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CHURCH leaders have urged South Australians to use the Easter message as inspiration to overcome our materialistic culture, as an adelaidenow survey reveals widespread apathy about the holiday's religious meaning.
Anglican, Catholic and Uniting Church leaders say the Easter story of Jesus's resurrection symbolises the need to look beyond the superficial.
They say true happiness is found by caring for others and addressing social issues - such as binge drinking or families under stress - regardless of religious beliefs.
It comes after an adelaidenow survey of more than 2300 people found only half celebrated the Christian meaning of Easter, while only 556 respondents said they would definitely attend church this weekend.
Anglican Archbishop Jeffrey Driver says the "myth" of materialism has not delivered because after decades of unparalleled material wealth, many social indicators are still "deeply worrying".
"Binge drinking among our young is at almost epidemic levels," he writes in this year's Easter messages, published in The Advertiser today.
"We have higher levels of suicide among young males than in very poor countries.
"The number of children needing out of home care has risen alarmingly over the past 10 years - families are under stress."
Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson says the newly-elected Pope Francis has asked all Catholics to examine their consciences and think about how they can be less materialistic.
"The crucifixion and resurrection of Christ shows us all - Christians and non-Christians alike - the power of love and reminds us that we find true peace and happiness from caring for, and making sacrifices, for each other," he said.
In today's Easter message, Archbishop Wilson reflects on the giving nature of Pope Francis, which has included washing the feet of HIV sufferers and campaigning against the unjust distribution of wealth in his home country.
"So at this historic time in the life of the church, and as we embark on the Easter journey - a time of renewal and hope - let us think about how we can make changes in our own lives that will enable us to bring the joy and mercy of Christ's message to the world that surrounds us today," he writes.
Pope Francis echoed this theme to his 2.1 million Twitter followers this week.
"To experience Holy Week is to enter more and more into God's logic of love and self-giving," he wrote.
Uniting Church SA moderator the Reverend Rob Williams said the Easter message was the "very antithesis of materialism".
"Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, giving up everything he possessed in life to die on the cross, believing completely in what God was calling him to do," he said.
"Easter is an important time to concentrate on our relationship with God and how this affects our relationships with family and others, rather than centring on material goods.
"In the extended holiday time, I encourage Christians to make the most of spending time with loved ones, family and friends as well as growing their relationship with God."
And he said non-Christians could gain just as much from the Easter message.
"Some claim to be religious but not Christian - people who claim to live their lives by Christian principles," he said.
"Maybe Easter could be a time for them to reaffirm their commitment to those principles and show this by a simple, restrained approach to Easter, rather than going down the materialistic path."
Baptist Churches of South Australia state executive minister the Reverend Mike Mills said Easter was more than an excuse to boost the confectionery industry and enjoy a long weekend.
Archbishop Driver said young people's passion for social justice, the environment and exploring spiritual questions gave him hope that many Australians were "waking up" to the issue of materialism.
"(Materialism) is superficial. It is irritating. And it sells," he writes.
"It sells because as a nation we have bought the myth that unless we fill our lives with stuff, our living will be empty and without meaning."
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