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Original poster

That saying "Happy Easter" is out of place?

268 replies

Ethicaldebacle · 21/04/2025 09:47

We're a Jewish family, and only celebrate Xmas in a secular / Santa way. We celebrate all other main Jewish holidays at home and our friends know this, yet they sent a message of happy Easter. Isn't this out of place? (They even knew we just had a Passover Seder!)

OP posts:
WimpoleHat · 21/04/2025 10:36

Ethicaldebacle · 21/04/2025 10:28

I always say "happy holidays" it's s pretty inclusive greeting .

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You see, I find that quite jarring. It’s very American. To my British ear, “happy holidays” is something you’d say to someone just about to go on their fortnight in the sun. It wouldn’t be a natural phrase at all for me.

Original poster
Ethicaldebacle · 21/04/2025 10:35

AprilBunny · 21/04/2025 10:34

I think a ‘Happy bank holiday weekend for a lot of people but not all people’ message is much more acceptable.

At work I said, "enjoy the extra long weekend!"

OP posts:
AprilBunny · 21/04/2025 10:34

I think a ‘Happy bank holiday weekend for a lot of people but not all people’ message is much more acceptable.

28Fluctuations · 21/04/2025 10:33

Toddlerteaplease · 21/04/2025 10:31

Can’t see the issue. I’m Catholic but would happily wish Muslims a happy Eid.

Of course you would. They celebrate Eid. Your Muslim friends messaging you with Happy Easter is nice. You sending it to them... not so much.

LavenderFields7 · 21/04/2025 10:33

I’m not religious and wouldn’t have a clue what Jews do or don’t celebrate. However would assume they celebrate Easter because it’s about Jesus etc.

Octavia64 · 21/04/2025 10:32

Erm, the name Easter is definitely not Christian……

Original poster
Ethicaldebacle · 21/04/2025 10:32

Toddlerteaplease · 21/04/2025 10:31

Can’t see the issue. I’m Catholic but would happily wish Muslims a happy Eid.

But that is fine! It's like saying "happy Eid" to you. Or me saying "happy Passover" to them

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 21/04/2025 10:31

Can’t see the issue. I’m Catholic but would happily wish Muslims a happy Eid.

Inarutinarut · 21/04/2025 10:31

Ethicaldebacle · 21/04/2025 09:58

It kind of does. I've never thought of Easter as being secular (unlike Xmas). I send a photo of our dog saying likewise.

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The Easter bunny and all the chocolate eggs aren’t Christian. Pagen in origin but now are definitley secluar.

CheeringOnTheSmartyPants · 21/04/2025 10:30

What’s wrong with people?

Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy Christmas, Happy Rasta Day!

Who cares!

Someone is wishing you happiness around something that matters to them, end of,

To be offended is just…..well, clearly you’re opposed to being wished well I guess? I’ll remember to be rude to you next time 🙄

28Fluctuations · 21/04/2025 10:30

Yes, of course it's weird. You wouldn't send them a Happy Passover message - because that would also be weird. They aren't Jewish and don't celebrate. It's the same thing.

Zanatdy · 21/04/2025 10:30

At work I wish colleagues a happy long weekend, or enjoy the holidays.

thisfilmisboring123 · 21/04/2025 10:30

ScrewedByFunding · 21/04/2025 10:13

Ok now I know this is a wind up!

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Yep!

Drew the line here myself 😂

Ottersmith · 21/04/2025 10:29

The word Easter derives from Eostre, which is a Pagan festival marking the coming of Spring. I am not religious and have always celebrated Easter. What do you think eggs have to do with Jesus? Funny that Jesus rose from the dead on the Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Solstice, which happens to be a different date each year. The Christians didn't even bother to cover this one up when they stole the date. I'd say 80% of Brits don't think about Jesus at all on Easter.

