Christians object to Borders 'O come all ye faithless' Christmas cards
by Jennifer Gold
Posted: Monday, December 17, 2007, 9:29 (GMT)
A controversial Christmas card reading "O come all ye faithless" has been strongly criticised by Christians as an "ill judged and insensitive joke". Borders bookshop began giving away the card free for everyone who bought Richard Dawkins' well known atheist work, The God Delusion this Christmas.
Rev Jonathan Edwards, general secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain said the idea was "crass".
Borders wouldn't do this to any other religious festival.
Justin Thacker, head of theology at the Evangelical Alliance
He said, "I am quite sure that Borders intended their Christmas card as a joke. However, I personally find it an ill-judged and insensitive joke," reports Baptist Times.
He continued by saying, "Christians have always been used to being punch bags but I would have hoped that, in a society in which we are seeking to show respect to all people and beliefs, we might have grown out of this kind of nonsense."
He was supported by Justin Thacker, head of theology at the Evangelical Alliance, who said, "It won't surprise me if this spectacularly fails. Christmas still holds a high place in people's hearts - I think a lot of people will be offended by it."
Borders have responded to the criticism by issuing a statement which said it "did not intend it as anti-Christian or a swipe at the Christian faith", and said that it "apologises to any of our customers who feel it was that", reports Baptist Times.
The bookshop described the card as a "continuation" of the debate on atheism that had come as result of the book.
They said, "Our customers are intelligent, curious people who enjoy exploring all types of books and music. Naturally, some of the thousands of books and music selections we carry could be considered controversial or objectionable depending on individual views, tastes and interest.
"However, Borders stands by its commitment to let customers make the choice."
The Evangelical Alliance's Thacker added: "I think the atheists will love it because it's bashing Christians around the head. It's another thing to take a Christian festival and abuse it.
"Borders wouldn't do this to any other religious festival. Borders have made a strategic mistake and Christians will boycott it."
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Added: Thursday, January 3, 2008, 0:25 (GMT)
Borders have been offensive, arrogent and thoughtless in this sales campaign. The Christian Church has survived far worse than this over the years, and will do so again, but this doesn't mean Christians should just sit back and ignore profiteering commercial enterprises. To date, Borders haven't been prepared to comment as to whether they'd similarly insult other, perhaps, more radical religions. In the past I've spent hundreds of pounds Sterling in Borders, but that's now ended.
William, Stanford-le-Hope UK
Added: Wednesday, December 19, 2007, 23:14 (GMT)
Oh, please do boycott it. Every time Christians get all in a snit and boycott something they object to (about twice a week, seemingly), it does so MUCH better than if they hadn't called attention to it in the first place.
Gary, Atlanta, GA, USA
Added: Wednesday, December 19, 2007, 3:45 (GMT)
"O come all ye faithless"
If you are confident in Christianity, you will understand the saying as a call to atheists to be embraced by your faith community and to accept an opportunity for conversion.
If you are insecure about Christianity, you will take the saying as an atheistically inspired offence.
Your choice. ... I find it telling that everyone is affronted. I guess the "faithless" are not welcome in Christian communities and should not be invited to Christmas celebrations.
Ex-drone, Ottawa, Canada
Added: Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 14:12 (GMT)
i think it's another sign of big corporates pandering to atheists just cos their worldview seems to have more street cred at the moment. if that's the case, that's pretty sad for them because i think a lot of religious and christian customers, although they might not feel offended, may still feel a little like their feelings and their interests are second rate to other customers and i dont think that's good business.
belinda, manchester
Added: Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 2:54 (GMT)
oh the poor xtians, I feel so sorry for them, the atheist who make up a miniscule portion of the population are such a theat to this overwhelmingly large part of our nonthinking public. Please contain your hatred xtians no one is threatening your sky fairy mentality
john connore, pueblo us
Added: Monday, December 17, 2007, 14:26 (GMT)
I don't feel really offended by it. Altougth I don't think it was a great idea to make cards like that as it's against the season and does not do any good to anyone. I think people need to think more before they do this sort of thing.
Colin Harry, Manchester, UK
