Sister Kelly and Ishtar

March 31, 2013 — Easter, Ishtar, true religion

True religion is a concept hard to grasp. The idea seems to be that divine providence has finally brought all wisdom and knowledge into the possession of one exclusive (chosen) group. This group, who thinks it is all that, persecutes other groups because they are not in possession of true religion. In some places one needs to handle snakes or fall down on the floor speaking in tongues to satisfy the veracity of one’s religion.  In other places one only has to donate funds, and then is totally off the hook. True religions distinguish themselves by claiming not to be connected or influenced by religions in history.  They often have dead or living prophets that rule the roost.  In the south they also have radio shows.  Sister Kelly uses her pulpit to explain how the Babylonian fertility and war goddess, Ishtar, got mixed up into Easter. Kelly McGinley of Mobile, Alabama  wants to get to the bottom of all this history and evil.

Yes, Sister Kelly, there is an Ishtar, and her fertility symbols are used in a mixed metaphor called Easter.  It is fine if you want to stay home while the rest of us go out to brunch and eat chocolate bunnies.  We have no need to cast aspersions on your beliefs.