Does Easter still matter?

Does Easter still matter?

British people will be taking 2.6 million overnight trips in England over this Easter break and spending £400m, Visit Britain estimates.

British tourism is beginning to boom again with people using the four-day festival as an opportunity to go on holiday.

Shoppers in Stafford who were using Good Friday as a day of leisure, were encouraged to join prayers at an open air service in the town centre.

And in his first directive of the Easter season, Pope John Paul II reinforced a strong warning that Catholics should not take holy communion delivered by ministers of other denominations.

How do you treat the Easter break? Is it a religious festival for you or a chance for some leisure time? Does Easter still matter?

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The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:

This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.

Your reaction:

When God becomes irrelevant, the me generation of selfishness and vanity increases, then bitterness and crimes increase, humanity is devalued and possessions and self glorification become the rule.
Roy, UK

Of course Easter matters. Easter signifies more than the new life of Spring. It's a time to celebrate the fulfilment of God's love for all of us. Paul wrote this to the church in Corinth and it applies now just as much as it did then: "The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hell bent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense" - The Message. For those of us who accept the ultimate gift of having our debts cancelled through Christ's perfect sacrifice, it does indeed make sense. Christmas and Easter are holydays even before today's commercialism. By all means have a break for leisure, or whatever. Of course, as stated often, this Good news is offered to (not forced on) everyone - but miss it, miss out.
Anon, UK

We don't need self-important Christians anymore than we need global capitalism. Can we please have some new sensible religions to help the world, not those indoctrinated by their own spin?
Andy Brpwn, UK

The holiday on top of the religious observance also gives us a chance to relax and be thankful for life

Phil W, UK

Easter matters (so does Christmas). They give a real depth to the reason why we are all here, and more than one billion Christians around the world can't all be wrong. The holiday on top of the religious observance also gives us a chance to relax and be thankful for life.
Phil W, UK

It's only commercial to those who treat is as so; as a non-church-goer (and avidly so) I feel that Easter is a more significant festival than Christmas. The Greeks think so...and who am I to argue...they were building libraries when us Brits were making mud huts!
Barry, UK

Easter is a fictitious holiday that has changed dates over the centuries. The Vatican has grasped control of the Resurrection and made up its origin and date. People of other Christian denominations should be aware of the Catholic church's control.
Maury Povich, Rumson, NJ, USA

To the Christian, Easter is more important than Christmas. If you are not a Christian, fine, enjoy the days off. With regard to the Pope's directive. This stems from the Roman Catholic belief in the "Real Presence" or "Transubstantiation". That the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. With the possible exception of the Orthodox churches, most other denominations do not have that same belief, they teach that it is only a "symbolic". Thus, for a Catholic to receive communion from another church confuses the issue.
Stephen, UK

We spent Maundy Thursday evening in prayer. Good Friday in Church and Easter Sunday with a cantata and service, then we had the family in for a Christian relaxation period. Yes there are a few of us around. I was intrigued by the replies you got and can only hope that Jesus is really forgiving but I guess most people will just say that my family are Jesus freaks. We will still pray for their souls!
John Fleming, Cayman Islands

I don't think Easter should remain a bank holiday. Why should we celebrate the religious festivals of one British religion while ignoring the rest? It should be up to the individual to take holiday if they don't want to work for religious reasons.
Amy, UK

the Easter break for me was merely a time to relax and spend time with family

Ben, Pontefract, England

I'm an atheist I'm afraid, so the Easter break for me was merely a time to relax and spend time with family and friends away from a stressful job. I didn't go to church or ponder over the meaning of Easter, but I think Easter does still matter to people who share the belief - and I think this will always be the case.
Ben, Pontefract, England

Ah, Easter, the time when Jesus, blessed all of the rabbits in Judea and the disciples gave each other eggs to celebrate the risen Christ. Or is it the Pagan fertility festival, which by coincidence, is symbolised by the rabbit, and honoured by the passing of eggs (a sign of fertility), borrowed by Christians, because they didn't have any of their own. Religion in this country will continue to decline until the 'Church' starts telling the truth. About a lot of things.
Stephen Cadbury, York

