First listen to March 29th 2013 to hear more about Easter in NZ.
Easter is an important time for Christians. What we call Good Friday was the time Christ was crucified on a cross. On the third day, he rose from the dead. This is called the Resurrection.
The figures from the 2013 Census are now available and they show a decrease in the percentage of Christians in New Zealand. 41.9% stated they had no religion. However, 48.9% of those who said they had a religion, said they were Christian. The number was 1,906,398 people. The previous census in 2006, 2,082, 942 people said they were Christian.
Although fewer than half of all New Zealanders say they are Christian, we are all happy to celebrate Easter with a holiday. This year, it coincides with school holidays so many families are choosing to travel somewhere.
The tradition of Easter eggs and Easter bunny may be symbols of the Resurrection or new life. In the Northern Hemisphere, they may be symbols of Spring. Hot cross buns possibly symbolise the crucifixion. Many of these symbols in fact may date back to a time before Christ.
Vocabulary
• crucified (v. passive), crucifixion (n) – use of a cross to nail a victim until he died.
• Resurrection – return to life
• coincide- at the same time
• symbol (n), symbolise (v) – an object to represent an idea
• Hemisphere – half the globe. New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere
Question
Easter is a public holiday. However, less than half of all New Zealanders are Christian. Is it time to cancel the holiday?