Gravesend celebrates Sikh festival (From News Shopper)

tasha, crayford says...
6:22pm Sat 12 Apr 08

cant help but sigh at this! this is england, not india! the english are not allowed to represent our religion in india so why should gravesend be brought to a hault for the sikhs? sorry but dont agree with it!

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ian, woolwich says...
7:45pm Sat 12 Apr 08

any way merry xmas

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G, Gravesend says...
7:59pm Sat 12 Apr 08

The above comment is not strictly true.
In India there is a wide following of Christianity, and Christian festivals are regularly honoured. I think Tasha is confusing India with countries such as Pakistan, India's neighbour, where the main religion is Islam and as such is far less tolerant of other religions. Sikhism is one of the closest religions to Christianity. Their values are very similar.
The Vaisakhi festival excludes no-one and ALL are welcome! Most people that I saw wore massive smiles and appeared to enjoy the celebration immensely. HAPPY VAISAKHI EVERYONE!

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mandy, meopham says...
9:20pm Sat 12 Apr 08

I wondered what sort of comments this article this would raise, and sadly I was not right... the usual nastiness starts! Gravesend looked fantastic, full of colour and happiness, people were celebrating. Compared to the previous evening where several fights took place in the pubs (between white people), plenty of people spent the night getting drunk and generally ruining everyone elses lives! Why take every opportunity to put people down for trying to do something nice, instead, get out there and join in, you never know, you might actually find yourself smiling too!!

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The real Me, Here says...
9:31pm Sat 12 Apr 08

Mandy - you are a racist! You state that the the previous night there had been several fights - how do you know this? You also state that these fights were between white people....again, how do you know this? Im gonna stick my neck out here and assume that you are of mixed race, probably Asian. Am i correct? You make me sick, always pulling the race card. It is so boring. If you dont like it....you know what you can do.

Love me

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Dee, London says...
9:50pm Sat 12 Apr 08

What utter nonsense!!

Why is it always a them and us mentality in this country.

Let them enjoiy themselves and express themselves, just bacause the religious values have broken down in this country doesnt mean everybody else needs to act in the same way.

And by the way Tasha theres probably more christians in india than there are in the UK.

I was in Gravesend a couple of weeks ago and Mandy describes it pretty well, its not racist its just the way it is.

Typical scarmongering without substance.

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Mandy, meopham says...
10:05pm Sat 12 Apr 08

No, I am not mixed race, or Asian, I am white British. As for knowing about the fights in Gravesend on Friday night (and incidently there were a few on Thursday night) too, sadly, I am in the unfortunate position of having to know about them. So "The Real Me", I tend to only talk about things that I 'actually' know about, not just stuff that I pull out of thin air because I like the sound of my own typing!! So, stick your neck back in, and stop shouting 'RACIST' when you clearly don't even know what it means, either that or treat yourself to a 'Respect for Diversity' course. Sounds like you could do with it!!

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Sikh, Gravesend says...
11:19pm Sat 12 Apr 08

to everyone complaining about our Vaisakhi celebrations

it happened this year, last year, numerous years before that, and it will happen next year, and numerous years after that

so why complain??? it aint like anyone is listening to your pointless comments. and i Doubt they will listen in the future. because all you are is worthless statistic and thus your opinion on anything is regarded as pointless

hahahaha

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Danny, Kent says...
11:30pm Sat 12 Apr 08

In all fairness the Sikh's are peaceful loving people who should never be confused with the other asain religion. Like it has been said they are closely linked with Christianity.

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k, bromley, bromley says...
12:53am Sun 13 Apr 08

so when are we going to have a festival for us white british people.????????

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Mabel, says...
9:22am Sun 13 Apr 08

k, bromley wrote:
so when are we going to have a festival for us white british people.????????

Didn't you bother celebrating Christmas then :-)

If the Sikhs get organised and arrange celebrations then good luck to them, what's the problem? Live and let live.

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Mabel, says...
9:26am Sun 13 Apr 08

tasha wrote:
cant help but sigh at this! this is england, not india! the english are not allowed to represent our religion in india so why should gravesend be brought to a hault for the sikhs? sorry but dont agree with it!

