They are outraged.
A British heritage organization has come under fire for presenting Easter solely as a pagan celebration in a children’s activity booklet, omitting its Christian roots. The booklet, distributed by English Heritage at various historic locations such as Dover Castle and Whitby Abbey, sparked criticism for failing to mention the religious significance of Easter for Christians.
The booklet, part of the “Easter Adventure Quest” series aimed at young visitors, describes Easter as an ancient spring festival honoring the goddess Eostre. It notes that people in the past celebrated the season with flower decorations and bonfire dances. However, it made no reference to Easter’s central Christian meaning—the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—which drew backlash from visitors and religious leaders.
Critics accused English Heritage of erasing the Christian elements of Easter, with some describing the approach as a form of historical revisionism. A Catholic school governor expressed concern over the omission, saying he had to explain the religious background of Easter to his child himself. Historian Giles Udy added that such omissions reflect a growing hostility toward Christianity in official narratives, likening it to past government suppression of religion.
Other visitors, including those without religious affiliations, voiced disappointment that a key cultural and religious element was left out of educational content intended for children. They argued that even if the intent was to showcase different cultural traditions, Christianity’s role in shaping Easter should not be ignored.
In response to the controversy, English Heritage clarified that the booklet was one component of a broader educational initiative and that their website and other resources do cover the Christian context of Easter. Online, the charity discusses Easter’s religious importance and historical events such as the Synod of Whitby. They also highlight traditions like the Easter egg hunt, which they trace back to 16th-century Protestant practices symbolizing the resurrection of Christ. Despite these explanations, critics argued that the inconsistency between printed and digital content contributed to public frustration.