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Original poster

To wonder how much longer school will do nativity plays?

436 replies

GreatestShowUnicorn · 20/12/2018 14:03

As there is no biblical scripture to show Jesus was born at the time of the winter solstice. Surely it’s just teaching creationism or that the world is flat?

OP posts:
Walkingdeadfangirl · 21/12/2018 00:04

According to the 2011 census, 59.4% of people reported their faith as Christian. 24.7% of people reported they were not religious Nice way to abuse statistics.

People did not claim their 'faith' was Christian, 8 years ago they ticked a box saying their religion was Christian. Their was no differentiation allowed between what they had faith in and what culture they followed or what they believed.

When asked, just after the census, only 16.6% said they believed in the teachings of Christianity. So they are ticking the Christianity box for other reasons like because they think they are culturally christian or believe the question is a proxy for saying they are a good person.

The number of people attending church is 722 thousand. From a population of 66 million that is a tiny fraction, about 1%. So much for the idea of a Christian nativity play.

Just this week in the news I read that 40% of adults between 21 and 38 dont even think the baby in the Nativity story is Jesus. So maybe the nativity play is more about Santa in the manger and presents being delivered, reindeer/donkey eating carrots.

Lovingbenidorm · 21/12/2018 00:12

How easy it is to get all arsey and passremarkable about Christianity

BertrandRussell · 21/12/2018 00:20

People often post “oh, you wouldn’t say that about Islam” Problem is, they always ignore the posters who say “Oh yes I would”!

polarisation · 21/12/2018 00:30

Just as well, then, that the Nativity story is also in the Qur'an, because Jesus is regarded as a prophet by Islam.

But anyway, the origins of schools and universities in Europe (and the concept
of free education for social mobility) have come mainly from Christianity since the middle ages... so if you don't like societies with oppressive religious throwbacks you might want to consider withdrawing your kids from school and accepting your place as a serf Wink

Kokeshi123 · 21/12/2018 00:37

It's about cultural literacy. I am an atheist and my daughter knows all the well known bible stories and parables, as well as prayers, hymns and Christmas carols. It's part of European culture and is essential for being a well-informed person and for being able to understand European history and appreciate things like literary references later on.

GunpowderGelatine · 21/12/2018 00:42

I think someone has had to much eggnog OP Hmm chill out its a bit of fun for the kiddies

GunpowderGelatine · 21/12/2018 00:43

Why are people so disrespectful about Christianity? With the exception of the ignorant/racist/bigoted, everyone is very respectful towards Muslims, Jews, Hindus etc but when it comes to Christianity so many people are so bloody rude and disrespectful

I also agree with this, it's rife on MN and incredibly rude

brizzledrizzle · 21/12/2018 00:52

At the c of e school that my children went to it was taught as ' we are a Christian school and believe this but you or other people might not '

rubyslipper1 · 21/12/2018 00:55

all you non believers will not enter into the kingdom of god and will face eternal darkness. The second coming is near . prepare yourselves, soften your hearts and pray to god. god bless

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 21/12/2018 02:39

Even as a christian i think your respnse is OTT and verging on the ridioclous Ruby this is exactly why people find some elements of christanity weird and scary.

People actally have the right to believe what they like, without being fearful and havimg boarder line threads like the second coming and the venage of god being thrown at them. After all God gace us free will, believe or dont believe.

Also, ruby your words about not entering the kingdom of god, can i just point out their rather hollow to a non believer. They dont believe there is a god or his kingdom so their not bothered by not entering something theh dont think exists. They cant enter it, because to them it doesnt exist, so telling them they can't enter it doesnt matter to them, they know.

Earthmover · 21/12/2018 03:16

I always remembered the walk to the church for a little service on the last day of primary school before we broke off for holidays.
The service itself was not particularly to my liking but the walk on a crisp winters day... that was a sign that Christmas had almost arrived. Just magical.
Kids miss out these days in so many ways. Don't take away their nativity play just because adults have a bunch of hangups.
They have a right to enjoy all these little moments just as much as we did.

