Bah Humbug! Christmas Trees 'Make Non-Christians Feel Excluded'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Christmas trees should be removed from public places to avoid making non-Christians feel “excluded”, scientists have suggested.

The research suggests firms and councils should think twice about displaying Christmas trees. Photo: The Daily Telegraph
Researchers at Simon Fraser University in Canada, found non-Christians feel less self-assured and have fewer positive feelings if a Christmas tree was in the room.

The scientists conducted the study using 77 Christians and 57 non-believers, including Buddhists and Sikhs.

The participants did not know the survey was about Christmas, and were asked to fill in questions about themselves both when a 12-inch Christmas tree was in the room and when it was not.

"Non-celebrators" reported fewer positive feelings and less self-assurance in the Christmas room. Christians were mostly cheered by the tree.

Christians, however, did report feeling more guilt when a tree was in the room, which, claim the researchers, suggests the holidays can be stressful. >>> Andy Bloxham | Monday, December 20, 2010

Diddums! Christmas Displays Have Emotional Consequences
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY: Christmas displays can undermine the psychological well-being of people who do not celebrate the holiday, according to a new Simon Fraser University study.



“This research demonstrates that the pervasive presence of Christmas displays in December makes people who do not celebrate Christmas feel like they don’t belong, and it harms their emotional well-being,” said SFU associate psychology professor Michael Schmitt.



The study was conducted by Schmitt, SFU psychology professor Stephen Wright, and SFU grads Kelly Davies and Mandy Hung. Their research was published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology in an article called, “Identity moderates the effects of Christmas displays on mood, self-esteem, and inclusion.”



Two experiments were conducted to examine the emotional consequences of being in the presence of a Christmas tree. SFU students were brought to a lab and randomly assigned to work in one of two rooms – one that had a 12-inch Christmas tree on a desk and one that didn’t. The participants, who were not aware they were part of a study about the effects of Christmas trees, then completed a questionnaire about their mood. >>> | Friday, December 17, 2010

This study is a load of nonsense! Christmas trees are part of our heritage. If non-Christians (you are probably referring here to Muslims) feel they don’t belong, then probably they don’t; and there’s a simple solution to this: Find the nearest airport and look for greener pastures!

I think I speak for the many when I say that I am sick to death of politically-correct do-gooders undermining our civilization. Take a trip to Saudi Arabia, or some other Muslim country, and see if they care whether we feel we don’t belong when they display their own Islamic ornaments for Eid, etc. They couldn’t give a fig. So lay off our Christmas! Get back to real science, guys, and see if you can do some good in this troubled world! – © Mark

Contact:
Michael Schmitt, SFU psychology, 778.898.0464, mschmitt@sfu.ca
Dixon Tam, SFU media relations, 778.782.8742; dixon_tam@sfu.ca

Even the Christmas Cracker Bows to Political Correctness
A Christmas cracker. Photograph: Google Images
THE TELEGRAPH: Christmas cracker firm Swantex has dropped dozens of jokes, including mother-in-law gags and references to animal cruelty, in favour of more ‘politically correct’ alternatives.

The company, Britain’s biggest manufacturer of crackers, said the overhaul was needed to make sure its humour was in keeping with “changing attitudes”.

Among jokes to be dropped is: “What does a transvestite do for Christmas? Eat, drink and be Mary.”

They are being replaced by one-liners such as: “What athlete is warmest in winter? A long jumper.”

A spokesman for Swantex, which is owned by the Byk family, said: “Jokes are tested by an experienced Swantex panel, including members of the Byk family in laboratory conditions, i.e. over lunch with optional wine. Jokes that fail to register a smile or a groan are not included in crackers.” Christmas cracker jokes go 'politically correct' >>> Alastair Jamieson | Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Are Artificial Christmas Trees Ever Acceptable?
THE TELEGRAPH: With the weak pound contributing to a shortage of fir trees, Judith Woods wonders whether it's time to go fake this Christmas.

As the festive season looms, Europe is yet again giving with one hand (Lebkuchen, Panettone) and taking with the other (commandeering our Christmas trees). The dismal euro rate means that foreign tree exporters are reluctant to export to Britain, and our growers are sending their spruces to the likes of Spain and the Soviet Union, where they can earn up to 30 per cent more than previously.

Short of closing all the ports – which would be a shame, as how else would we get our Stollen and Belgian chocolate Santas? – we must counter this vile fir trade the only way we know how: by raising our chins, stiffening our upper lips and Faking It.

However, being British means agonising over etiquette, so the subtle nuances that separate U from Non-U are guaranteed to keep even the most insouciant of hostesses awake at night. Are plastic needles tacky? Can a pre-lit tabletop tree ever pass as stylish? At what point does faux turn into a faux pas? >>> Judith Woods | Tuesday, November 24, 2009

New Dark Age Alert! Anjem Choudary Brands Christmas “Evil”
Why do we put up with this nonsense from these dangerous, subversive people? Were you or I to go and work in Saudi Arabia and say that Islam is intrinsically evil, we all know what would happen to us.

We seem to adopt the approach of 'showing better' to these people. This is a worthless exercise in this instance. 'Showing better' is all well and good when the people one is 'showing better' to are willing to learn; but when dealing with such hard-headed fundamentalist Muslims, it becomes a strategy of weakness. It means that we lack the wherewithal to deal with such people. Moreover, Muslims, being the people they are, will interpret this inaction as a sign of inherent weakness. – ©Mark

Anjem Choudary considers Christmas to be “the pathway to Hell”. Photo courtesy of The Telegraph
THE TELEGRAPH: Muslim preacher Anjem Choudary has branded Christmas "evil" in a sermon posted on the internet.

The lawyer, who recently praised the Mumbai terror attacks, urged all Muslims to reject traditional Christmas celebrations, claiming that they are forbidden by Allah.

The 41-year-old shocked Christians and even those of his own faith by branding yuletide festivities as "the pathway to hellfire".

Choudary, who is chairman of the Society of Muslim Lawyers, ruled out all celebrations, including having a Christmas tree, decorating the house or eating turkey.

In the sermon posted on an Islamic website, he said: "In the world today many Muslims, especially those residing in western countries, are exposed to the evil celebration Christmas.

"Many take part in the festival celebrations by having Christmas turkey dinners.

"Decorating the house, purchasing Christmas trees or having Christmas turkey meals are completely prohibited by Allah. >>> By Murray Wardrop | December 10, 2008

Watch YouTube video: London School of Shari’ah >>>

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback & Hardback) – Free delivery >>>

Muslims in Antwerp Want a Ban on Christmas Trees and Easter Eggs
Hat tip to Anti Dhimmi 321 for this:

EXPATICA: ANTWERP – "If headscarves are banned for employees who work at the desk at city services in order to guarantee neutrality of services, then we demand that no Christmas trees be set up in city buildings and that no Easter eggs be given out." Antwerp trade union representative Badia Miri said this on Wednesday [back in August] in the Gazet van Antwerpen.

Miri is one of the seven Muslim women who were forced to remove their headscarves if they wanted to continue working at the desk. Three of the seven staff members of the city of Antwerp who wore headscarves agreed to stop wearing one. Different positions - not involving contact with the public - were found for the others. No one was dismissed. There is still opposition to the dress code however, which came into effect in March. The seven Muslim women are now urging that "neutrality of service provision be actually enforced." Muslims want ban on Easter eggs

Mark Alexander