…some kind-hearted soul just wished me a happy Easter week.
I hardly knew how to respond, other than “Thank you. You, as well.” I didn’t go into the whole thing that I don’t really celebrate Easter, though the rest of Christendom seems to. I didn’t go into the fact that fundamentalists still walking around with those unique scars aren’t comfortable making a big, commercial deal over the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, which is a phrase I can say backyard, I’ve said it so often — or that fractured fundamentalists such as myself tend to shy away from most religious holidays, though we are all about the chocolate bunnies.
There was a time when I would have given that kind-hearted soul book, chapter and verse about Easter, but I’m older now and you know what? Who cares? Who? Cares? Easter’s a great time to be with family, hide eggs from the kids, and generally enjoy that warm feeling you get when someone else makes the meal and all you have to bring is bread.
In fact, hearing the greeting was kind of nice, having the holiday acknowledged, even if it isn’t my holiday. It made me smile, so that I went to find a couple of observant Jewish colleagues to wish them a happy Purim. They both looked at me like they were a little confused, but I meant well.
Dating Jesus 
…even if it isn’t my holiday…
Taking a couple steps in some atheist shoes, are we?
Nope. We didn’t celebrate it in my fundamentalist church, and I’ve never been quite able to get in step with the holiday since. (I do like chocolate bunnies, though…)
Sure ya are!
Atheists have to deal with “not my holiday” sentiments year round. Usually with the same slightly discomforting tolerance you speak of.
Anything surrounding religious holidays (including Christmas) makes me squirm, a little. I thought I’d get over that one day but no.
I don’t squirm so much around Easter. Not like Christmas.
Some squirming apparently going on in Europe.
“Perhaps people understand that the festival is religious and do not want to see it turned into something secular.”
Too late.
What about the holidays make you squirm? Did you/do you acknowledge Jesus’ Birthday & death/resurrection in another way?
I acknowledge that a historic Jesus was born and was killed under awful circumstances. Beyond that, I can’t seem to line up with everyone else. It’s me, all me.
I’m with you. Did your old church acknowledge the birth and death/resurrection in any way, even if not on Christmas and Easter?
Every Sunday, actually.
What bothers me about how Easter is celebrated is, a lot of emphasis seems to be placed on a horrible torture & death, and then a resurrection of a body (& soul). It seems the emphasis should be on his life, what he taught, his acceptance, and the love he shared. Love for one another – that is what should live on forever. Yet there is a clinging of dogma and judgement, with crosses in hand. It seems to me, the way most celebrate Easter, the main message gets lost and replaced by another. It kind of makes me sad.
So, check this out! All are welcome in God’s home.
http://www.holyfamilyretreat.org/eastertriduumschedule
I’ll be there tomorrow night. And there will be many chapters and verses.
Thank you!
It looks like what you do celebrate with the coming of Easter is the love that it brings when people come together. Or, maybe that’s my favorite part. I have never been a fan of celebrating this holiday until I decided I would view it as a time of new beginnings and hope.
Very true.