atheism is a mind-altering drug that leads..., page-38

"As for father Christmas, the easter bunny and fairies at the bottom of your garden, I trust that you are intelligent enough to realise these have nothing to do with religion."

Nothing to do with religion?

Hmmm...



So why do we have hot Cross Buns at Easter?

The origins of hot cross buns can be traced back to Saxon times when the pagan festival of Eastre/Eostre occurred.

An ox was sacrificed and bread was twice-scored with the form of the ox's horns.

The actual word ‘bun’ is said to have been derived from the saxon word "boun' or 'sacred ox'.

These breads were often rich with eggs, butter and spices and packed with fruits and nuts as unlike today they were very expensive and hard to find.

Therefore this kind of food was reserved for holidays and special occasions.

The Christian Church attempted to ban the buns, but due to their overwhelming popularity, the Church eventually 'Christianised' the buns, reforming them with the cross of the crucifixion.

Hot cross buns at Easter time also became a metaphor for the resurrection of Christ - as flour comes to life and transforms itself to bread. The buns were made around Good Friday with the same dough that was used to make Communion bread.

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I a law was passed limiting consumption of hot cross buns to proper religious ceremonies, such as Christmas, Easter or funerals.

A cross bun kept from one Good Friday to the next was thought to bring luck.
Hot cross buns were supposed to serve as a charm against shipwreck, and hanging a bun over the chimney ensured that all bread baked there would be perfect.

Another belief was that eating hot cross buns on Good Friday served to protect the home from fire and that being buried in a heap of corn would protect from rats, mice, and weevils.

In Australia most places have removed the previously popular orange peel ingredient, and now we have also added a chocolate version where chocolate chips are substituted for currants, possibly due to the close association between Easter and chocolate and that many people do not like fruit. There is also a plain, fruitless, chocolate-less version.



yes not much to do with religion.

lol