Lovingbenidorm · 21/12/2018 03:23

The school my dc went to was a Christian school.
They went to church once a week and celebrated events in the Christian calendar, the head always welcomed EVERYONE, and said you are all welcome, whatever your faith is or indeed if you have none.
Now THATS Christianity

cosysock · 21/12/2018 05:02

People often post “oh, you wouldn’t say that about Islam” Problem is, they always ignore the posters who say “Oh yes I would”!

That’s because the posters who say “oh yes i would” actually don’t say it.

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 21/12/2018 05:29

I don't think that kids really believe it's true, do they? We did nativities and had praying and assemblies every day at primary school but I just assumed it was a cultural practice rather than a real story.

Frogletmamma · 21/12/2018 05:36

My daughter went to a c of e primary as we are Christians. Of course I would want her to go to nativity as it's what I actually believe. Except the talking animals.

WhiteDust · 21/12/2018 05:39

OP, blame the Romans...

www.historytoday.com/matt-salusbury/did-romans-invent-christmas

JustAnotherPoster00 · 21/12/2018 05:44

Even if pp’s say it or don’t say it to worshippers of other religions does it matter, you still know that your religion is still made up nonsense right?

cosysock · 21/12/2018 06:17

Well no it doesn't really matter, but it's odd that somehow it's only seen as acceptable to mock Christianity and not Islam, Judaism etc.

cosysock · 21/12/2018 06:21

Oh and no, I don't see it as made up nonsense, why should I.

speakout · 21/12/2018 06:30

Walkingdeadfangirl

I agree. I call this "nominal christianity".

Great numbers of people tick the " christian " box on a census form to indicate culture or tradition rather than a firm declaration of faith.

I remember as a child being puzzled by my parents ticking " christian" on forms, to my eyes they were not christian. God or jesus were never mentioned in the home, we had no bible, no one prayed, to my eyes my parents were not religious at all.

I think they- like many others simply called themselves " christian" by default,
And these skewed numbers give allowance for the church to persist in holding power in our society.

To allow non elected church members positions in parliament and voices to sit on ethics committees to decide what medics are allowed to do.

It also makes sure that we don't have any non faith schools.

All schools are faith schools in the UK, we only have non denominational schools, but even these schools have a legal obligation to lead active christian worship

speakout · 21/12/2018 06:33

rubyslipper1

all you non believers will not enter into the kingdom of god and will face eternal darkness. The second coming is near . prepare yourselves, soften your hearts and pray to god. god bless

Stop being so rude

You can scare yourself with your bogeymen and threats, but don't be so arrogant.
If you want to wear your sinner shirt fill your boots, but it does not apply to me and certainly does not apply to my children.

Keep your greasy christian fingers to yourself.

sashh · 21/12/2018 06:35

*There was a talking donkey in DD’s nativity. Pretty sure she’s not going to come home thinking Dr Doolittle is actually a textbook.8

I'm fairly sure there is a talking Donkey in the bible, not in the nativity story though, no donkey at all in those accounts.

Btw Christianity isn't taught as fact in schools. It's just one of many religions that are taught and they're all treated the same ("some people believe...").

That does depend on the school.

As for being rude to Christians, well they are the ones who made my life hell at school, their doctrine stopped me attending a course I would have loved and instead I attended a crappy but religious VI form.

MaisyPops · 21/12/2018 06:39

Yet another thread of someone being bothered by the existence of Christianity in Christmas celebrations (but with the added 'aha but Jesus wasn't even born in December' for added 'proof')

How hard is it to understand that it's a religious festival that is part of British culture so there's a cultural and religious element to it?

speakout · 21/12/2018 06:45

MaisyPops

It may have started as a religious festival- I take it you are referring to paganism?

MaisyPops · 21/12/2018 07:29

I wasn't referring to paganism but it is fairly well established that some Christian festivals largely match up.

I was more meaning I find it bizarre that there's so many people on MN (must be a thread a day) lamenting how awful it is that there's something Christian in Christmas.

Christianity is part of British culture and has played a dominant role (whether people think that is a good or bad thing is almost irrelevant). That means that some Christian festivals have formed part of British culture as well as having a religious element.
Sitting around complaining about nativities being irrelevant at christmas / yes but Jesus probably wasn't born on 25th December seems to be busybody whining.