Sunday, March 31, 2013

It's Not Easy Being Secular

I think secularism might be the last bastion of discrimination, now that the LGBT community seems to be making good strides.  Today is Easter, a Christian holiday -- albeit one that was co-opted from a pagan fertility holiday.  It didn't take long for me to notice that everyone just assumes you're a Christian and that you plan to celebrate Easter.
 
I went out for breakfast yesterday to a pancake house as I was headed for a long string of errands.  The server asked me not once, but twice, whether I was "cooking tomorrow."  I was a little confused as to why she would be asking me that, but then I realized she was assuming I am a Christian and was having a boatload of family over for dinner after going to church.
 
The second incident happened when I went to the craft store.  The lady at the check-out was going on about how she was "born again!" and what a happy holiday it is for Christians.  Now, check this -- she was wearing bunny ears.  Like the Easter bunny.  Cute, but I suppose the fact that this symbol of the pagan fertility holiday from whence Easter comes is completely lost on her.  Just a guess.  I think she was confused when I didn't join in on the merriment, because once again there was this assumption that I am a Christian, too.
 
Then it happened a third time, this time at the vet's.  Happy Easter!  Exhausted by this time, I just looked at the girl and said "it's not a holiday I celebrate."  Maybe she'll think about that one a little.  I mean, after all, I could be Jewish for all she knows.
 
Here's my celebration of Easter:  a couple of Cadbury crème eggs.  Might as well!  They only come around once a year and chocolate is something I do celebrate.