To think Christmas should not be treated differently from Eid and Diwali?

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We are hearing the government could allow a few days meeting during Christmas. While I understand this may be necessary, this could lead to spikes of COVID again and put pressure on the NHS (nearly 600 deaths yesterday) we aren't out of the woods yet.

When it was Eid in May Muslims were warned not to congregate and meet other households. A similar message was said in Diwali to have a stay at home Diwali.

Baffling that so many still appear to believe the UK is 'a Christian country'.

The 2011 Census, intentionally or not, asked a loaded question which hugely overstated the incidence and prevalence of religiosity within the UK. Far more realistic and recent sources, British Social Attitudes for example, show that far from being an anything country, more than half the UK population do not identify with any religion whatsoever. At best, the UK could be described as a country that tolerates adherence to any and all faiths, but on the whole, is skewed more towards secularism than any particular religion, with Christianity being the most prevalent, but still a minority.

As for the 'the queen is head of the church therefore UK = Christian"...

The Monarch is head of the Anglican church by dint of 17th Century legislation that legally, and indisputably, binds the two roles. This pays no regard whatsoever for the mind of the particular individual thrust into the role of monarch, and says absolutely nothing about the views, opinions, or habits of the wider population, especially in the 21st Century. The UK monarch is not head of all Christian churches, so even then, it's a stretch of gigantic proportions to suggest that this fact alone somehow makes the UK a 'Christian' state. Anglican perhaps, but then the Anglican church isn't even the 'national' church of the UK, never mind all the other countries where the UK monarch is also Head of State.

Ah, yes - I remember Eid being cancelled whe. The pubs were open and heaving

Eid and Diwali aren't national holidays. That's the difference.

Gosh, all these people for whom Christmas is do important. The churches must be looking forward to full churches going forward

@CaribouCarafe

Speaking as someone who was raised Muslim but who still celebrated Christmas each year as a secular holiday, I think YABU.

There will definitely need to be some level of restrictions over Christmas, and it seems the government will implement some thresholds for number of people/households mixing. It's unlikely to be a free-for-all.

Without some easing up, as PPs have said, there will be a higher rate of non-compliance which can extend beyond Christmas. Whereas if they lax the rules a little, then they can still prevent huge gatherings and maintain some level of order.

For some people, Christmas has been the only thing getting them through this year. I, for example, live abroad and the thought of seeing my parents and my brother's family (SIL, niece, nephew) at Christmas has sometimes been the only thing helping me power through. The country I'm in requires a negative PCR test to be taken before departure at the airport, so I don't see myself as adding any real risk to my family if I social distance whilst wearing gloves and a mask during the trip...

With correct management, mixing of households should still be relatively ok (e.g. allowing mixing between households who have self-isolated for a set number of days beforehand / or between people who have negative PCR test results etc.). The issue with this is, of course, that the government botched the whole track and trace process.

Christmas has a substantial economic impact which is incomparable to the other festivities you mentioned - the vast majority of people in the UK participate in the commercial aspect of Christmas, only a minority participate in Eid or Diwali - they have less economic consequences to being cancelled and less chance of causing mass civil disobedience/rioting in the face of cancellation.

Those people who have a moral objection to mixing between families over Christmas can follow their ethics and stay home whilst the rest of us take cautious steps to stay safe but enjoy our time with our families.

YABU to frame this complex issue as some sort of agenda against Muslims and Hindus / prejudice in favour of Christians, when really there are many more factors at play.

Very sensible thoughts.

I think small gatherings would be sensible but if all else fails just just my household will be together

The reason people have a hard time understanding why this kind of decision is made is that they believe this "follow the science" business.

It's not the fault of scientists particularly, mostly it's down to political types trying to avoid accountability.

But public health management is only partly about how "the science" or in this case, how covid-19 spreads in the population. A good chunk of it is about how people behave. There is very little public health utility in making rules that no one will follow, or which they find confusing, or which piss them off. Public health experts are meant to be advising politicians about what kinds of things they might expect from people's behaviour, which is fairly predictable.

Then on top of that there is the political element. Things like "if we restrict activity, how many shops will go under and what will that mean for the nation as a whole.

None of the major religious celebrations so far have been big enough to be a difficult decisions, and that includes Easter so it's hardly giving Christians a break.

Christmas however brings in all of these elements, because it is observed by, and is really important to, a large portion of the population. There are significant economic questions around it, and the question of whether people will even pay attention to rules they put in place, too.

YABU. This is a Christian country with Christian values. Of course it should be treated differently.

