Christians, Muslims Urge City Officials to Stop Taking Christ out of Christmas
Christian and Muslims in Britain have told city officials to stop taking the Christianity out of Christmas, warning them that this is fuelling right-wing extremism.
by Gretta Curtis
Posted: Tuesday, November 14, 2006, 6:51 (GMT)
Christian and Muslims in Britain have told city officials to stop taking the Christianity out of Christmas, warning them that this is fuelling right-wing extremism.
Local authorities were criticised for using titles like "Winterval" for their Christmas celebrations and avoiding the use of Christian symbols in case they offended minority groups, especially Muslims and Hindus.
The Christian Muslim Forum, which was established by the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, complained that taking the Christian message out of Christmas played into the hands of right-wing extremists who then accused Muslims of undermining Britain's Christian culture.
"The desire to secularise religious festivals is in itself offensive to both our communities," said Dr Ataullah Siddiqui, vice chairman of the forum.
Anglican Bishop of Bolton David Gillett said that when local authorities rename Christmas so as not to offend other religions, their stance "will tend to backfire badly on the Muslim community in particular".
"We are concerned that those approaches which are based on anti-religious philosophies or a fear of religion are causing alienation in a wide variety of communities and fanning the growth of extremism," said Gillett, the forum chairman.
"Sadly it is they (Muslims) who get the blame for something they are not saying. And after all, the Koran speaks with honour about Jesus and tells of his birth to Mary, a virgin," he added.
The threat of radical Islam, including last year's London bombings, has led the government to rethink its traditionally tolerant attitude to ethnic minorities.
The government has launched a debate on whether the policy of not imposing a single British identity on immigrants, and instead promoting multiculturalism, has led to the segregation of minority communities.
The London bombings in July last year prompted much soul-
searching over what led four young Muslim Britons to become suicide bombers and kill 52 people.
Many experts fear the focus on Islam could backfire if Britain's 1.8 million Muslims feel they are under attack.
Religious controversies have often made frontpage news in papers this year, including Muslim protests over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, Pope Benedict's remarks about Islam and the debate over Muslim women wearing full veils.
Bishop Gillett said: "Following the many controversies through which my Muslim friends have gone this year ... I am particularly conscious of wanting to say to them in my Christmas cards and in person - May the peace and blessing of God be with you this Christmas."
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Added: Thursday, November 1, 2007, 14:55 (GMT)
Listen up this is a good call. If I am correct their is no Christmas without Christianity and acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Last part aside. It is not just a Euro thing this mess is systemic and can be found anywhere holiday sales in December take place. I am offended in the worst way by "holiday lights, cards wreaths, sales and whatnot. Why? Because they would not exist without Christianity. Until this is fixed Christians the world over should refuse to spend their money at and for any product that denies the truth about December 25th.
(It is a christmas card not a Holiday card. Christmas program not Winterfest, it is a Christmas Sale not a Holiday sale. ) Until this is recognized and the truth is acknowleged their should be a universal boycott on any and all establishments that deny us our rights as Christians.
Tball, Towson, Md. USA
Added: Wednesday, December 27, 2006, 15:39 (GMT)
I am sorry, but as christians we are not to accept any religion other than christianity as the truth and there are NOT many ways to salvation according to scripture!. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life, and no man may come to the father except by me". We are warned however that in the last days some will seek to discredit jesus as the true and only God... and as christians "we must hold fast to that which is the truth" The muslim takeover on this globe is a sign of the lengthening shadows of the last days... and we must "Watch and pray" as instructed. We must not embrace other religions or join to or encourage them to flourish. We must do them no harm either, but rather for Jesus sake should be teaching other religions the error of their ways, and spreading Jesus' Gospel of truth. Muslim way is not the way to go...sorry.
"Bullseye", Leeds, West Yorks, UK
Added: Monday, November 20, 2006, 18:35 (GMT)
I am so glad to see someone trying to stop the madness.I am also, so tired of hearing and reading about how one religion must do this or that so as to not offend the next religion. I do not care if someone faces East to pray or burns incense and rings a bell or paints their self purple at midnight. I do care when we are told that we can not act in such way because someone "may not agree". I pray to my God when and where I wish, I say Merry Christmas and mean it and encourage others to do the same according to their customs.
rob robinson, portsmouth, va. USA
