[Staffordshire Whippet]

"Merry Everything" ?
I didn't know it was possible to have a greeting more pissweak than the ubiquitous American "Happy Holidays"!

 

[mOiOz]

In the early 90s my kids went to a public school in Lakemba and my daughter was in year 6 and my son year 1.
Come Easter we couldn't celebrate Easter.
Come Christmas we couldn't celebrate that either . You see there was a newly built Mosques across the road and the school within maybe two years filled up with children from that faith.

The last Easter the school held an Easter hat parade and the school got complaints from the Mosque for allowing it to go ahead and was angered because a few hats had crosses on them.

It was because of this Xmas activities were banned

A few parents including myself marched into the principals office but the response was his hands were tied and he didn't want to upset the heads of the mosque
We all pulled our kids out. And today that school is still a public school but is 100 % Moslem and the mosque is part of the committee.

I want to know how was it able to get that far.

I believe in diversity but when you move to another country you need to obey their law of the land and don't try to change things.

If we went to Saudi Arabia or Iraq and tgeir belief. For that alone, if you can;t, you should not be here.`we would have to obey their laws including women covering their heads

That would make me angry! No one has a right to stop or change your religion, As already said respect each other, if you can't you should not be here. Their are either re;ieople who don't celebrate, still have a right to be here and thanked or sent greetings.

I recon most of the people of Islamic, Hindu any other religions are really not offended when wished a Merry Christmas. Where I worked most of the taxi drivers we dealt with were not Christians, but would happily accept wishes of Merry Christmas and return the wishes back to us. Many of the people I worked with didn’t celebrate Christmas but accepted those who did and we respected those who didnt. The trouble comes with the politically correct brigade who are worried about upsetting people when most of the time they are more than happy with good wishes of any kind. Why can’t everyone just be kind to each other and leave it at that

EXCELLENT....the most logical comment yet!
SEASON GREETINGS TO ALL...!!!!

 

[Bagshaw]

Outrage forces Aussie shopping centre to take down Christmas decoration​

For many, Christmas is the season for bringing family and friends together, and making memories. It's also a joyous celebration shared by many cultures around the world – from those who celebrate the traditional Christian holiday to those who have different beliefs they honour in their own right.

But, as the Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre recently discovered the hard way you can’t meddle with Christmas. The cause of outrage? The shopping centre placed a sign that said 'Merry Everything' to be mindful of their customers' different religious, cultural and spiritual practices.

View attachment 34695

Pacific Werribee shopping centre received backlash after placing a ‘Merry Everything’ sign for Christmas. Image: Facebook.

The signage was meant to evoke a message of peace and goodwill and create an inclusive space for all shoppers. However, shortly after the decoration went up, it was taken down after a wave of immediate backlash.

Many claimed the piece 'diluted' traditional Christmas values, while others accused the management of trying to 'water down Australian traditions’. One wrote on Facebook: 'Merry everything. Who came up with that? Ridiculous. We are a multicultural society and respect all those events during the year, even to others outside the community. But can we just be able to celebrate our holiday with the same respect?’.

On the other hand, some shoppers applauded the move, seeing what the shopping centre was trying to accomplish and praising their attempts at cultural inclusivity; and some were indifferent. ‘Boo hoo, who cares if it is Merry Christmas or anything else?’ wrote one social media user. ‘Yeah because how dare we include everyone in the holiday festivities. Some people will fight the air if it looks different.’ said another.

Even so, the backlash was too much, and Pacific Werribee eventually reinstalled the traditional 'Merry Christmas' sign. This situation does raise a question: why did the shopping centre veer away from traditions?

View attachment 34696

May we find peace and joy in the coming Christmas season! Image: Freepik.

Key Takeaways

• Pacific Werribee shopping centre in Victoria replaced their 'Merry Christmas' signage with the words 'Merry Everything' in an attempt to cater to Australians from different cultural backgrounds.
• This decision was met with backlash from shoppers accusing the shopping centre of watering down Australian traditions.
• Many members of the public voiced concerns over the revised signage, leading to the reinstallation of the traditional Christmas greeting.

We could all use a little bit of hope and a dose of kindness this time of the year – no matter what your beliefs are. What do you think about this, members? Share your thoughts below!

How stupid.

