I cannot believe I am the only person today to be confused as to why some Church groups are complaining about the new Royal Mail Christmas stamps, which can be viewed here. The Times today highlights the fact that the Church are using the stamps to highlight the secularisation of Britain. To my mind, these stamps are rather nice, rather traditional Christmas
card scenes, typical of stamps in the past, and are certainly not worthy of attack in any way, shape or form.The Post Office make clear that they have an open policy of having "religious" themed stamps every other year, with last year's being religious, and next year's will be also.
The church asks why Britain is become secularised. Perhaps they should ask if attacking this set of postage stamps is really going to make people think the church is relevant.
4 comments:
The point they are making is that it is "Christ" mas. If we are not careful it will soon be just another "Happy Holiday". Those who are religious hate to see the real meaning of Christmas being eroded each year. It may only be in small ways but it all adds up.
What annoys me is when Christians use 'real meaning' to refer to a Christian interpretation of Christmas.
What a festival is 'really' about is in the minds of the participants.
Theologically, Cromwell and the Wee Frees are right, anyway.
Anyway, I'll save my moaning for next year's stamps. :) We can take turns, Karen. How reasonable is that?
Anonymous, Very reasonable...have a rant next year!!
Never heard of the "Wee Frees", I had to look it up.
Whether it should or shouldn't be celebrated, the origins/continuation of Christmas centre on it being a "Christian" festival so I think Christians should be able to comment on how it is celebrated, don't you think?
Karen,
Of course you can comment, nobody is questioning that.
But as I see it, the christian aspects of christmas are very much an optional extra.
Trees, decorations, presents, food, drink, Santa, there's little or no theology behind any of this. Easter is the theologically significant christian festival of the year yet is it much much less significant in our culture.
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