Ha ha, Christianity came to India before it came to England! Abd there are more Christians there than Sikhs. Calm down dear.

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BNP, England says...
9:57am Sun 13 Apr 08

Dee wrote:
What utter nonsense!! Why is it always a them and us mentality in this country. Let them enjoiy themselves and express themselves, just bacause the religious values have broken down in this country doesnt mean everybody else needs to act in the same way. And by the way Tasha theres probably more christians in india than there are in the UK. I was in Gravesend a couple of weeks ago and Mandy describes it pretty well, its not racist its just the way it is. Typical scarmongering without substance.

I have no problem with other cultures enjoying their celebrations in this country. But the reason for all this venomous hatred is that the indigenous people are in many cases not allowed to celebrate thei own festivities. In fact they are almost made to feel ashamed of their identity, and in some cases it is "banned", ie. no nativity, no christmas lights, no England flags allowed, the proms "too british" and on and on.

So don't expect everyone to be happy about this because they won't be, and they have every right to feel the way they do.

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Steve, Kent says...
10:13am Sun 13 Apr 08

May I congratulate BNP members and sympathisers who seem to enjoy posting their vitriolic views on this website. Your ability to string sentences to together is improving all the time. Who knows, one day you may even be able to put together a reasoned and balanced argument, and not just a blinkered opinion passed down from generations of bigots. And as a ancestorial nation of French, German, Italian and whoever else decided to visit our grand island hundreds of years ago, could someone please explain to me who actually is indigenous here?

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Harvey, says...
11:40am Sun 13 Apr 08

k, bromley wrote:
so when are we going to have a festival for us white british people.????????

There already is a festival - it's called SATURDAY NIGHT. It involves lots of cheap booze, vomiting in the street and getting into fights. It's THE mass religion in this country these days so I'm surprised you're not part of it every week.

If you're talking about Christian festivals then I think you'll find there are also plenty of those. The thing is though you probably don't bother going to church do you? And probably haven't been for years. So if you're not religious then why should you celebrate any religious festivals?

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Jade, N/Fleet says...
11:59am Sun 13 Apr 08

BNP Wrote: I have no problem with other cultures enjoying their celebrations in this country. But the reason for all this venomous hatred is that the indigenous people are in many cases not allowed to celebrate thei own festivities. In fact they are almost made to feel ashamed of their identity, and in some cases it is "banned", ie. no nativity, no christmas lights, no England flags allowed, the proms "too british" and on and on.

So don't expect everyone to be happy about this because they won't be, and they have every right to feel the way they do.

I don't know what part of England you come from but I can happily report that in my area we did have Christmas Lights, Nativity Plays and all the rest of the festive trimmings.

The celebration that was held yesterday was non-violent, colourful, friendly and promoted a number of different clubs. Judging from the happy noise of the children on the floats I think I can report that they were having a fantastic time! I saw people from ALL NATIONALITIES enjoying the march and the freebies handed out during the procession! It was all quite spectacular! WELL DONE GRAVESEND!

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Eric, Bromley says...
12:37pm Sun 13 Apr 08

The issue here is everyone complains about not having any celebrations for their own communities and moan about other peoples communities doing something productive. Why don't the people who complain get off their back sides and do something and arrange a festival of their own or something?

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Mabel, says...
1:12pm Sun 13 Apr 08

Eric wrote:
The issue here is everyone complains about not having any celebrations for their own communities and moan about other peoples communities doing something productive. Why don\'t the people who complain get off their back sides and do something and arrange a festival of their own or something?

Well said Eric, lots of community events depend on a huge amount of effort and a willingness to organise and give up time. I think too many people whinge from their armchairs when they should be giving a helping hand.

I also agree with Jade's comments - my experience is that there are nativities, Christmas lights and decorations, fairs and festive events of all kinds. I even helped organise some of them myself at school.

