What's your opinion about Google not having an Easter-themed doodle (again)?
There are other discussion boards asking the same question. I’m curious what the folks here think about Google managing to recognize almost every major and obscure holiday, yet completely refrain from displaying an Easter-themed doodle for five years in a row.
Not wanting to recognize a religious holiday cannot be a reason because Google has had doodles for Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, Loy Krathong (Thailand) among other doodles recognizing festivals and saints.
Personally, even though Google is a private company and entitled to act however they wish, I think at the very least they could display a Peanuts comic similar to the one they did for Thanksgiving.
Whether you’re for or against Google’s abstention, what’s your opinion and why?
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35 Answers
I don’t know why this one they don’t do a doodle for – seems to me that if they do one for christmas they can do one for easter – maybe it has to do with the theme of resurrection?
In all fairness, I did notice that Google did a Happy Holidays doodle instead of one for Christmas in 2009. I don’t know about previous years without looking. But, I do know (according to their doodle history page) they did display doodles for other religious-themed festivals, saints, and holidays (not just Christian-related).
The only theme they could come up with that satisfied everyone was a bearded bloody bunny rabbit nailed to a cross with spear holding egg headed Roman soldiers standing nearby.
They wisely decided to pass.
I think it’s not important what google decides to do with their homepage and looking to Google for spiritual support is fallacious.
They can do whatever they want; it’s their company. For people to complain about what doodle or graphic they have up or won’t do is pointless.
Um, it’s fucking Google. Who gives a crap what they do with their logo and when? The fact that they haven’t done an Easter one isn’t really much of anything to me. I like to see the ones they’ve come up with, but I’m certainly not concerned enough that I care that they neglect one. I’m curious why the hell anyone does.
If anyone’s upset by Easter being excluded… I really have to wonder if they just wander the world begging to be insulted.
My doodle is Easter themed. It has two Easter eggs hanging below it.
Actually, I wonder more why they had a “Topeka” doodle a few days ago.
Who cares what google does? But someone said fallacious and now I am hungry for a falafel.
@Captain_Fantasy – I wasn’t looking to Google for spiritual support. (I cannot speak about others who begrudge Google for denying recognition.) Easter is not just a Christian / pagan / religious holiday. It is also a secular institution, in the same vein as St. Patrick’s Day and Valentine’s Day (there are countless groups and individuals who celebrate these holidays because it is a societal norm, not because of religious reasons).
By posting this question, I am not suggesting that spiritualists / religious folks count on Google to affirm their beliefs. I’m more concerned about the idea of diversity and the consequences of inclusion versus exclusion—regardless of the holidays recognized, at some point, Google is including and excluding some major/minor group.
Some might not give a rat’s ass what Google recognizes (or doesn’t). More power to you if you don’t care. But think about it in these terms—Google is the most recognized and accessed Internet search engine in the world. If they are selective about holiday-themed doodles, who is to say they are not selective about which sites they rank or filter? I’m sure Google is not above the act of censorship. Something as minor as a doodle can speak volumes.
Yeah, I don’t understand it. If they can display one for other religious holidays, why can’t they do one for Easter?
Uh oh, looks like I’m “caring” too much. In before flaming…
@DominicX: Who says they have to? It’s just a little silliness to them, to make things fun. Why are they obligated to make an effort for one just because they had some fun with another? It isn’t a paid service, no one is entitled to being celebrated equally. I for one don’t care about their reasoning.
This thread actually surprised me a little.
@asmonet
It didn’t say they were “obligated”, I just think it would be cool if they had one and I’m not sure why they don’t. :\
@DominicX: The “why can’t they” threw me then. :)
I’m guessing the “doodlers” are too tempted to make zombie-bunny themed drawings, and they didn’t want to incite anti-Google riots.
The founder of Google, Larry Page, i learned from a reliable source, as a child was bitten by the Easter-bunny.
This is the risk one makes when attempting to recognize, celebrate, list, acknowledge or doodle “select” holidays; someone is bound to be offended, or at the slightest miffed.
As a Christian I’m curious and a “little” disappointed but not outraged or angry. Just one of those things that makes you go, hmmmm.
There’s more pressing situations in the world at the moment. What google does or doesn’t do isn’t of great importance to me.
@stardust – True, there are more pressing situations. Mildly true, if it wasn’t of some importance, you wouldn’t have spent the energy to click on the question, read the OP, type out your response, and press “Answer.”
Where’s my Passover doodle!? Anti semites!
I think it is good, because while Christmas can have Santa, presents and candy canes, Easter can really only have religious symbols, since eggs are a religious symbol for Easter too. They are trying not to make religious statements, which is commendable.
Plus there’s the bunny as an Easter symbol.
@asmonet now that’s really interesting and fun
@ubersiren right next to the Easter doodle—Google’s just anti-holiday maybe, or just too worn out from their April Fool doodle.
@rebbel lol
@stardust @davidbetterman you cared so little you got involved with this thread
@shilolo great find. Now they ought to be on BeliefNet and one of the BeliefOMatic choices
@prolificus A Celtic Cross is, in my opinion, is more of a cultural symbol despite its religious roots. A conventional cross is not specific to any particular culture though, it is purely religious in nature.
I don’t think eggs and bunnies and all that are terribly religious symbols. :\
@DominicX perfect pagan religious symbols for the fertility rites of spring.
meh….
I’m pissed Dr. J doesn’t have bunny ears~
Probably because they’d be in a no-win position. If they do one, some people are “offended” that they did it. If they don’t, some people are “offended” that they don’t. If they do a religious-themed one, some people are “offended” by the religious connotation. If they do a secular one (bunnies, eggs, etc.), some people are “offended” that they’re not reflecting the “true meaning of Easter,” etc.
Frankly, I don’t know why they do do one for Christmas…
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