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Easter Bunnies or the Empty Tomb? My Take on a School’s Diversity Ban

When Norwood Primary School in Eastleigh, Hampshire, abandoned its Easter celebrations, bonnet parade, service, and the whole pastel package in the name of “diversity,” the backlash was immediate. Parents labelled it as “disgraceful.” Online discussions on YouTube erupted over tradition being undermined.

But I have a different perspective: if all they’re discarding is bunnies and hats, are they truly missing the essence of Easter?

Let’s be honest, Easter truly goes beyond the fun of floppy ears, spring crafts, and colorful Easter eggs. It’s a celebration of the Resurrection, Jesus rising from the dead, which is the heart and soul of our Christian faith.

Matthew 28:6 states clearly: “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” This is the foundation of my teaching, verse by verse in my ministry.

You know the bunny stuff? It actually comes from Germanic folklore and represents fertility, a lovely symbol that’s been around for centuries. As for the bonnets, they’re more about Victorian-era fashion than faith, showing off style rather than tradition. And those chocolate eggs you see everywhere? They’re more about sweet treats than biblical connections, that’s for sure!

So when Norwood’s headteacher, Stephanie Mander, announces that they are cancelling Easter to “respect diverse religious beliefs,” I’m not particularly mourning lost theology. Schools like this one, which are state-run and have no religious affiliation, seldom explore the Empty Tomb in any case.

Their Easter was probably a secular escapade, abundant in chocolate eggs and sparse in Scripture. Replacing it with Refugee Week or some neutral spring event does not eliminate the Gospel; it merely exchanges one type of frivolity for another.

Still, there’s a case for keeping it, sort of. The UK’s a Christian heritage, even if it’s fading (46% identified as Christian in the 2021 census).

Easter’s a bank holiday, a cultural marker. Kids can handle a bit of tradition without turning it into a diversity crisis.

Norwood’s student body may reflect Hampshire’s 20% minority ethnic composition, including some non-Christian students; however, cancelling Easter outright seems excessive unless there is a suitable replacement.

A craft day with no religious strings attached could have struck a balance. Instead, it has left parents feeling agitated, as though their history is being erased.

Here’s my stance: if a school chooses to observe Easter, it should teach the authentic story. The Resurrection isn’t a fairy tale; it’s a historical event with real significance, a truth that has shaped lives for two millennia.

Ditch the bunnies and bonnets if you must have a few chocolate eggs, I do. But don’t dodge the cross and the grave.

Norwood isn’t wrong to reconsider their celebrations; they simply miss the opportunity to explore further. While diversity is important and Jesus died for everyone, their fear of offending prevents them from reaching the crucial aspects.

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