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Originally Posted by lhatcher
It's very sad that the world has come to this. I don't understand it. Sometimes I think everyone should just go to their country of origin and let's start over. If you want to visit another country then, get the proper permission and go visit. Let each country have their own rules, customs, etc and all live by the motto "when in Rome, do as the Romans do." Imagine, we could actually enjoy learning about other cultures instead of moving someplace and wanting to take over and make it more like our country.
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I think it's a pendulum. Remember it's not so long ago that our parents gave money in church to convert the heathens and the little brown babies. We just need to find the right balance.
At work this year we had a joint Diwali (Hindu) and Eid (Muslim) celebratory lunch. And it was damn good. We had posters on the staff noticeboard wishing the Hindu/ Muslim/ Jain staff the joys of the relevant holiday. Now we have a Christmas tree in the foyer on our floor and all the staff are taking part in Secret Santa. On Wednesday we're having a Christmas lunch along the same lines as the Diwali one - organised by the staff, for the staff.
If I walk round the edge of the park on the way to work I pass a 12 foot tall Menorah lit with electric lights erected by the Council with a little explanatory notice on it. The street I live on has just had Christmas trees put up on the shops, lit with white lights and part funded by the shopkeepers (Christian, Muslim, Sikh and even the Jewish owners of the Japanese restaurant) and the Council.
It may sound a bit confused, but it honestly works. I get to have a staff Christmas dinner in an Indian restaurant, pull crackers (party favours) wear hats and wish my multi-faith team a Merry Christmas. It doesn't take anything away from my respect for my parents' faith or my perception of Christmas as a Christian celebration.
I'm not claiming Britain or even Leicester are getting it all right - not by any stretch of the imagination. But just sometimes I get a feeling that it might work, and it feels damn good.
Merry Christmas everyone.