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For some reason I was once asked about the significance of Christmas for me and I kept a copy of my answer (see below). The important point is that however many Christians there may be in Britain it is of major cultural significance for a majority of the population which is why it is reasonable for it to be an extended public/ University holiday.
 
 
For this agnostic humanist from the Christian tradition, Christmas is a wonderful mixture of activities from various ancient and modern traditions - paganism, Christianity and hedonism.

1. A welcome break from work

2. An early winter festival of food and drink - a solace and to keep us going through the rest of the winter

3. A time to acknowledge the importance of family and friends through gifts and cards

4. A time to celebrate the simplicity of childhood - Santa Claus, Christmas trees and school performances

5. A time to acknowledge the poor, oppressed and disadvantaged (in part an antidote to the insularity, self-satisfaction and mutual wealth that is the downside of 3 and in part an acknowledgement of the Christian Christmas story)

6. An opportunity to share in the Christian musical tradition (the Messiah and carols)

Geoff

************************
Geoff Smith
Assistant University Secretary
University Secretariat
Sheffield Hallam University
Room 5517
Surrey Building
City Campus
Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB
Tel: 0114 225 3854

 

From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Felicity Cooke
Sent: 11 November 2008 15:20
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Extra paid leave for Eid


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
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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
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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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