Those who keep saying that Easter was a pagan festival hijacked by the church don't realise that the crucifixion of Jesus happened during the Jewish festival of Passover, whose date floats around (something to do with new moons and the equinox). Therefore it isn't at the same time as the pagan festival that happened on the Spring Equinox - this year Easter is a whole month after the equinox.
Michael, UK

It's a nice break at the right time of year. Nothing more, nothing less. Religion is irrelevant to modern Britain.
Peter, UK

Shops open as normal, Easter eggs sold by the million; where is Jesus in all this? Society is going to the dogs and will continue to do so until we reintroduce some Christian values again!
Martyn Shaw, England

Easter brings a message of forgiveness

Ian Bishop, UK

Easter brings a message of forgiveness, a message today's 'blame culture' and apparently secular society has lost. With our world striving for peace, led by leaders many of whom have a firm Christian or Peaceful conviction, there is hope that the message of Easter can be a beacon to us all.
Ian Bishop, UK

When God becomes irrelevant, the 'me' generation of selfishness and vanity increases, then bitterness and crimes increase, humanity is devalued and possessions and self glorification become the rule.
Roy, UK

Easter does not originate from the Bible. It is a fictitious Holiday (not HOLY Day) created by Man to satisfy his ego. The original Holy Day is the Passover and Days of unleaven bread. Easter does not mean anything to me spiritually, physically and mentally, therefore does not matter.
Eremasi Dame, Fiji Islands

We spent Maundy Thursday evening in prayer, Good Friday in Church and Easter Sunday with a cantata and service, then we had the family in for a Christian relaxation period. Yes there are a few of us around. I was intrigued by the replies you got and can only hope that Jesus is really forgiving as many people we no doubt say oops! as they descend downwards, but I guess most people will just say that my family are Jesus freaks. We will still pray for their souls!
John Fleming, Cayman Islands

Easter matters (so does Christmas). They give a real depth to the reason why we are all here, and more than one BILLION Christians around the world can't all be wrong. The holiday on top of the religious observance also gives us a chance to relax and be thankful for life.
Phil W, UK

Of course it still matters, a few days off and a pile of chocolate will always matter to me.
Chris, England

Easter is the fulfilment of an eternal plan. It matters to God whether it matters to us or not

Lindsay, Devon, England

Easter is the fulfilment of an eternal plan. It matters to God whether it matters to us or not. The Earth never changed shape to suit those who once believed it was flat. Take courage when people reject the central message of Easter, for the bible says - When the Lord returns Will He find faith on the earth?
Lindsay, Devon, England

I helped out at our local Anglican church this Easter, since the priest is my neighbour and a good friend. He knows I'm an atheist, but that's not important. Most of the regulars at the church just use it as a sort of community centre. Very few of them are "real" Christians, but that's what they call themselves, and we all get along and have a good time, and that's what religion should be about.
Simon B, UK

Easter means religion to me, but not Christianity. It is a spring festival, a celebration of renewal and fertility, as symbolised by the eggs. My family and friends enjoy it very much, celebrating as the new spring growth blooms all around us.
Mike S, Cornwall, UK

Easter in the UK has become yet another example of the spiritual vacuum of British society. The pound is king, possessions and fame are all we crave, yet few of us are really happy.
Matt, England

I do not see the Pope's comments as being at all helpful in promoting unity

Rableather, Scotland

Easter as a religious festival means nothing to me. I am not Christian, lapsed or otherwise. I do, however, live in an area of the country where there is a deal of religious bigotry and I do not see the Pope's comments as being at all helpful in promoting unity. Rather his comments reinforce the wedge of perceived differences and prejudices. Frankly it reflects his insular way of life and his inability to touch on the problems of real people.
Rableather, Scotland