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Rapunzel 1, Bexley says...
2:22pm Sun 13 Apr 08

Oh dear...what a lot of ignorance. Maybe some should take a course in English History before shooting from the hip!! Well said Harvey Here Here

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mandy, meopham says...
2:32pm Sun 13 Apr 08

BNP wrote:

Dee wrote: What utter nonsense!! Why is it always a them and us mentality in this country. Let them enjoiy themselves and express themselves, just bacause the religious values have broken down in this country doesnt mean everybody else needs to act in the same way. And by the way Tasha theres probably more christians in india than there are in the UK. I was in Gravesend a couple of weeks ago and Mandy describes it pretty well, its not racist its just the way it is. Typical scarmongering without substance.
I have no problem with other cultures enjoying their celebrations in this country. But the reason for all this venomous hatred is that the indigenous people are in many cases not allowed to celebrate thei own festivities. In fact they are almost made to feel ashamed of their identity, and in some cases it is "banned", ie. no nativity, no christmas lights, no England flags allowed, the proms "too british" and on and on. So don't expect everyone to be happy about this because they won't be, and they have every right to feel the way they do.

What 'venomous hatred' are you talking about? At least call it by its' proper name 'prejudice', based on ignorance and the need to be a 'sheep'! As for not being allowed to have Christian festivals... you are talking utter rubbish and have clearly not been near this part of Kent for a while. Easter, for instance, (quite a large event for christians in case you did not know!) was celebrated in a very big way with an open air exhibition in Gravesend, Fairseat, Meopham and many other villages. Chistmas lights were abundant in the town this year, and harvest festivals were held in most schools! Incidently, I wonder how many events you personally attended, or do you just moan about things for the sake of it. It is wonderful to live in a country where we can FREELY experience other cultures and religions without fear of reprisal or even death, which is certainly the case in some other places in the world, we should cherish that fact instead of picking holes in those who have done nothing to harm us. Practically the whole of London was brought to a standstill today for the Marathon, yet noone is really moaning about that. I am a christian and I do not feel stifled or unable to express myself freely, I am just embarrased by idiots like you who claim to be speaking out for my rights! Don't bother, you don't know what you are talking about.

[quote][bold]BNP[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Dee[/bold] wrote: What utter nonsense!! Why is it always a them and us mentality in this country. Let them enjoiy themselves and express themselves, just bacause the religious values have broken down in this country doesnt mean everybody else needs to act in the same way. And by the way Tasha theres probably more christians in india than there are in the UK. I was in Gravesend a couple of weeks ago and Mandy describes it pretty well, its not racist its just the way it is. Typical scarmongering without substance.[/quote] I have no problem with other cultures enjoying their celebrations in this country. But the reason for all this venomous hatred is that the indigenous people are in many cases not allowed to celebrate thei own festivities. In fact they are almost made to feel ashamed of their identity, and in some cases it is "banned", ie. no nativity, no christmas lights, no England flags allowed, the proms "too british" and on and on. So don't expect everyone to be happy about this because they won't be, and they have every right to feel the way they do. [/quote] What 'venomous hatred' are you talking about? At least call it by its' proper name 'prejudice', based on ignorance and the need to be a 'sheep'! As for not being allowed to have Christian festivals... you are talking utter rubbish and have clearly not been near this part of Kent for a while. Easter, for instance, (quite a large event for christians in case you did not know!) was celebrated in a very big way with an open air exhibition in Gravesend, Fairseat, Meopham and many other villages. Chistmas lights were abundant in the town this year, and harvest festivals were held in most schools! Incidently, I wonder how many events you personally attended, or do you just moan about things for the sake of it. It is wonderful to live in a country where we can FREELY experience other cultures and religions without fear of reprisal or even death, which is certainly the case in some other places in the world, we should cherish that fact instead of picking holes in those who have done nothing to harm us. Practically the whole of London was brought to a standstill today for the Marathon, yet noone is really moaning about that. I am a christian and I do not feel stifled or unable to express myself freely, I am just embarrased by idiots like you who claim to be speaking out for my rights! Don't bother, you don't know what you are talking about.

