### Debunking the Easter and Ishtar Connection: A Closer Look at the Facts It is not uncommon for Christians to be accused of incorporating pagan rituals, holidays, and customs into their celebrations. One example of this accusation is the alleged connection between the goddess Ishtar and the Christian holiday of Easter, including the origin of the name and the original focus of the celebration. Alexander Hislop, a Protestant minister, argued in his 1853 pamphlet [[Hislop2006-hq|The Two Babylons]]') that Roman Catholicism was actually a disguised form of Babylonian paganism. As part of his argument, he mistakenly claimed that the modern English word "Easter" must have originated from "Ishtar" because of the apparent similarity between the two words. However, contemporary scholars have dismissed Hislop's arguments as erroneous, based on a flawed understanding of Babylonian religion ([[Brown1976-jz]]). Despite this, Hislop's book continues to be popular among certain evangelical Protestant groups, and its ideas have been widely circulated, especially through the internet ([[Grabbe1997-ai]], [[DCosta_undated-ow]]). #### Debunking Claims About Ishtar - Her alleged symbols, the bunny and eggs, are not supported by historical evidence - No evidence suggests her celebration was changed to Easter - Her name is not pronounced as "Easter" or "Esther" #### The True Identity of Ishtar Ishtar, also known as Inanna in the Sumerian pantheon, was a Mesopotamian goddess of war and sexual love. Inanna was associated with the storehouse, rain, thunderstorms, and was often depicted with a lion or dove, as well as the symbol of the eight-pointed star. She was a fertility figure, characterized as young, beautiful, and impulsive, and was the bride of the god Dumuzi-Amaushumgalana, who represented the growth and fecundity of the date palm. Ishtar shares similarities with the West Semitic goddess Astarte. Inanna's origins are uncertain, but she may have been associated with the sky god An or the moon god Nanna ([[The_Editors_of_Encyclopedia_Britannica2022-np|The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica]]). The name "Ishtar" is not pronounced as "Easter." It is a transliteration of the ancient cuneiform name ???? (iš-tar). Although the exact pronunciation of the name in ancient times is unknown, it is believed to have been similar to its current English pronunciation. It would not make sense for scholars to transliterate the name in a way it was not meant to be pronounced ([[McDaniel2020-ec]]. The assertion that the Christian holiday of Easter derives from the worship of the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar is unfounded and reflects a misunderstanding of both linguistic and historical facts. Contemporary scholarship decisively refutes Alexander Hislop's claims, made in the 19th century, which misleadingly connected Roman Catholicism and Babylonian paganism, including the erroneous linkage between "Easter" and "Ishtar." Historical evidence does not support the association of Ishtar with symbols such as the bunny and eggs, nor does it suggest any direct transformation of Ishtar worship into the Christian celebration of Easter. Furthermore, the etymology of "Ishtar" significantly differs from "Easter," debunking the supposed linguistic connection. The perpetuation of Hislop's flawed theories, especially in the digital age, shows the importance of critical examination and scholarly research in debunking myths and clarifying the distinct origins and meanings behind religious observances like Easter.