All very interesting points and for the most part I think the answers
re: the original question is agreed to by everyone although reasoning
may differ from person to person.
I think it is important to underline that these are state/national
holidays. People are not required to celebrate a religious aspect to
these holidays and in fact many people don't. There may be an historical
religious basis to these holidays (whatever religion/spiritual belief
that might be) but in today's terms they have moved beyond that -- just
like many of today's laws may have roots in religious laws or strictures
does not make them religious laws. National holidays may have
historical roots in religious or spiritual beliefs but they are given as
state holidays and not as religious ones.
Marie
Felicity Cooke wrote:
>
> Just to be clear about Christmas as a Christian festival - whoever else
> celebrates an event on that date, it is the date when Western Christian
> churches celebrate the birth of Christ. It is an important religious
> festival; in the Christian year it is the second most important festival
> after Easter.
>
> Felicity
>
>
>
>
>
> *Rajyaguru Dipen <[log in to unmask]>*
> Sent by: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
> <[log in to unmask]>
>
> 11/11/08 15:12
> Please respond to
> HE Administrators equal opportunities list
> <[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>
> To
> [log in to unmask]
> cc
>
> Subject
> Re: Extra paid leave for Eid
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi All,
>
> Christmas is a state holiday and not necessarily, a religious holiday,
> from what little I know, December 25th is the pagan festival of
> 'Saturnalia' and not the birth of Jesus. Although I would be happy to
> celebrate both!
>
> However, I do not think Christians should have (or want) special
> dispensation even if Christianity is a state religion. There are several
> arguments not in the least that we should be a secular country and may
> lead to religious discrimination, but with the rise of other Abrahamic
> (including Islam) religions via proselytizing, the UK may not soon be
> able to argue that it is predominantly Christian.
>
> Sorry, probably not helped, but hope to have provided some useful info!
>
> Kind regards,
> Dipen
> Dipen Rajyaguru LL.B (Hons)
> Health Equality & Diversity Specialist
> Barnet PCT
> 020 8937 7709
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ratchford, Dave
> Sent: 11 November 2008 14:30
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Extra paid leave for Eid
>
> Hi Berry,
>
> My own view (if asked to respond by this institution) would be to say
> that 'Christmas' is actually a state holiday. The fact that a
> proportion of the country celebrate it as a religious festival is
> entirely incidental in 2008.
>
> Although, having said that, Christianity is still the state religion.
> So you could argue for special dispensation for Christians because of
> that.
>
> Nevertheless, the reality is that Christmas Day and Boxing Day have
> become convenient national holidays. Consequently, any specific request
> for paid religious leave (from any quarter - in the event a Christian
> asked for some lesser festival off etc) would not be granted by us as I
> see it.
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Dave
>
> Dave Ratchford
> Equality & Diversity Manager
> Nottingham Trent University
> 109B Dryden Centre
> Dryden Street Nottingham NG1 4FZ
> Tel: 0115 848 2904 Fax: 0115 848 6584
> [log in to unmask]
> http://www2.ntu.ac.uk/EQO
> Please note that this communication is in confidence from the Equality
> and Diversity Team. If it has reached you in error, please delete
> immediately and notify the Team on the above number given by the Sender.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:52:58 -0000
> From: "Dicker, Berry J." <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Extra paid leave for Eid
>
> Dear colleagues,
> As I know that practice on such things may change over time I would
> like to know how you would respond to a request for additional paid
> leave for Eid on the basis that Christians get paid leave over
> Christmas. Taking these days as part of normal leave allowance is not
> an issue.
> Our position has been that these are concessionary days for everyone
> and any additional leave is part of your normal allowance as set out
> in the University allowances.
> What would you say?
> Berry
>
>
>
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--
Marie Paturel
University Diversity Projects Manager
Student Services / Human Resources
London Metropolitan University
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