Christmas lights.

[10ClarionSt]

Is there anyone here from that town in Suffolk that has banned Christmas lights? I think it's absolutely ridiculous. This country has been a Christian country since King Richard 1, at least. There are many Church of England schools. Even those that aren't church aided are christian schools. This type of action is a gross insult to the christian people of this country. I just hope that every house in the town covers itself in christmas lights.

[boobesque]

i am not from suffolk, but had to say there is a lot about the diwali festival etc around, so how come we respect the celebrations of other cultures and yet ours are being pushed to the wayside!

[coyn]

A couple of years ago one of the london borough councils banned nativity scenes from shop windows because it may offend muslims.

You are right it is an insult to the vast majority of people in this country that are christians.

[Buddy]

Children love the lights and only know why they are there is because of adults.Lets be honest they are there ultimately for the children and to that end I consider myself a child cos I love them.

Plenty time for them to grow up and I absolutely agree - cover your houses in fairy lights and cheer everyone up.

[jenstar]

Why do I suspect that the actual truth is that some town council has decided not to put christmas lights up purely on grounds of cost, and some newspaper has invented a story about political correctness in order to pander to idiots?

[Buddy]

jenstar - Just to clarify - who are the idiots you refer to.

[Chessman]

I'd just like to point out, that Jews have been back in this country since Oliver Cromwell, and have never tried to change it as certain present day immigrants are, and in reality, it is only the people of one religion that is, but we have a craven Prime Minister and goverment, wo were, unbelievingly, voted back into power.

[january_bug]

Buddy - Perhaps jenstar means the idiots who take offence on other people's behalves without actually checking how those other people feel. I know if I were using the word "idiot" in this thread that's who I'd mean, although I don't purport to ACTUALLY know what jenstar is thinking! :p

Don't forget folks, Birmingham did this years ago with their "Winter Festival".

If people are GENUINELY offended, perhaps it's only that their own religion is not celebrated by the councils too. I could see a small case for setting a budget for "religious" lights and then spending it in proportion of the town. So if, by some very convenient coincidence, 80% of the town were Christian and 20% Hindu, split the budget that way for Xmas and Divali lights.

Otherwise, I agree wholeheartedly with Boobesque's comments that if we are going to embrace other cultures, fine, but we should not have to do so at the expense of our own.

[shaneystar]

Blown out of all proportion by the media yet again.
This is Lowestoft ,seven miles down the road from me. The council have cut the budget for the lights.That's it in a nutshell. Nothing to do with being PC whatsoever.

[shaneystar]

And .I hasten to add the lights have NOT been banned.They just won't be having as many as last year because they have knocked 5K off their normal budget .One of the local councillors is asking local businesses to chip in so that the lights will be up to the normal standard.

[Buddy]

Thanks shaneystar for clarifying that.Hope you get some twinkly lights though!!

[shaneystar]

Well buddy they are just as mean in my part of town and we are just over the border in Norfolk.But at least we get a tree in the High Street.!

[littleoldme]

You mean the Angries of Tunbridge Wells are getting their collective knickers in a twist over nothing? Golly, there's a shock.

[jenstar]

See, I was right. I'm excellent.

[shaneystar]

Helloooo 10CS.... you are conspicuous by your absence.
Don't you like being proved wrong for once ?
Those that dish it out should be able to take it.

[shaneystar]

Well you do like to have a moan....go on admit it ! And quite honestly I do think you tend to believe a lot of what you read in the papers. I always take these things with a pinch of salt.This just goes to prove how easily people are influenced by the popular press.When I actually see things going on o rknow for a definite fact that such and such is the case then I will form my opinion...but quite frankly I only buy a paper for the crossword.
The more you read the papers and watch the news the more it affects ones blood pressure. It's nice to take an interest in what is going on the world..but we can't change it I'm afraid.I just want people to get along.Happy Christmas !!!

[shaneystar]

This could be true. We shouldnt' be so quick to condemn. And I am very cheesed off with my Sunday broadsheet because they have changed the crossword !!

[mimififi]

what are 'they' gonna do? Arrest you?????? Put them up anyway.

Or stand int he highstreet on a saturday and do a poll ask people to say if Christmas lights offend them or not, and also put down their faith.

Post it off to the Town council and I'll come and visit you in the Tower.

[shaneystar]

mimi..These are lights that are put up in the high streets etc not on private houses.Most councils have a budget for these things and Lowestoft council have cut the budget .Thing is the press jump on the bandwagon and make it out to be to do with offending other religions. .Councils don't always have the money for lights.But never fear...I was out meandering around with my hound about a week ago and a lady down the road had already got a huge talking Santa in her window and an enormous reindeer all lit up in her front garden !!
When are we all putting our deccies up?