GeorgeCrabtreesAuntBegonia · 21/04/2025 10:29

I’m atheist. My very religious friend send me a card saying ‘Allelujah! He is risen.’ I sent her a card with dancing bunnies. Neither of us took offence, it’s just nice to be thought of. Like many on here I see ‘Happy Easter’ as ‘have a nice time over the holiday. You have a few days off, enjoy it.’
This is a Christian country but we are very diverse and that diversity should be celebrated.

5128gap · 21/04/2025 10:29

For a lot of people Easter is just the name for two weeks off school and the four day weekend with eggs. Unless you have reason to suspect this person is some sort of militant Christian delivering a micro aggression, I'd assume it was a shortened version of 'happy easter break'.

TidyDancer · 21/04/2025 10:28

Performative offence taking at its finest. Take it in the spirit it was intended and stop being so ridiculous.

Original poster
Ethicaldebacle · 21/04/2025 10:28

WimpoleHat · 21/04/2025 10:19

This reminds me of the time (before the days of online shopping) when everyone on the street popped Christmas cards through the letter box. My mother went through agonies trying to decide whether or not she should send one to the very nice new neighbours who had moved in over the road and who she knew to be Jewish. Didn’t want to offend by sending one, didn’t want to exclude/offend by not doing so. In the end, she spent days trawling the shops for Christmas cards without a “Happy Christmas” message and finally came home with a packet bearing the message “Season’s Greetings” and a snow scene, which she deemed acceptable. She was carefully debating an appropriate message to write inside, when said lovely Jewish neighbours put a card through the door for us….wishing us all a very happy Christmas! (To be fair to my mum, she was trying to be thoughtful, but was clearly overthinking that one.)

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I always say "happy holidays" it's s pretty inclusive greeting .

OP posts:
HollieHock · 21/04/2025 10:28

"Seasonal chocolate spring eggs" :) :)

Get away

Octavia64 · 21/04/2025 10:27

I mean I put a general happy Easter message up on Facebook (along with a pic of my cats eating their Easter egg) but I really meant enjoy the holiday and the weather. I’m not Christian.

Ferretedaway · 21/04/2025 10:25

If they’re close friends it seems very unaware and thoughtless.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 21/04/2025 10:25

Ethicaldebacle · 21/04/2025 09:58

It kind of does. I've never thought of Easter as being secular (unlike Xmas). I send a photo of our dog saying likewise.

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I was brought up catholic. I'm an atheist now. I see Easter as being both religious and secular.

For those who believe and attend church services, it is religious. For the rest of us, it's a chocolate festival that involves fun and games (Easter egg hunt etc) that are based on a pagan festival that celebrated spring/fertility. The eggs and rabbit come from the pagan tradition.

So basically, happy Easter, to most people, simply means enjoy the long weekend.

RosesAndHellebores · 21/04/2025 10:25

Ethicaldebacle · 21/04/2025 09:58

It kind of does. I've never thought of Easter as being secular (unlike Xmas). I send a photo of our dog saying likewise.

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My father was Jewish so I sort of get it. (I am a practicing Christian btw but my Jewish roots are firm).

I think the majority of Brits of Christian heritage no longer understand the significance of the Easter festival for Christians. It is largely secular with eggs and Easter bunnies, and even wreaths and decorations for some.

I'd take it in the spirit it was probably meant. "Happy Easter" to mark a four day weekend, possibly family visits and a family meal, along with chocolate and a few treats. And it heralds spring.

I doubt offence was meant; taking it is a choice.

RafaistheKingofClay · 21/04/2025 10:24

Ethicaldebacle · 21/04/2025 10:10

I'd rather not celebrate it at all. We only do it so the kids don't feel left out.

We don't even call Easter eggs Easter eggs at home, we call them "seasonal spring chocolate eggs".

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You have erm… over -egged it. Too far too early in the thread.

MightAsWellBeGretel · 21/04/2025 10:21

ScrewedByFunding · 21/04/2025 09:52

Spreading joy, no?

My neighbours always bring around sweets for their Muslim celebrations, I'm not Muslim but we accept happily because it's a nice thing to share.

This the ideal of a multicultural society, really, isn't it? Including others and sharing each other's traditions.

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