Who are people who find Christmas offensive

[Blopi]

It really boils my piss when organisations curtail Christmas stuff as it may offend people.

Who are these people who find Christmas offensive? In my life I have worked and met people from various religions, cultures and countries. NOT one found Christmas and things that go with it. I didn’t work with Jehovah Witnesses but they don’t get offended. Most said they decorated their homes, wore Xmas jumpers and ate food which was suitable or tailored to their religion. Those who didn’t decorate their homes love seeing trees lit up.

Nativity plays in schools is not exactly a longstanding tradition, though (at least, compared to other Christmas practices).

It became popular around the 1950s and, although it's still common, popularity had started to decline by the early 2000s at the latest, so really only a couple of generations.

It's not really surprising, given the decline in Christian belief since the 50s (estimated to be above 90%) vs today (most recent census was 46%).

Only tangentially related to your post, Purplebunny, but Christmas/Winter markets are another good example of people overstating "tradition" (or, in this case, getting it completely backwards).

Winter Fairs = traditional, British.

Christmas Markets = recent cultural import from Europe.

The one you provide a link to is hosted by South England Agricultural Society and has never been called a "Christmas Market".

Winter Fairs have been common in the UK for at least a couple of centuries - they are agricultural shows and a traditional part of the calender for agricultural societies.

Christmas Markets, on the other hand, are a recent trend. The first recorded one, in the UK, was in the 80s, and they became more popular in the 90s and 2000s.

That they find the celebration of Christmas offensive? It's in the title of the thread.

I think it's quite normal for views to be normalised in communities that seems normal in that environment but wouldn't be considered acceptable elsewhere, even if it's just a hobby community. It's very human.

I'm sure there are some people, from a wide diversity of backgrounds, who find Christmas "offensive". The ones I've personally encountered are from less mainstream Christian denominations, or neopagans. It'd be interesting to see some polling on the topic but I can't find any published ones.

This makes sense. I started school in 1959 and I'm pretty sure I wasn't in any nativity play. My school was very multi cultural even then (in Harrow) so maybe the combination of it being a newfangled idea and the variety of cultures represented they didn't bother. As a teacher, though, I was involved in nativity plays from the 1980s until I retired in 2015.

The humanist society are seeking to ban all religion in school.
Are we mad at them for banning Christmas?
Or are we just mad at the Muslims and the Jews? I just need clarityy

I think we're just mad at the woke lefties.

Personally I'm mad at the gutter press who have tried to make this info something big.

Yeah course it is ... 🙄

I think the thing I find most interesting on threads like this is the perception that is “woke lefties” who are the offended ones. In my personal experience-and actually, as evidenced by this thread-it is the “triggered righties” who are the offended ones. I’m a leftie-and I don’t think I am ever offended. Angry, exasperated, puzzled,frustrated- but never offended.

SEAS explained that the name was used to reflect the broader nature of the event including more than just traditional Christmas shopping and appealing to a wider audience. 'Winter Fair' was chosen to be more inclusive and accurate as it's not solely focused on Christmas, but celebrates winter in general with a mix of festive and non-festive activities to encourage people to visit even if they don't celebrating Christmas.

Probably a business decision for a wider appeal to encourage footfall?

Sounds as though there were a lot of Christmassy events/goods included (as advertised). Nothing to suggest banning or curtailing 'Christmas' for causing offence (or for any other reason) for the OP to become furious over.

As has been mentioned upthread, 'Christmas fairs' weren't a particularly British tradition and the idea was mainly imported from other countries in the 1980s.

Ardingly is a bit far for us to visit. Glad you enjoyed it.

I have talked to Jehovah's Witnesses who (obviously) don't celebrate Christmas but weren't offended that other people do, they just don't take part. They told me we have just got the date wrong!

Hindu and Muslim families we know have decorations, a special meal (not turkey + trimmings) and presents on Christmas day, but perhaps aren't as 'full on' as some other British families!

Exactly.

Same here @cardibach . DC's primary school, which was a church school, had infant nativities and junior shows which were mini pantos. Junior parents were also invited to a carol sing song.

The school was virtually all white British children

The thing that stops devout Muslims attending is not the time of year. It is the nature of the event and the presence of alcohol.

Ah, the god who was Alan Rickman. Must watch that cheesey old film again at Christmas 😁

Agree completely

I’ve worked with people from all faiths & cultures and have never known anyone to be offended. They all enjoyed the festive season

Oh, somebody said it. Must be right then. 😂

And they would have to be re done every year. Think they do it that way as it's cheaper and you can use last years stock up.

Never had them at school in New Zealand that I know of. Maybe in the Catholic Schools. We did them at Sunday School which most of the children in my town seemed to go to whether they were religious or not. I think we were sent there by parents just wanting a break tbh.