‘I think it’s God’s birthday’

True meaning of holiday lost on many young people

WE celebrate the long weekend, overdose on chocolate and feast on seafood but many Coasters have no idea why.

People questioned on the street this week were largely unaware of the true meaning of Easter, despite it being celebrated for hundreds of years.

Gilston pastor Jordan Meade said the biggest misconceptions were confusing Easter with Christmas and thinking it was about choc- olate. “Easter is traditionally a Christian holiday,” he said.

“On Good Friday Jesus was crucified and he died to reconcile us back to God, which is why we have Good Friday off.

“Easter Sunday is a celebration of Jesus rising from the dead three days after he was crucified.”

Alix Wadell, 22, of Tugun, was one of those who mixed up both holidays, saying: “I think it’s Jesus’s birthday. Or God’s. I don’t know to be honest.”

After asking why she thought meat was off the table on Good Friday, she still didn’t know. “I have never been involved in religion,” the student said.

“We celebrate Good Friday with family but don’t know anything about the history.”

Supermarket shoppers at Robina were dashing for chocolate eggs, but were not sure why the treats were linked to Easter celebrations.

Mid mouthful of a Cadbury chocolate egg, it didn’t take a genius to guess what Charlie Coffey, 8, relates Easter to.

“Easter is when the Easter bunny comes,” he said. “It is a good day because I’m allowed to have chocolate for breakfast and lunch and dinner.”