Bishop backs crib in town

The Bishop of Lichfield has hit out at the growing tendency to downplay Christmas for fear of offending people of other faiths.

The Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill praised nearby Stafford for "bravely" displaying traditional figures in its Market Square nativity scene and bucking the trend of multi-faith Christmas celebrations.

He congratulated the borough council for buying the new models to put around the crib.

He also explains in his Christmas message to the diocese how much he enjoyed the town's Christmas lights switch-on two weeks ago.

The Bishop referred to the industrial reconciliation service Acas warning employers to use Christmas decorations which "are secular and not inherently religious" to avoid causing offence to non-Christians.

The bishop also pointed to a report claiming that 74 per cent of businesses were worried that the seasonal celebrations could make them fall foul of anti-discrimination laws.

He says in his Christmas message: "I enjoyed the switching on of the Christmas lights in Stafford market place this year. It must be the child in me but the sparkling coloured lights and the smell of roasting chestnuts stirs up a sense of wonder and delight.

"Stafford Council bravely purchased some new crib figures this year, rather going against the trend of multi-faith everything.

"But then only a tiny minority among us wants either a mish-mash of beliefs or an empty manger.

"Most of our Muslim, Sikh or Jewish neighbours are glad to be in a Christian country where they respect our faith and we respect theirs."

Stafford Borough Council chief executive David Rawlings said new nativity figures had been bought for this year's town centre display and the wood and glass case around them was made by council workers.

He said: "We recognise and respect that Stafford is a multi-faith community but predominantly from a Christian background."

By Wyn Matthews

Do you agree with the Bishop of Lichfield's views? Email your views by clicking here

Your comments: "I am not sure that there is any evidence to suggest that the dwindling use of traditional Christmas imagery is due to the desire not to offend people from other faiths. More likely, when only 3% of people go to church it is a more honest reflection of a secular society. One can fairly assume that it is only the 3% of church-goers who still believe in the Christmas myth." Fergus McGonigal "I am a female British Asian (of Indian origin) and I do not understand why Christmas should be 'downplayed'. Ever since I can remember, my family has always celebrated Christmas and it has always been an event to look forward to. We live in England and celebrate all that comes with it. I now have 2 children of my own and am quite disappointed that my daughter, who started full-time school this year, will not be involved in a nativity play any more due to 'political correctness'. All this nonsense, I believe, is building a bigger gap between whites and non-whites, through no fault of our own." Camriya

"Totally agree. Am I offended by other religions? Of course not. Britain is a Christian Country and we should be proud of our history." Karen

"I agree. This is Great Britain, we are British and should be allowed to do our celebrations in peace. I am not racist but if people of other religions can have their own celebrations, why can't we? It is the do-gooders of this country that is causing the trouble not the people with different faiths." Derek Dean

"I agree with the Bishop's views." Colin Martin