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Created: 11:38am on 03-24-2005
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Entry #473458, added on 12-06-06 @ 3:31 pm EST.
[Entry Access Restriction] None.
Title:
What's So Offensive?
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I’m delving into religious beliefs today, so this is an early warning because this can be a contentious subject. Something happened to me today that made me feel good. And positive. But the first paragraphs will be a personal rant… don’t say I didn’t warn you!
A report on Sky News this morning claims that three out of four offices in the UK claim they will not be decorating their offices in recognition of this year’s festive season. The reason? They are “concerned” they may offend people of other faiths who do not commemorate the Christmas season.
I’m hoping that this story is an exaggeration by the media – research this evening indicates this new item was today on the front page of that rather salacious newspaper The Sun. I don’t want to believe that non-Christians feel threatened or offended by other religion’s attitudes towards a centuries old religious season. Neither do I want to believe that non-Christians are not tolerant enough to understand and accept the celebration of Christmas. For me this latest example of Politically Correctness epitomizes how insecure and narrow minded this way of thinking has become. Not to mention patronising.
What is so offensive or upsetting about people celebrating Christmas? How many of the decorations have real religious significance? Santa Claus, the reindeer, the Christmas tree and tinsel are not really reflections of this particular season. Does the PC brigade honestly believe that any customer who feels offended by walking into an office or shop decorated with a Christmas tree covered with flashing lights and shiny baubles is going to want to sue the company? Is the customer going to be so revolted or disturbed by the star, fairy or angel sitting on top of the tree that he or she feels the only thing that’ll restore full health and sanity is financial compensation? What is so horrifying about a strand of tinsel, or a banner wishing EVERYONE “Merry Christmas”?
Does the so-called PC brigade really believe that anyone who is not a Christian is that narrow minded or insecure that a celebration of a religious holiday of another faith is offensive? I think this kind of attitude is patronizing, condescending and scornful of anyone who is not a Christian. Yes, there are intolerant people in the world, but surely we can all respect people’s different cultures and beliefs? Before 1995 South Africa was sidelined by the rest of the world for its apartheid policies – with good reason. Today the country may have issues left over from the apartheid era, but it calls itself “The Rainbow Nation” with great pride. History tells of vile characters like Hitler committing crimes against different cultures and faiths, namely member of the Jewish faith and Gypsies. More recently we’ve learned – in horror - of the treatment dished out to Iraqis who belong to different sects. While the avoidance of celebrating Christmas for fear of upsetting other faiths and cultures is far from genocide, this nervous, infantile attitude of the PC brigade is dangerous. Where will it go next?
I have two close Muslim friends, and one of my closest friends is Hindu. We have Jewish friends, and friends who are Christians and non-believers. Not one of them has EVER condemned or criticized me for my belief. My husband is an atheist – he accepts my faith, and tolerates my beliefs. We both accept our friends for who they are, not for their faith or their beliefs. We are not afraid of each other. We respect each other.
The reason for today’s entry is something I encountered when I went shopping. Husband and I couldn’t bring any of our Christmas decorations with us to Turkey, and we’ve both been wondering how to commemorate our own Christmas. Husband will be working on Christmas day. I walked into the infamous Kipa, and went to the electronics section to buy a humidifier – the older heating system in this house is drying out our sinuses, eyes… and poor Matti’s nose! I turned the corner – and my heart stopped – well, almost stopped!
The electronics section was ablaze with colour. It was full of Christmas decorations. Tinsel shimmered down the shelves, and stars and baubles sparkled in their boxes. Father Christmases, reindeers, candles, angels and fairies twinkled in pretty boxes, and nativity scenes illuminated by candles. There were crackers, Christmas trees, fake snow and party hats on the tables in the centre. And the section was full of people of all ages – small children, teenagers and elderly folk – laughing, and picking up the ornaments. Some of the kids tried on the hats, and the smaller ones stroked the fairy dresses and hair. An elderly lady wearing a headscarf chose some candles and one of the nativity scenes, carefully placing them in her trolley. I was shocked. This is not what we expected to find, because people who were BORN here have told us there’s no references to Christmas here at all.
So if a country like Turkey can tolerate and accept the religious beliefs of minority religions – I drove past an Anglican Church in town last week, next door to the British High Commission - why can’t other countries accept and tolerate their own religious beliefs?
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© Copyright 2006 Sarah (UN: zwisis at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
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