Whether you see Easter as a religious festival or otherwise, I think everyone should be taking advantage of it as a family occasion, spending time with wife/husband and children - not to mention sticking two fingers up at the commercialism and ignorance of said commercial institutions who tend to distort this to rake in the money.
Darryl LeCount, Hannover, Germany

Let's get a little bit of theology going here. The importance of Easter to the Christian is that the resurrection redeems the whole of human nature - that's the spiritual and the physical- so there is no reason why Easter should not be both a rest, and a celebration of eternal life
Richard Miller, Ireland

It's a commercial holiday, most people have no idea what it truly stands for - and good I say! We shouldn't feed children these false stories about a man that rose from the dead, the Easter bunny is much nicer.
Tom Leaver, England

Easter represents the triumph of life over death. We will all suffer physical death but because of the suffering of one perfect man and his victory over death we can all enjoy eternal life. And the "we" does refer to absolutely everyone regardless of their background.
Mario, London, England

Give everyone an extra two days holiday that they can take whenever they choose

Dennis, UK

If people want to celebrate their belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus, let them. If they want to worship the goddess of fertility, Ishtar then let them. But it's unfair to enforce what may be an inconvenient holiday on everyone else. Give everyone an extra two days holiday that they can take whenever they choose. It might also help if the school holidays were static.
Dennis, UK

I am someone who has a deep appreciation for the life and example of Lord Jesus Christ, and would aspire to follow Him. I am not a Christian because I think there is something intrinsically sectarian in that label, and I find the celebration of the suffering of someone as precious as Jesus very distasteful. I can understand this is an important part of the Christian message but I find the notion of vicarious atonement unhealthy.
John Carlisle, UK

I wonder how questions like this can be even asked. Is it OK to offend Christians, I mean real ones and not the post-Christian pagans, and somehow it is improper to ask a Muslim if Ramadan matters or a Jew if the Passover matters? Truth be told, the Orthodox Christian Passover, known in the West as "Easter", is not celebrated until next week.
John Lamberes, USA

The Easter holidays are not about religion at all!

Sean, UK

On Good Friday (the supposed date of Jesus' death) I could do anything I wanted, including buying overpriced pieces of chocolate. On the Monday after it is all over, I can't find a takeaway or convenience store that is open, so I can buy some lunch. The Easter holidays are not about religion at all!
Sean, UK

This Easter has taken on a new slant for me. With so many images of war, death and destruction, it's been rather nice to watch the Easter Sunday Service on TV and go back to the reason why we are all here. This year, Easter matters and hope it does for years to come. I just hope the church can change with society to make it more accessible to future generations.
Rob Morris, UK

It is about time ALL public and bank holidays were stopped. These days should be added on to people's holiday entitlement to be taken when they want to take them. This would make everyone happy because businesses would save millions in not having to shut down production and the worker could choose what days they want off. It is about time this country dragged itself into the present day of the global economy instead of trying to compete with other nations with one hand tied behind their back, because of a past tradition that only a very small percentage of people actually care about and celebrate.
Alistair, Scotland

Easter is one of those fabulous holidays that doesn't have to have a religious meaning to have a value

Rhiannon, NYC, USA

Easter is one of those fabulous holidays that doesn't have to have a religious meaning to have a value. Whether you are Christian celebrating the resurrection of Christ, or Jewish celebrating Passover, one can still appreciate the chance to spend time with one's family and enjoy something we see across the northern hemisphere: the coming of spring, new life and new hope. Easter is great because it has as much meaning as one chooses to give it, and I believe that for many of us, it still means a great deal.
Rhiannon, NYC, USA

In the truest of meanings, Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and yes, it still matters. Those who believe in The Resurrection know it is the culmination of the single most important event in human history and that is of Christ offering himself up for the sins of the world (that includes Jews, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, etc.) by way of His crucifixion and death at Calvary. At Easter we celebrate that through Christ's death all are made free from the law of sin and death through the law of the spirit of life in Him (Romans 8.2). May we all find truth by resolutely following a path to this one solitary life, which is the crux of all that is in dispute in the world today.
Joy James, USA

