People can often become cynical about religion due to disillusionment or discouragement. Oftens we see commercial gain placed before spirituality, and personal agendas pushed ahead of the Gospel. However, even with these facts in mind, it's easy to focus on the real meaning of Easter and its impact on Christendom.

"This is the central theme for Christianity," explains Rev. Musa Daba of the Anglican Church. "All that we deserved fell on him (Christ). All Christians ought to believe in this event. Apart from this, there is no Christianity."

On the simplest level, Easter is the commemoration of the death and resurrection of Christ. It is one of the most important events in Christian beliefity. Remembering its purpose is often the challenge in these times.

Asked what should people know about why Easter is important to Christianity, especially in this age of skepticism, Rev. Joseph Whalen of the Marsden First United Methodist Church responds, "I am more sceptical of Easter than of Resurrection Sunday. Easter has a questionable history, pagan associations, commercialism, and ritualised observances, all of which are foreign to the foundational event of Christendom.

"The resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah is an invitation to experience God's transformative power for one's self."

Dr. Maria Seaman, Pastor at the Shekinah Worship Centre shares: "Easter gives every Christian the reason to never give up. As we recall the epic account of the cross and the seemingly defeat of Christ by the enemy, we are brought to our collective feet three days later as our crucified Saviour defies all earthly laws and resurrects from the dead. Hence, the Christian mindset ought to be of a "never-say-die" attitude. We understand that because of the victory of Jesus Christ, we too are victorious!

"It's important to remember because of the assurance of God's promise of our own salvation," says Rev. Ernest Peets of the Nazarene church.

Pastor Stefan Burton-Schnull of the Seventh-day Adventist church agrees. "This (Easter) is a key event, the culmination of the plan of salvation."

Some place more importance on Easter than Christmas because of its theological meaning, but clergy in Bermuda seem to disagree.

"Both Christmas and Easter are central events, because Christ had to be born n order to die," says Anglican Rev. Musa Daba.

Rev. Peets adds: "Calvary without resurrection is incomplete. It's not fair to hold one event over the other. They're all a part of the same story."

"When we speak of the 'Christ Event' we focus upon the death and resurrection of Christ," explains Rev. Whalen. "The predominance of the New Testament and theological expressions over the centuries focus upon the passion and resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah."

"They are all a part of the same package," emphasises Pastor Burton-Schnull. "They would be meaningless without each other."

So are we celebrating Easter in the "proper" way? Should we be celebrating it at all? Various opinions abound as each tries to explain:

"Easter means something to most people. To celebrate (and we should), we shouldn't shy away from the cross and the resurrection of Christ. It can be very commercial, but Easter contains a key Christian message," says Pastor Burton-Schnull.

Rev. Whalen rationalises, "The word Easter found only in the KJV (Acts 12:4) mistranslated the word Passover (pascha, in the Greek). Resurrection Sunday should be celebrated in connection with its significance to Christ's and His disciples' observance of Passover. Christ our Passover Lamb was sacrificed on Calvary (Good Friday) and vindicated on Resurrection Sunday. Therefore, the entire Lenten Season culminating with Holy Week and Good Friday should be observed. Only then does Resurrection Sunday retain its greatest value."

"There's no 'best' way to celebrate, although it should be celebrated. People have services, vigils, and some emphasise Good Friday and Easter Sunday," says Rev. Peets. "In my opinion, it's not about the actions we engage in, but to find something spiritually beneficial to ourselves and the community."

Rev. Daba reflects, "All of humanity ought to look to God and Jesus and be grateful (during this time). We are all going to face judgment. The best way to celebrate is in thanksgiving that God didn't leave us to our own devices. We should offer up 'hallelujahs' and 'thank yous!"