Empty Easter
This is the first year I ever remember in which my family didn’t acknowledge Easter at all. We’ve never been particularly religious, but like a lot of secular families participated in the festivities: chocolate and candy for the kids, a big dinner at the end of the day. This year, nothing. Part of this has to do with my mother’s growing alienation from anything having to do with religion. My father’s an atheist, but she’s always believed in the concept of God. Lately however, she’s become angrier and angrier with the right wing’s hijacking of religion, and wants nothing to do with self-identified “Christians.” She loathes them. Not the various sects, the Methodists, Lutherans, Episcopals, etc, but those smarmy fundamentalist Christians who wear their religion on their sleeve and make sure you never forget how stinking devout they are.
A lot of ink has been spilled discussing the background of Easter, and how the holiday is a Christian adaptation of ancient spring rituals. To me, it’s more than a little delusional to celebrate the rebirth of the world when we’re busy killing it (and ourselves). While you’re oohing over your Easter lilies, don’t forget the collapse of the bees, and how many flowers will disappear as a result.
It’s not just the loss of 70% of flowering and fruiting plants (everything from dill to broccolli to squash and on and on), it’s the impact on the entire food chain. For instance, alfalfa is a major food for livestock. No bees, no alfalfa. I believe the same is
true for clover.
If I believed in God, I would see this as the final “f-you.” One thing that’s been tied to the bee problem is the preponderance of GMO plants (which has been disputed, I’ll gladly acknowledge). It is as if God, who looked at his creation and found it good, looked at us mucking around with all the nice things he gave us and said “What, my creation’s not good enough? Screw you then. No more flowers for you: Alakazam! Now put that in your pipe and smoke it, humanity.”
So I’m a little scornful this Easter. No one’s coming to save anyone. Get over it.
5 Responses to “Empty Easter”
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April 9th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Get over it?? B-b-b-but John McCain said Iraq is showing sure signs of success and that’s what’s going to save us!
April 9th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
We were having lunch at a local eatery Saturday and a couple of fundi-freakos passed by the window lugging big crosses on their shoulders. The kids yelled, “what the heck is their deal!?” I said “Maybe we should make it a little more realistic for them and pelt them with rocks and spit on them as they pass by.” I think that’s how I remember the story of Jesus’ journey to Calvary.
April 9th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Did they have wheels on the crosses? That always kills me. the little wheeled cross. Oh, what a burden.
April 9th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
I want one of those! (a wheeled cross that is).
I won’t link to the site, but a former friend of mine is a fundie. Now, I’m not a religious, but i think this is a little over the top:
the oldest boy is 10 or so.
But maybe it’s just me. I’ve told my ex I don’t want our son getting indoctrinated into any religion. That God shit fucks up your mind.
April 24th, 2007 at 11:09 am
Sorry to comment on such an old subject but I can’t help it. On Saturday, April 21, the same two guys that were dragging the crosses down main street on the Saturday before Easter were at it again. They were dragging the crosses but this time they had folded towels on their shoulders for cushion. What the Hell?! He has risen! Go home!!! Go home!!!