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.

Agree
We are born with original sin and Jesus died to save us.
Thats Easter

Bunnies and chocolate not quite the same really

What an utterly hideous concept. Born with sin? It’s borderline abusive.

But it's not a cult

Isn’t it?

That’s the entire point of the birth of Jesus and the reason for his crucifixion and resurrection.

As a Pagan I have never claimed to have a monopoly on spring, but this thread and some Christians on it are trying to claim a monopoly on Easter. So the reason people are pointing it out is to show that Easter doesn’t belong to Christians, it has other roots, other importance. It’s for all.

I do celebrate how I want, and for me that involves both going to church and joining in happily with the eggs and rabbits and daffodils and sweet foods. I'm having a lovely Easter weekend and I hope everyone else is enjoying theirs too, however and whatever they celebrate

Just found the pile-on of near-identical responses along the lines of "but did you know that there used to be a Pagan celebration of spring in this country?!" a bit odd. Every Christian I know is definitely aware of that and celebrates the spring as well.

It’s horrendous, isn’t it. A beautiful newborn baby does not have sin. I don’t think it’s borderline, I think it’s straightforward abuse.

What an utterly hideous concept. Born with sin? It’s borderline abusive.

Borderline?
First come up with the concept of 'original sin' (and while you're about it blame it on the woman). Then have some blood sacrifice to magically 'save' you from it... but you have to have 'faith' rather than being able to use evidence and rationality. You don't have to behave better because Jesus will forgive you... (yes, I know parts of the gospel are about good works and true repentance but in practice too may Christians - including their leaders - seem to think they can use their get out of hell free card with impunity. Oh yes... hell... )

I think I'll stick with enjoying nature. Japanese appreciation of cherry blossom, could do with more of that.

Well there wasn't a pile onimo, there was a discussion. I am woefully ignorant of the pagan origins, or lack thereof. But really I suppose I don't care. I live in my own belief system, and I don't feel the need to attack anyone else unless they're harming others.

Allegedly. It’s a human idea though, designed to control.

What woman?

Eve?

@ErrolTheDragon thank you for correcting me.

We are born with original sin and Jesus died to save us. - not this again. The concept of original sin (which clearly has no basis in fact) has caused so much misery through endless generations. Such fundamental negativity.

I like to think of the concept of "original blessing" - that we are all blessed with life and the potential to use if positively and for the good of all.

What exactly was human sacrifice saving us from?

We need to live our lives based on the doctrine of kindness - nothing else matters; absolutely nothing.

We need to live our lives based on the doctrine of kindness - nothing else matters; absolutely nothing.

I'm inclined to think the Buddhist pairing of wisdom and compassion is wiser - 'kindness' alone can be misguided or too one-sided. But yes... some version of the golden or platinum rule.

I didn't get my daughter baptised and I never once questioned myself over it. She's a fabulous child so the 'original isn't seems to sit well with her 😂 honestly, the ridiculousness of that concept is just... ridiculous!

God created Eve.

I've never been able to get my head around the born of sin message and so Easter as a patriarchal religious festival is meaningless to me and my beliefs.

I prefer to spend it out in nature and avoid commercialism and all the religious programming on the TV.

Just out of curiosity, where would I go to read some solid Bhuddist theory? It sounds interesting.

I don’t even think anyone ‘consumes’ a huge amount at Easter, unlike Christmas. We eat a bit of chocolate, have a Sunday roast and do some crafts. What’s the big deal and why is it any of your business?

I think I'll stick with enjoying nature. Japanese appreciation of cherry blossom, could do with more of that.

Quite agree. I would have liked to have visited the garden centre yesterday but the church has decreed that I can’t buy fertiliser and seeds on a day that would have suited me very well. As it was I spent the day teaching instead and ordered my garden supplies online.

The sun is out here so the dogs will get a nice walk and I plan to collect some more wild garlic for salads and admire how quickly the hazel leaves have grown over the last few days. If I’m lucky there will be dippers in the river and if I’m extremely lucky I may catch a glimpse of the local otter ( but unlikely).

That’s Christianity though,
Whether you believe it or not it is what it is to those who do believe, as PPs have mentioned.

All these people killing in the name of religion are not practising their religion correctly. The fundamental instructions given by the founders of all true religions are the same: compassion, tolerance, forbearance, mercy, non stealing, speaking truth, absolute alignment of thought, word and deed. Various great souls come into this world bearing the message of love. Then, over the course of time their followers overlay that teaching with their own ideas and the message gets corrupted. We could have a world utopia here and now if true spiritual principles were followed. I guess that's too advanced for us right now...

We had a nice roast, and the child had an egg hunt with small eggs. And she got a normal sized egg. Myself and H aren't bothered with eggs so nothing over and above with us, apart from the slightly fancier dinner. No extra consumption here at all really.