A supermarket’s decision to replace the traditional cross on hot cross buns with a tick has ignited controversy and debate across the United Kingdom. Amidst the Easter season, the move has led to calls for boycotts and prompted Danny Webster, Director of Advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance, to highlight the core of Easter’s message.
Iceland, the supermarket, initiated a trial replacing the cross with a tick on some of its buns, following a survey indicating that a fifth of its customers preferred the new design. This change, however, has faced backlash from various Christian groups and individuals, emphasizing the cross’s enduring significance to many in the U.K.
Reacting to the buns, Webster, of the Evangelical Alliance, stated that regardless of the supermarket’s design choices, the Christian community will continue to affirm the resurrection of Jesus.
“Easter is when Christians across the globe remember Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, Webster was quoted as saying. “Whatever Iceland puts on their buns, Christians will continue to declare the truth of the cross that Jesus is alive.”
Webster also responded to the issue by writing on X: “Might write a piece later about whether or not to respond to enquiries like these. On one level a bit of fun, on another an opportunity to say something about the gospel, but also the risk feeding confected outrage and letting journalists write the headline they’d already planned.”
He also wrote: “Did play with a line about the tick representing Jesus’ victory over death, but felt that might make the story more confusing!”
Henrietta Blyth, Chief Executive of Open Doors, also expressed concerns, noting the cross’s profound meaning, even when it appears on something as mundane as a bun.
“The cross is still of huge significance to millions of people in the U.K., whether or not they attach meaning to it on a bun anymore, ” she was quoted as saying. “I understand why people may not want to see a cross on their teacake. It represents one of the most agonising forms of execution ever devised – you could say it’s like having an electric chair on a croissant.” Christian Post