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J, Gravesend says...
7:36pm Sun 13 Apr 08

Comment from a Sikh who was involved in organising this weekend - we will also be taking part in the St George's Day parade coming up. Let's just use evey occassion we can to get to know each other, and have some fun at the same time!!

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mandy, meopham says...
7:50pm Sun 13 Apr 08

Thankyou - that is exactly what I am talking about. Well done with all you organised. You are completely right, it is a fantastic opportunity to get to know each other 'J' - instead of just moaning about stuff all the time.

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James Watt, kent says...
8:05pm Sun 13 Apr 08

How many people went to church today?
How many went shopping?
How many teens tagger buses?
How many people got drunk on cheap booze?
If you want o be English, get your act together.
We ahve let our country and our culture go, why? because English people are on the whole scum.No manners, no culture,no brains, no style. Just look at Dartford on a Saturday Afternoon.
Good luck to the sikhs, i would rather live with them than most of you.

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KIRAN VIRDEE (15 yrs old), GRAVESEND says...
9:25pm Sun 13 Apr 08

EVERYONE THAT HAS COMMENTED HERE WITH A NEGATIVE VIEW ON THE GREAT SIKH FESTIVAL OF VAISAKHI NEEDS TO WAKE UP. IM A YOUNG BRITISH INDIAN, I WAS BORN AND BROUGHT UP HERE. I LOVE MY SIKH/INDIAN CULTURE AND I ALSO EMBRACE THE BRITISH CULTURE. BUT AS I SAID BEFORE I LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY AND JUST LIKE MANY PEOPLE LIVING HERE ORDER A CURRY ON A FRIDAY NIGHT, I EAT FISH AND CHIPS ON A FRIDAY NIGHT OR A ROAST ON CHRISTMAS DAY. I KNOW YOU MAY THINK FOOD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH VAISAKHI, BUT FOOD IS PART OF INDIAN CULTURE AND SO IS WALKING THROUGH THE STREETS ON VAISAKHI TO CELEBRATE AND HAVE FUN! IF YOU CAN ACCEPT THE PARTS OF MY CULTURE THAT YOU LIKE, THEN YOU ACCEPT THE REST OF IT. PEOPLES CULTURE AND RELIGION IS NOT A PICK N MIX, ITS ABOUT EMBRACING EVERYTHING WITHIN EACH CULTURE, WHETHER ITS INDIAN, BRITISH, AFRO-CARRIBEAN, CHINESE, BRAZILIAN OR SLOVAKIAN. ALL THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS HERE HAVE ANNOYED ME, I KNEW PEOPLE WERE PREJUDICED, BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO ANGERED IN ALL MY 15 YEARS!

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BNP, England says...
9:39pm Sun 13 Apr 08

My children were educated at two different primary schools in Croydon.

Both schools DID NOT have nativity plays because it "offended" other religions. In one of the schools they were not allowed to refer to Christmas as Christmas in case it "offended" other religions.

I understand from friends that this is still the case even now.

Call that embracing Kiran???????

Thanks everyone, but if my family can't enjoy their own religious celebrations why the hell should anyone else be able to?

VOTE BNP!!!!!

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James, Dartford says...
9:51pm Sun 13 Apr 08

BNP wrote:
My children were educated at two different primary schools in Croydon. Both schools DID NOT have nativity plays because it "offended" other religions. In one of the schools they were not allowed to refer to Christmas as Christmas in case it "offended" other religions. I understand from friends that this is still the case even now. Call that embracing Kiran??????? Thanks everyone, but if my family can't enjoy their own religious celebrations why the hell should anyone else be able to? VOTE BNP!!!!!

Stop your lying propaganda your stupid little person, your post simply speaks a million words of total rubbish. Why are you referring to the Islamic Koran, what has this got to do with the article relating to the Sikh festival. I suggest you take further education classes to widen your knowledge about such matters a clearly you are a uneducated moron.

