The Society received communication before the event, which ran from April 1 to 14, that it was not able to secure a “Jesus. All About Life” stall at the Show this year due to it being of a religious nature.

“It’s a curious thing that an event bearing the name ‘Easter’ has disallowed anything to do with the very thing Easter is all about — the death and resurrection of Jesus,” said CEO of Bible Society NSW, Daniel Willis.

Thousands of Easter Eggs, Scripture resources and youth material meant to be handed out at the Show had to be given away at an alternative location.

Bible Society NSW, organiser of the “Jesus. All About Life” multimedia campaign expressed dismay at not being allowed to have a stall at the show.

Preparations for the event had begun well before the event on the Bible Society’s understanding that it was being considered for an available space at the show.

However, a letter sent by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, organisers of the Sydney Easter Show, advised Bible Society that there was no space available.

Bible Society is still intent on disseminating the resources, and has invited churches, Christian ministry groups and youth to its offices to collect the resources they sign up for (resource and contact details: http://www.jesusallaboutlife.com.u).

The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) had urged Sydney Royal Easter Show organisers to rethink their refusal to allow a “Jesus. All About Life” stall at the Sydney Easter Show because of its religious nature.

“This is a family event held at the most sacred time of the year on the Christian calendar and one would have thought it was entirely appropriate to provide space for the Bible Society stall,” ACL NSW Director David Hutt said.

“When was it decided that religion should be kept out of an Easter event and expunged from family activities? What a deplorable message to be sending out at Easter time,” he added. n

Source — New Life, Australia's Christian newspaper.