|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | Australia's Prime Minister John Howard has made an impassioned plea to restore the religious meaning of [[Christmas]].
| |
| | | | |
| − | Mr Howard said he had "contempt" for arguments that the religious side of the Christmas season should be toned down by removing Christmas trees and symbols and [[nativity scenes]]. He said he had been saddened by the removal of Christmas trees and nativity scenes from public places.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | The reason commonly given for the removal of traditional Christmas scenes is so that non-religious people and those of other faiths are not offended. Mr Howard said "You don't win tolerant brownie points by pretending to be something that you're not".
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Backing Mr Howard, [[Roman Catholic]] Archbishop of Brisbane [[John Bathersby]] said "We are a Christian country. If minorities are to integrate, they need something to integrate into. I don't think there is any intolerance in saying, 'This is who we are'".
| |
| − |
| |
| − | The president of the [[Islam|Islamic]] Council of Queensland, Abdul Jabal, said "We don't celebrate Christmas but we support others doing so. It's a time of peace and sharing".
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==Sources==
| |
| − | * [http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,17599664%255E661,00.html Herald Sun - Bring back Christmas]
| |
| − | * [http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17599661%255E903,00.html Sunday Mail - PM's call to save Christmas]
| |
| − |
| |
| − | {{returnto}} [[News]]
| |
