Resist moves to ban Christian symbols

THE recent case of the British Airways lady suspended because of her insistence on wearing a cross reminds me, sadly, that we’re now in the season when the ‘politically correct police’ may be seeking quietly to ban Christian symbols in public places.

We have been told, and may be told again, that cribs and nativity plays in hospitals, schools, public buildings and open spaces cause offence to non-Christians. Some argue we’re a secular State and therefore no symbols of any religious group should be sponsored by public funds, eg, Christmas cards must be devoid of religious content and carry only the ‘season’s greetings’ message, if they are to be sent at all.

I’m at a loss to know what offence could be caused by cribs and nativity plays other than to religious fundamentalists and atheist bigots who insist on being offended.

There is nothing in them which denigrates other faiths. Indeed, I suggest it’s quite offensive to Christians to claim such displays cause offence.

Such Christmas activities are long established and, as such, have ‘right of way’ status in our country.

If certain communities decide, preferably by plebiscite, they don’t wish to have such activities in their hospitals or schools, that is perfectly reasonable.

However, there should be no blanket ban in response to religious fundamentalists or the politically correct police.

Peter Molloy

9 Haddington Park

Glenageary

Co Dublin