Posted on 11/13/2004 9:11:01 AM PST by Ginifer
BOSSES at the Eden Project tourist attraction have banned the word Christmas.
They do not want any mention of what they call the C-Word because they are worried it will offend followers of other faiths.
Management have renamed Christmas “Time of Gifts” — claiming this will appeal to everyone at the domed eco project in Cornwall which gets millions of pounds in funding each year from taxpayers.
A gift shop at the site has been re-named the Great Gift Grotto.
Staff have been told to stop visitors saying Christmas.
Christian organisations have hit out at the bizarre ban — claiming it is political correctness gone mad.
The Eden website mentions festivals in China, Iran and even Ancient Rome but there is nothing about Christians and the United Kingdom.
The site reads: “This is a time of year when people around the globe traditionally exchange gifts. Time of Gifts will celebrate these global festivals. Divali (Hindu and Sikh), Hanukkah (Jewish), Dong Zhi (China), Yalda (Iran), Saturnalia (Ancient Rome).”
A furious Eden insider said: “It’s ridiculous. And it’s also heavily ironic, as the project takes its name from the Bible.
“My gut heaves when I have to tell people we’ve banned the word Christmas but we all are having to do it.”
Eden Project spokesman Ben Harding said: “We are having a seasonal celebration so there is no need to mention the C-Word because it’s a celebration for everybody.”
But Peter Kearney, spokesman for the Catholic Church, said the ban was a “slap in face to Christians across the Britain”.
He said: “They claim they do not want to offend religious groups but in fact they offend the majority of people in this country who do want to celebrate Christmas.
“These people are bending over backwards to cater for the PC brigade so much so that they are turning themselves inside out.”
Steve Jenkins, spokesman for the Church of England, added: “People behind the Eden Project should remind themselves it is a time for giving. That includes giving respect.”
The ban is part of a more widespread move to re-brand Christmas.
Last week Stoke City Council came under fire for calling their Christmas celebrations “WinterFest”.
Birmingham City Council caused fury in 1998 when they renamed it “Winterval”.
I can just here Mr. Garrison from South Park now:
Hey there Eden Project
Merry F'ing Christmas
Now just sit down and shut up
and hear some Christmas wishes
In case you haven't noticed
it's Jesus' Birthday
So get off your heathen pagan a$$
and f'ing celebrate.
BTTT
My DH who is an active radio DXer says that it takes about five days for an air mail letter to get to England.
Remember though that they have a Christmas card crunch time around Dec. 25, just like we do (contrary to popular belief, there ARE quite a number of Christians left in England, and even many very secular people still send Christmas cards.)
For some reason, I thought of Hillary when I saw this thread title.
Thanks for the info! I'll send mine earlier.
Yes Willie I must agree. After I posted I realized that this sort of thing has been rampant here for the last decade or more.
Schools no longer call it Christmas Vacation. Department Stores now have Holiday sales. Nativity scene are banned now from public squares.
The subtlty of it all just sneaks up on you when your not paying close attention.
BTTT
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