nativity play

[gina32]

whats all this about not putting on the traditional nativity play because of offence to other religions, whats a loads of rubbish

[gina32]

sp not its not a wind up, and my post under jake was meant as a reply to 4gs

[Gromit]

In case you missed it, here is a link which might introduce some facts into the debate

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml =/news/2007/12/02/nativity102.xml

[JockSporran]

Thank goodness we don't get any of this nonsense in Scotland!

[ludwig]

My son's primary school are doing a traditional nativity play this year - he's a shepherd. Even though I'm not a christian I'm quite happy for him to take part for several reasons.

Firstly, Irrespective of its origins, there's a reason why Christmas is now called Christmas and I see nothing wrong with children acting out the story behind that reason.

Secondly, as was pointed out, practicing christians are a minority and I think it's important we all try to embrace and understand minority cultures and traditions.

And finally, it's because I'm not a miserable leftie twit.

[naomi24]

Ludwig I love that final line. Well said.

[Supernick]

We used to do panto at school rather than nativity and it was for reasons of not pressing religion on people. That was over 20 years ago, so this is not a new phenomenon.

I'm not a parent, and I'm an atheist, but I don't strongly object to the nativity play, in the same way that I don't object to other fairy stories like Cinderella. The kids just thave a bit of fun, and learn precisely nothing about Christianity in the process of doing so.

My brother went to a different primary school, and they did do nativity. He was given the taxing role of a sheep, but spent all of his time biting at the legs of the shepherds, making loud 'snap snap' noises and pretending to be a crocodile until my mortified parents had to take him off stage.

[Trotbot]

Just been to my daughter's nursery show (3 yo) about Toby's drum (keeping everyone awake and getting into trouble, then needed to proclaim the birth of Jesus). My daughter is being very gently exposed to the better bits of Christianity and Buddhism (parents are not the same religion, but have mutual respect), and the lead (the aforementioned Toby) was a Sikh, and a Hindu was fairly prominent. The kids loved it, and the school catered to 6+ different religions, and they all sang about Baby Jesus. On Buddha's birthday they learn about and celebrate his life. None of this takes place in the UK. However, the sooner that people are more tolerant of other's beliefs (and I am looking at everyone in an increasingly polarised society) then the sooner this nonsence about moral high grounds will ceasel,

[anotheoldgit]

I don't know of anyone who has heard a non-christian complain about Christmas and all the trappings that go with it. Go into any Curry house and they have had Christmas decorations up for weeks now.

No the people who would like to ban Christmas, are these Yogurt eating, Sandle wearing, left wing Guardian reading, school teachers.

These are the people who are forever brain washing our young with their political correct ideas.

[anotheoldgit]

And what about the fact, that if they do put on a nativity play, (which most times has nothing to do with the Birth of Jesus Christ).

Tthey are most likely to ban the parents/grand parents from capturing their childrens thespian talents on video, but one can still buy the schools Video at an exuberant price.

[pingu97]

Sorry if anyones already said this, but my daughter is 4 and although we are atheist (excuse the spelling if it's wrong!), and is going to be in 2 nativity plays next week, with which i have no problem with, being atheist means we dont belive in god, but who are we to say that she shouldn't, i belive she should have the choice in her own religion and as her school & nursery also celebrate diwali (again excuse the spelling!) and talk abotu all religions i think she's being well informed,

Anyway i dont believe nativity plays are particularly about religion anymore, they are to teach children about the history of where christmas comes from, and although im not totally clued up on the nativity story myself i do believe presents are given due to the 3 kings presenting gifts to jesus, so if your atheist and dont agree with nativity isn't giving presents a bit hypocritical, please let me know if im wrong!

Oh and old git my daughters nativity play DVD is being sold at a very reasonable 3 quid! But i do agree with your comment!

[fletcher.5]

Why are you all getting uptight about a myth that has become obscenly commercialised
We should be celebrating the pagan ritual of the midwinter feast, not the bull---- that was thrust down our gullible throats as kids.