Loss of traditions: Scottish shopping mall bars nativity scene to stay ‘religiously neutral’
By Laura Cat
Scottish Mall, The Thistles Shopping Centre, losing business due to religious oppression. Twitter users mourned the “loss of traditions” in response to a Stirling mall’s rejecting to host a Christian display over Christmas.
The Catholic group, The Legion of Mary association, submit a request to the mall to present a small nativity display for Christmas. They were surprised when the shopping centre’s response included that it:
“…prides itself on being religiously and politically neutral in its behaviour within the local community and with this in mind we do not feel it would be right to agree to host this type of promotion within a shopping centre where our customers come to enjoy a leisure activity without being subjected to individuals organisations beliefs.”
Did you know the Thistles Shopping Centre in #Stirling have banned the #Nativity at #Christmas The letter carefully omits that the request was simply to set up a crib. pic.twitter.com/acWfDcEVCD
— Onewomanandherdog (@1womanandadog) December 2, 2018
The replies on Twitter would definitely lead one to the conclusion that the local community and beyond were not impressed with the mall’s rejection of a simple ‘crib’ display.
Thistle Shopping Centre Stirling refusing a Xmas Nativity Play in order not to offend and stay neutral when it comes to religion, really, this is becoming more worrying 😠!! Everything appears to be protecting others what about US…….
— keir (@KeirMcintyre) December 7, 2018
Shame on the Thistles shopping centre!!! It’s Christmas in the U K!!👍👍
— antony (@anthowcwm) December 6, 2018
The Catholic Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh’s spokesman referred to the mall’s decision as a “little Grinch-like” and hopes that “in the true spirit of Christmas” they would “ask them to reconsider their decision”.
The Church of Scotland added: “We find it very disappointing that the true meaning of Christmas has been completely lost here. When a shopping centre can focus purely on commercialism to the exclusion of the reason for the celebration of Christmas it is a sad day for all of us.”