Amanda Marcotte of Pandagon and John Edwards blogger fame writes that "the good/ bad/ weird thing about being a believer in absolutely no religion is that the annual spring festivals of regeneration are utterly unimportant to you."
I don't know why.
Just as non-believers can claim Santa Claus and Christmas, we can also put in a legitimate claim to "spring festivals of regeneration." We had Easter at our house today in Kentucky and everything was about Easter baskets, Easter candy, and new clothes. If we hadn't had our own cold snap in Kentucky, there would have been a lot of talk about grass and flowers as well.
My wife is Catholic and she did take our two daughters to Mass. But there was the usual lack of comment about anything having to do with the resurrection of Jesus, forgiveness of sin, going to heaven, or any time-worn Christian theme. Jesus holds no interest for my daughters and the religious element in Easter is completely dependent on the celebration of Spring in our house just like it is most other places.
Why should we give up "spring festivals of regeneration" like Easter because they've been imposed on by Christianity.
We should share instead? We who don't believe should emphasize the energizing, sexualizing, rejoicing qualities of springtime and our willingness to share spring with Christians. I don't associate any religious significance with the Jesus story, but I'm more than glad to share the beauty of spring in Kentucky with anyone.
Tomorrow, I'll ask Mrs. RSI about some of the blooming trees. I think they're dogwoods.
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1 comment:
Lol dogwoods...I dunno what the hell they're called either....you may be right.
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