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Let's Agree To Differ, says...
9:53pm Sun 13 Apr 08

What nonsense! What did you refer to Christmas as then? 'The day we get lots of presents and stuff our faces?' We are one race... the human race. Difference is as big or a small as you want to make it. As a Christian I do not seek permission from anyone to celebrate my religious festivals. I decorate my home, wear religious symbols,have family gatherings, attend my place of worship. I have yet to find anyone who says that I can't. It's all hype and propaganda to frighten the ignorant into voting for extremists.
Kiran enjoy your religion, your culture and all that it brings you and don't let anyone ever make you feel that you should apologise for being different.

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BNP, England says...
10:33pm Sun 13 Apr 08

James wrote:

BNP wrote: My children were educated at two different primary schools in Croydon. Both schools DID NOT have nativity plays because it "offended" other religions. In one of the schools they were not allowed to refer to Christmas as Christmas in case it "offended" other religions. I understand from friends that this is still the case even now. Call that embracing Kiran??????? Thanks everyone, but if my family can't enjoy their own religious celebrations why the hell should anyone else be able to? VOTE BNP!!!!!
Stop your lying propaganda your stupid little person, your post simply speaks a million words of total rubbish. Why are you referring to the Islamic Koran, what has this got to do with the article relating to the Sikh festival. I suggest you take further education classes to widen your knowledge about such matters a clearly you are a uneducated moron.

Where did I mention the Koran??? In your paranoid imagination James? Time for you medication I think.

And sadly I am not lying, much as it would suit you. Contact a few primary schools in Croydon and ask if they still do the traditional nativity plays to celebrate Christmas if you don't beleive me. But I know you won't because you don't want to accept the truth.

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BNP, England says...
10:40pm Sun 13 Apr 08

Let's Agree To Differ wrote:
What nonsense! What did you refer to Christmas as then? 'The day we get lots of presents and stuff our faces?' We are one race... the human race. Difference is as big or a small as you want to make it. As a Christian I do not seek permission from anyone to celebrate my religious festivals. I decorate my home, wear religious symbols,have family gatherings, attend my place of worship. I have yet to find anyone who says that I can't. It's all hype and propaganda to frighten the ignorant into voting for extremists. Kiran enjoy your religion, your culture and all that it brings you and don't let anyone ever make you feel that you should apologise for being different.

Unbelievably the children were told to refer to Christmas as "Party time".

And it sickens me that people like you think we should keep quiet and not talk about this going on.

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Bob, Higham says...
10:57pm Sun 13 Apr 08

Unbelievably the children were told to refer to Christmas as "Party time".

"And it sickens me that people like you think we should keep quiet and not talk about this going on."

BNP if your are all the BNP have than god help them! Typical views stiring up hatred as usual, go back under the rock you cam from!

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Let's Agree To Differ, says...
10:59pm Sun 13 Apr 08

Where did I say you should keep quiet and not talk about it? Name the schools and make it easier for people to get the evidence for themselves. Otherwise it's just hearsay...provide us with the proof.

If it did happen you should have demanded your rights. If enough parents wanted a nativity play I'm sure the schools would have had no option but to oblige. If they didn't you should have made a fuss about it. Taking away something else from another community in a tit for tat way is not really productive is it? I think we can do better than that.

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Mabel, says...
11:03pm Sun 13 Apr 08

Unbelievably the children were told to refer to Christmas as "Party time".

LOL! You're right it's unbelieveable. I just don't believe it!

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K, Gravesend says...
11:06pm Sun 13 Apr 08

I have also heard about this political correctness gone mad that Mr.BNP talks of. I think and hope that the government have accepted that they have taken some things to the extreme in regards to the fear of upsetting other races. I think that Mr BNP and others at those schools should have led a public protest! Guess what? if what you say is true it wouldn't just be British Whites protesting!

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KIRAN VIRDEE (15 yrs old), GRAVESEND says...
12:28am Mon 14 Apr 08

Yo Mr BNP sorry but I don't agree with what your saying. Where you live the locals may not want their children to take part in Christian nativity plays and I think you should take into account what 'Lets agree to differ' said. But where i live in GRAVESEND which is where this Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan took place all the schools have nativity plays and embrace different religious festivals/cultures, which is the way I think it should be because the country that I know as England is a very multicultural place. I think you need to stop looking at what you see as negative on your own doorstep and appreciate what is already there.
The primary school i went to was very multicultural and i enjoyed participating in many different religous/cultural activities including Navity plays.

