and the Western world. Their mounting opposition to Roman Catholic rituals, teachings and control over everyday life led to the formation of new faith groups, whose followers were collectively called Protestants.
No religious practice was safe from the reformers' scrutiny, not even Easter..."(Protestants) were very big on regulating their worship exclusively by
the scripture, and the Bible doesn't mention Easter or any Christian
festivals," said Alec Ryrie.
But what was once a point of contention among believers has evolved over
the centuries into a common celebration. Christians around the world —
including Catholics and Protestants alike — will recognize Easter this
weekend with pageantry, musical performances and even egg hunts....
Catholics at the time were required to go to confession and receive
communion at least once a year. Most believers fulfilled this obligation
during Easter week, and churches were flooded with unfamiliar faces.
For
the reformers, high levels of participation didn't mean the church was
thriving. They criticized Catholic rituals that focused believers'
attention on celebrations, rather than religious teachings.
"Protestant ministers worried about superstition and idolatry, and
what they called 'will-worship,' that is, worshipping in a way that
humans have invented, not a way God has commanded," Ryrie wrote.
They saw the pomp and circumstance surrounding holidays
like Easter as a distraction from the true work of religious leaders:
helping church members develop strong personal faith."
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