First, there was the Easter bunny, and then Easter eggs and Easter baskets…and now, a chocolate covered marshmallow cross? Like many, I have been guilty of purchasing an Easter egg or two in my lifetime; but I draw the line when it comes to condoning this latest insult to one of Christianity’s most sacred symbols---the cross. And if that weren’t enough, this sacrilegious little candy confection is being sold at Wal-Mart, a company founded on the principles of faith and family.
One would think Christians would be up in arms over this blatant mockery of the cross. But candy manufacturer Russell Stover, who first came up with the idea of the candy cross, didn't seem to think so. In fact, Stover admits that the marshmallow cross was specifically designed to appeal to the Christian market. The success of Stover's candy cross prompted Whitman's Candy et al to cast other Christian icons in chocolate. Also available are praying hands and a “Jesus” fish symbol, both in solid milk chocolate. Apparently, there are enough Christians out there, who see nothing wrong with taking a bite out of the cross and letting it melt in their mouths. What’s next, I ask you? For now, Stover and Whitman have stopped short of offering a replica of a chocolate covered Jesus on the cross because they didn't think it would go over as well.
A sacred symbol of Easter
If all this seems outrageous, it’s because it is. Sadly, the response of the Christian church to this outrage has been far too tepid. Where are the store boycotts, protest marches, and pulpit denunciations of those who demean and mock this sacred symbol of Easter, the holiest day on the Christian calendar? Interestingly enough, I have yet to see candy replicas of the Qur’an or the Torah, or Muhammad or a mezuzah? No self respecting Jew or Muslim would stand for it. Should a candy cross be any less of an insult to Christians? Some may choose to sugar coat the issue; others may say it’s no big deal. But I wonder “WWJD?” As for me, I prefer the bloody, wooden cross of Calvary where Jesus died for the sins of the world, over a marshmallow cross any day. It just makes Christ’s resurrection on Easter morning that much sweeter.
