Is this getting ridiculous? Downgrading Christmas?

Question

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20071101/tuk-think-tank-says-downgrade-christmas-dba1618_1.html


I have no problem what so ever with other cultures and religions, but surely we shouldn't have to "downgrade" our religious festivities in our country to make others feel comfortable?

Any opinions?

I would rather people didn't use this as a rant against immigrants though!
Cheers

Second only: I presume you're slating the article written not me or the many people who answered?
Of the 20 odd answers every one is well written and thought out (in my opinion).
You can NOT blame the public at large for reading an article which basically says that some morons in white coats who get paid far too much of my hard earned wages, did a survey and decided that ONE of the ways to merge a multicultural UK was to downgrade Christmas!
This is what we are commenting on.

Ladies and Gents may I introduce MrsG, the voice of reason!
Thanks Mrs G you expressed better than I ever could. :-D

Answer 1

I have no problem with other cultures or religions at all. If you don't want to celebrate Christmas, that's fine and I accept that. But, don't stop anyone else who chooses to celebrate Christmas. Don't steal my joy or festivities. Good luck to all. 2D

Answer 2

Who is downgrading Christmas ? not me, not you,not anyone I know. A couple of years ago, I went to one of the grandchildren's Nativity plays. We have very few 'different' religions where I live but what really 'made' it for me was the little Chinese boy(Buddhist maybe) introducing the Proceedings in Welsh -everybody was clapping and wiping away a tear. The little Indian boy(Sikh) had a prime part too.
In a neighbouring school the children have been told not to take ham sandwiches in their packed lunches in case it offends a child from another religion -it's a Catholic school !
I recently went to France and brought back some wine and chocolates. On arrival at the taxi rank the driver (Muslim) refused to take us because it was before sun down and we had to wait for a Christian driver(???!!!).
My usual driver ,also a Muslim ,told me that he and his family LOVE Christmas and Halloween and all the things we do -that's why he lives here!
And Chinese New Year -oh goodie - another excuse for a party - we celebrate it -over the Chinese Restaurant -with them like they celebrate with us.
What Next ? a reforendum on whether to keep Christmas -well, anyone still wanting to find the Christmas Spirit -come to our house- and I let you smoke,drink, eat ham,have salt on your chips and sugar in your tea

Answer 3

Yes I do believe that the government (national and local) tend to downgrade any christian festival Like Easter and Christmas by telling us that it could/would offend those of other religions especially Muslims, I work with a Muslim and asked him if it offend him at all when we celebrate Christmas and he said NO that it did not offend him, so where did the government (national and local) get this untruth from? Or are do they think that by doing this it makes them more favourable to other religions? How long before they start to make it illegal to celebrate any Christian festival?

Answer 4

I blame political correctness, big business, and government for this. They forget the fact that the great majority of the people are Christian and that Christians do the most "Christmas shopping".

I find it offensive when a store bans "Christmas" and sells "Holiday Trees" and "Season's Gifts" or when a school or business prohibits people from wishing Merry Christmas to others. I do not shop at these places for Christmas gifts.

Answer 5

Last year at Christmas in Seattle, Washington U.S.A. (hope I get the facts right) at an airport a Jewish person (I believe) complained about the Christmas tree display and then it was removed. He thought there also should have been a menorah displayed as well. After many other complaints from Christians the trees display was reinstated.

Answer 6

This whole political correctness is just taking the piss now. So because we do not celebrate Chinese new year or Diwali...will these celebrations have to be downgraded too??? As far as I know most religions love Crimbo and celebrate it in their own way. I have yet to come across another religion complain...even when I was at school and they were in the nativity play!!

Answer 7

Well, well........could not believe this when I read about it last night, but there you go, the pen pushing, paid to do a job-a post, that is not needed-THINK tank must not have had anything to else to THINK about! That is obvious!

I do not believe for a minute, that other cultures are to blame for this "statement", they come to a Christian country, where there is a multi-culture society that caters for all, so why the hell should we downgrade our own beliefs??????

PC, yet again has gone mad.............brings back to me the BA worker who was told to stop wearing her crucifix, whilst working along people who wear hijab's, turbans etc, so not to cause offence............offence to whom?

I am not offended by Ramadan, Diwali, Passover etc in my country, why should anyone be offended by Christmas in the very same Country?

Answer 8

There's no suggestion that this is the wishes of immigrants. And as for this being government-endorsed, not really, it was carried out by a government funded but independent body.

I watched an interview with one of the men who participated in the report, and he corroborated that the idea was simply to give more recognition to other religious festivals rather than downgrade Christmas and the thinking behind this was actually to prevent PC idiots from saying Christmas offends others. But as is typical of this country, we read a couple of lines, pick up on the minor, more fanatical details and inflate the problem to something bigger than it really is.

However the majority of people who carried out this report who middle-class men in suits who were generally out of touch with reality but are diplomatic and fear things like "Moslems". What are they going to do, enforce these rules on us? Everyone...don't be so bloody dramatic.

Answer 9

That is absolutely f*cking ridiculous - and I don't often swear on here! We are a Christian country and have celebrated Christmas this way for hundreds of years (I think!) so why should we change. People shouldn't come to our country if they can't accept our customs. The phrase 'when in Rome' springs to mind.

Answer 10

WHY WHY WHY can't people say it like it is.....when they use the word immigrants, what they really mean is.. MUSLIMS!
Lets not offend or upset the Muslims...infact why don't we just give them our houses, our jobs, our shops and businesses...oh i forgot..we've already done that haven't we?....So yes their right....lets give up Christmas aswell.. they could just call it Winter Bank Holiday..nice cheery ring to it don't you think? after all they get the same time off as the rest of us....oh and lets throw in Easter.....wouldn't want to really upset them now would WE?
BUT most importantly of all..Remembrance Day..now they really should be grateful at least for that...cause without all those thousands and thousands of young men and women who gave their lives for the freedom of this country fighting Hitler and his regime.....THEY WOULDN'T HAVE GOT A LOOK IN !
Anyway I'm not ranting...just being honest...and having the bottle to say what so many people actually think !
Oh and by all means give me the thumbs down..i honestly don't give a **** anymore....

Answer 11

i think of in usa of america, the land of loose employer, that somebody or employer would desire to have the means to "have fun" in regardless of degree they %. Jewish save proprietors beautify their mall shops with stars, timber, Santa's & reindeer....they do no longer have fun Christmas, yet they be attentive to that catering to the Christian majority and festive non-believers is a money maker. i'd desire to care much less if I see religous symbols from different doctrines, yet i do no longer think of we would desire to consistently dictate to a minimum of one sect or the different which holiday is extra "showcased". the folk will do what they % and help their motives and ideology as they see in good condition. If a doctrine different than Christianity turns into the final public concept, then i'd anticipate to work out a "downgrading" of Christmas, until eventually then, "You extra beneficial beware, You extra beneficial think of two times......"