[Stoat]

BBC NEWS UK Church welcomes religious stamps

 

The Church of England wants to see Christian stamps used every year

 

The Church has argued that Christian-themed designs "remind people of the true meaning of Christmas".

The first edition of Royal Mail Christmas stamps was launched in 1966 with the design chosen from more than 5,000 entries in a competition for schoolchildren.

[Stoat]

If you think that Christian images on stamps are appropriate at Christmastime and would like to see them on Royal Mail stamps every year, you may make your wishes known here:

Welcome to Royal Mail

[Stoat]

Hark, the herald angels are back on this year's Christmas stamps the Daily Mail

(edit)

The choice has been applauded by religious groups. Christmas stamps were brought in more than 40 years ago and generally had a religious theme.

However, the Church of England complained in 2004 when there had been none for four years. Ever since Royal Mail has had a policy of alternating between religious stamps and secular ones.

Last year's collection was secular and featured scenes of a Christmas tree, a snowman, Santa Claus and a reindeer.

This year the stamps have angels representing peace, goodwill, joy and glory.

There are also reproductions of The Madonna of Humility by Italian artist Lippo di Dalmasio and Madonna and Child by Scottish realist painter William Dyce

(edit)

Christina Baxter, chairman of the House of Laity of the Church of England's General Synod, welcomed the return of the religious images.

She had last year called the secular images "regrettable" and called for the Royal Mail to use Christian themes on its Christmas stamps every year.

(edit)

Spokesman Patrick O'Neill said: "Last year featured a series of winter wonderland images so this year features angels and the Madonna and Child.

"Next year we will celebrate another of the themes that people associate with Christmas - pantomime."

 

[Does so]

This is unfair! Where are the stamps picturing Mohammed?

/s

[A.A. Cunningham]

Something else for you to be offended by.