A few days ago, I got into an argument with someone about celebrating Easter and how they felt schools in Toronto were doing a poor job of marking* Good Friday and Easter.
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*Both Grammarly and Google tell me I’m making a mistake here that I should use the word ‘celebrate’ instead of ‘mark.’ For those who allow AI to edit for them, here is a good example of how it can completely miss nuance and be wrong. Good Friday is not a celebration. The word “mark” is more appropriate here.
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Back to my argument – to be fair, this was a low-stakes Facebook thread, so hardly an argument, but the Original Poster was complaining how Easter was not recognized as an important celebration in public schools in Toronto. People chimed in that two additional days off were a pretty big sign of respect. Another person said public schools, by default, were trying to stay out of religion. Some of you may know – Toronto has a public school board and a separate Catholic School Board too. This was the discussion in the public school thread.
A few people made a good point about how Catholicism receives a lion’s share of attention and funding because of how (and by whom) the country was founded. They also agreed that a couple of extra days off for the Easter long weekend is a definite sign of respect.
And then shortly after 10 pm, I waded in. The time is important because, as I have admitted previously, I should not have access to social media after 9 pm. I wrote a long comment in the Facebook thread about people following different Gods, finally ending with “which Gods are celebrated – who makes that choice?” But here’s how my comment started:
Earth is my religion, and I would like to see her celebrated more frequently at school.
Did I say this was a low-stakes thread? Boy – was I wrong! As it turns out, the Original Post was written by someone who has shared bigoted, quite awful comments in other neighbourhood groups. How do we know that? As it turns out, I have wonderfully vigilant neighbours who keep records, take snapshots and love to fact-check!
Ok, back to us right here and the time I said, ‘Earth is my religion’ in a public forum!
Frankly, I still check the box ‘Hindu,’ when asked, but of late I have noticed that some of my favourite parts of Hinduism are the ones that help me deepen my connection with people and trees, nature and music, so I am sensing an overlap with the whole ‘Earth is my religion’ vibe. Perhaps it isn’t just religion, though, and it may be more accurate to say, Earth is my God(dess).
My newsletters have been different of late. They started as practical, easy-to-follow, earth-friendly tips from my book and before. Recently, things have taken a more spiritual direction. The tips are still there, I promise, but my discussions have zoomed out from ground level to big picture. I understand if this new direction is not what you signed up for. No judgement here – the unsubscribe button is at the bottom of this newsletter.
For those feeling at home here, WELCOME. Invite your friends and family to sign up too.
While fairness, justice and even wellness are in the dumpster fire that is social media, my newsletter will (I hope) continue to be an open space of authenticity, hope and action.
April 22 is Earth Day and incidentally – though not accidentally – also the day I celebrate my book birthday. You may see different dates pop up on Amazon and Indigo. Book City, an independent chain of book stores in Toronto, started selling on March 30. I remember that first call when Good Food Healthy Planet was first spotted on bookshelves. I even started my TV tour on April 18.
But the ‘real’ book birthday, the one in my heart and soul, is April 22. It somehow feels right.
Happy Earth Day! And Happy One-Year Book-aversary to me 🙂
If you have a copy of my book, buy another one for your bestie, your sister and your Dad too. I am grateful for all your support, and my very Canadian, very independent publishers are too!
I’ll share more snapshots in the next edition of the newsletter. And drop me a note if you have something to discuss. I had a ton of messages after my last newsletter, Defending Canada. I expected it, but I was thrilled to hear from so many American friends.