use of elaborate Easter baskets would come later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread through out the country.

Presumably German rabbits lay eggs

I've just seen what appeared to be a quite amazing fashion statement on the BBC news. It came in the course of what was a very sad and serious story about flooding in Mozambique - but I was most impressed by a long wraparound skirt I saw one woman wearing.
The newsreel film showed her walking away from the camera, and so it was possible to see the face of Jesus printed on her skirt - right over her buttocks. So, presumably, every time she wears that outfit, she sits on Jesus' face several times a day!
What I want to know is: does this act represent a rather, er, unusual form of religious devotion, or is she an operative from the African branch of the FFFF, giving the "sacred" image exactly the degree of respect it deserves?

Perhaps she is trying to inspire people looking at her behind into a sort of religious fervor?

hee-hee-hee

Years ago one of my sisters brought me a shirt with matching shorts from Tanzania, were it was made of recycled cloth (from some charity organisation in Europe, I believe): Dozens of santas and christmas trees on a bright red background.

She still claims I looked charming in that outfit

Reminds me of Rasputin and his idea of "Holy Passionlessness" which basically involved having loads and loads of sex (debauched of course) in order to achieve a state closer to the Lord. I think he just liked sex. It involved drinking to excess as well.

I've tried to live by that rule. Unfortunately I found it difficult to have sex (let alone loads of it) after drinking to excess

I never really thought it a good idea. I mean, look what it got him - poisoned, two bullets in the back, tied to a few rocks and chucked into the frozen-over river Neva, where he drowned. Not a pleasant way to die, if there is one.

Everyone dies - but it does sound like the guy had fun while he was alive...

Well, up until the end bit maybe...

He did have a few daughters... but when he was younger he froze his b*lls off (not literally) 'cos he grew up in countryside Russia. Being a peasant and all, he didn't have heating.

Oh yes, he used to receive petitioners in his apartment in St. Petersburg (later Petrograd). Some he would give money to, the pretty young girls he would take to one side, screw, and then give them money or whatever they desired. He was one sick guy. Seen pictures of him? Spooky, too.

Sounds like he deserves a chapter in any new, updated, version of the bible

Nah, there're enough textbooks on him as it is. I wrote my IB History coursework on him. That's quite enough literature for one debauched man, no matter how famous he may be.

I'm planning to engage in a bit of debauchery tonight myself.

Happy new year everyone, which we can celebrate on account of the fact that it represents a dead religion...

Jamie said "Happy new year everyone"

Why thank you, and the same to you.

He went on to say "...which we can celebrate on account of the fact that it represents a dead religion..."

Well firstly, I would be careful about claiming that any religion is dead. [I'm assuming that dead - in this context - means no worshippers.]

Secondly, this forum (the "we" from Jamie's text) is misnamed (intentionally, I think) to avoid direct conflict with fundamentalists and dogmatists. This is the FFFF: the Freedom From Fundamentalism Forum. Freedom of speech is practiced here - even speaking against the One True God is permitted. :-o If it's "freedom from faith", then how come everyone here seems to know such a lot about so many religions, past and present?

Pattern-chaser, feeling picky but bright.

I apologise if I have offended any pre-Christianity Ancient Roman Pantheon Fundamentalists. Although offence is generally an amusing by-product caused by freedom of speech...

"...offence is generally an amusing by-product caused by freedom of speech"

Now there's an interesting thought. Not world-shattering, or even deep and meaningful, but definitely interesting...

Pattern-chaser

"I apologise if I have offended..."

FFFF is:

never having to say you're sorry for offering that kind of 'offence'.

Pattern-chaser

[Apologies to those who have never seen those naff little drawings captioned "Love is..."]

It seems to me that one of the things that unites us all is a curiosity about religion, and that's why we're veritable know-it-alls. I would imagine that if we weren't so curious, we would have just blindly accepted Christian dogma, and there wouldn't be any need for an FFFF, whatever the letters might happen to mean to you.

Sheesh... all these apologies. Freedom from faith means never having to say you're sorry... especially to a temperamental, anthropomorphic dictator of the universe.