Archbishop: Ministers' PC Christmas cards 'erode Christianity'

By Glen Owen Last updated at 21:39pm on 11th November 2006




Dr John Sentamu sends out a rallying call

Britain's first black Archbishop has attacked Government Ministers for sending non-Christian Christmas cards for fear of offending other religions. Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu said the "illiberal atheists" were aiding the "systematic erosion" of Christianity in public life.


He hit at policies such as saying "Winterval" for Christmas and changing "happy Christmas" to "season's greetings" on Government cards. Ugandan-born Dr Sentamu, 56, who became Archbishop last year, told an audience of lay readers in Newcastle upon Tyne that Christians should be more politically active to combat a rising tide of "aggressive secularism" and ensure that their principles were not purged from society.


"Christianity is being systematically eroded from public view, more often than not in the fear of offending those who would not be offended in the least or because of the mistaken belief that Christianity has no role to play in the public arena," he said.
"This systematic erosion is subtle, with minor changes which drip by drip erode centuries of Christian heritage and identity.


"Examples can be seen all over officialdom: The change in official Government cards from "happy Christmas" to "season's greetings", the change to the asking for a "first name" instead of a "Christian name", the slow chipping away at the foundational heritage that gave birth to those values we all share."


Dr Sentamu, who came to Britain 22 years ago after fleeing dictator Idi Amin, cited Birmingham Council's decision eight years ago to rename Christmas "Winterval", Torbay's removal of a cross from its crematorium, the Royal Mail Christmas stamps which do not feature Jesus and Plymouth's move to end free parking on Sundays in case it offends people who worship on other days.


"The people of Plymouth corporately need to make a robust but peaceful response," said Dr Sentamu. "Long-standing traditions cannot be swept aside by a stroke of a pen."


Dr Sentamu has called for a rediscovery of English pride, warning that a zeal for multi-culturalism sometimes "seemed to imply, 'let other cultures be allowed to express themselves but do not let the majority culture at all tell us its glories.'"
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister always sends out cards with a Christmas greeting. The only exception is if the card is being sent to a senior figure from another religious faith."


She added that the policy across Whitehall was "a matter for individual Government departments".

Now I actually agreed with the man up until he started talking about rediscovering 'British Pride'..nah sah..then me and him parted company...

However I wonder as the so called Christmas season approaches... How many people still send Xmas cards... Personally I stopped over ten years ago, as its a momumental waste of money, my time and the resourses of this planet...or am i just being cheap..

On a serious note, I wonder how many people here have now officially dumped Xmas from there festivities and now celebrate Kwanzaa instead.. ASSuming everyone knows what Kwanzaa is?

Yeah, I don't agree with that pride tirade but he does havea point. I don't even consider myself a Christian but it's not fair that every religion canpublicallycelebrateit's festivities while Christians have to go underground for fear of "upsetting" people of other faiths. I mean are Muslims, Jews, etc so frigging sensitive that they're going to feel oppressed by Christians celebrating Christmas?

Plus who can say no to all those presents? Lol. I don't have much faith, but hell no am I going to turn down a present, well except for those stupid bath gifts from the Body Shop, no thanks. I love greeting cards too, even more than presents.It's nice to receive a few words of kindness from people you care about. And I keep every card I get too. I have aboxfull ofthem.

what he says is true regarding christianity in britain

in one area where i use to live it doesnt say happy christmas and hasnt done for years, it says happy diwala, eid and happy new year. did they forget christmas

the funniest thing about christmas is that just about all faiths seem to partake in it without having faith in what christmas stands for

i will never partake in kwanzaa or celebrate it. its values etc ok but not for me

at work colleagues spoke of santa etc and i said nah my son wont be talking about santa he will know the true meaning of christmas and also if he sees some stranger coming down the chimney he needs make sure he kicks him back up there ...they thought i was mad, but why substitute.

its like everyonesetting aside a dayto celebrate you, yet your not invited.

And people thought I was being tight whenI kept all my Xmas cards, and reused them the next year. I was keeping the spirit of Xmas alive because I knew this would happen, honestly.



Tippex is your friend.

Why people still bother with pagan holidaysi don't know. You have some sellout bishop who follows the rules of babylon(rome) dressed up in pagan insignia telling you a pagan holiday will erode christianity??

December 25th was a pagan holiday of saturnalia where people exchange gifts and sit with family to build xmas trees. It signifies the birth of the sun and jesus was not born on that day. the romans commissioned that day mixed pagan and supposed christian beliefs to have what you call christmas. So stop with the taking of God's name in vain for pagan worship. Anybody that follows Rome follows the laws of men not God. The man in the picture has a SUn wheel on his chest ,some of you may think its a cross . Thats a pagan symbol .