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12/04/2003 Entry: "Keep the Christ in Christmas"
First it was from Scotland, now a similar appeal comes from Australia:
On the eve of the festive season, Multicultural Affairs Minister Gary Hardgrave has called on schools and kindergartens to set up nativity scenes, throw Christmas parties and remember the story of the birth of Christ.My experience of meeting with people of other faiths is that they are never offended by celebrations of Christmas. A few years ago, the city of Birmingham (Britain's second largest city) had a "barking mad" experiment in which the City Council's banners and stuff referred to an entirely artificial celebration of "Winterval". Leaders from a variety of religious groups in the city were interviewed and unanimous in their response: Christians should celebrate Christmas in an authentically Christian way. It shows no respect to their faith to distort or weaken Christian festivals."We should get out there and flaunt it rather than having people retreat from it," he told The Australian.
Mr Hardgrave is concerned that children are missing out on Christianity's core traditions and values, because schools and businesses are canning celebrations for fear they could offend those of other faiths.
