http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20071101/tuk-think-tank-says-downgrade-christmas-dba1618_1.html Looks like some white middle class man has been thinking too much about a problem that isnt there... who would be offended by a time that spreads joy to kids and pulls families together? Fear of offending?! It doesnt offend surely?
Well one school here banned Christmas last year because it was offensive to the minority, so apparently yes it can be offensive
I can't imagine any normal person from a minority group being any more offended by Xmas than I am by, say, Diwali (I don't celebrate it, but I love the atmosphere it creates). Didn't this discussion come up before? I seem to recall the general feeling of people from minority groups was that they wish these PC do-gooders would just shut up. They're making minority groups look bad and thus breeding resentment.
I think they need to point out that this isn't just a traditional religious celebration, it's also a traditional British festival - it's part of the nation's culture now.
At my old high school every year we had a winter assembly were we had choirs and student performances for the Christians, Jews and everyone really. It wasn't exactly balanced, there were more acts fot Christmas than any other act, but the point is my HS at least tried to let everyone enjoy something from their background. Why would it be offensive? It's crap. Seriously, people these days need to grow a pair and toughen up. So what if the majority is celebrating a different holiday? There a majority in the states of christians....so of course there is gonna be a lot more Xmas stuff....not to mention Xmas is commercialized like no other holiday. I remember when I was little they stopped doing most of the Xmas themed activites at our elementary school's holiday festival. it sucked, because now everything was "winter" themed. No more taking pictures with santa, and the christmas ornament making was replaced with lame paper snowflake cut outs....
Exactly - that's why it's such a big thing in this country. As a Christian festival, it's really second to Easter, but if you didn't know that then you'd never guess it! The idea playing-down Christmas in case it 'offends' members of other religions is just plain silly. Personally I'd like to see it downplayed simply because it has become totally over-hyped and commercialised. I HATE seeing decorations going up in October! :bang:
I'm pretty sure I saw easter eggs in the paper chop just now, I dunno if they were left from easter or are ready for next easter...
i agree with johnno (shudder) that the commericalism has taken the edge of what used to be a religious festival... but i remember when my city used to be packed with decorations, lights and bands playing christmas tunes i want my future kids to grow up taking that experiance in
At work we dress the Hall up in Victorian style, get a 14 ft Christmas tree,Father Christmas and brass bands for the first 2 weekends in December, just so that people get the chance to remember what Christmas used to be like before it went horribly commercialised. It proves really popular.
Agreed. Mind you - even if you aren't religious (or are a not a Christian) Christmas can still be a really special time of year. I think the over-commercialism makes people have unrealistic expectations. Adverts on TV urge us to have 'the best Christmas ever'. What the hell is that supposed to mean? :bang: It leads to people putting pressure on themselves - and some people actually get into debt over it. And all for the sake of one day of the year! It's barmy!
It's not so much offensive as it's gets really annoying. And it's all without thinking. I can't count the number of times my kids got asked 'What is Santa bringing you for Xmas this year?' by some store clerk, all while we're wearing kippot. One time my eldest, must have been about 10 at the time, just looked at the clerk and replied 'My father is too mean and cheap to get us anything'. The look on the clerks face was priceless. I felt so proud of the boy.
O.K. Lest not downgrade Christmas. To me very significant!!! However, I would much prefer having all the other religions special fesitvals hyped up a lot more. Just think of all the extra holidays off from work we can have without having to worry about presents and turkey!!!!!
Nice one, CanukMA! For background, I am not a Christain by faith, but acknowledge Christianity as a major cultural influence. 1. What's so Christian about the way Christmas is celebrated these days anyway? I mean, who even sings the carols which actually acknowledge Christ anymore? Protestants don't even acknowledge saints, do they? 2. Almost every culture that has the dark days of winter developed some kind of ritual to celebrate the return of light. How come ours is about buying lots of stuff? Are there any of us who actually like that? How come we are so trapped by our traditions to the point that we'll put ourselves in debt? Maybe not us as individuals, but certainly culturally. To me it's so sad to not have something better and more spiritual to pass on to my children.
Seeing as a mid winter celebration precedes what we now call Christmas I'd like to wish everyone "Happy geol!!"