Yes, Easter still matters. It matters to everyone who observes the holiday. To be politically correct, especially in the US where "diversity" is to be respected, I should say Easter is a time of renewal. However, that said, Easter and the reason behind it, is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Everything else is a commercialization of this event.
F Westwood, USA

I'm glad the Pope said what he did. The endless quest for "Christian unity" on the part of the Protestant churches in general (and not just with Rome but amongst themselves) would have Ridley and Latimer turning in their graves. The truth of the Bible is being trodden down like dirt in the streets. However, one day it will all be vindicated.
Jonathan Castro, UK

It is important today purely from a commercial sense; yet another chance to sell things

Andrew MacDonald, UK

I find Easter funny, when the Christians come out and try to explain how Christ was resurrected on an existing pagan festival. And why it changes every year but Christmas doesn't? It is important today purely from a commercial sense; yet another chance to sell things.
Andrew MacDonald, UK

Easter is of vital importance to me and other Christians. At Christmas we celebrate that Jesus was born, but Christmas is incomplete without Easter. Because Jesus has risen we have hope and can live life the way God intends us to.
Mrs Jannie Lawn, UK

The sooner humanity grows up and leaves behind all such religious mumbo-jumbo, the better. Nice to have a few days off with my family though.
George, UK

I just heard the interview with James Watson of DNA fame. The charity, gentleness, forbearance and patience of the interviewer were so poignant. It was my Easter Message, gave me hope, and yes, it mattered. Thank you very much.
Cath Chapman, UK

Historically, the only time off from working was when it was a religious festival. Now people can make an informed choice about how to celebrate Easter, not attending church doesn't make for bad people or mean that they don't contemplate the occasion.
Nigel Baker, England

Easter actually comes from the pagan religious festival of Ishtar - the celebration of the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. This festival, along with all others, was hijacked by the R.C church during Constantine's reign so that the Catholic Church (originally a Pagan religion) could continue worshipping Babylonian gods/goddesses under the blanket of "Christianity". Doesn't seem to me that Easter has changed at all - it's still the same as it was in Pagan times.
Jonathen Winterburn, England

Easter is a time to reflect on Gods love for us all. A time of great sorrow and great happiness.
Garry Dawson, UK

Easter is a perfect time to investigate the circumstantial evidence for the Resurrection

Simon, Finland

However you feel about the Easter break, every single one of us sooner of later has to confront the fact of the empty tomb on the first Easter Sunday. If the Romans removed the body, why didn't they produce it to dispel resurrection claims? Would a deception hatched by the disciples be consistent with their character? Easter is a perfect time to investigate the circumstantial evidence for the Resurrection - translations of the earliest accounts are available in every bookshop. Pity to leave it until your deathbed if there's benefit to be had beforehand.
Simon, Finland

I still will not participate in entertainment on Good Friday which I still regard as a solemnly religious day, even if I did not attend any religious services this year. I even refused the chance to go and watch the ACT Brumbies play NSW in the Super12 comp.
Dave, Canberra, Australia

Of course Easter is important for those with Christian faith, for the rest of us it is a holiday. The trouble is that holiday completely mucks up the school calendar because it varies in time. This means the majority of us in this country who are not religious, or those of other faiths, have their calendar set by a minority. Sometimes, this gives us ridiculously uneven terms. I teach 11-year olds; out of a class of 30, five believe in god. This is not my indoctrination, but the influence of an increasingly secular society. Isn't it time to disestablish the Church of England and adjust to reality? How come we have a completely artificial date for Christmas, but have to put up with this daft floating system for Easter to everyone's inconvenience?
Jo Garton, UK

Under current HK situation where the SARS prevails and everybody is afraid of being infected, Easter becomes more meaningful for us to rethink about our value - so called economy-oriented city and think about the eternal things like what Easter brings us! Not only to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and pray for peace, but also our personal life before Christ. Only Jesus can save us from death and we have to admit our weakness and sin.
Ken Yeung, Hong Kong

