Len Hanley: Retailers minimize significance of Easter as celebration of resurrection of Jesus Christ

To The Daily Sun,

There is a yearly trend of minimizing the significance of Easter as a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This holiday holds profound meaning for billions of Christians around the world, and millions in the United States, yet it is increasingly overshadowed by retailers, advertisers and public places that seek to instead promote the pagan alternative known as Ostara, a fertility goddess, and the Ostara traditions of bunnies, colored eggs and baskets to children.

Public schools opt for generic “spring break” celebrations instead of acknowledging Easter. Public libraries often put out displays that highlight various springtime themes but omit any reference to Easter’s religious significance. These send a message that Christian beliefs are less valid or worthy of acknowledgment than other traditions. Why do we stand for that? Where are the Christians standing up for Jesus Christ and our rights to celebrate our religious holiday, unapologetically and unashamed?

Retailers also contribute to this injustice by focusing 98% of their advertising and merchandise on the non-Christian. They should consider that over 60% of the United States self-identifies as Christian, while only 0.3% self-identifies as pagan associated religions. Consider also that a boycott by Christians of all the non-Christian "Easter" items would cost them millions.

For a true devout Atheist, Easter should not be an issue. They don't believe in any religion so why do they get so upset when they see a resurrection representation to commemorate Easter? Yet it triggers them like a MAGA hat triggers the Donald Trump haters. I suppose for the religion that believes there is no God, being upset by Easter is an issue for Dr. Phil to diagnose. I will always celebrate Easter as the resurrection of Jesus Christ exclusively. If that offends, then so be it. I will simply refer to Galatians 1:10. He is risen.

Len Hanley

Barnstead