Dundee officially bans Christmas

Christmas will not be Christmas in Dundee this year.

All references to the religious holiday have been dropped from the switching-on ceremony for the city's festive lights. Instead of the traditional Christmas Lights switch-on, residents will be attending the 'Dundee Winter Light Night.'

Council officials have also decided that rather than a retelling of the Nativity story there will be a disco, a contemporary circus, a continental market and a 7ft fairy on stilts. Disgruntled members of the Presbytery of Dundee have voted to voice concern to the city council, saying that the religious aspect of Christmas was being eroded.

One churchgoer, Philip Harris, from Broughty Ferry, said: "It seems ludicrous to have a Christmas event which makes no mention of Christmas. It just seems like the usual political correctness."
Hopefully the council will reconsider.

At last year's Christmas Lights switch-on in the City Square, the Rev Allan Webster was invited to address the crowd - a tradition that, along with the title of Christmas Lights, he feels should be upheld. "I have asked if there will still be a role to play for the Church and I would be delighted to take up any offer, if asked," he said.

"The general feeling is that calling it the Winter Light Night rather than the Christmas Lights is an erosion of a religious festival. It is important for all faiths to be able to celebrate their festivals and I must stress I would also be concerned if people of any other religion had their festival diluted."

A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: "When we are contacted by Dundee Presbytery we will look at the points they are raising and respond to them." Karen Scrimgeour, who will take on the role of Christmas or possibly Winter Light Fairy and will wear stilts that will boost her height to 7ft 6in,

She said: "It's a bit of a power trip being this tall as I'm normally only 5ft 2in. I'm very excited about being the Christmas Fairy this year. I can't wait to see all the kids' faces light up." What has happened to people power, why are the people of Dundee not outside the town hall demonstrating?

The removal of ethnic festivals would be front page news and would result in 24/7 TV with shami, Shami, godding off. We need to regain OUR pride in OUR Christian festivals and if others do not like it they know where Dover is.

Neither the jews festival of Hanukkah, nor the moslem festival of Id are subject to the ban..

Tom Linden.

Pip pip