Maybe young children can learn the essence of love, caring and giving through one timely symbolic gesture

Abdulfez, Japan

If you have a look at the smiling face of my three year old on Easter Morning; seeing a few, (no chocolate allowed) inexpensive toys waiting upon awaking, I no longer need to ask whether Easter matters. Maybe young children can learn the essence of love, caring and giving through one timely symbolic gesture.
Abdulfez, Japan

Reality is - Easter is the birth of Christianity. Nothing else talks about Resurrection or the demolition of evil. Nothing else invites everyone to be part of that message and to be aware of its importance.
Dave Bennett, UK

Easter is only important to those who suppose the existence of the Christian god. For those of us who do not believe in this, or any other god, goddess, goblin or other supernatural entity, the disappearance of Easter, and all other superstitious holidays may seem a cause for celebration. Easter was originally the festival of the Germanic Goddess Eostre. Like so many other elements of European Christianity it was absorbed from the pagan religions that preceded it.
Craig E. Talbot, UK

Great for all concerned

Peter Lee, England

Easter is what you want it to be. For some it is a religious time, for others a break from day to day drudgery and for others the beginning of spring. Great for all concerned, everyone sees it as they see it!
Peter Lee, England

Easter? I'm at work until midnight as a travel agent. My phone hasn't rung once yet. I've spent a fortune on Easter eggs for the family and I can't even be with them today. No Easter does not matter anymore. For lots of people like me, it's an expensive working day of the year. I don't think I'll bother in 2004!!
Scott Kirkham, GB

Our two churches were quite full this morning, less frequent attenders and visitors more than making up for those on holiday. Of course, you'd expect me, an Anglican priest, to say that Easter is crucial (the word coming from the Cross) for the Church and the world at large. There's still plenty of us glad that Jesus was raised from the dead on the 3rd day from his execution and that his life is available for all to share here and now and after our own physical death.
Ian Falconer, England

Corrupted by commercialism

Adam Wentworth, UK

Easter has been corrupted by commercialism; for the majority of people it serves as little more than a break sadly.
Adam Wentworth, UK

Does Easter still matter? The simple answer is yes. Without the hope given by the risen Lord Jesus Christ, humanity would face a even bleaker future.
Gary Burrows, Manchester, UK

Easter is as important as Christmas. Look at the world around us - all the new life helps us remember that Jesus died to save us all.
H. Hereward, UK

I hope that Easter and other religious feasts will be celebrated on one calendar. I hope the Eastern and Western Christian sects will be united and have one Christian calendar as we have one Jesus Christ.
Natalie Maamari, Tripoli, Lebanon

I'm spending my Easter working 18 hours a day finishing my final year project, but then students do have it easy...
Paul Weaver, Exeter, UK

It's a little bizarre that in this country we celebrate Easter - which has much more religious significance than Christmas - by telling our children that a giant bunny rabbit left chocolate eggs for them in the night...
Mark Hillman, UK

The Pope's remarks would have caused a problem at the last supper as Christ was a rabbi and a Jew.
Pete, UK

People complain about Easter rather than complain to their employer about being made to work

John Airey, UK

Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar, and not very long ago shops were closed so that everyone could have a rest. I therefore find it very strange that people can complain about Easter rather than complain to their employer about being made to work.
John Airey, UK

I am an Atheist but I still celebrate Easter. Easter stopped being religious 20 years ago; it is now just another commercial holiday like Christmas. But that isn't a reason to stop celebrating it; it is just a bit of fun.
Ross Speer, England

Of course Easter still matters. A world without Easter eggs would be a sadder place!
Chris Hunter, England

Easter is the principal Christian feast for me. It is a religious holiday to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and pray for peace and peacefulness to prevail around the entire world.
Marianne Andrea, Nazareth

I think the Pope is quite wrong in his ruling re Catholics receiving Communion in other churches. He hasn't had the experience of having to think through why in a practical sense. I have and now go to communion in the Anglican Church and feel blessed with the experience. God is not discriminating. God is love and this nonsense from the Pope just brings about more intolerance. I am sure he would not agree with me!
Josephine Mahar, New Zealand

