Well, here(and I am sure it is the same in the UK) Easter is a much more "religious" holiday. I know Christmas is technically religious as well but more non-religious folk celebrate it than observe Easter. It seems that even people who are not culturally Christian incorporate Christmas into their lives but not Easter, really. For example I know practicing Hindus who celebrate Christmas, not in the religious sense but they give away gifts and have a Christmas tree. It is just such a huge holiday and most of the things we do for it are pretty secular. Or have roots in Paganism, like the Christmas tree or even exchanging gifts. But while there definitely non-religious and Pagan(there are lot of Pagan things about Easter!) traditions with Easter there is still a stronger emphasis on the religious story when compared to Christmas I think.
I observe both even though I am an atheist as I am culturally "Christian" in the sense that my family was brought up in the belief system and almost all of my ancestors were Christians. Now, Easter is still a big holiday here but not as I said as big as Mother's Day. Not everyone grew up celebrating Easter but(almost) everyone has a mother!
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Date: 2010-03-14 11:36 pm (UTC)I observe both even though I am an atheist as I am culturally "Christian" in the sense that my family was brought up in the belief system and almost all of my ancestors were Christians. Now, Easter is still a big holiday here but not as I said as big as Mother's Day. Not everyone grew up celebrating Easter but(almost) everyone has a mother!