Today you are told it's not merry Christmas for fear of offending. This sign is the compromise

 

[Luckyus]

Christmas was a pagan festival and nothing to do with the mythical birth of your imaginary friend

Funnily enough all religions worship the same supreme being!!!!!!

 

[Bagshaw]

People from other Cultures must respect our culture, as we respect theirs. I am getting so frustrated with how we have to give up our traditions and be PC, when on the whole Cultures from other countries, just get with their lives, and don`t worry about all our Christmas traditions. I have found that a lot like some of our traditions, and do enjoy them. It is not the everyday Person in the street, its the do gooders who think
they know best and yell the loudest that want to change things for their own satisfaction to make them feel sooo good about themselves.
.

 

[Staffordshire Whippet]

Funnily enough all religions worship the same supreme being!!!!!!

Oooooohhhhh, I dunno. I'm wondering how the average Islamic fundamentalist will react to being dusted during Friday Prayers with a Diwali coloured-powder display?

 

[Suzanne rose]

Oooooohhhhh, I dunno. I'm wondering how the average Islamic fundamentalist will react to being dusted during Friday Prayers with a Diwali coloured-powder display?

 

[DLHM]

In the early 90s my kids went to a public school in Lakemba and my daughter was in year 6 and my son year 1.
Come Easter we couldn't celebrate Easter.
Come Christmas we couldn't celebrate that either . You see there was a newly built Mosques across the road and the school within maybe two years filled up with children from that faith.

The last Easter the school held an Easter hat parade and the school got complaints from the Mosque for allowing it to go ahead and was angered because a few hats had crosses on them.

It was because of this Xmas activities were banned

A few parents including myself marched into the principals office but the response was his hands were tied and he didn't want to upset the heads of the mosque
We all pulled our kids out. And today that school is still a public school but is 100 % Moslem and the mosque is part of the committee.

I want to know how was it able to get that far.

I believe in diversity but when you move to another country you need to obey their law of the land and don't try to change things.

If we went to Saudi Arabia or Iraq we would have to obey their laws including women covering their heads

An excerpt from your post, “I believe in diversity but when you move to another country you need to obey their law of the land and don't try to change things.” is common sense. Too many immigrants now disregard that, which is evident in the case you highlighted about a public school. Immigration laws need reevaluating, but which people in government have the guts to stand up for what’s right for this country we’re all living in?

 

[Smithsd]

In my opinion, and it is only mine, the religious significance of Christmas Day has been subsumed by that other god, money. Retailers milk it for everything, set designers create an idealised illusion, and, sadly, people buy into the fantasy that marketeers foist on them. The true meaning of Christmas has been devalued and turned into a marketing experience. In an previous life, I was subjected to family gatherings that turned into domestic violence. Christmas does not make family members love one another. Having said all of that, I choose to honour the birth of Jesus on that special day. Australia is a country that was founded on Christian principles, and that is the underlying ethos in our Constitution. So, as we respect the religious festivities of people of other faiths, and as we respect the spiritual stories of our Indigenous brethren, please, please, respect our belief in the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

 

[Cyberchook]

Christ=Christmas not any other, so get out the signs and the nativity scenes not only the Christmas trees we Aussies always had. We respect others traditions as I am sure they respect ours if our stupid P.C woke wonkers would stop acting as if we are all different..

 

[magpie1]

Hell. what next, another REFERENDUM........Merry Christmas to all that observe the birth of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior on December 25th.

 

[Sharon55]

We need to stop devaluing our Christian heritage on which this country was built. If it's alright for all the immigrant religions to have their own festivals WITHOUT including the rest of us, then why do we have to change our traditions in order to "include" newcomers? They emigrated to this country knowing that it is a Christian country & that they would have to either join in the festivities or ignore them as they chose. It's my time to celebrate the Birth of Christ & I want to be able to do this without having to water down my celebration.

well said !!

 

[mOiOz]

Hell. what next, another REFERENDUM........Merry Christmas to all that observe the birth of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior on December 25th.

YOU TOO,,,!

