Recently I was walked into a shop and left FLABBERGASTED by a boy who knew NOTHING about the meaning of Easter...this is how it went down...
I was standing minding my own business in a shop queue, there were about 3 people ahead of me, a school boy and a security guy. The school boy appeared to be on work experience and was helping shoppers to pack their bags. There were ridiculous amounts of 'Easter-related' treats scattered all along the till area.
Security guy [clearly bored and wanting to start conversation]: Do you know what Easter is about?
School boy [laughing]: Yeah, it's about when the Easter bunny brought eggs!
Security guy: Be serious, what is Easter about?
School boy: It's to celebrate Jesus' birth innit!
?WHAT THE FRIG?
Security guy: Are you serious? So what do you think Christmas is about then?...what do they teach you in school... were you born here?
The boy was deadly serious, albeit a little ashamed of himself by this point!
School boy: Yes.
Security guy: Easter is about when Jesus died to save the people!
School boy: Oh, but I'm not Christian innit, so I don't need know about it...
?WHAT THE FRIG?
Security guard: But this is a Christian country! Do you school here?
I'm not sure why the security guy asked this, unless he thinks wearing a school uniform and helping out in a shop is a new London fashion trend for 15 year old boys! But still, he took the words right out of my mouth!!
Security Guy: I didn't even school in this country and
I know what Easter is about...this is shameful, you should be embarrassed....
I just stood in the queue shaking my head. A small part of me felt sorry for him, but mostly I was just shocked that a boy could be born and brought up in this country and think that Easter is about when Jesus was born?!!!! But then again, if all you see at Easter are eggs and all you see at Christmas are pictures of a fat bloke in red, then who should I blame? I don't blame him, I blame the system. I think that although we're responsible for our actions and all that, we are largely governed by our society and our environments (but that's another issue!)..but when the system fails you, it's YOUR responsibility to educate yourself darnit!
I honestly didn't expect the kid to recall what Jesus and his Disciples ate at the Last Supper nor do I expect him to know what Jesus shouted as he was crucified but at least have a clue about the reason for the season?!
His reason of 'I'm not Christian' was the worst part of it for me...after all the world has gone through in the last 10 years, surely tolerance and understanding of different beliefs should reprioritised on the school curriculum! CRIKEY!
I relayed the story to my sister, as I often do on a lunch break, and her sarcastic response was:
'well, do you know how many pillars of Islam are there?'
FIVE! I know that because I was taught in school - in England, which is NOT a Muslim country! I also know the Jewish holy book is the Torah. I know that Hindu's believe in
Karma. All this I learnt in school before I hit the real world...I don't think I deserve any praise for this mind you, we live in a multi-cultural society and it's my responsibility to know this stuff. BUT still, I maintain England is a 'Christian' country. At the risk of sounding like a fascist,I think ALL children in this country should know the difference between Easter and Christmas! If I raised my kids in Thailand, I would be equally horrified if they couldn't explain what
enlightenment and
Nirvana were about!
OK rant over because Baby girl is demanding attention - but I could go on! I think I should write to David Cameron or someone more influential!, cos if there are other kids (or adults for that matter) that don't what Easter is about, he should introduce some sort of emergency legislation!
Happy Easter - remember the reason for the season....
x
