Elizabeth Morgan | The US’s Christian hypocrisy ‘Do as I say, not as I do’

The most important observances in Christianity are in Holy Week (Easter), from Palm Sunday, when Jesus made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a donkey; to Holy Thursday of the last supper, the washing of his disciples’ feet and his betrayal; to Good Friday of his trial and gruesome death on a cross; and ending with his resurrection in the early hours of Sunday morning – his triumph over death giving hope.

1 Corinthians 15:14-19 states ‘ And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith ... ’. So, the Christian faith is pointless without the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is crucial to Christian beliefs.

Note that in 2025, published research revealed that about 70 per cent of Americans identify as Christians, but only about 45 per cent are practising their religion. Thirty-two per cent of American Christians identify as ultra-conservative Christian nationalists or sympathizers. Christian nationalists, many associated with the Republican Party and the Trump Administration, want Christianity to be the official national religion of the USA and want it to influence government policies and positions. The USA could thus become a type of theocracy in the image of Iran.

CULTURE SHOCK – NO EASTER HOLIDAYS

Talk of culture shock – Imagine going from Jamaica to the USA, which was thought to be a Christian country, and discovering that Easter is not observed in public holidays at the Federal or State levels. Good Friday is only a public holiday in 12 states in the USA. These are Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas.

Committed Christians living in other states can take the religious day as a holiday, usually from their leave entitlements.

Easter (resurrection) Sunday is regarded as a customary religious observance on Sunday, which is already not a working day. Sunday has become a shopping day since the 1980s. In New York City, stores are closed on Easter Sunday.

For Roman Catholics, all the days are observed with the usual Easter services. In other churches/denominations that may not be the case. Denominations founded in the USA, such as Seventh Day Adventists and Jehovah’s Witnesses, minimize the focus on Easter.

So, in this country, the USA, claiming to be Christian, the most sacred, solemn time on the Christian calendar is not officially observed.

The reason given in some places is that the US Constitution acknowledges freedom of religion and the separation of Church and State. Other cultural/religious influences could also have determined why Easter is not observed as public holidays in the USA e.g. in New York City, there is a significant Jewish influence and the Feast of the Passover often coincides with Good Friday.

Easter in the USA is generally quite secular, not associated with the cross of Calvary, but with the coming of Spring, Easter egg rolls, chocolates, and bunnies. In New York City, the Easter Parade, strolling on Fifth Ave showing off outfits and hats was a big event, less so now. Recall the 1948 Fred Astaire and Judy Garland musical film, Easter Parade.

So, what’s different about Christmas?

Christmas, December 25, marking the birth of Christ, is a federal holiday in the USA, and has been so since 1885. Isn’t that interesting?

In the USA, in more recent times, Christmas is about Santa Claus, Christmas trees and decorations, lights, exchanging gifts, parties, food and drink, movies, music, concerts, and shows of various types. Store fronts are beautifully decorated. It is a time of good cheer and making money. This is where trade comes in. The stores have to be well stocked with all the Christmas goodies and people can shop until they drop. Do you note that Christmas decorations are going up even before Thanksgiving, the other big US holiday? It is reported that US merchants now make 30 per cent of their sales between Thanksgiving Day in November, and Christmas Day, December 25.

Easter with its emphasis on death and suffering falls well behind Christmas, as the joyful part comes only on Easter Sunday, and there is not that much money to be made on that day. This probably explains why New York stores are willing to close on that Sunday.

So, what’s different about Christmas? It makes money and is a feel good family and friends time, which can be enjoyed by everybody regardless of religious beliefs. It has become less about the birth of Jesus Christ.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

The Ten Commandments are the foundation principles of Judaism and Christianity, relating to ethics and worship, given to Moses by God. There are members of the Trump Administration and the Republican Party, who publicly hold up these principles to everyone. They want them returned to public schools and other public spaces. The question is, are they practising them? The Bible states that by their deeds you shall know them.

Let us ask a clear question here. How genuine do these people appear in their adherence to the teachings of Jesus Christ and to the Ten Commandments? Do they worship the one God or have other gods? Do they always tell the truth? Have they refrained from committing adultery? Are they honest in all their dealings? Do they desist from using coarse, crude language? Are they protecting people’s lives and ensuring justice is applied? Are they desisting from hate and vengeance? How many are willing to speak truth to power? Jesus summarised the commandments into two – love God and love your neighbour as yourself. Are we seeing this demonstrated in current US policies and actions?

Is what we are seeing now playing out in words and deeds in the USA, where Easter is not officially observed and Christmas is commercialised, just more Christian hypocrisy, making a mockery of the faith?

Have a blessed Easter.

Elizabeth Morgan is a specialist in international trade policy and international politics. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.