As a minority born in England, I find it absurd that anyone would find the term Christmas offensive and its even more absurd that the government would think so. I have not met one minority,as you call it, that is offended by it, I am not. so what is the problem? Why does the blo ody government assume we are?
2007-11-02 08:31:16 · 16 answers · asked by Pakm@n86 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I'm not offended by it. How can I be with the happiness etc? It's like finding pink fluffy bunnies offensive. I don't get it, but then I'm an atheist as well so the religious bit doesn't really phase me.
2007-11-02 08:40:07 · answer #1 · answered by Equinox 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If anything, I think it's the assumption that all of us celebrate Christmas that would offend minorities and not necessarily the term; since people should know that that is not the case, people (and maybe the government) don't want to step on any toes by promoting Christmas over other holidays. If you are talking about America specifically, for a country that is supposed to separate church and state, lots of places are closed on December 25th. Why should minorities be affected by a holiday they don't celebrate? Few things are done to acknowledge a holiday like Diwali, except for in the neighborhoods where the people celebrate it, but the rest of the country is oblivious to it. I think it's just a matter of general sensitivity.
2007-11-02 17:07:03 · answer #2 · answered by gurlycirl 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The only people who are vaguely irritated by it are Orthodox Christians. Christmas was an invention of the Roman church to replace some pagan festivities in 322AD. The Eastern Church doesn't have Christmas but continues the older tradition of commemorating the start of Jesus's ministry on 6th January.
Since Christianity seems to be a minority interest in the UK, and Christmas is mainly a celebration of commercialism and excess, I can't see that anyone should be offended by it.
It's not our Government who has suggested downgrading it (the Sun wouldn't allow it) but a think tank. These come up with daft ideas from time to time to bury bad news. Of course it's just coincidence that this story broke the day the Metropolitan Police acquired a criminal record.
2007-11-02 15:44:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
As a leader of a youth organisation for some years (now sadly retired) I spoke with Hindu, Muslim and Jewish parents. i usually said something on the lines of " I know you do not celebrate Christmas but I wish you well for Christmas and the New Year, ) They always replied on the lines of Thank you but we also join in with Christmas and buy some presents for our children. Rightly or wrongly i feel that the so called ethnic minorities are far more likely to be offended if the rest of us are forced to down grade Christmas on their account. I have also come to the conclusion that the biggest menace to race relations and religious tolerance in this Country are the so called allegedly well informed bleeding heart liberals
2007-11-02 16:03:10 · answer #4 · answered by Scouse 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yup..im with you on this one. Born here too...and of a Muslim background myself..its silly really, but then again we're being governed by political correctnes and its been pushed by local councils and politicians who think it might offend people.
People have choices in life, they dont HAVE to choose to come and live in England,with its " own " cultures, traditions and festivities. If it was good enough for me and my parents, then why not them??...personally, and dont mean to offend, there are many parts of the world that dont celebrate Christmas...they can always choose to immigrate there.
People here in England, should fight tooth and nail to keep its tradtions and festivities alive,this is England, Church of England...why change its customs just to suit others???
Sorry, Friday evening..and im having a moan to get stuff outta my system.
Back to the point, yes Muslim background and i love Christmas too...so Im not at all offended either.
Peace everyone xxx
2007-11-02 16:18:13 · answer #5 · answered by London_Girl 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm an American and I can't believe that Christmas is an issue. I never even thought of that before. I know it will be knocking at our doors sometime soon. I think it's bull. I'm a minority and so what. Big deal. Even if I wasn't catholic (not churchgoing though) at least it's an extra day off.
2007-11-02 15:46:26 · answer #6 · answered by bunny77 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I know, it's crazy! I'm Muslim and give out Christmas cards/presents every year to my friends, even family. I actually enjoy Christmas a lot, good movies come on TV LOL. Oh, yeah and the shopping in Oxford Circus!
2007-11-02 17:05:28 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am a British Jordanian, so i am like you a minority, and nothing in christmas bother me, in fact i like that season, is government does no know what it is talking about.
2007-11-03 02:47:39 · answer #8 · answered by maram 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree. I think it's ridiculous that these middle class atheist white people (sat in their comfortable think tank, happily not talking to any people who are ethnic minority) have come to the conclusion that Christmas is offencive.
I live in a multi cultural area and I've heard lots of people over the last 2 days from all ethnic groups say how stupid this is. No one I have met, regardless of their religion, has ever said to me that they are offended by Christmas, in fact people all tell me that they too enjoy celbrating christmas with their families.
Sack them in the think tank and employ people who actually know about real life.
2007-11-02 16:09:28 · answer #9 · answered by Orphelia 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Politicians use minorities to control the majority, how they speak, how they think, what they talk about. Vote labour this is what you get. You will never meet any minority that is offended, which proves my point.
2007-11-02 16:10:50 · answer #10 · answered by terrysains 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