Letter to the Editor, Thursday December 31, 2015

Offence taken

A note to those who put television programmes and news together.

In the past there have been snippets and bigger bits about how we as a country celebrate Christmas, but this year only the shopping side of Christmas was shown. It seems you have bent so far backwards so as not to offend non-Christians that you have offended we Christians most mightily by completely cutting all forms of Christianity from TV1 news on Christmas Eve and Christmas night.

Polls show that over 50 per cent of us are at least nominally Christian. As far as I know, those who have come lately to our shores have come to share what we have, not to change us, and what we have is a country with a solid Christian base. The only holidays we have that are not politically-based are definitely Christian-based.

The populace is thrilled to have the Christmas and Easter holidays as the major breaks in the year, and we Christians appreciate the time from our increasingly busy lives to stop and draw breath and celebrate these two festivals, which are the main underpinnings of the outward signs of our inner faith. But we too watch the news, and like to see ourselves portrayed therein.

The odd snippet about the midnight and morning services and a montage of the various nativity scenes around town and country would be much appreciated.

I have heard many non-Christians say, "Carry on with your traditions and festivals and we will either watch from the sidelines or we will join in." But I have never heard any say they want us to stop our lives and give up our traditions in case we hurt their feelings.

For instance, we had a newly-immigrated Muslim chap in our tiny Catholic church this Christmas.

If New Zealand is to become entirely secular, then surely, to prevent hypocrisy, these dates and names should be changed from Christmas and Easter for the country's main holiday dates, and we Christians will celebrate our special times in our own way, and not have our holy days desecrated by mammon.

The Chinese New Year does not offend me, and neither does the Jewish Passover feast. So why should my festivals offend them?

In trying not to offend those who are actually not offended by our celebrations, you have deeply offended me, and probably many other Christians.

SYLVIA BRYAN

Motutangi