Easter has been hijacked

Atheists, agnostics, Christians, muslims, buddists, pagans, humanists, all faiths, all beliefs, all non beliefs,

Ok grummpa

I have bought my family chocolate, made Easter cards and cakes with the grandchildren. We had a huge meal yesterday with extended family and the grandchildren's god parents and today we are having afternoon tea again together. So in a way Easter is a chance to have lovely family time together because nobody is in school or work. However I am a Christian and am joyful that Christ has risen and yesterday I attended church which was packed with well over a 100 people and had hosted services for the whole of Holy Week themed around the Stations of the Cross. I do not push my religion down any body's throat but enjoyed very much a beautiful service with like minded people in a peaceful atmosphere and don't decry anyone who doesn't believe, I'm just glad I do , it's very much part of my life.

Agree TwiceasNice

Mawbroon Millions and millions of pounds are spent on creating a demand for goods, and marketing them. People go to university to study psychology and then a fair number of them join advertising, PR and lobbying organisations in order to use their knowledge of human behaviour to manipulate people. It is all very well saying "you don't have to buy into this commercialisation" but everybody who has a TV, radio or computer or reads a newspaper is to some extent influenced by this psychological manipulation, admittedly some more than others.

anniebach I am well aware that you didn't write the original post. You, however, said that Christians had no problem with atheists but it seemed atheists had a problem with Christians. I was pointing out that the original post appeared to be critical of those who did not celebrate Easter by going to church, and so set the tone for the ensuing discussion, which included the comment that perhaps atheists were secretly concerned that they were "batting for the wrong team", or words to that effect.

But Christians don't have a problem with atheists Eleothan, every thread on the Christian faith we get the usual - the church lied, the scriptures are lies, I really don't understand why so much effort is put into trying to demolish the faith of others , no one is forced to accept the faith, there is no law that everyone must attend church , so why do it ? This I really don't understand . Someone even complained queenie attending church Easter Day was on tv .

I don't complain when tv cover Stonehenge at mid summer, been there myself to see the sunrise , I attend a .pagan spring festival and tie a ribbon to a tree, I don't tell others the tree is beautiful without the ribbons. I fast on Christmas Day, I never post asking how can you eat when others are starving, it is their choice as it is my choice, neither is right or wrong. It is often difficult to try to walk in the steps of Christ without having to read the scoffing .

No scoffing here annie! - each to his own.

Eloethan you talk of the millions of £££ poured into commercialising the likes of Christmas and Easter. So what?
We cannot influence that except by our own actions and no amount of pearl clutching will make any difference.
And no, I totally disagree that I must of necessity be influenced by media advertising or other pressures.
Also if people “go to university to study the psychology of marketing and retail” - so what? One DD did her degree in Retail Management, another did the M&S management course after an Economics degree. Awareness of how retail influences our shopping habits is the first step to resistance! . I do know more than a little about the science of selling, have you read “Why We Buy” by Paco Underhill?
I think it is totally defeatist to say that we cannot stand up to commercial propaganda and frankly, insulting to our intelligence.
Do what you want, panic buy if you must, overspend and lose sight of the good things about Easter and Christmas if you want, but don’t include me in that.
I am still my own person and reserve the right to observe Christmas or Easter in my own way - religious or not.

As the OP no way was I critical of people not going to church I did not do so . I was just amazed that anyone would list things to do at Easter without mentioning going to church . I just think the world has gone mad over any excuse to persuade people to spend money and overeat. Look out Father's Day will be next then hopefully we get a break .

Quite Luckygirl, each to their own

MawBroon, I'm a braw lass myself. You a souter? Or a bright-eyed daughter?

I’m a Souter!

what does a souter mean, please?

Aha!
I will tell you, but I may have to kill you.
<whisper>
Someone born in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders

I decorated eggs at Easter as a child and can remember my hamster escaping and eating a chocolate egg but nothing else. I was quite surprised therefore some years ago when my mother gave us an Easter card - I'd never seen one before. Although we have always given our sons and then grandchildren an egg or some money we've never made any special occasion of it and now it's just 2 precious days off work. I have no problem with whatever beliefs anyone want to put on Easter or any other festival - each to their own.

hmmm but people spent QUITE a lot of money on church...if they're that way inclined. There are always collections and donations and contributions going...

So IMO it's disingenuous for you to now add that your concern for people who do things other than church is just you worrying about their finances, because people get persuaded to part with their cash in church too....