Reply to: Christmas to be downgraded by New Labour

[HarryPearce]

Generally speaking I think Christianity in the UK now is a lot less aggressive than it used to be and in my view they can exist just fine since they no longer cause troubles. On the other hand other religions - or even cons like Scientology are very aggressive and make excessive demands - frankly in this day and age they should be grateful that there are no laws prohibiting their stuff because in any other field doing what they do would lead to jail under fraud laws.

Plus ca change, plus ce la meme. Christianity has never been unchallenged. There have been more Christian martyrs this last century than in all the preceding centuries.

As for it being our 'state' religion then only in this sense, if I remember Gibson correctly,

To the people all religions were equally true, to the philosophers all religions were equally false, to the policians all religions were equally useful

Perhaps it would best noted that the Christian calendar celebrates its first martyr immediately after it celebrates Jesus' birth, Boxing Day being St Stephen's Day.

Harry

[wendigo100]

Note that the report actually says that other religious festivals should be upgraded in the sense of being given "equal footing". This, in the topsy-turvy world of the Daily Mail, translates into "Christmas should be downgraded."

Well, to upgrade them to be on an "equal footing", you either declare four bank holidays a year for all the other religions or reduce the number for Christians.

HTH

[Churchill]

If you ask me, and I know you're not but fuggit, I'm going to tell you anyway...

Christianity started going down hill when these so called enlightened types stopped us from smiting things.

Just imagine, walking down to the shops and suddenly feeling the urge to smite. Everything would be ok just so long as you used the blood curdling phrase "I SMITE THEE IN THE NAME OF GOD!!!"

None of this "Shall we gather by the river" bollocks, bring back smiting!!!

[xoggoth]

Hey, I thought I has mispelled c-rap as carp but it's a CUK censor thing. What you expect with old Scotty in charge, surprised every word hasn't been changed to a fishing term.

Tench to the lot of you.

[xoggoth]

Bollox to all religions.

xmas has been mostly hijacked by us unbelievers (thank GOD) to be a general holiday for getting drunk, spending money and shagging.

As an inclusive and unpredudiced sort of person I have not the slightest problem with the same approach to Eid, Diwali and all the other crap that stupid irrational religious people believe in. What a great idea! We should all support multicultural Britain by getting totally rat arsed on:-

Nirvana 08.02.07
Wesak 02.05.07
Holi 03.03.07
Diwali 09.11.07
Ramadan 13.09.07 - 12.10.07
Eid-ul-Adha 20.12.07 - 23.12.07
Passover 03.04.07 - 10.04.07
Rosh Hashanah 13.09.07 - 15.09.07
Yom Kippur 22.09.07
Hanukkah 5.12.07

In addition to weekends (and weekdays) as usual of course.

[TheFaQQer]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...e_id=1770&ct=5

My company web filter returns an error - it says

"You can't access filth like this from work." and blocks it.

[TheFaQQer]

Note that the report actually says that other religious festivals should be upgraded in the sense of being given "equal footing". This, in the topsy-turvy world of the Daily Mail, translates into "Christmas should be downgraded."

The Daily Heil distorting the story to make it look worse for 'those immigrants who aren't Christian'? Whatever next.

[TheFaQQer]

One of my favourite topics of discussion when the Jehovas come calling.

I just tell them I haven't got time as I'm off to give blood.

[realityhack]

Errmmm...?

despite the origins of the festival on 25th Dec, it has become the principle festival (edit: one of the principle festivals) of the Christian faith.

Just being a pedant.

[Dark Black]

Please read the thread properly Mr. Black.

Errmmm...?

[realityhack]

Actually....

Christmas was originally a pagan festival

One of my favourite topics of discussion when the Jehovas come calling.

Please read the thread properly Mr. Black.

[Dark Black]

Actually....

Actually....

Christmas was originally a pagan festival

One of my favourite topics of discussion when the Jehovas come calling.

[realityhack]

Actually Easter is the principal festival of the Christian faith. Christmas is the principle festival of middle class consumers who call themselves Christian despite not believing in anything but house prices and credit cards, and who only go to church when they need a scenic backdrop for their wedding photos.

Agreed. The principality of Christmas over Easter depends whether you're Roman Catholic or Protestant - and in this case (C of E) you're right. Catholicism gives more prominence to the 4 Liturgical Holy Days a year: St Peter/Paul, Assumption of Mary, All Saints' Day and Christmas Day.

Splitting hairs really as Easter, Pentecost and Christmas are the 3 most significant days in Protestant Christianity. True that Christmas has the higher profile to non-practising Christians and Easter the deeper significance to those for whom Christianity has real meaning.

The commercialisation of Christmas/Easter is a shame. It isn't really the best time of year for me anyway - I'd far rather be out of the country and away from family at that time.

[NickFitz]

Christmas is one thing, Christianity another. Fact is that despite the origins of the festival on 25th Dec, it has become the principle festival of the Christian faith.

Actually Easter is the principal festival of the Christian faith. Christmas is the principle festival of middle class consumers who call themselves Christian despite not believing in anything but house prices and credit cards, and who only go to church when they need a scenic backdrop for their wedding photos.

[AtW]

Now now, don't get your shirt in a twist baggy.