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.

@Kaftankween You might want to take a step back and actually look at the figures before losing your rag.

If the figures were higher anyway in the north, why is that?

I could tell you about one town in the north where 100s of people went to an event and loads got Covid. It was illegal but that didn't stop them.

Who said anything was black and white? We are pretty much prepared to have a somewhat different Christmas, but if they go the whole hog into lockdown, all bets are off. That's as clear as crystal surely to even the dimmest of people?

Also I haven't heard too many people who celebrate divali , eid complaining about xmas as many of them celebrate and we have bank hols for xmas day , boxing day.
You can't change a countries national holidays , do you think india or dubai etc would change there public holidays and nor should they
A huge majority of the country do xmas in one way or another

Ah yes. Some of your best friends are northerners eh @JinglingHellsBells?

@Kaftankween

Ah yes. Some of your best friends are northerners eh *@JinglingHellsBells*?

Yes and so am I.

You assume rather a lot.

We have all had one helluva godforsaken year. It's not just 'one year'. It will be 10 months of insanity and madness and restrictions and loss of liberty and freedom and paranoia and selfishness and jealousy and bitterness and sadness and heartbreak and loneliness.
'It's just one year'. My hole.

It's a Christian country after all, albeit accomodating other faiths.

@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.

A lot of people will do what they want anyway, so it'll make no difference what they say or try to dictate.

Just wait until some parts of the country are 'allowed' christmas but other parts still remain under restrictions...

Yanbu but enforcement is impossible (not enough police) so I think they haven't really got a choice.

‘Christmas: it’s not just for Christians’

Exactly! I taught in a very Muslim town, and our families fully embraced Christmas. Our Christmas events and activities were exactly the same as any school's in a white bread area, and cards and gifts were exchanged in both directions.

Observant Christians are likely to lose out on the religious element as I doubt very much that the Christmas church services will happen as normal.

I agree, although as many people have pointed out, this is probably a decision based more on economy and that whole 'But it's Christmas!' attitude that pervades all parts of society, than any religious consideration. Also, many people of other religions mark Christmas as it's a tradition of this country, and I bet they'd be as keen to not be locked down.

Indeed, no one gave a shit about Easter, which is certainly the church's major festival, because there isn't the associated excess/ treat/ extravagance that Christmas represents.

Basically, I think the government is worrying about the backlash and strong association of being a killjoy if it doesn't allow some kind of respite.

I completely agree (came on to ask the same question myself) I don't see why Christmas is any different to any other religious holiday. If this was to go ahead and houses could have larger bubbles for this period of time I think there will be a huge backlash amongst other religious denominations Christmas is no more important than Eid, Diwali or anything else

Like it or not, the UK is still a Christian country... most BH are set around the Christian Calendar. So maybe it's not just about celebrating Christmas it's also about enjoying family time on the BH.
Something everyone can enjoy!

While I agree that Eid and Divali cancellations have been devastating I think the Christmas break is slightly different, not for religious reasons because for most people in the UK that is irrelevant, but it it the only time of the year when three bank holidays ( New Year’s Day) come so close together, which means a lot of people no matter what their religion or lack of it, do have the opportunity to visit far flung family and friends. So for that reason alone it needs consideration for a slight loosening of the restrictions.

That fella Rishi Sunak - what religion is he?

Wiki tells me "Born in Southampton, Hampshire, to Punjabi Hindu parents who had emigrated from East Africa, he studied at Winchester College" Why wasn't he standing up for Hindu festivals? Because his job is finance and making sure this country doesn't go bloody bankrupt.

The main reason to relax the rules at Christmas is what would happen if they didn't relax the rules at Christmas:

• mass disobedience
• difficulty of re-establishing compliance afterwards
• government seen as incapable of enforcing the rules
• anger and resentment between compliers and non-compliers

Relaxing the rules is unfair and (from a covid perspective) completely mad. It's also the least worst option, unfortunately.

Just wait until some parts of the country are 'allowed' christmas but other parts still remain under restrictions...

This^^

It's not about religion. Once you get that into your heads the rest of the logic will follow .. God you don't need to be Einstein to figure this shit out!

The sanity of people has to be considered too. It's been too fucking much for too fucking long.

Do some research @JinglingHellsBells. Differences in rates are due to greater deprivation and vulnerability amongst the population including greater housing density in some areas. The northern rates are really not due irresponsible behaviour of people living in the north. You are being very offensive.

No idea but I must admit I was secretly quite relieved not to be hosting my mother and awful stepfather.

Economy economy economy. Christmas brings in millions in gifts, food and other frivolities and is what some retailers reply on to function! If people arnt seeing relatives there is not much need to buy them something! Many people won’t bother to send gifts in the post, they will simply boycott the gift this year.
Disaster on many levels there.
COVID risks need to be balanced against spending. Eid, Diwali and Easter certainly do not command as much spending as Christmas in this country

Diwali and Eid was not banned as such but had to be celebrated within your own home with your own close family. I think that xmas will be the same, not parties, but a meal with one other family.

I am not keen on NYE so if they ban that so be it.

I am not keen on the church thing someone said 1k people attend, well that to me is not such a smart move. Pray and celebrate at home. Jesus was not born in December anyway.

I agree.

I think it's hugely problematic the extent that discretion by those in power is being used in decision making. I think it's actually verging on an abuse of power.

They should be trying to formulate clear cut, transparent rules, based on data, which guides the lock-down or restrictions system. These should be accessible to the public.

At the moment this in not happening, the powers that be are using their own judgement - and that is a slippery slope for civil liberties.