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”.
"who thinks this stuff up?"
Satan's minions and those do gooders who have sold their souls to him
May you all have a joyus Hana-rama Qwanz-mas.
:) In their dreams!!! :) Merry CHRISTmas!
Thank you frankenMonkey and Merry CHRISTmas to ye as well. :) This is fun, huh?
Love your story. So typical of PC idiots to get it all wrong all the time.
My Toastmasters group talked about having a Christmas party but two cackling PC hens said, NO, it has to be a Holiday Party. And everyone caved. I declared I wouln't attend, as I don't celebrate amorphous holidays.
But I will go and give a short talk on the wonderful Christmas I spent in Istanbul with a Jewish friend. In sections of town frequented by tourists, the streets were lit with Christmas lights and smiling Turks wished me Merry Christmas. I felt more at home with the generous Muslims than with the mean-spirited PC freaks in this Blue enclave.
Yeah, they should keep their idiotic ideas to themselves. If they don't like CHRISTmas...then let them say Merry Holidays or whatever else they think is PC...as for me and my house we shall always say Merry CHRISTmas and no one is ever gonna stop me or those I know.
Only if we allow it.
Jesus Christ, only begotten Son of the Lord God Almighty, come down from Heaven via a miraculous conception by the Holy Ghost - lived a sinless life, was crucified, died and was buried. After 3 days in hell, He rose again from death and ascended that all who wish to follow Him into eternal life WITH God, may.
Anyone ashamed of Christ over a buck don't need any of my bucks...
Never mind, the moderator will ban be.
Coming to a city near you!
Let's just call it Christ's Mass Day!
They left out Kwanzaa. The nerve of these insensitive dolts!
What about Gurnenthar's Ascendance?
Maybe they're right. Instead of Christmas, we can refer to the holiday as "The Celebration of the Long Prophesied Virgin Birth of the Son of God, Jesus Christ."
I remember the days when you could SAY Christmas, but you had to write it as X-mas.
Well, out of fairness, anyone who considers visiting a domed eco project as an exciting day out, probably doesn't have enough spine to object.
This whole story reminds me of a Mac Davis Christmas special (I haven't seen it since the late 1970's) where the people of a future time would wish each other a "Happy Commerce Day". I guess the Brits are ready for that kind of revisionist thinking.
1. Jesus! and shall it ever be
A mortal man ashamed of Thee?
Ashamed of Thee, whom angels praise,
Whose glories shine through endless days?
2. Ashamed of Jesus? Sooner far
Let evening blush to own a star.
He sheds the beams of light divine
O'er this benighted soul of mine.
3. Ashamed of Jesus? Just as soon
Let midnight be ashamed of noon.
'Tis midnight with my soul till He,
Bright Morning Star, bids darkness flee.
4. Ashamed of Jesus, that dear Friend
On whom my hopes of heaven depend?
No; when I blush, be this my shame,
That I no more revere His name.
5. Ashamed of Jesus? Yes, I may
When I've no guilt to wash away,
No tear to wipe, no joy to crave,
No fears to quell, no soul to save.
6. Till then--nor is the boasting vain--
Till then I boast a Savior slain.
And oh, may this my portion be,
That Christ is not ashamed of me!
It still means Christmas. It's the Greek letter Chi, not an "X". Same thinking that brought you the fish (icqos) as a Christian symbol.
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