Any other Christians annoyed at what society has turned Easter into?

[Opol]

I’m resigned that the same has been done to Christmas. But for me that is “only” the birth of Christ.

As a Roman Catholic, Easter is of far more importance to me. For me, God’s love for humanity meant he sacrificed his only son. Jesus’ resurrection is literally the embodiment of the victory of light over darkness, good over evil etc.

I don’t wish to gate keep but seeing it reduced to Easter baskets and chocolate rabbits is unpleasant to witness. I’m more annoyed at society making everything hollow and superficial via consumerism and over consumption.

I genuinely wish I didn’t find it offensive but I just do.

Nobody is forcing you to take part in anything other than what you choose to.

Yabu because it is also the time of year to celebrate spring and Easter is a cultural festival as much as a religious one.

That's not what the OP said, as I read it.

I'm an atheist but I think I understand what she means.

Easter and Christmas have become cultural festivals. I can't get worked up over people celebrating the beginning of Spring by enjoying Easter egg hunts and farm visits to see lambs with their families.

Most people are not thinking of anything religious at Easter.

Nope doesn’t bother me at all, do you feel the same about Christmas?
In fact I rather enjoyed the chocolates that the vicar handed out this morning and the stuff bunny which made an appearance during the sermon.

I can totally understand your point of view but at the same time, every culture has had a ritualistic celebration of spring. Christianity piggy-backed Easter onto an existing pattern of celebration. So it seems kind of fair for non-religious society to take it back.

Some people may find it annoying that xtians lay claim to festivals that already existed by adding their god/jesus element on to it. The thing is, you cannot control what others believe or how they celebrate and it's pointless trying to, so while I don't agree with your belief system, my advice would be to mark what matters to you and extend the grace to others to let them mark it how they choose. Have a pleasant day.

I agree, it’s so commercialised now, no real meaning in anything anymore. Not that you’ll get much support here as a practicing catholic, I’ve seen all sorts of silly comments over the last few days on here!

I agree that culturally Easter has drifted back to its pagan origins.
The Christian overlay has receded as society becomes more atheist.

I agree that the Christian message has been submerged and commercialism seems to be winning. Growing up, I think the two sat along side more. People still had Easter eggs , but the actual reason for Easter was celebrated more.

Its been like this for the 50+ years as far as I remember in GB.

Silly how?
Silly because they don't follow your religious belief?
Silly because they criticise the bible (all religious texts should be open to scrutiny)?
Or silly in some other nastier way?
I hope you can celebrate what it means to you, just let others do what's important to them.

Shouldn't have co-opted the pagan Spring Festival then. Or nicked Pesach.

But isn’t that exactly the point that the OP is making?

The clue is in the name - Easter is a pagan celebration of spring. Christians colonised it with their celebration of Jesus's death and resurrection. Both symbolisms and rituals are relevant to the holiday, and people celebrate it in whatever way is meaningful to them.

The thing is though is that there are different 'actual' reasons for celebrating at this time of year - the xtain aspect is one of them, and xtians are still free to mark that, it's just that we no longer force others who don't believe to mark any of it. Have a lovely day, do what matters to you, be that jumping for joy, quiet reflection, snaffling some choccie, walking the dog, playing with the kids/grandkids, chilling. There are no rules that we all have to follow because we live in a democracy, where religion or no faith, are both permitted.

Easter was Ostara, the spring equinox. They were actually quite close together this year. It was a spring festival about rebirth until it was syncretically appropriated by the xtians. Have a lovely day.

Oh dear. They were festivals long before Christianity came along.

I'm a Christian and I must say it doesn't bother me, just as secular Christmas doesn't bother me. For me personally these are primarily religious festivals but they have a much broader meaning than that- marking the start of spring, new life etc has a value in itself (just as having a feast in the depths of winter has a value in itself). So if people who aren't religious want to focus on those aspects- eggs, chicks, daffodils etc- I don't see anything in that that's offensive to my celebrations at all. In fact I like the way that the broader celebration of Easter brings us all together.

I share your concerns about consumerism but that's hardly an Easter-specific problem.

I get you OP. I try to remember it doesn’t matter to other people. I’ve actually been a bit disappointed this year (long story, but comes down to the fact that everyone in DH family is an atheist so I haven’t been able to go to church) and DH has promised to make it up to me. (Which is sweet but kind impossible because, you know, Easter). The thing that gets me is weddings on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, they give me the ick (there’s been a glut this year). I know it doesn’t matter to the couple, but I struggle to get enthusiastic and excited for them. It’s just grim and makes me feel physically sick, I’ve declined a wedding invite on Good Friday in the past. But I also know I’m in the minority.

YABU to be annoyed given that it was never a Christian festival to begin with. Like many other pagan festivals it was taken over and God/jesus forbed into the equation…
Even the name Easter is a derivation of the goddess Oestre whose festival it was originally, celebrating spring and the coming forth of life (hence bunnies and eggs).

I would love to see Easter celebrated even in its original Pagan way. The fact it has become void of ANY meaning beyond overconsumption is to me the issue.

French name for the festival English-speakers call Easter is Pâques, Italian is Pasqua. Both derive from Hebrew Pesach. They call their Christian festival by the name of the Jewish festival of Passover.

For the majority it's simply a celebration of the start of spring and end of the winter. Christian's hijacked it many years ago.

Go celebrate it in your church and leave everyone else alone to their own celebration

K