 

[magpie1]

We need to stop devaluing our Christian heritage on which this country was built. If it's alright for all the immigrant religions to have their own festivals WITHOUT including the rest of us, then why do we have to change our traditions in order to "include" newcomers? They emigrated to this country knowing that it is a Christian country & that they would have to either join in the festivities or ignore them as they chose. It's my time to celebrate the Birth of Christ & I want to be able to do this without having to water down my celebration.

Absolutely agree....we welcome people from all parts of the world to this Country.....which has been built on primarily Christian beliefs and celebrated accordingly by the majority of our population. Whilst there may be changes afoot in some respects to this time of year.....those of us that follow our Christian beliefs will continue as years gone by and celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior on December 25th. Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth.

 

[magpie1]

YOU TOO,,,!

ABSOLUTELY... !!!! Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth.

 

[gamiry]

In the early 90s my kids went to a public school in Lakemba and my daughter was in year 6 and my son year 1.
Come Easter we couldn't celebrate Easter.
Come Christmas we couldn't celebrate that either . You see there was a newly built Mosques across the road and the school within maybe two years filled up with children from that faith.

The last Easter the school held an Easter hat parade and the school got complaints from the Mosque for allowing it to go ahead and was angered because a few hats had crosses on them.

It was because of this Xmas activities were banned

A few parents including myself marched into the principals office but the response was his hands were tied and he didn't want to upset the heads of the mosque
We all pulled our kids out. And today that school is still a public school but is 100 % Moslem and the mosque is part of the committee.

I want to know how was it able to get that far.

I believe in diversity but when you move to another country you need to obey their law of the land and don't try to change things.

If we went to Saudi Arabia or Iraq we would have to obey their laws including women covering their heads

well said. We are expected to accept other religions of the world but supposed to say nothing when these people tell us how to behave. We have to put up with other nation's clothing being shoved up our noses and be good about it. We even have to put up with the Hijab....WHY ???? This is not acceptable as we don't know what is hidden underneath and it's too damned hot for that outfit here. I ask WHY DID YOU COME HERE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO FIT IN? I bet you will call me racist WRONG !! I actually have dear friends of 17 different nationalities including one of over 20 years in Thailand.

 

[Isis]

At the ripe old age of 83 I have seen it all. We had Greek Italian immigrants then Vietnamese f followed by many others. They have their ways we have ours, jets leave it at that

 

[Ian Crane-Luff]

I have been reading the different points of view with interest.
I want to ask some questions.
If Christmas is a Christian celebration acknowledging the birth of Christ, where does a Jolly man wearing a red suit fit in to the equation?
I will put in a note that I am catholic, went to a catholic primary school, played an Angel in the nativity play and liked all those things. Because of the ruthless hype, I have become less and less a Christmas fan.
If you give gifts, where does this fit in? If you sit down with a family and gorge on banquets, where does this fit in?
If you just want to spend the Christmas period with those you love, then, you would be closer to the spirit of the season.
I have no problem with the sign put up in the centre. It's just a sign...not a directive.

Just for your information , the Jolly man as you put it represents the three wie men and is Scandnavian in origin and the gifts represent the gifts they brought to the manger so totally relevent to the season

 

[Suzanne rose]

well said. We are expected to accept other religions of the world but supposed to say nothing when these people tell us how to behave. We have to put up with other nation's clothing being shoved up our noses and be good about it. We even have to put up with the Hijab....WHY ???? This is not acceptable as we don't know what is hidden underneath and it's too damned hot for that outfit here. I ask WHY DID YOU COME HERE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO FIT IN? I bet you will call me racist WRONG !! I actually have dear friends of 17 different nationalities including one of over 20 years in Thailand.

What used to worry me with the hijabs is we never really know who is under there , I always wondered that if I saw someone wearing a full hijab . Also I never understood how a person had to remove a bike helmet because their face is covered , a full hijab is worst

I also am far from racist being ,arrived to a Greek and many friends of different nationalities including son inlaws

 

[Bricat]

We could all use a little bit of hope and a dose of kindness this time of the year – no matter what your beliefs are. What do you think about this, members? Share your thoughts below!

We could all do with a dose of hope kindness all year not just at Christmas. If you don't believe then ignore Christmas. I ignore the commercialism of Christmas as to me, as a believer, that's not what it's about. I am not offended nor do I participate in other faiths celebrations. I'm not offended by other faiths so you have no reason to be offended or to participate in mine. Simple.