Nativity play ‘banned in schools’

[CoughLaughFart]

A couple of my FB friends have recently shared a post about what a disgrace it is that the nativity play is now ‘banned in schools’ and that the tradition must be restored immediately as this is a CHRISTIAN country (it's always in caps). I have two problems with this:

1. A search for ‘nativity school banned’ brings up several results for stories about schools banning photography at nativity plays, plus a Guardian article about why there’s such a panic about nativity plays being banned in certain circles. There wasn’t one example of the nativity play actually being banned. I also don’t know any parents who have experienced this in real life.

2. As this is indeed a CHRISTIAN country on paper, it happens to have thousands of churches. Anyone desperate to see their child in the nativity play could easily get involved with their parish church so that their children can be part of that one. They could learn all they like about Christianity then, from the experts no less.

AIBU to think that this is a non-existent ‘scandal’ spread on social media by people too lazy to check the facts? And that, with church attendances standing at around 2% of the population, these people aren’t bothered enough about their children learning about Christianity to get up early on a Sunday, and really just want a picture of their child looking cute with a tea towel on their head?

I did t say there was no nativity in Scotland - just at my school, which is in Scotland.

Ahhh yess just like the like shouting up and down that the reason why there weren't many poppy sellers around is because some people are offended by it. When pressed to give examples he sent a pm with "I can't say that on fb ,but muslims get offended by everything ". Twat. His comments were deleted in the end because I made too much fuss over them. Oh well...

We are doing our own version of the famous Christmas nativity play. My stepdaughter is acting in the church Christmas play this year. I don’t see any problem honestly. Next story please. Stop being friends with these people.

It is the same people who spread the notion that the poppy has been banned.

The banning of Nativity plays is right up there with 'one GCSE Gary' complaining that 'Ahmed the neurosurgeon' is taking his job.

I suspect anybody called Gary would have been around in the times of O-Levels and not GCSE's.

Yes fekko, I said it too, there are no nativity plays at my dds’ school, which is in Scotland, and no carols either.

scarbados Not only the nurse, there was British airways too, and more cases. In the future the Navitity more than likely will be gone out of schools, along with any Christian traditions.

Yes most definately bollocks. Meanwhile when you go to work, or go shopping, pop to the off-license all the customers, or shop keepers wish you a merry Xmas. Even exchange cards, ask you what you are doing etc

And all children participate in the school plays.

Usual crap spread by racists who aren't even Christian themselves yet suddenly care about xmas when there's the chance to make out the very people who provide the services they use daily, are trying to take over the town

BA changed the policy on faith symbols over a decade ago. I still have my uniform handbook and staff can definitely wear a small cross or whatever faith symbol they would like. Along with the poppy etc

Oh it’s the Christmas version of the “Cadbury don’t use the word Easter on their Easter eggs anymore” absolute bollocks

As you know by now that isn't true.

But saying if you want to be in one then join your local church and you can be in one is also not true.
I've been in various churches since childhood and none of them do a regular nativity show by the children.

My sons said they are not doing the nativity at his school instead its ‘christmas with aliens’ so some school are not doing it

Nativity plays are a right pain. Firstly they need a teacher who is capable and has the inclination to teach the songs and direct the play. Then there is the yearly my child is only sheep number 3 whereas the class favourite is Mary parental complaints.

Some schools attempt to get around this by the modern re-tellings/bought in Xmas plays and these are often much more interesting for the children but this too leads to complaints. To get any semblance of something presentable it takes weeks of rehearsal, then parents complain their children arn’t learning anything/can’t get tickets for everyone/don’t want to take their child to do an evening performance/not relevant to them any more.

No wonder some schools might think stuff it, let’s not bother.

stop talking bollox Emerald - British Airways was also a uniform issue

wearing a crucifix isn't really a 'tradition' lots of Christians don't wear them including my own mother who is a lay preacher!

Emerald British airways staff aren't allowed to wear necklaces. They can wear a small cross as a lapel badge on their jacket.

Thank you, ghosty. Im Christian and i wouldnt dream of wearing a crucifix because i dont like them. I dont wear a cross either. Strangely enough, its not compulsory for Christians to wear advertising jewellery - just like the poppy, it is a CHOICE.

Oh, and my kid was in Nativity plays of one sort or another from YR to Y6., some traditional tea-towel jobs and some more "second lobster" versions.

My kids school always does a nativity for the infants. The juniors do a xmas concert. One year when my middle child was in infants they did an inclusive xmas, and did a Christian, Muslim and Eid play . But I live in a 95% Christian rural town. Or maybe 98%. I don't think that went down well and now they stick to the traditional nativity. I think a lot of parents complained.

The BA case was 2013. You read here all the time people getting passed off with religion been taught in schools etc. The nativity is a religious play. I personally would hate to see the end of it but as religion is pushed away more and more out of schools, what is the point of the Navitity if religion is banned from schools.

Not this bollocks again...

Personally I think that you accept a job that involves a strict unigirmand a no jewellery policy then that should be adhered to.

Also I respect all faiths but don’t think that one person’s magic man should take precedence over another person’s magic man.

blueskiesandforests I did not know that, thank you for explaining without been rude like other pp's.

Austerity UK: shortage of teatowels?

Emerald the nativity is just a cultural tradition, it's got about as much to do with Christianity as a Christmas tree.. Or do you think the typical reception class show is how it really went down?

Emerald, you're talking shite.

@EmeraldShamrock religion isn't banned from schools. Also a lot of parents don't object to RE they object to religious indoctrination and one religion being portrayed as "more true" than all others.