UK Government Bans Word ‘Christmas’ to Avoid ‘Offending Minorities'
'The other option was ‘festive season,’ which keeps the emotional motivation'
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Civil servants in the United Kingdom have banned the word "Christmas" from a proposed government campaign fearing it would offend minorities.
British officials vetoed the use of "Christmas" from being used in a COVID testing drive which would be marketed at students.
They argued the term risks offending minorities within the country.
"We have been advised by Cabinet Office that we should not use the word Christmas – as the Government campaign needs to be inclusive and some religions don’t celebrate Christmas,” an email seen by The Mail on Sunday read.
“The other option was ‘festive season,’ which keeps the emotional motivation."
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“We have gone with ‘Don’t take COVID-19 home for the holidays' – as it links to school and university Christmas holidays,” the email continued.
“The alliteration with ‘home’ and ‘holidays’ scans well and is memorable.”
But the suggestion was also blasted in a follow-up email sent by a different British bureaucrat.
“We don’t refer to Christmas as the holidays (that’s an Americanism),” the email read.
Conservative MP Saqib Bhatti critised the decision of removing Christmas.
“As a Muslim, I find it ridiculous we can’t enjoy this special time of year."
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"I look forward to showing my new son his first Christmas tree. The idea you can’t mention Christmas is completely ridiculous,” Bhatti said.
“It’s a time to celebrate, whatever your background," he added.
"It’s part of the British culture I love.
"It’s the celebration of all cultures that makes this the most welcoming country in the world."
“I’m proud of that and proud to celebrate Christmas.
"The Blob needs to stop waging war on Christmas and get on with delivering for the British people,” Bhatti concluded.
Meanwhile, in Norway, another Christmas campaign broke from tradition.
A film produced by the Norwegian postal service saw Santa Claus fall in love with another man.
The short film entitled “When Harry Met Santa” features two gay men, one of whom is Santa.
The man writes a letter to Santa stating:
“Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is you.”
