Christmas CD Banned for Mentioning Jesus
Comments: 8
I don’t want to seem insensitive or hostile to the notion of so-called ‘politically correct’ behaviour, but this is pretty funny.
Christmas CD banned for mentioning Jesus
Frank O’Donnell, The ScotsmanTHE Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh yesterday confirmed it has banned the distribution of a charity Christmas CD because it mentions the baby Jesus.
More than 150 copies of the disc, featuring traditional and new festive songs, were donated to the hospital to help raise the spirits of children receiving care over the festive period.
But hospital managers refused to pass it on, saying it could offend those who were not of a Christian faith.
•••
Posted to Oh, the Humanity • 2003.12.22 (Mon) • 11:45
Comments
Posted by Hinch 2003.12.22, 18:04
How sad it is when respect for the beliefs of others takes the form of silence. Tolerance is not agreement, and it is not ignorance, it is acceptance that we all hold different viewpoints, and what is more, we are entitled to them. How sad it is that our answer to multiculturalism is to prevent the expression of culture. We are a greedy humanity; it is one thing to take the elements of Christmas that appeal to us - holidays, gifts, and a belly full of food and beer - and to ignore Christ, it is another to strip him out altogether. But you are right, it is funny. It is funny that we live in a world that fights for the right for freedom of expression - the right to say fuck on commercial radio - but a world that finds words like baby Jesus so offensive. Whatever your faith, or lack of it, this is a sad inditement of our society.
But rant aside, it all sounds a little dictatorish to me. I mean, how hard is it to ask someone if they would like the CD?
Posted by Sunny 2003.12.22, 19:33
Yep, I agree with Hinch. And the key question is right there for everyone - “How hard is it to ask someone if they would like the CD?”. :) Obviously, common sense is not very common ;)
Posted by jd 2003.12.22, 21:53
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Everyone!!!
Posted by Jackie McGhee 2003.12.24, 01:31
To be fair Sunny, the patients at the hospital were asked if they would like a CD. The hospital only banned the blanket distribution of the Disc.
In this case it does reek of PC but I for one do tend to shudder when I hear the words baby Jesus but growing up in a Catholic household, attending a Catholic school and seemingly surrounded by evangelicals in Uni, I can’t help but be put off by the words. Not offended, just put off.
In other news, I really enjoy reading this site, keep it up Mr. Antipixel.
Posted by Chris Hester 2003.12.29, 11:04
People who banned the CD seem to have forgotten what Christmas is about. It is a Christian festival, celebrating the birth of Jesus! Hence the name, which comes from the words Christ and Mass. So the ban is completely ridiculous. Unless other religions are now celebrating Christmas too?
Next they’ll be cancelling the nativity plays (incase non-Christians are offended by them), cancelling decorations (same reason), eventually leading to Christmas being cancelled altogether.
Posted by Phil Voysey 2004.01.03, 14:45
I didn’t realise the mention of another culture’s festival or deity in (their) music was offensive. I always took it as given that others have beliefs and sing about them.
This is a small planet with lots of communication and interaction. Offending others looks likely to increase :-)
PS: Newly enjoying your blog, Jeremy, and I love the design so much I want to steal it. Oh, and read that complaint of yours so decided not to.
Posted by Dris 2004.01.11, 04:11
I think Hinch said it perfectly.
This is somewhat of an aside, but I wonder if they’d have done the same had the CD mentioned Shiva, of the Hindu religion? No offense to Hindus and others, but it seems like Christianity is the only belief we are allowed to have intolerance for.
Posted by Jane Butters 2005.10.27, 05:28
Would you like a copy of the said Christmas CD? see www.janebutters.co.uk The song in question was Long Ago In Bethlehem. All the songs can be heard on the website.
Post a comment:
Send This Story to an Enemy
• • •
