The Nativity Story Turned Down at US Festival
The city of Chicago in the US is not allowing The Nativity Story to be presented at a major public Christmas festival.
by Kevin Donovan
Posted: Wednesday, November 29, 2006, 8:41 (GMT)
The city of Chicago in the US is not allowing
The Nativity Story to be presented at a major public Christmas festival.
Officials have asked organisers of the German Christkindlmarket to reconsider using New Line Cinema, the maker of movie The Nativity Story, as a sponsor because it is worried ads for its film might offend non-Christians.
The film hit the headlines at the weekend when it became the first movie to premiere at The Vatican.
New Line Cinema had planned to play a loop of the new film on televisions at the event before they were dropped. The decision has left the studio and a prominent Christian group disappointed.
But city officials defended themselves, saying they were only trying to be fair.
"Our guidance was that this very prominently placed advertisement would not only be insensitive to the many people of different faiths who come to enjoy the market for its food and unique gifts, but also it would be contrary to acceptable advertising standards suggested to the many festivals holding events on Daley Plaza," Jim Law, executive director of the Mayor's office, said in a statement.
An executive vice president with New Line Cinema, Christina Kounelias, said that as far as she knew, the Chicago festival was the only instance where the studio was turned down.
Kounelias said she finds it hard to believe that non-Christians who attended something called Christkindlmarket would be surprised or offended by the presence of posters, brochures and other advertisements of the movie.
"One would assume that if (people) were to go to Christkindlmarket, they'd know it is about Christmas," she said.
Paul Braoudakis, spokesman for the Barrington, Illinois-based Willow Creek Association, a group of more than 11,000 churches of various denominations, commented: "The last time I checked, the first six letters of Christmas still spell out Christ."
He added: "It's tantamount to celebrating Lincoln's birthday without talking about Abraham Lincoln."
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Added: Monday, December 11, 2006, 16:17 (GMT)
It is quite bewildering to note that Christmas is being rechristened as holiday season in many western countries in order to show the world that they are secular . We are living in a world where non-believers outnumber believers as church attendance in many countries are dwindling due to the failure on the part of the family members to attend church services as a unit. The morning and evening prayers at home have become a thing of the past wherein the whole family come together to thank god for guiding us through the day . Affluence is the main reason for the rise in atheism and it will not be late before God teaches us a lesson for deviating from his teachings . In India where christians account for less than 2 percent of the population , many young people are staying away from the churchly.
I Hope films like Nativity story will inject the very feelings of being a christian and will encourge youngsters and those who have immersed in modern life style to be closer to God
Mathew Simon, Trivandrum, India
Added: Monday, December 4, 2006, 15:45 (GMT)
I note that whenever porn is shown on TV and we object we are told that we have the option of not watching it. The same applies to people of other faiths who attend a christian themed festival. They can ignore the message just like they have been doing for all of their lives. There is also the option that Christians could ignore the festival as well. Clearly the organisers are not worried about offending christians.
Keith Downs, Amanzimtoti South Africa
Added: Monday, December 4, 2006, 7:59 (GMT)
Well, I do think the withdrawal of the film and its advertisements was a bad decision. However, I can't say "amen" to your vote for "muslims and other non-Christians" to "get out of this country." It's that kind of sentiment that gives believers a bad name, and it's ultimately destructive to the cause you support.
Paul, Los Angeles, CA
Added: Sunday, December 3, 2006, 22:25 (GMT)
It seems to me that the decision regarding The Nativity Story is more about maintaining as broad a market spectrum as possible as opposed to trying not to offend. The only thing the organisers are afraid of is the sensibilities of business, not the sensibilities of culture or creed. Come on, media and commerce, at least be honest instead of hiding behind political correctness!!
David Clarke, Loughborough,UK
Added: Sunday, December 3, 2006, 3:07 (GMT)
AMEN, Ramon!!
This decision is about the stupidest thing I've heard this week! What a bunch of wussies the Chicago officials must be! It's a Christmas market for goodness sake. I am so ashamed that American officials are becoming so easy to push around. All you have to do is say "I'm an atheist and I'm offended" and everything to do with the Christian majority of this country is shoved into a closet. Freedom of religion is a RIGHT guaranteed to us in the first amendment of the Bill of Rights but from what I keep seeing over and over in the news, it seems a small minority of our population and a disgustingly growing portion of our leadershp are ready to throw that right away.
It's time for the Christian majority to stand up and fight for our right to freely express and celebrate our beliefs!!
Mark, Virginia Beach, VA
Added: Friday, December 1, 2006, 17:53 (GMT)
I can't understand the thinking of the organizers of this program not wanting a movie on the nativity played at a Christmas program. Who are they going to offend; the 15% of the people in this country who aren't Christian? It's another instance of the left in this country trying to secularize our culture.
Merry Christmas to all!
Bob Swannie, Murrieta
Added: Wednesday, November 29, 2006, 21:45 (GMT)
It is a darn shame where the USA is heading. Is this still the United States of America? The place where the pilgrims went to escape persecution because of their beliefs? Is this the Great Country that our forefathers forged so everyone could freely express their belief without fear of censorship? If Muslims and other non-Christians fear Christ so much, or are offended by His name, they better get out of this Country, because Christ is very much alive and revered by many more people than they think. If you are so offended by the name of Jesus Christ, perhaps you may need to search about Him and what it is that He has to offer to you, before it is too late. Does anyone say AMEN!
Ramon, Brandon, FL
