SusanAre Traditional Nativity Plays Offensive?
December 7th 2007 17:58
The results of a survey out this week have found that in Britain only one in five schools will be putting on a traditional nativity play this year. The rest are opting for non-religious plays for fear of offending non-Christians. Examples of the less traditional plays are The Bossy King, Scrooge, Snow White, Snow Queen, and Hansel and Gretel. Even Elvis Presley is included in some plays mentioned in the survey!
So are traditional nativity plays offensive or it is a case of political correctness gone mad?
It more likely that the schools simply don’t want to offend anyone or give cause for complaint. But now there are parents complaining that their children are dressing up as Elvis, penguins, snowmen and other characters for performances that they say should be based on the traditional Christmas story but aren’t. Should Elvis replace the traditional nativity play?
One argument is that Britain is a traditionally Christian country and that the nativity play with Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the manger should remain – it reminds us about the real meaning of Christmas is and avoids it becoming too commercialised and centred a round presents and self-indulgence.
Another argument is that Britain is now a multi-cultural secular society and so plays at Christmas time should embrace all religions or not be performed at all. That way no faith is offended or excluded.
My four year old currently attends two different nurseries quite close to each other. One is putting on a traditional nativity play – and she is playing the role of an angel. The other is putting on a non-religious play about Christmas and Santa – and she is playing the role of a hedgehog!
To a four year old it makes little difference whether Mary and Joseph are in the play or not. At that age they just want to have fun. In fact after the end of the ‘traditional’ nativity play Santa arrives with his reindeers and presents are given out.
Maybe passing on the message that Christmas is a time of peace and goodwill is the most ‘politically correct’ approach. That doesn’t necessarily have to involve shepherds and angels. As for Elvis, most children would not know who he was.
But then you can’t please everyone. Someone is always likely to complain!
So are traditional nativity plays offensive or it is a case of political correctness gone mad?
It more likely that the schools simply don’t want to offend anyone or give cause for complaint. But now there are parents complaining that their children are dressing up as Elvis, penguins, snowmen and other characters for performances that they say should be based on the traditional Christmas story but aren’t. Should Elvis replace the traditional nativity play?
Traditional Nativity Scene. Flickr Photo by Mary Hockenbury.
One argument is that Britain is a traditionally Christian country and that the nativity play with Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the manger should remain – it reminds us about the real meaning of Christmas is and avoids it becoming too commercialised and centred a round presents and self-indulgence.
Another argument is that Britain is now a multi-cultural secular society and so plays at Christmas time should embrace all religions or not be performed at all. That way no faith is offended or excluded.
My four year old currently attends two different nurseries quite close to each other. One is putting on a traditional nativity play – and she is playing the role of an angel. The other is putting on a non-religious play about Christmas and Santa – and she is playing the role of a hedgehog!
Hedgehogs, Flickr photo by elemele.
To a four year old it makes little difference whether Mary and Joseph are in the play or not. At that age they just want to have fun. In fact after the end of the ‘traditional’ nativity play Santa arrives with his reindeers and presents are given out.
Nativity Scene. Flickr photo by British American.
Maybe passing on the message that Christmas is a time of peace and goodwill is the most ‘politically correct’ approach. That doesn’t necessarily have to involve shepherds and angels. As for Elvis, most children would not know who he was.
But then you can’t please everyone. Someone is always likely to complain!
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