The late Queen’s former chaplain, Dr Gavin Ashenden, has hit out at a Cadbury store's alleged attempt to ‘erase’ Easter.
After advertising ‘gesture eggs’ ahead of the public holiday, the chocolate conglomerate is under fire and Ashenden said on GB News that the time is right for the Easter message to be reissued as it risks becoming lost.
He said the move by Cadbury’s was ‘completely unfair’ as the ‘Christian way is a fantastic way’.
“Easter has a wonderful message”, he said.
GB NEWS
“It says that the intelligence that lies behind the universe is loving and death is not the end.
“These are wonderfully good things to tell people apart from celebrating with chocolate, the idea that there is a mental frame of mind that says we want to silence that is astonishing.
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“We have come to a point in society where we need to fight back. We need to say ‘no, we’re not going to have that’, we want a level playing field where people can share their views and their interpretations of life.
“The Christian way is a fantastic way. It is about forgiveness, love, peace and joy.
“We don’t want to be cancelled by whoever it is behind this act.”
Cadbury has strongly denied any involvement in the case, saying the decision to brand the products ‘gesture eggs’ was taken by an independent retailer.
Bev Turner pointed out that the meaning of Easter is increasingly becoming lost, something she says can’t be said for Christmas.
Cadbury has been accused of 'erasing' Easter
PAAshenden agreed, saying the Church ‘has not made enough’ of Easter.
“I’m afraid this is partly the Church’s fault, so we should put our hands up”, he said.
“But nonetheless, this is an opportunity to let people know. Thanks for the gesture people, this has given us a chance to speak about the truth of Easter.
“Jesus rose from the dead, he will forgive your sins, you can know him and live forever. It’s a great message.”
The chocolate conglomerate has distanced itself from suggestions it is attacking the holiday
PASpeaking about whether Ashenden himself finds Easter to be an ‘enriching’ time, he said ‘it’s the most wonderful time’.
“I really do need a philosophy in life that makes sense in this odd experience between life and death”, he said.
“It’s a wonderful time of year and I’m very grateful for it.
“I don’t know what I would do without the meaning of Easter.”
A Cadbury spokesperson said: "This promotion is not Cadbury led and we had no involvement in any way.
"All Cadbury Easter shell eggs sold in the UK reference Easter very clearly on the packaging – sometimes multiple times.
"Cadbury has used the word Easter in our marketing and communications for over 100 years and continue to do so with our new Easter product range. To claim anything otherwise is factually incorrect.
"We are proud of the role we play within families’ Easter celebrations and have a wide range of products that can be enjoyed throughout the Easter season."