“It’s a gimmick” I thought to myself as I saw this sign on my way to work.  Why would a church post a sign stating “Easter is a Lie.”  Yet in smaller letters it shows “What if…” totally negating the statement.

It’s a gimmick because it tries to bring in the skeptics, the uninformed, the casual believer into the flock on Easter Sunday. Every church does it.  Some churches play the card harder than others.

But in some ways, Easter is a lie.

I did some searching and found Ēostre pagan Germanic goddess was the namesake for Easter.  It happens frequently throughout history. That is…replacing a pagan holiday with a Christian holiday while keeping some of the same traditions to keep everyone happy.  Easter and Christmas are a few examples.

So the pagan goddess of Easter is a lie.  I’d prefer if we called it resurrection Sunday.  Although as a member of the church of Christ I have to point out that my congregation celebrates the resurrection every Sunday, not just one time a year.

I’d like to say that the church’s tradition of holding one Sunday above another Sunday is a false teaching.  Something I can’t exactly pinpoint.  Certainly the early church remembered the death, burial and resurrection every Sunday through the Lord’s Supper.  But I can’t comment on if they had a yearly celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection as I don’t have the facts in front of me.

The decision whether or not to use a gimmick to attract followers depend on who you want to attract.  If you use flimsy slogans which will pass away once the next big thing comes to fruition, then they will attract weak faith congregants. Whether or not that congregation and strengthen their faith is up for grabs.

Me personally would prefer to attract knowledgeable people who are thoughtful in their faith and not dragged around by every whim of doctrine.  But all souls are important, even those with fickle belief systems, so I am at a quandary…..which souls to attract to worship…and what tactics to use.

Certainly the simple truth of the Gospel should be enough for those sincerely searching for the mystery of salvation.