The Secular Parent at Easter
April 6, 2012 6 Comments
Disclaimer: If frank discussion of my secular life is offensive the delicate reader, turn back now.
The Skeptical Woman clan are not a religious folk. After 14 years of Catholic school I can make this informed statement. I am not into organized religion. I understand Easter is the “holiest” of holy days according to the western calendar. I have vivid memories of 14 years of “Stations of the Cross” every Friday during Lent.
In religion class, I had to draw pictures of what I was giving up for Lent. Then, I had to squeeze into an unseasonably spring, uncomfortable dress, tights, and go to church.
P.S. I’m not Catholic.
Sure, the greeting card companies and big box stores have done a good job of selling Easter under the guise of a “Hop in to Spring” campaign. Pastels and flowers decorate the stores in my area. Even candy is more attractive. Once again, I am faced with the dilemma of being a secularist parent. Do I “celebrate” Easter with my daughter?
Well, after last years great bunny trauma-we are skipping the rabbit. I think my dilemma asks a question that many parents grapple with “Do I want to deprive my child?” No, I don’t. In fact, I want to see her in a pretty dress and holding a basket of goodies. Easter baskets were always a highlight of my childhood. I want her to have that excitement and suspense of waking up and finding a basket of treats. However, as a grown-up, I am less than enthused. Although, I do look forward to dinner. This is the consumer side of holidays. I’m not fan of consumerism but I like it more than religion.
I just want to keep the “Jesus” part of it at bay. The bunny side of Easter is very different than the Jesus side of easter. Christmas is no different. Maybe it’s not the religion that scares me as much as religious parents. Yes, they terrify me. I don’t want to indoctrinate my daughter with patriarchal ideaologies that outline how to look down on people and juge them while playing an obedient role to her male superiors.
A religious life is a dangerous life for a woman. For her body, her mind, and her place as an equal in contemporary society. With every holiday we dance with this danger.
However, this dilemma has a solution. Education. My responsibility as a parent to educate my child about how we celebrate holiays and why in comparison to the opposition. With that, bring on the Peeps.
Thanks for the thought provoking blog post. I was just say to my partner how I prefer the commercial side of Christmas and Easter. Children just want to have fun on holidays nor do they want to go to church, so it is easy to keep religion from spoiling the fun.
Hi Angela,
Thanks for reading and for your response. I am always hesitant to discuss religion. I understand that there is obviously a religious connection to holidays but how many people today really abide by it? How many people really feel comfortable with religious doctrine these days? I know I don’t. Holidays like Easter and Christmas often become more about the kids. SO if it becomes a day to make your kids extra happy by doing something special is that so bad?
I’m am so glad that someone else got what I was trying to say.
If it was not for Jesus there would be NO holiday to celebrate! Hello
good!
Hi Tracey and Brian-
Thanks for your responses and for paying attention to the disclaimer at the beginning of this blog. In fact, it’s really not Jesus who created the holiday. No, it is human civilization who organized a religion around the story of Jesus. You are welcome to your opinion and to celebrate the holiday as you see fit. However, in tradition of Christian ideology would it not have been more appropriate for you to discuss this is a more civilized manner. You know in a “love your neighbor” sort of a way rather than an unpunctuated “hello”
I am always amazed at the rude-ness of people who claim to “Christians” and “Jesus” loving.
Jesus was a pagan? http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/tracts/tract1.html