Ignorance is...

[andrewducker]

Apparently only 22% of people know that Easter is about Jesus.

At least, that's what the article says. If you look at the actual questions that got that result, it's clear that only 22% of the population _care_ about Jesus and his relationship with The Easter Bunny.

[Poll #1371630]

Comments

[ladysisyphus.livejournal.com]

Wait, what do you mean by 'it' in, if 'it' were true?

Gasp, shock, the hyper-commercialized version of a religious holiday has overwritten the religious connotations of that holiday in the public mind, amazement and terror, never before in human history has such a thing happened. Next everyone will be crying about how those kids today don't even remember who St. Valentine was.

If they'd walked into an actual church of praying Christians and gotten that response, I might be concerned, like I'd be concerned if they'd walked into a mosque and gotten a bunch of blank stares if they'd asked, so, what's Ramadan? But asking people outside a religious community about the specific meaning of a holiday inside the tradition, especially when there's a secular analogue to the holiday you quite nearly can't escape, and then clutching pearls and groping for the nearest fainting couch when people prefer chocolate to zombie_Jesus? Please. Save your fake outrage, you terribly persecuted majority.

I mean, at least around Christmas, you put up manger scenes and 'Jesus is the reason for the season' tags. You don't really see happy plastic crucifixion tableaus on every street corner come Easter. (But maybe you should!)

[andrewducker]

Wait, what do you mean by 'it' in, if 'it' were true?

That Easter and Jesus are connected at all. I know that historically they are connected - there is no ignorance in my head about this fact. I don't _believe_, but I am not ignorant of the beliefs and historical celebrations.

I mean, at least around Christmas, you put up manger scenes and 'Jesus is the reason for the season' tags.
Possibly in your somewhat old-fashioned country. Over here it's all "Pre-christmas sale, 25% off!" and jolly men in Cola-Cola coloured suits :->

[ladysisyphus.livejournal.com]

So, do you mean, if it's true that Easter and Jesus have nothing to do with one another, or if it's true that people don't think Easter and Jesus have anything to do with one another?

[andrewducker]

If it's true that people don't know that there is a historical linkage between "Easter" (the public holiday) and "Jesus" (the religious figure).

Because I don't think that is true. I think people know that. I just don't think they care. At least, not over here in the glorious land of Secularity :->

[ladysisyphus.livejournal.com]

Ahh, got it. Sorry, not deliberately trying to be obtuse, just having trouble getting my brain going (which is a problem, because one of my classes is about to start).

Yeah, over here I'd say that there are probably a whole mess of people who know and don't care -- it's just that the people who care, care a whole hell of a lot. And they'll let you know about how much they care, whether you want to or not.

[andrewducker]

Didn't think you were being obtuse :->

Good luck with the class!