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sammy, Bexley says...
9:11am Mon 14 Apr 08

Is this BNP bloke having a laugh? Why generalise and stereotype people due to race or religeon. I know many Sihks, Muslims, Christians, Hindu's and Budhists (I could go on) from all different backgrounds. Some I like - some I dont. You should just take people as they come and not generalise.
But I can assume some things about Mr BNP. I am guessing that you are lower income, poorly educated, blue collar? Possibly on benefits, smell of cheap fried food and booze and fags. Will never really amount to much or contribute much to society apart from the odd comment about the country going down the pan etc. You 'orrible common little man you! People like you don't deserve a vote because you don't have the intelligence or common sense to justify such a privilege.

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sammy, Bexley says...
9:13am Mon 14 Apr 08

And I know that Sikh is not Sihk!!!

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Jade, N/Fleet says...
9:37am Mon 14 Apr 08

I think that you are stereotyping here SAMMY from BEXLEY. BNP has commented on the unfairness of schools in Croydon disallowing 'Traditional' festivities of Christian origin. This IS essentially a Christian Country that embraces different cultures and religions without prejudice, (supposedly), and as such should not be hindered in continuing to express its own religious values and traditions! I think that most people from all cultures would agree with that. Our schools are supposed to be multi cultural schools, they should not be restricted in also celebrating Christian festivities even if the majority of pupils are of a differing religious sect.

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Mrs M, Bromley says...
10:03am Mon 14 Apr 08

I do know fact that the British Red Cross wont allow staff to put the traditional nativity scenes in their shop windows or have Christmas trees any more as cristianity offends people other religions.

Very sad state

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Jade, says...
10:07am Mon 14 Apr 08

That is sad! Everybody enjoys a festival, a little history that traditions sometime provoke. Sometimes this nation can be over-caring. We should just have more courage to stick to what we believe and get on with it. That is how things happen isn't it?

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Let's Agree To Differ, says...
10:23am Mon 14 Apr 08

I've just visited the British Red Cross website and found the following:

Do your Christmas shopping and help raise a million
23 November 2007
Visit your local British Red Cross shop this week, pick up some great Christmas gifts and help us reach our £1 million target.
Buy your Christmas gifts and cards at your local British Red Cross shop.
Toni Giles, buyer for the British Red Cross said: This year the range of Christmas gifts and products is better than ever. We have built a collection that should fulfil our customers every need this Christmas. Gifts have been hand selected for men, women and children and Im sure our shoppers will be tempted to treat themselves to a little something too it is all in a good cause after all!

Doesn't sound like they are against Christmas, does it?

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lozza, says...
10:43am Mon 14 Apr 08

Harvey wrote:

k, bromley wrote: so when are we going to have a festival for us white british people.????????
There already is a festival - it's called SATURDAY NIGHT. It involves lots of cheap booze, vomiting in the street and getting into fights. It's THE mass religion in this country these days so I'm surprised you're not part of it every week. If you're talking about Christian festivals then I think you'll find there are also plenty of those. The thing is though you probably don't bother going to church do you? And probably haven't been for years. So if you're not religious then why should you celebrate any religious festivals?

ok ok. so do other races not go out and get drunk on a saturday night then ??? Yes white british can be a pain in the bum and get hammered but so can every other race! I cant work out whats worse your racism towards the british or you british stereotpying!!!

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Mrs M, Bromley says...
12:12pm Mon 14 Apr 08

Let's Agree To Differ wrote:
I've just visited the British Red Cross website and found the following: Do your Christmas shopping and help raise a million 23 November 2007 Visit your local British Red Cross shop this week, pick up some great Christmas gifts and help us reach our £1 million target. Buy your Christmas gifts and cards at your local British Red Cross shop. Toni Giles, buyer for the British Red Cross said: This year the range of Christmas gifts and products is better than ever. We have built a collection that should fulfil our customers every need this Christmas. Gifts have been hand selected for men, women and children and Im sure our shoppers will be tempted to treat themselves to a little something too it is all in a good cause after all! Doesn't sound like they are against Christmas, does it?

