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.

Mmm, but this is AIBU. And there’s certainly been very negative opinions about Jews on this part of the site. Regardless, it’s Christianity that has and continues to have the most poisonous influence in the UK. If religion was kept to places of worship then there would be little discussion to be had, but someone nonsensical belief systems still have a strong grasp within our society.

People talking about other religions and asking why Christianity gets singled out

It's because of comments like:

It's a Christian country based on Christian values

It's because we have an Established Church with the Monarch as Head of the Church of England

It's because we have a collective act of worship.

It's because of the role of the C of E in our National Life

So it is only right that it is going to be questioned compared to other religions.

And none of that is realistically applicable to real life. Very much the ‘be kind’ sentiment of the ancient times.

@DanielGault

"Maybe do a bit of research on it. And if you find you're still ok with it, take a very, very long look in the mirror."

I never said I was OK with events of the past , instead I said it was unacceptable and what happened at Tuam between 1925 to 1961 was clearly horrific.

But equally would you acknowledge that the Church has also done some good as well and would you condemn the entire religion for the crimes of the minority?

It's funny isn't it, how the dismission of Christianity and Christians is deemed fine on MN and when a Christian is offended by what they perceive to be a lack of respect or consideration for their beliefs they are told that they need to 'get over it'. That is then followed by lots of people criticising how the way Christianity developed and it's role or 'lack of' in society today. The attitude is 'you choose to be a Christian but it's nothing to do with me'.

Compare that with any discussion about minority faiths like Islam and it's all about how to accommodate their practices, how to make things easier for them, how not to offend them, how to moderate things to support them, how to show respect, help to understand their faith, how to adapt things to allow for prayers, fasting, halal, gelatine, etc.

Agree@Justpontificating
I think it’s also important to look beyond the few radicals.

There are many sides to Christianity and very sad to assume all Christians bleat on about it all the time. It’s a bizarre statement to make
They don’t
Obviously

It doesn’t matter how you hold your faith, an individual being religious is not the issue. The overarching influence it still has is the problem for everyone. As shown when threads like this are started.

Just do it your own way. You don't have to get involved in any of the tat.

Alternatively why not grant people who actively follow a recognised religion a certain number of days off a year to celebrate their religious occasions.

Those who aren't religious can simply crack on and go to work.

They look naff.

Interesting thought - we could increase minimum annual leave allowance - but get rid of religious holidays - but you could take them if you want to as part of your allowance.

But it would be nice to have Christmas and Boxing Day off though!

Yes, I probably would if given a binary choice. My experience of it has not been a good one. Outside of the Tuam Babies, I had to endure the hatred of the anti abortion crowd, and the anti same sex marriage crowd. I have zero time for the Catholic church and I have no problem saying that. I owe them nothing.

Youve completely missed the point and are throwing out unverified facts.
Compare the affects of all religions today in this country…….. It’s not Christianity that is a concern.
As such signalling it out for criticism is unwarranted, it’s just easier to do so as there’s less backlash than if it was another religion.

@CountAlmaviva
you got there before me
👍thanks

Not RTFT but shouldn't the OP be turning the other cheek?

@SpeedyDrama

"The overarching influence it still has is the problem for everyone. As shown when threads like this are started."

Firstly please could you expand on how Christianity has an overarching influence and secondly how this becomes a problem for everyone.

But if you genuinely feel that Christianity does indeed has an overarching influence and see this as a problem then please please feel free to ignore Easter, Christmas etc and simply go to work- at least the economy will give thanks to you for this.

What unverified facts have I supposedly put out? Of course Christianity is a concern, it still holds a huge grip on politics, social expectations, schools. Places religion should have zero influence in in this day and age. That is not diminishing the right of the individual to hold faith in these stories but certainly not a wider influence.

And, you've just made me think. My father used to bring us sweets on a Sunday, it was a real treat which we loved. And did readings at mass (Good things) He also beat and raped my mother. We lived in terror. Do the sweets negate the terror and violence?

You do realise that pagans worshiped God/Gods too.

It was not a society of no God.

The question between pagan and Christian is which God is the one true God...

And yet there are others on here saying if ,as a Christian, OP should just ignore all the commercial tat and not be offended.
So the same could be said for your irritation of an individual spouting off religion in your town

Move on
Don’t let it upset you.
Or as others have told OP don’t go to town if you don’t like it…. You see how it feels now !

I have already given examples. And personally if we are taking the route of cancelling holiday time then the rule should apply to all. Other religions don’t get recognised bank holidays for religious reasons in the UK, so it’s simply fair to all. The holiday system does need to be completely overhauled anyway but that’s a different discussion.

We have an Established Church with the Monarch as Head of the Church of England

It's because we have a collective act of daily worship.

It's because of the role of the C of E in our National Life - Remembrance, Coronation

So I would say it has quite a role in our national life

The full text of the Coronation Oath of King Charles III - Country Life

"Our Majesty, the Church established by law, whose settlement you will swear to maintain, is committed to the true profession of the Gospel, and, in so doing, will seek to foster an environment in which people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely. The Coronation Oath has stood for centuries and is enshrined in law."

Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in England?
And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of England, and to the Churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges as by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them?

I Charles do solemnly and sincerely in the presence of God profess, testify, and declare that I am a faithful Protestant, and that I will, according to the true intent of the enactments which secure the Protestant succession to the Throne, uphold and maintain the said enactments to the best of my powers according to law.

@cakeorwine

"Interesting thought - we could increase minimum annual leave allowance - but get rid of religious holidays - but you could take them if you want to as part of your allowance.

But it would be nice to have Christmas and Boxing Day off though!"

Nope - The minimum annual leave stays the same. Universal religious holidays are indeed got rid of. But having no recognised religion means you don't get additional leave to celebrate religious events that you don't believe in. Instead you get to go to work and keep the economy going.

I can totally understand why a wedding of Christians on Good Friday wouldn’t sit right with a fellow Christian but I can also see why a pair of atheists who think Jesus’ death and resurrection is pure fiction wouldn’t think twice about having their wedding on this “long weekend”. They’ll simply see it as that and it’ll have little more significance than a double bank holiday.

But I can nevertheless understand the dismay of Christians with what Easter has become. I will definitely teach my DC about the actual meaning of it, even though they won’t be brought up in the Christian faith. I won’t be telling them there’s an Easter bunny. Santa Claus yes.

And then people who wanted to celebrate Easter would also get no extra time off - so would have to use their annual leave to celebrate Easter.

Would you rather use your annual leave to go on holiday or use it go to church to celebrate Easter?