It's Easter weekend around the world...Well, depending on what calendar you're working off considering that many Orthodox churches base their Easter on the Julian calendar, which can differ somewhat from the Gregorian calendar. This is why Orthodox Easter period generally happens later by a week or so. Yeah I know, doesn't make much sense to me either but splitting it up would certainly help to alleviate the rush for chocolate eggs at the supermarket I guess right?
I'm not a religious person and so I don't care when Easter is, only that I get some time off. That's the good thing about Easter; Marking the occasion is forced [fortuitously] upon everyone here by way of two public holiday's, that means Friday and Monday off making a four day weekend. Thanks Easter, love your work! The other benefit is that one gets to engage in the true meaning of Easter...Chocolate eggs distributed by bunny rabbits and hot cross buns; Both of which will feature prominently in most people's Easter-weekend, mine included. Go Easter, you good thing!
Many people, once they find out I'm non-religious, feel the inclination to save me by pushing their beliefs upon me. I'm not sure what they think they are saving me from, eternal damnation I expect. They do so nonetheless though, telling me about the stories they read in their book and how it's all going to work out, if only I go to their church, drop some cash in the collection box and clap along with the rest of the folk.
I don't have anything against people having their beliefs, holding ceremonies and events provided they obey the law of the land. I mean it wouldn't do for people to get about performing Qhapaq hucha, the Incan practice of live human sacrifice, mainly children, after important events now would it? Yeah, probably not, although it was just another religious tradition I suppose. Just like Easter is.
I like the live and let live ethos mainly. What I really love though, is how people get to benefit from the rituals and beliefs of others without having to believe in them personally. Like me with Easter and Christmas. I get presents, time off and chocolate eggs...Score!
Last week I saw a Muslim family at the supermarket with a shopping trolley full of chocolate Easter eggs and I've seen the same at Christmas also; A Christmas tree in the trolley, Christmas wrapping etc. Yeah sure, they may be buying the items for someone else I guess, a gift for their Christian friends maybe? How nice of them. Maybe though, they just feel like eating chocolate eggs around easter or erecting a fake pine tree in their home at Christmas time? Why the hell not right?
You know what that tells me? It tells me that it doesn't matter. None of it. Call yourself this, or that, hold that ritual, or this one...It all makes no difference at all. We are just human beings doing what it is we do, and doing it our own way. I think it's nice that people can feel free to do so although, of course, there are places they cannot.
Easter means nothing to me at all however I know it means something to many people around the world so I hope they're doing whatever it is they do at this time of year. Thanks to the Easter bunny (supermarket) for making chocolate eggs available to me, my baker for having the best hot cross bun recipe ever and the government for making Friday and Monday public holidays. What a great weekend of the year! Oh, just a note for the vegans...Nah, that bunny wasn't forced to deliver all those eggs around the world...They all come from the supermarket. No animals were harmed in the making of this post.