You are very right lets agree todiffer.

We do sell many Christmas gifts in our red cross shops and the red cross not against Christmas commercially.

But as I said before Religiously we cannot display overtly Christian things put nativity scenes in our windows or have Christmas trees in our shops. Told these overtly Christian and offend other religions.

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Mabel, says...
12:42pm Mon 14 Apr 08

I don't know who used the 'offend other religions' reason to you, but that's not official Red Cross opinion. The Red Cross did have a general policy of not displaying religious or political material but that's because they are a neutral, impartial global organisation that does not align itself with any one religion/political view or another.

If it was really about not wanting to offend then how come they are happy to have Christmas-themed items on sale? Surely that would give offence (if anyone ever took offence which they don't!).

Explain how last Christmas, "the Crewkerne shop in Somerset is holding a fancy dress late opening night to coincide with the switching on of the towns Christmas lights and the East Grinstead shop in Sussex has transformed their store into a Christmas village.

Surely this would be offensive?? The fact is it is nothing to do with offending anyone.

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Locked and Loaded, says...
1:01pm Mon 14 Apr 08

Strange how the media is not full of news of drunken fights etc from this event. 'Perhaps' people had a good time. Pity the same could not be said of some other social gatherings.

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Rapunzel 1, Bexley says...
1:43pm Mon 14 Apr 08

I totally agree with you Sammy! Those bigots at the BNP should be ashamed to be British...but I bet they all have their curries on a Friday night

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Paul, Gravesend says...
1:58pm Mon 14 Apr 08

I am utterly shocked at the comments here. People need to realise we are all human beings! I am thoroughly depressed. All the people talking about us not being allowed to celebrate Christianity - proof please! I want examples and links to REPUTABLE sources.

Quote: and in some cases it is "banned", ie. no nativity, no christmas lights, no England flags allowed, the proms "too british" and on and on.

Proof please. All of this is made up crap. Made up by the likes of you to spread the hatred you speak of.

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Jade, N/Fleet says...
2:00pm Mon 14 Apr 08

I can understand the Red Cross having to be neutral, they are often at the forefront of disaster zones all over the world and cannot be alienated from any one nationality or religion. Neutrality is definately the best thing for them. But what about these alleged schools in Croydon?

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regis, erith says...
2:09pm Mon 14 Apr 08

Why is it that peopl want to live in different contries to there birth. Most british born people only live abroad mainly for the better weather.So why do others want to live here.it it a better way of life,is it to improve there religios awareness. Do they want to intergrate with other foriegn nationals. Britains living abroad mostly still want to live the british way. so what do you think.

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AFA, YOUR AREA says...
2:45pm Mon 14 Apr 08

BNP wrote:
My children were educated at two different primary schools in Croydon.

Both schools DID NOT have nativity plays because it "offended" other religions. In one of the schools they were not allowed to refer to Christmas as Christmas in case it "offended" other religions.

I understand from friends that this is still the case even now.

Call that embracing Kiran???????

Thanks everyone, but if my family can't enjoy their own religious celebrations why the hell should anyone else be able to?

VOTE BNP!!!!!

I will happily introduce your face to a screwdriver.Remember that one?Blind ain't he now?AFA IN YOUR AREA DEAD MAN WALKING.

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D, Gravesend says...
3:31pm Mon 14 Apr 08

Cant believe how much negativity there is. So many people complain that Gravesend gets put on hold for an event which hundreds of people have helped organise and thousands have attended. If you want to celebrate something of your culture, why not try organising something rather than criticise others that have actually achieved something?

I was part of the festivities and just want to say thanks to all the people (of races, backgrounds and age) for your support and encouragement cant wait for next year when the gurdwara gets built. Itll be bigger and better than this year!!!

