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

[RUNFAST11]

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.

We've all decided anyway not to get together at Christmas, as it's too risky. ☹️. We are near having a vaccine, so it seems silly not to wait until it's safe

@Runningjump

All this virtue signalling really is pathetic.

Christmas is a national holiday. The other festivals you mentioned are not.

This is really all it comes down to. I’m sorry for the people who missed Eid and Diwali with their families, but Boris Johnson isn't “saving Christmas” because he suddenly cares so much for all of us. As PPs have said this is a purely economic decision about a national holiday. His rise was backed by climate change deniers and others with close ties to the Saudis ( www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/05/tory-leadership-donations-whos-really-backing-boris-johnson ) who OF COURSE want people to spend money on petrol for the biggest traveling holiday of the year, along with all the other trappings. People say they will buy presents anyway but it’s everything else: bigger meals, more decorations, more petrol; even this period is a huge moneymaker for McDonald’s with so many people exhausted right before Christmas or traveling or even making a huge amount on Christmas if open, and of course, one of Boris’ big supporters owns 70 McDonald’s franchises (about American numbers but in the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/business/2012/dec/19/mcdonalds-christmas-day-profits ). I know many smart MNers here have said they won’t travel or do things to spread COVID anyway, but unfortunately, many, MANY people still will.

Having perspective isn't virtue signalling, no matter how much some people want it to be.

I should specify I agree Christmas is being treated differently because it’s a national holiday, but I don’t believe that people who are upset about the differences are necessarily virtue signaling, and in fact, perhaps they believe in a better society than the one we’ve got. Can’t believe the people answering that it’s different because we’re a Christian nation or it’s a Christian holiday. No, it’s because Christmas brings in £££ more than Eid and Diwali; I feel sorry for those who celebrate either, because if they brought in as much as Christmas, they probably would have had a few days “opening,” too. Easter is the same; it may be the biggest holiday for Christians but it doesn’t generate the money like Christmas does, which is why we were still locked down over Easter and government didn’t give a toss. Just proves this has nothing to do with Christianity or UK religion and everything to do with money.

We've all decided anyway not to get together at Christmas, as it's too risky

We've made the same decision.

I imagine it would be the worst time to get the virus too, lots of people picking it up (including hospital staff) at the same time.

Britain is a christian country

There has always been a celebration in this country around 21st-25th. The Christians altered it to fit their cause but prior to that it was celebrated by pagans so it should not be classed alongside other festivals. It is more than that.

@isadoradancing123

Britain is a christian country

Is it? Some of the attitudes towards the vulnerable suggest otherwise.

Britain is a Christian country? Let's see some goodwill to all men (and women) in that case. Spread cheer (remotely), not a virus.

I agree OP, and have had a lot of discussion around this (with friends who are a mix of religions). For me, it’s more that a lot of workplaces, etc are closed and if you’re someone like me, lives alone, no bubble, then the thought of 10 days all alone is not attractive. I’m inTier 4 in Scotland, and I fully expect to have no inside visits allowed.
I’d have volunteered somewhere, but that’s not available either. If I had the option to work, and save leave for a time when we can actually do something, I probably would.

@Ritasueandbobtoo9

There has always been a celebration in this country around 21st-25th. The Christians altered it to fit their cause but prior to that it was celebrated by pagans so it should not be classed alongside other festivals. It is more than that.

How long ago was that though? Not in the last few 100 years'😊

To be very pedantic, in order for all denominations to be treated equally in terms of government policy (or conversely I suppose disregarded equally) you need to disestablish the church from the state and separate the two which would lead to the Queen losing her role as ex officio head of the Church. And it would change policies in education and other areas of national life.

There are two official state-recognised Christian denominations – the Church of England and the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. There is no established church in Northern Ireland or Wales but the 26 unelected bishops of the Church of England who sit in the House of Lords influence laws that affect the whole of the UK. So it's complicated!

Does anyone know if representatives of other religions such as Catholicism, Islam and Judaism have roles in Parliament and the H of L?

