A rumor claims that the Red Cross has “banned” Christmas. Today we’ll look at this assertion more closely.
This long-running rumor about the organization has circulated for over a decade, and the Red Cross has issued several responses to refute the rumors.
History: 2002
The first round in this debate occurred back in 2002, when it was reported that Red Cross staff had been instructed to remove nativity scenes, Christmas trees, and decorations. The Daily Mail reported that Red Cross staff had been instructed to remove Christmas decorations and remove all signs of the holiday “because they could offend Moslems.” The article included an interview with Red Cross volunteer Christine Banks, who said, “When we send cards they have to say season’s greetings or best wishes. They must not be linked directly to Christmas. When we asked we were told it is because we must not upset Moslems. We have been instructed that we can’t say anything about Christmas and we certainly can’t have a Christmas tree.”
Later that day, BBC News published an article entitled, “Red Cross denies banning Christmas” which included a response from the Red Cross. Chief executive Sir Nicholas Young stated, “The British Red Cross has not ‘banned Christmas’. Our volunteers and staff are welcome and actively encouraged to celebrate their own particular religions and festivals whenever and however they please.” Although Young denied a “ban” on Christmas, he also seemed to confirm some elements of the rumor by stating, “It has always been a policy at the British Red Cross not to display materials of an overtly religious nature in shop windows or elsewhere. Doing so runs the risk of identifying us with one particular faith.”
2010 and 2013 Responses
In a blog post dated November 5, 2013, the organization re-posted a December 2010 response to the claims that it had issued a “ban” on Christmas.
Christmas is a major UK holiday and time of celebration, which is shared by people of all faiths and those of no faith. Many of our shops and offices are decked out in festive decorations around this time of year – we also sell a range of Christmas cards and gifts in our shops, both high street and online.
It’s true that you won’t find explicitly religious items or displays, relating to any faith, in any of our shops, at Christmas or any other time. But this certainly doesn’t amount to a ban on us celebrating or mentioning Christmas, or any other holiday. And it’s absolutely nothing to do with “offending non-Christians” or to serve any other sort of politically correct agenda.
Conflicting Information?
The Red Cross response to claims that it has “banned” Christmas contains what could be seen as conflicting information. While in one paragraph they state, “Many of our shops and offices are decked out in festive decorations around this time of year – we also sell a range of Christmas cards and gifts in our shops, both high street and online,” this is immediately followed by a statement that, “It’s true that you won’t find explicitly religious items or displays, relating to any faith, in any of our shops, at Christmas or any other time.”
We reached out to a Red Cross representative who explained that many holidays are recognized by Red Cross locations, but that religious symbols are not to be displayed – for any holiday – in order to maintain neutrality.
Bottom Line
The Red Cross does recognize Christmas – and many other holidays – although it does not present “explicitly religious items or displays” for any holiday in order to remain a “completely neutral, independent organisation.”
Sources
- The Red Cross Bans Christmas (Steve Doughty, Daily Mail: December 21, 2002)
- Red Cross Denies Banning Christmas (BBC News: December 21, 2002)
- We Haven’t Banned Christmas – Again (Red Cross: November 5, 2013)
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