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Preetpal, Coventry says...
4:49pm Mon 14 Apr 08

To be perfectly honest this kind of hatred and jealousy is the reason why terrorism still exists in out MULTICULTURAL world. Britain is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, and in my view that is something to be celebrated. I am a British-borm Sikh and I'd like to think I embrace all other cultures that differ from my own. In our schools we all learnt about every religion and to RESPECT other cultures, which is something quite a lot of the people above need to learn to do. In my house we always celebrate Christmas, more so than even Diwali, and Easter. There are English festivals and English culture which is celebrated and heard of throughout England, and those who think otherwise need to open their eyes. I think it's wonderful that most of the British community applaude and embrace other religions; it helps us make the world a less racist, more open-minded place.

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Mandy, meopham says...
5:53pm Mon 14 Apr 08

I am a little confused about this 'Croydon ban' on nativity plays! I moved here from Croydon only recently and there certainly were no bans in place then, and I lived in Selhurst/West Croydon. I had also lived in Thornton Heath.. no bans there either. I have just checked with my sister-in-law, she is a school receptionist in a central Croydon school... no ban there either. In fact, they celebrate christianty alongside other faiths. The children learn about other faiths too. They get to share at various times of the year in other celebrations. The end result is that hopefully the children will have a better understanding and tolerance of other cultures and faiths... unless they have bigots for parents, then they are very disadvantaged in so many ways. I am bringing my son up in a Christian way, but I still want him to be tolerant and understanding of others. I do not wish him to be a racist, bigot with no ideas of his own, which is what sadly so many of the people on here (BNP in particular) are, I just hope that Mr or Mrs BNP is sterile!!

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Jade, N/Fleet says...
6:44pm Mon 14 Apr 08

I know that Gravesend has an excellent attitude towards multi-faith and Christian religions in their schools. I feel somewhat relieved at Mandy's comment in regards to Croydon's schools. I suspect that BNP injected some malicious propaganda here, I have heard of what he has suggested before but never seen substantial evidence and as he seems reluctant to name and shame then perhaps it wasn't true after all. Certainly got me going for awhile, I am a little gullible I guess!

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Steve, Kent says...
9:21pm Mon 14 Apr 08

Jade wrote:
I know that Gravesend has an excellent attitude towards multi-faith and Christian religions in their schools. I feel somewhat relieved at Mandy's comment in regards to Croydon's schools. I suspect that BNP injected some malicious propaganda here, I have heard of what he has suggested before but never seen substantial evidence and as he seems reluctant to name and shame then perhaps it wasn't true after all. Certainly got me going for awhile, I am a little gullible I guess!

Read any article on here and eventually you'll get some little BNP weasel trying the blame it on "immigrants". The good thing about free speech however is everytime they spout their mundane and baseless crap they make themselves sound and look even more ridiculous. Keep posting BNP, don't forget to use a bit more Daily Mail scaremongering whilst you're there. What's that? Britain to be forced to drive on right to suit the influx of Eastern Europeans?

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SS, Gravesend says...
8:57am Thu 17 Apr 08

I am utterly ashamed of the attitude of some ppl on here. If these ppl actually studied the ethos of what Vaisakhi and Sikhism is all about then their oppinion would be different. It's an inclusive all-embracing religion, and this was on display on Saturday. I was extrememly heartened by the number of non-sikhs contributing to the Gurdwara building fund; this will put Gravesend on the map - we should ALL celebrate this a project that has been totally funded by the community. btw, the upcoming St Georges day event will be organised by a Sikh...

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PUNJABI PRIDE, Dartford says...
8:29pm Mon 21 Jul 08

Salleh gore. those against the celebrations i can just say..your all pathetic . how dare you even speak bad of sikhs and vasakhi. us lot have to put up with your christian things so put up with ours. anyway ours is much better. we celebrate in styleeee babeee.simple as and everyone knows it. i think the only one that talks sense is the 15 yr old and the others againt BNP rubbish. i mean if a 15 yr old thinks its wrong, what does that say to all them older generation lot. Blind Bats/bold]

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