To think it isn't 'choccy egg day'

[lisaIambe]

Overheard in supermarket this morning. Mum happily telling moaning DC that if they didn't stop the choccy egg bunny won't bring them anything for choccy egg day.

I know not everyone is religious. But given the name 'Easter' isn't exactly loaded with religious connotations, AIBU to think renaming Easter 'choccy egg day' is just ridiculous?

Yes cowgirl, and in these difficult times of today, there can not be too much love and hope!

I can see why someone would call it chocolate egg day, otherwise children are constantly asking which of the Easter days is the egg day. Could be the Friday, Sunday or Monday from their pov.

My son is 5 and has only really noticed it's Easter his year due to a sudden progress spurt where his understanding etc. has tripled(he has HFA). His nursery - not in UK, not at school yet - are secular and basically talked about Easter as a 'family day' where we eat and play together.The focus is on Spring, baby animals, flowers etc. His father is Greek Orthodox, I was raised C of E but am now secular also. Even if I was religious I don't think I'd want my little boy hearing about the crucifixion and death, sacrifice etc. Too intense and morbid for a child IMO. I'd much prefer 'choccy egg day', despite the saccharine use of semantics.

Forgot to add DS still asked for Easter eggs and 'which day for the eggs to come?' Obviously.

"There is plenty of historical evidence that Jesus existed and that he was crucified."

Well, there is a little, disputed historical evidence that Jesus existed.....

But it doesn't matter. Children need to understand what's behind cultural traditions- it's just part of being an educated and civilized human being.

MaisyPops, I am of the same opinion as you, but the origins of many Easter traditions actually have pagan roots. It was originally a spring fertility festival.

We are not Christian but my child learns about Christianity at school. What irks me slightly about that is that it is presented as fact and what everyone believes (we live in a very rural area, not at all diverse), rather than as what some people believe. I am careful to respect what he has learnt whilst also letting him see that not everyone believes that (and that is ok!)

He knows about the Christian connotations of festivals, but also the pagan ones. We also celebrate other festivals through the year (I grew up in a very diverse area) and he understands that they are what some people believe.

As for "choccy egg day", that's a bit cringy. I am not a big fan of baby talk!

Even though say Friday when we were making Easter Cards, I asked my eldest if they knew what today was, he said it's when Jesus died. Then I got a million questions on it all. Like my favourite being, what's it like to be crucified. So I said Jesus isn't looking too happy on the cross, so I guess it wasn't his favourite day, DD interjected but he could just be looking sad as he know he's going to die. You know 'x' died on the toilet (little ears pick up more than you think) do you think she had a sad face. I replied I don't think they knew, plus they were nearly 100, so I'm sure they guessed it was coming soon. To which DS said I'm going to live to 150 as I'm going to Batmans University, so I'll be a superhero.

Not quite on a par with yesterday, he played football with his friend, the friend was Donald Trump & he was Hilary Clinton, DS won, which meant that one day girls will rule the world because girls are best. Very sweet of him!

As an athiest I was annoyed when a teacher (not a church school) told the story of the crucifixion to the reception class: DC was really upset and had sleep issues for weeks!

I live in a town where people want to prove they are "Alternative" so I often get invited to "Solstice" or "Mid winter Parties" because using the word Christmas is too conformist.

It call it Handy Wringy Watch The Passion of the Christy and Posty True Meaning Meme on Facebooky Day.

My DC's covered the Bible stories in school but at home we made sure they learnt how to question these stories and come up with their own opinions. They know the Bible stories contain a huge number of very questionable facts. Years ago after they came back from a school trip to Bethlehem and Jerusalem they had a huge number of questions. Meanwhile I have two Uni age DC's who are making chocolate sandwiches out of hot cross buns !

BetrandRussell It isn't unusual for historical evidence to be disputed. There is an astonishing amount of written accounts of the life of Jesus. A lot of this is from separate sources yet has striking similarities. I understand that there is a consensus of opinion among historians that Jesus existed. The contentious issue is of course whether he was the Son of God. It is interesting that you don't agree.

MIL says "Happy Crippy" instead of Happy Christmas. It makes me wince every time!

"BetrandRussell It isn't unusual for historical evidence to be disputed"
Of course it isn't. But the actual evidence is a bit thin. But it does't really matter. Just don't like too much weight being put on the historical reality.

People who use the phrase The True Meaning or The True Significance are as bad as those using baby talk imo - it's the Christian significance/ meaning but Christianity does not own truth just because it is currently the privileged storyline... It's a meaning, not The meaning, we could just as well eat egg and rabbit shaped chocolate to celebrate spring - if that's why I do it then that's my meaning, no more or less "True" than any other.

It's great to know the important stories from all the major religions - not so great to demand that yours are labelled True - puts people's backs up.

I'll say it again that it's pretty much the consensus that Jesus existed Betrand. I really do not understand why you would be arguing otherwise.

Agree that choccy woccy is cringe worthy.
But insisting on the true meaning as if there is only ever one meaning, is false. Talk about your own meaning, or what those in your religion believe. And it is rare IME for Christians to do that.

Can't stand adults baby talking. 'Chrissie Pressie' makes me want to throw things. 'Choccy egg day' is on the same bandwidth.

Reminds me of that bloody advert with the woman on the bed holding her arms out towards a box of washing powder and saying in a baby voice "gimme".

Our kids think it is basically Chocolate Egg Day, although not those actual words. We are strong atheists and refuse to tell them made up stories. But people like to buy them eggs, which I allow, as no religious connotations. So they have an easter egg hunt, eat some chocolate and that is it. They have no idea who Jesus is, and when they will hear, will will explain he is just like Father Christmas, the tooth fairy and monsters... made up stories used to make people behave.

It's whatever you want it to be. I'd find it hard to muster up any negativity towards 'choccy egg day' tbh.

Yeah I think it's a little weird that it's not referred to as Easter. You wouldn't celebrate Eid if you didn't follow the religion :/

Except Easter is a large cultural festival, not simply a religious one