PC bosses ban C-word

www.thesun.co.uk ^ | 13 Nov 04 | TIM RIDER

[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”.

[shellshocked]

Christians are under attack from all sides: Some want Christianity banned from public practice and some try terrorism. It is all for the same result.

[upchuck]

Hey, that's a great idea. Find the most religious card you can and mail it to them.

Wonder how much postage you need to send a card to the UK?

[EdReform]

BTTT

[EdReform]

BUMP!

[TheForceOfOne]

Potter: Now George, us Liberals have no need for some stupid old holiday called Christmas. We can still sell gifts and pander to you red state Jesus freaks for your dime but ... George: BUT WHAT MR POTTER! We are sick of you Liberals dividing our country and trying to destroy our country, our morals, and our holidays too! If you don't like it here Mr. Potter pack it in and get out! Stop trying to change our country because you don't like it! We love this country and we don't need you and as a matter of fact Mr. Potter I think we would be a lot better off if you did! So stick that in your pipe and smoke it!

[AnAmericanMother]

1 oz. can go to England for .80 air mail.

This is a great idea! Everybody send them the most religious Christmas card you can find!

Who's got the snail mail addy?

Something like this oughta pop their cork:

[AnAmericanMother]

Eden Project
Bodelva
St Austell
Cornwall
PL24 2SG
United Kingdom

There ya go - FREEPERS, it's in your hands!

[Willie Green]

Coming soon to America - it's scary stuff

This idiocy has already been here for years.
I first noticed it when the butthead newscasters in Pittsburgh started referring to Christmas as "Sparkle Season".
Mercifully, they finally killed that term two years ago. (Sparkle Season gets snuffed out)

[Cloud William]

This is bound to show up in everybody's e-mail anyway, so...

******************************

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: Everyone
RE: Christmas Party
DATE: December 1
I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place December 23, starting at noon in the banquet room at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue. No-host bar, but plenty of eggnog! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols . . . feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus!

*****

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: Everyone
DATE: December 2
RE: Christmas Party

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Chanukah is an important holiday that often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to employees who are celebrating Kwanzaa at this time.
Happy now?

*****

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: Everyone
DATE: December 3
RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table . . . you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only"; you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this? Somebody?

*****

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: Everyone
DATE: December 7
RE: Holiday Party

What a diverse company we are! I had no idea that December 20 begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating, and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps Luigi's can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party-the days are so short this time of year-or else package everything for take-home in little foil swans. Will that work?
Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Overeaters Anonymous to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the rest rooms. Did I miss anything?

*****

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: Everyone
DATE: December 8
RE: Holiday Party

So December 22 marks the Winter Solstice -- what do you expect me to do, a tap-dance on your heads? Fire regulations at Luigi's prohibit the burning of sage by our "earth-based Goddess-worshipping" employees, but we'll try to accommodate your shamanic drumming circle during the band's breaks. Okay???

*****

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: Everyone
Date: December 9
RE: Holiday Party

People, people, nothing sinister was intended by having our CEO dress up like Santa Claus! Even if the anagram of "Santa" does happen to be "Satan," there is no evil connotation to our own "little man in a red suit." It's a tradition, folks, like sugar shock at Halloween or family feuds over the Thanksgiving turkey or broken hearts on Valentine's Day. Could we lighten up?

*****

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: Everyone
DATE: December 10
RE: Holiday Party

Vegetarians!?!?!? I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keep this party at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it, and you'll get your #$%^&!*# salad bar, including hydroponic tomatoes... but you know, they have feelings, too. Tomatoes scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream, I'm hearing them scream right now!

*****

FROM: Teri Bishops, Acting Human Resources Director
TO: Everyone
DATE: December 14
RE: Pat Lewis and Holiday Party

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Pat Lewis a speedy recovery from her stress-related illness and I'll continue to forward your cards to her at the sanitarium. In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off.

********************************

[Uncle Vlad]

Losers with too much time on their hands. Come try that in a Red state.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"Maybe this will finally give the UK Christians a clue as to what's happening and maybe (won't hold breath) they'll rise up and say "Wait just a d--- minute!"

Shouldn't that be, "Wait just a bloody minute!" LOL!

This article is the most ridiculous thing I've read all day. When will this stupidity end?

Oh, and MERRY CHRISTMAS, Everyone!

[maine-iac7]

yep - "bloody" minute!

[cubreporter]

Thanks and Merry Christmas to you too!!!! :)

[stands2reason]

See you, Auntie!

[Tax Government]

Staff have been told to stop visitors saying Christmas.

They are trying to edit the public's speech?

[Piquaboy]

You are right about them having nothing against the "C" word and they can mention anything but Christmas.

[Peace4EarthNow]

The Eden Project

Home page: http://www.edenproject.com/

Contact page: http://www.edenproject.com/245_3737.htm

I went to the contact page and pasted my comment #39 above into the text box and sent it to them.

Perhaps other FRepers would care to do the same?

Yes, that was an excellent idea!

I sent them my message with my thoughts about their idea, but didn't forget to wish them (especially Ben Harding) a very Merry CHRISTmas!!

[fortunecookie]

Almost makes me want to go there dressed festively for Christmas and wish people "Merry Christmas" in person - until I was hauled off or arrested. So much for free speech (does the UK have that in their constitution?) and fair representation of all 'gift giving' holidays....

Staff have been told to stop visitors saying Christmas.

They apparently would try to stop me (if I bothered) and all Christian visitors (if they get any). It seems Christians are the one group they aren't worried about offending!!

[EdReform]

Liberals are the crab grass in the lawn of life.

Great tagline, CW!

[EdReform]

Bump! Thanks for posting the address. Anyone know how long it would take a card to get there? I'd like to time it so it arrives the week before Christmas.