Anger at Red Cross 'shop ban on Jesus' - Unbelievable!

Evening Times UK ^ | November 13, 2003 | Evening Times UK

[Damocles]

Anger at Red Cross 'shop ban on Jesus'

The British Red Cross was criticised today for 'banning' Jesus from its shops for fear of offending minority faiths.

The charity has told volunteers not to create nativity scenes or put up advent calendars if they have pictures of Mary and Joseph or the three wise men.

Customers wanting to support the charity by buying Christmas cards with a religious message will have to settle for 'Season's Greetings'.

The British Red Cross earns about £30million a year from its 392 shops. It said the policy is designed to to underline its reputation for impartiality, allowing it to work in some of the world's most dangerous places.

Now it faces demands from MPs to overturn the "offensive" decision.

Tory Nigel Evans said the policy was "political correctness gone mad".

The Ribble Valley and Fulwood MP said: "How can the Red Cross, sporting a Christian symbol as its name and logo, exclude Jesus, or other religious symbols, from a holiday celebrating His birth?"

He has tabled a Commons motion calling on MPs to press British Red Cross chief Sir Nicholas Young to rethink.

A Red Cross spokes-man said: "We have to be seen as neutral if we are to work effectively."

[fiscally_right]

Well actually I agree with you there, I'm simply asserting that while they shouldn't be secularizing themselves needlessly, the cross in their symbol doesn't make them a Christian organization. Most of the posters here think its ironic that an organization with a Christian connection would refuse to display Christian icons, I'm just saying that there isn't really a Christian connection.

[Damocles]

And I'm just disagreeing with your assertion.

Agree -> Disagree...

[Richard Kimball]

that doesn't mean they have an obligation to sell Ramadan cards..

And I don't have an obligation to support them. The RC can do whatever they wish. I quit supporting RC when they continued to have blood drives in the Castro district of SF, knowing that over 50% of the blood was HIV positive. I donate blood to another organization, teach CPR for a different organization, and donate my dollars to another organization.

[Think free or die]

"I have heard donations to the Red Cross are way down"

They'll not see another penny from me. We've always supported the Salvation Army, and now we're more determined than ever to avoid the Red Cross.

[mewzilla]

Hope you met the criteria for donating. We had to keep remiding the Red Cross we no longer do when they kept calling and asking us to donate. Their regs, and we had to remind them.

[i_dont_chat]

What do you think the "RED" stands for?

[LadyPilgrim]

After 9/11, we do not support The Red Cross.

The Salvation Army still holds to the concepts and beliefs, to which they have always adhered .
They will get everything we had once designated to The Red Cross.

I'm glad this was posted.
That way folks can make a fair and balanced decision!
Thanks, yall!

[wildbill]

They lost me and I'm not a practicing Christian.

I think their flag should be changed to a Red $$$

[Damocles]

I think their flag should be changed to a Red $$$

Boy ain't that the truth...

[Damocles]

[fiscally_right]

They test the blood.. and they ask if you're gay before you give (along with lots of other HIV risk factors).

[fiscally_right]

They change it to a Crescent so they won't get trucks full of explosives driven into their buildings, but it isn't always convincing...

Their changing it to a Crescent is merely their way of saying that the symbol IS insignificant, that their importance is in their services

[fiscally_right]

Actually, on a related note.. I know a few guys (cousins) who don't donate blood anymore, not because of the organization's policies, but because of who the blood goes to. They're ER doctors who see unit after unit go to lowlife drugdealers, pimps, etc. Kindof a paradox, since they're doctors and they save these guys lives every day. Plus its sobering to think "Who will get my blood? Do they deserve it?"

[Damocles]

Their changing it to a Crescent is merely their way of saying that the symbol IS insignificant...

We see the world in polar opposites.

I would argue they change it to a crescent because the symbol IS vitally significant, and would be offensive to Muslims.

If it meant nothing, there would be no need to change.

[Richard Kimball]

They do now. They didn't until they'd killed almost every hemophiliac and open heart surgery patient in the country.

[Richard Kimball]

I am aware of who gets the blood. I can understand where they're coming from, but I'm still working on my fourth gallon (just not to Red Cross).

Not to knock the Drs., but I work in emergency services, and it's just not my gut reaction to decide whether or not someone deserves to be saved. I frequently thank God that I've never gotten half of what I deserve.

However, depending upon the ER, and where you are, I understand people giving up on it. I came close after visiting a third world country.

[wildbill]

Your new flag design is exactly what I meant in my post.

Good work!