It is natural for people to celebrate the spring equinox, just as it is natural to celebrate the winter solstice

Bryan, UK

It is natural for people to celebrate the spring equinox, just as it is natural to celebrate the winter solstice. Such celebrations were carried out long before they were incorporated into Christian mythology as "Easter" and "Christmas"; they will continue to be celebrated long after the pope's narrow-minded dogma is forgotten.
Bryan, UK

I'll be attending Easter Sunday services at church as I always do at Easter. It's still an important religious holiday for many people.
Chris, Liverpool, UK

Easter is still a very important holiday. It's nice to have time off - to shop and enjoy the weather, family and friends. But we should remember the ultimate sacrifice that was paid for our eternal hope of a better life.
PF Heller, USA

PF Heller: No, you should think of such a sacrifice if you believed it happened. Not "we". Please don't presume that your beliefs are shared by us all.
Matthew Lenham, UK

Nice hols but rather than call it a religious holiday it should be a "spring holiday" which is more how people view the days off. There don't seem to be very many Christians about who make any kind of effort to acknowledge and celebrate the significance of Easter anyway! If they don't care why should the rest of us carry on the pretence?
Rama Mistry, Uk

How sad that people want to ignore the most important three days that the world has ever seen: when the only perfect man, God's Son, Jesus Christ, died and rose again so that all who chose to follow Him could spend eternity with God in heaven. We started today with a gathering in our shopping centre with a couple of hundred Christians from local churches and shall be celebrating all weekend. No boring TV for me thanks!
Catherine Davies, England

Well, I get a couple of days off work for free. That is all that Easter really means to me now.
Andy, Leeds, UK

Easter means Spring to me. Spring means rebirth of self, goals, and dreams

Abioye, USA

I think Easter is an important religious festival. I'm 19 and will be a server in church on Sunday morning. If the church is to survive in the modern world I believe it will need to commercialise and advertise the religious aspect of the Christmas and Easter holidays. Hope everyone has a relaxing Easter.
Ned, Devon, England

Religion? The sooner people accept it's a load of superstitious nonsense, the happier I'll be. Leisure? Excuse me? Who do you think has to stand behind shop counters serving the thousands of people on holiday? We are humans, you know, and some of us are having one of our busiest weekends ever!
Greg, England

I treat it like two days off work. I can't really treat it as anything else, because that's all it is.
Simon Moore, EU

I appreciate the holiday for what I feel it truly symbolizes - a mix of the Spring Equinox that comes before it and Beltane after it. Easter means Spring to me. Spring means rebirth of self, goals, and dreams.
Abioye, USA

Easter is a nuisance as the date varies from year to year, mucking school and other terms about. As an atheist who works with a lot of Muslims, I find it an irritation that we are inflicted with the Christian calendar. Let religious Christians apply for a day's holiday, like Muslim colleagues do for Eid.
Magda, UK

This could be the beginning of the end of the age of the religions!

Agha Ata, USA

Christmas is commercialised, Easter has become more of a leisure time. This phenomenon can be observed more or less, in all religions. This could be the beginning of the end of the age of the religions!
Agha Ata, USA

Easter means nothing to me at all, except as an inconvenience with some shops and services being closed. I'm working over all four days. Religion is playing a lesser and lesser rôle in today's society, and it's about time too.
Chris Melville, UK

John Paul Getty was far more influential on the UK than this other John Paul...
Rob Read, UK

Rob Read should speak for himself. Pope John Paul II is leader to over one billion Catholics around the world, 9 million Catholics in Britain. Perhaps you should choose your words more carefully. Easter may be forgotten by most British people, but across most of the world Easter remains the more important day in the Christian calendar.
T Howard, London, UK

Shopping, chocolate, good films on TV, a long weekend away from the desk, walks in the countryside and catching up with friends. Nope, religion's got nothing to do with it, except talking about Passover with Jewish friends!
Jack, UK