Should have said my pp was in response to the question about Britain being a Christian country.

Goodness no, Christmas isn't a religious festival for millions its a festival and people can make if it what they will.

I can't imagine living in a majority Muslim or Hindu country and demand they stop a festival which everyone takes part in religious or not because of mine...

Muslims, Hindu, atheists can all join in Xmas because its broad and not necessarily religious at. All.

Whether I think Xmas should happen normally... That's a different matter!!

And most people are happy to take it as a public holiday

Because it's a national holiday.

Because the religious divides are made up like this ;

59.3 % Christian
25.1 % No religion
8.4 % Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Jewish,

Buddhist. & Other religious

beliefs.
7.2%. Didn't answer.

ONS 2020... Being open and inclusive doesn't mean dumping your country's majority held traditions. Whilst the other religious festivals are obviously important - they do not bring in anything like the revenue that Christmas does.. from all hospitality, retail , entertainment and leisure.. that those differences in percentages do - baring in mind the the vast majority of 'no religion' and 'don't want to say' will celebrate Christmas in some way.

Not to mention a fair percentage of 'other religions' who also join in the general holiday festivities..

“How long ago was that though? Not in the last few 100 years'😊”

There are over 65000 pagans in the UK. It is very decisive to view Christmas as solely Christian festival. It is more than that.

Exactly Tricky

"Because the religious divides are made up like this ;

59.3 % Christian
25.1 % No religion
8.4 % Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Jewish,
Buddhist. & Other religious
beliefs.
7.2%. Didn't answer."

That doesn't even half explain the importance of Christmas.
Christmas is celebrated by people of no religion and of different religions. It's not just a Christian thing.

"There is no established church in Northern Ireland or Wales "

Exactly, so could easily be done for England too.

@goldenharvest

We've all decided anyway not to get together at Christmas, as it's too risky. ☹️. We are near having a vaccine, so it seems silly not to wait until it's safe

Well, that's fine for you, but it has no bearing on other people.

goldenharvest
We've all decided anyway not to get together at Christmas, as it's too risky. ☹️. We are near having a vaccine, so it seems silly not to wait until it's safe 
Well, that's fine for you, but it has no bearing on other people.

Well that's not actually true, is it? Their decision not to meet up with others keeps their whole community (and the communities of the family they don't meet) that little but safer. People who choose to get together will be exposing everyone to more risk.

I completely despair of this absolute shit show of a government. When the scientists are saying it's stupid to get together in December, they're busy telling everyone things will be fine. I've got my MIL on my case telling me that as long as Boris says it's okay she'll definitely be coming to stay (uninvited). Why the fuck does anyone trust Boris to do what's best for them??

I agree with @goldenharvest, why not just give this one a miss. I don't see the point in putting more pressure on a healthcare system which is often brought to its knees in January even in normal times

I think people including me are just pissed off at the whole thing but for the sake of one day I don't want to spend a day longer in lockdown than I already have. I'm a practising Christian but really do not like Christmas and am miserable through winter. Speed me toward Easter, spring, better weather, jab my arm and send me to a festival.

Jewish families have managed to celebrate Passover and the Jewish New Year over zoom this year and we are coming up to celebrating Hanukkah this way too. Like everyone else, we have also celebrated birthdays (including my mother’s centenary) on zoom and it seems reckless to me to suddenly allow five days of mixing which will make a mockery of all the sacrifices we have all made this year.

I think it’s utter stupidity. It’s giving free reign for days where a high percentage of people all for the sake of a holiday.

I do not want to go in the way of the States where hospitals are full enough that they’re struggling to accept anyone regardless if they have COVID or not. People are going to die from unrelated illness and injuries because there aren’t enough beds due to COVID.

What is the purpose of this lockdown if we’re going to end up with another one due to some people wanting Christmas. I rather forgo this Christmas so we have a better chance for next year. Do people seriously not care or think about the future?

Christmas is a massive secular holiday. I say that as a practising Christian.