Can't see Anything Wrong with the King's Easter Message 🤔🤔?

[StephieSlade84]

Seen loads of people on social media kicking off about the King's Easter message, but I can't see anything wrong with it - although it mentions other religions ONCE, I feel like it was in a way to show the similar values that all religions show (at least when they aren't going overboard) and it's showing the Christian values of kindness and tolerance.

One of the puzzles of our humanity is how we are capable of both great cruelty and great kindness. This paradox of human life runs through the Easter story and in the scenes that daily come before our eyes — at one moment, terrible images of human suffering and, in another, heroic acts in war-torn countries where humanitarians of every kind risk their own lives to protect the lives of others. A few weeks ago, I met many such people at a reception in Buckingham Palace and felt a profound sense of admiration for their resilience, courage and compassion.

On Maundy Thursday, Jesus knelt and washed the feet of many of those who would abandon Him. His humble action was a token of His love that knew no bounds or boundaries and is central to Christian belief.

The love He showed when he walked the Earth reflected the Jewish ethic of caring for the stranger and those in need, a deep human instinct echoed in Islam and other religious traditions, and in the hearts of all who seek the good of others.

The abiding message of Easter is that God so loved the world — the whole world — that He sent His son to live among us to show us how to love one another, and to lay down His own life for others in a love that proved stronger than death.

There are three virtues that the world still needs — faith, hope and love. “And the greatest of these is love”.

It is with these timeless truths in my mind, and my heart, that I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Easter.

Charles R

Sounds good to me actually

I'll be in a Christian church on Sunday and wouldn't be surprised if this message was referred to favourably.
I certainly have no problem with it.

Is the Easter message a new thing? It hasn’t been all over my socials…

I thought it was spot on. The three monotheistic religions share many similarities. Jesus was a Jew, for goodness sake! It's exactly the sort of message that the head of the CofE should be putting out.
Clearly, many of these people on social media are just ignorant.
C

Did he mention Christianity in the speech he did to mark Eid? Mention Judaism when they don't recognise Jesus as the messiah given what Easter celebrates is bizarre. I actually don't care that he marks celebrations for other religions as some people seem to, but i don't understand the need to shoehorn them in to this.

That is a great message and much needed at this time

I think it's very well balanced, acknowledging those of other faiths or world views as well as those of none. He recognises the value of goodness in people and how it impacts others.
Then, the paragraph beginning 'The abiding message..' goes back directly to the fundamental Christian belief that Jesus, God's son, sacrificed himself for humanity, and ends with one of the most famous Biblical references in Corinthians. What is wrong with that?
I'm wondering whether there's a bit of a sudden agenda in some quarters to knock KC and W&C for not being Christian enough, for some reason.

It's a nice enough message but totally unsuitable at Easter from the head of the English Christian church.

It's a reduction of Christianity and Easter to a nice let's all love each other message.

But Easter is only significant to Christians. Because only Christians believe Christ was God, crucified and rose from the dead.

Jews and Muslims don't believe that so they don't celebrate Easter.

He's reduced Easter to a story about a good bloke taking care of others like we all should.
Which is nice but not what Easter is about for Christians.

And he's the head of CofE.

You'd think Easter would be a time to reflect on the Christian belief that Christ is our saviour who rose from the dead.

His watered down version of niceness and inclusion just reveals he doesn't really have a Christian faith.
I suspect most people who think this is a good Easter message are not Christians. Like the King.

It's time the monarch was no longer head of the church if they don't have faith. It makes a mockery of the faith actual Christians have.

Well, this atheist Republican was impressed. Apart from the lamentable rejection of the King James Version of course……

People are getting prickly that he is centering Islam over Christianity (not my personal view just everything I've read points to it) a lot of veiled jabs online

and as William is no where as religious as the rest of his family I think this might be the last Christian king

It's ridiculous that we all live in a Christian state when very few people are actually practicing Christians, or even believers of any kind at all. It's respectful to mention other religions and just good politics at a time like now to do so.

I would expect and hope the same from other religious heads.

Considering how few young people especially are Christian, he's probably doing his best to keep the monarchy from looking even more out of touch to keep it around a bit longer.

I think it's very positive. Easter is about rebirth. He's right about seeing scenes of terrible devastation, war and disaster, and also people rescuing, helping and rebuilding, being determined, strong and caring. I liked the way he referred to those incredible people that he met and learned from recently.
I thought it was a lovely message.

Charles has always struck me as more spiritual than religious. Reminds me of my mum. My dad on the other hand a fervent Christian. Interesting discussions in the household.

and as William is no where as religious as the rest of his family I think this might be the last Christian king

Not necessarily.
Just as William's views on religion may differ from his father's, so may George's differ from William's.
Neither of my parents were believers yet I go to church.
I'm not fussed either way, just saying that children don't always follow what their parents do.

We don't know about William's faith. He chooses to keep much of his personal life private.

I’m finding not reading books or listening to speeches by men this year very relaxing. Would recommend this to anyone upset by that speech.

As the head of the C of E Charles should not be making mention of other religions in an Easter speech, particularly not any religion which calls for the extermination of adherents of other religions. QEII would never have been so crass as to say what Charles has - he needs to get back in his box!

‘It's time the monarch was no longer head of the church if they don't have faith. It makes a mockery of the faith actual Christians have.‘

I think Charles has faith , but he sees its object in the mirror

I just knew there would be threads like this on MN over Easter. Anything to try and put a negative spin on it. Not long ago I even saw a poster refer to it as “chocolate egg day”. So disrespectful. You’ve got to wonder about the motives of people who start these threads.

As a Christian (non-practising), I found the message appropriate and moving. His acknowledgement of Judaism and Islam, and his willingness to reflect on the values they share with his own religion demonstrates a tolerance that is sadly lacking in mainstream discourse currently.

But he didn't mention Christianity in his Eid message (which makes sense), why when it's Christianity does there always need to be other religions mentioned? I think it's great he acknowledges other religious events across the year, i just don't understand why there's a weird double standard.

I don't think it is a double standard. We are a Christian country and Islam and Judaism are therefore minority faiths. Inclusiveness means acknowledging minority faiths while assuming Christianity as the major faith, as it is in all Western countries. Where I see a double standard is in organisations marking the festivals of all faiths but Christianity, in particular schools not having a nativity or Easter celebrations.

I think it’s fine. I hadn’t seen it before but it’s pretty unobjectionable. I’m an atheist but do believe people are capable of great and terrible things. We should look for what brings us together and find commonality rather than seek division where possible.

I'm a Christian. The Church in practically all of its iterations over 2000 years has at times done a very good job of utterly forgetting, certainly not practicing, the love that is at the core of Christ's teachings and I have no issue with any message that emphasises it.

In story of the centurion in Matthew, a Roman soldier asks Jesus to heal his servant. The soldier isn't Jewish, and works for an occupying army. No one knows the background of the servant. Yet Jesus recognized the love the centurion had for the servant, and healed him upon request. He cut to the core of the request - my loved one is sick, can you help?

I think Charles is reminding us that the desire to help because of love for all living things, is the core of Christian faith, and of many religions.