Sadly it makes economic sense to open up for retailers before Christmas.
Once again demonstrating that our economy relies on people buying stuff they don't need in order to fuel the system at a cost to the planet.
I am a massive hypocrite as I love Christmas shopping but I'm trying not go down the excesdive waste route.

Excessive

YABVU. We are a Christian country.
Another matter is whether it is wise to relax the rules even if it is for a few days in terms of the number of cases.
You can spend your Christmas in self isolation if you wish. And New Year, and Easter.

It’s been sad not to go and meet friends at church since March and Christmas won’t be the same as I can’t imagine the services will take place but there will be online events. We will make Christmas Day all about the kids and eat too much nice food no matter what happens. Christmas may be different but can still be special 🎄

YABU

Whether you like it or not or whether you are Christian or not this is a Christian country

It’s completely different. Christmas is a way of life for the vast majority of the country and a national holiday for more than one day. Everything from retail to entertainment, tourism, events, the arts and sports, and a large section of the economy, are deeply rooted in Christmas and the run up to Christmas.
It is not even remotely comparable.

Don’t panic! Easter was not cancelled and Christmas won’t be either. Churches all over the country are planning online services at Christmas which anyone can attend. I think I might “go” to York Minster.

I'm a Dudeist and our main holiday is 6th March, the Day of the Dude, although we do celebrate the Winter holidays; Slackernalia and the Winter Slowstice. Luckily the lockdown does not really interfere with our traditions of relaxing and taking it easy with the odd White Russian cocktail and rewatching The Big Lebowski.

@RishiMcRichface

I'm a Dudeist and our main holiday is 6th March, the Day of the Dude, although we do celebrate the Winter holidays; Slackernalia and the Winter Slowstice. Luckily the lockdown does not really interfere with our traditions of relaxing and taking it easy with the odd White Russian cocktail and rewatching The Big Lebowski.

Oooh! I'm an agnostic but I think I may just have had an epiphany!

YABU, but I think you know that & are just being goady.

witchspelleas surprised you are not into Wicca with your username, but you will love the way of the Dude dudeism.com

We are a Christian country. Founded on Christian principles. Headed by a Christian head of state.

91% of Brits celebrate Christmas.
22% celebrate the birth of Christ.

It is a massive thing to “cancel Christmas”, way more than any other religious festival, because the majority of the population celebrate it religious or not. So it is different to Eid, Diwali, Halloween, Passover, Easter, and all the other festivals that have been cancelled.

That said, I personally feel strongly that actually following the best scientific advice would be the best option. The reality is, however, the general population will not endure it, leading to way more rule breaking in the aftermath.

Stats from 2016 YouGov research.
www.politics.co.uk/opinion-formers/humanists-uk/article/no-war-on-christmas-new-poll-shows-91-of-brits-celebrate-chr

My xmas.

24th December, rush around final preparations for xmas lunch, evening collapse into armchair with a glass of something, nibbles and tv. no visitors
25th December one other family visiting festivities, meal.
26th December, clear up day, play with gifts, evening collapse into armchair.

27th December, long walk with dogs on beach, plenty of fresh air, come back to the fridge full of food.

28th December, probably will go out to a pub/restaurant for food someone else has prepared.

So only one day of contact with one other family. It really is not too difficult for us. I do not know of family or friends who are having a knees up this year sadly.

witchspelleas surprised you are not into Wicca with your username

Alas, it's not a way of life but a Hallowe'en name change I haven't been arsed yet to change back .

I will peruse the link with interest, thank you.

YABU to post this outside the Coronavirus quarantine area.

@Amanduh

It’s completely different. Christmas is a way of life for the vast majority of the country and a national holiday for more than one day. Everything from retail to entertainment, tourism, events, the arts and sports, and a large section of the economy, are deeply rooted in Christmas and the run up to Christmas. It is not even remotely comparable.

Yep. YABVVU, OP. There's absolutely no comparison - on a religious, cultural, economic, statistical level, Christmas is by far the dominant celebration in this country and should be treated as such.

That said - I felt very sorry for those celebrating the other festivals (and I wouldn't have restricted those either).

YABU Christmas is a cultural event. Eid etc are not. I'm sure in Muslim countries its the reverse. And it's not discriminatory because everyone gets a holiday - no one says you are Muslim so you need to work Boxing Day do they?

There is a lot of pressure on the NHS where I live right now. Not just the number of Covid positive patients but also the numbers of staff off sick or self isolating. I don't think restrictions should be eased over the Christmas period at all. And I would love to be able to get to church and just see people again!

It is sad that this is the case and sad too for those of other faiths who can't celebrate as they'd like to.