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.

@DanielGault of course sweets don’t negate the crimes of your father and I’m so sorry you went through that 😢😢.

however, there are billions of Catholics in the world, each individuals, with their own experiences, beliefs, motivations. Your father was just one person. So no, you cant blame them all for the wrongs of a few in the church, vast majority will be good people and horrified by what went on.

would you blame every Muslim for 9/11.

There are no negative aspects these days.
Thats not to say we, along with most countries, haven’t suffered at the hands of different religions but currently Christianity isn’t causing problems here.

I really don’t understand why atheists are so obsessed with peoples rights to personal beliefs and obsessed with criticism of them. It’s simply no one’s business.

That was for @1dayatatime

There is plenty of impact of the Church of England on life in the UK.

Saying it was the minority is very dismissive.
How many knew and let it happen?
There was a whole culture of it and even now the organisation is unwilling to take responsibility and we're supposed to look up to their values??

Well said
it’s also worth noting that’s discrimination

I never said I was offended or didn’t simply get on with my day, just countering other posters who claimed that people wouldn’t give negative opinions such as this in real life when evidently many Christians openly preach to others. Maybe street preachers are an extreme example, doesn’t mean Christianity isn’t being pushed in other ways. My eldest spend weeks telling me how Jesus was a real person because his teacher had said so, this is in a non religious primary. My other son’s one to one told me with great glee how she’d been teaching him to say ‘I believe in god and heaven’. Of course it doesn’t matter long term as they don’t get brainwashed at home with religion but it certainly happens more than someone raving on the high street.

other people need not to share your beliefs

Of course it was in the minority
You do know how long the Catholic Church has been around don’t you!
You do know how many billions of Catholics there have been!

Surely it’s fine for you to celebrate your way (and celebrate the things you want) and others to celebrate the things they want in their way?

I do also think others have a point that Christianity piggybacked on existing pagan festivals.

I certainly would not. I don't put in or out with Muslims in any other way than I do with anyone else. I have a serious issue with the Church placing itself in any position of moral authority however. I am of the belief that people should be free to have whatever faith they want, as long as it doesn't bother anyone else. I have no faith, this impinges on nobody else. Just keep beliefs out of my life really. I'll decide for myself.

@cakeorwine

I would say that Christianity has bugger all impact on national life.

Yes there is an established Church with the Monarch as Head of the Church of England but how did that personally affect you last Thursday?

There is no collective act of daily worship for the vast majority of the population.

Yes there are some Christian wording around Remembrance because the majority that died were Christians, other faiths also have religious wording for remembrance. Lastly yes the Coronation has a Christian angle to it because the King is also the head of Church but honestly who really cares about this.

Isn't Easter originally a pagan festival?

We can agree to disagree.

When we have a separation of Church and State, then I would say that the Church of England's influence would have changed.

I think it would be good for them to separate.

Sad to see so much anti-Christian vitriol on here. It is true that Easter is a mixture of Christ's Resurrection celebration and pagan or secular spring & fertility celebration. Nobody forces Christianity on people these days, but it doesn't hurt to acknowledge its importance to many people and in our heritage. We are a tolerant country and we can at least respect others' right to believe or not, without giving or taking offence.

You will definitely not keep that freedom if a certain other religion gains more influence. Beware - freedom and tolerance are very fragile things, and need nurturing.

Sad to see so much anti-Christian vitriol on here

No vitriol here.

Believe what you want to believe. Just separate Church and State.

@DanielGault

"I am of the belief that people should be free to have whatever faith they want, as long as it doesn't bother anyone else. I have no faith, this impinges on nobody else. Just keep beliefs out of my life really. I'll decide for myself."

A really well written summary and just as those with no faith should not be criticised or ridiculed so should those with faith not be criticised or ridiculed.

In Britain. Approx 80% give or take of schools in Ireland are still catholic. That's quite a bit of control wouldn't you say? The slog to drag ourselves out from under the control of the church has been long, and laborious. There has been a huge mental toll to achieve what we have so far. And still such a long way to go .

@cakeorwine

Other than religious references for a Christian King's coronation can you elaborate on how you think that the State and Church are not separate in the UK?

I presume Easter has been celebrated as long as people from Europe have lived here. Ostara as a word would not have existed here before then.

All I am saying is that while we have Easter eggs, and bunnies put in an appearance, no-one for one minute thinks we are celebrating the arrival of spring. It is simply a celebration of Easter.

Very true. I’ve heard a religious colleague say to an atheist one “But how do you account for this and that in nature? How can you NOT believe in a divine creator?” It’d be rude if they had replied, “How CAN you believe in one?!” Both are beliefs.

Absolutely. The problem being that, in general, it's the faiths being imposed on the atheists rather than vice versa.

Your dc is telling you that because it’s part of the curriculum. They’ll be coming home one day telling you the same about other religions because the curriculum in England ( if you’re in England) includes many other religions. Teaching it hopefully advances knowledge and respect for the beliefs of others.

My kids went to high church cathedral schools and have never been told they have to believe in anything. Never been forced to bow and scrape , as it were, in praise for any God. If your kids teachers are telling them to say things they fell uncomfortable with then complain, that’s not part of the curriculum. I suspect, however your dc saying
‘ I believe in God and heaven ‘. May well have been in a lesson teaching the point of and words of the creed. ie - ‘I believe in one God the Father of the Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth etc etc etc ‘. The words sound similar. Perhaps you might wish to follow this up with the school so they can explain.

Also
Christians spouting off to others about Jesus and God anywhere other than in church or on the internet in anon forums like MN is very very rare.

Maybe Easter eggs are karma for what Christians did to Winter Solstice.

Or Spring Equinox, for that matter.

This country has thousands of years of traditions before the Romans turned up and made everything about Jesus (under fear of death).

It's an Established Church.

Lots here to read about

CBP-8886.pdf (parliament.uk)

I would have thought the C of E would want to be its own church - but then it wouldn't be special.