Two out of every three Americans identify the Easter holiday with some type of theistic or religious element. Other responses include describing it as a Christian holiday, a celebration of God or Jesus, a celebration of Passover, a holy day, or a special time to attend church or worship.
Evangelicals (73%) correctly identify Easter as a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, followed by those who attend churches of 500 or more people (60%), and born again Christians (55%). Republicans and Democrats responded with similar numbers. Republicans agreed (77%) that Easter has a religious meaning, with Democrats at 71%, and those who self-identified as independents, 51%.
Although those polled gave answers that were religious in nature, confusion regarding historical events was evident. For example, single-digit percentages represented many distinct ideas, such as Easter referring to the birth or ‘rebirth’ (!) of Christ, the second coming of Jesus, or Easter as a celebration of spring or a pagan holiday.
While a majority of Americans indicated some type of spiritual connection with Easter, the research also showed that less than half of the respondents directly linked Easter to the Christian belief in the resurrection of Christ. In all, 42% of Americans said that the meaning of Easter was the resurrection of Jesus, or that it signifies Christ’s death and return to life. One out of every 50 adults - only 2% - said that they would describe Easter as the most important celebration of their faith. (I am in that 2%.)
Those American adults who identified themselves as non-religious described Easter in numerous ways, such as getting friends and family together, spring break, a symbol of new beginnings, rebirth, and renewal, or a time to dye and hide eggs for the pleasure of children. 8% of non-religious responders said the holiday means nothing to them or that they do not celebrate the occasion.
It is not exactly a news flash that we have our work cut out for us. All we need to do is take a step outside our own house to find ourselves in a ripe mission field. The widespread lack of knowledge about the meaning is a direct reflection on the church. We are the church. We have not accomplished the task given to us.
Resurrection Sunday gives us the very most rich opportunity to tell others what it stands for. Our primary mission, given to us by Jesus Christ himself, is the great commission - that of telling others that Jesus Christ shed his own blood as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, and was resurrected, just as we will be.
This is the best possible news. People need to know about the greatest miracle in the history of the entire cosmos. He is Risen!
This is your assignment ... should you choose to accept it.
A Child of the King
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