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National Trusts new inclusion calendar excludes Easter and Christmas

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

Surprised this hasn’t been raised yet as it’s “all over the news” but the National Trust has been criticised after excluding Christmas and Easter from it’s ‘inclusion’ calendar

The National Trust said its decision to include non-Christian festivals and events into its programming was part of the organisation's desire to appeal to everyone.

According to the Telegraph, the calendar reportedly features Ramada, Diwali, and Eid, but not Christian festivals such as Christmas and Easter.

As someone else might say “what’s going on here guys?”, I must say for an inclusion calendar it seems a bit exclusionary to me.

But maybe I’m just an angry gammon snowflake?

Whatd’ya think, Fabsters?

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

Link to news story here — https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1834443/national-trust-christmas-easter-woke/amp

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod

over a year ago

East Sussex

I think either include all religious festivals or none

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By *oinerbillMan
over a year ago

warrington


"I think either include all religious festivals or none"

Exactly

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By *obyn GravesTV/TS
over a year ago

1127 walnut avenue

Seems like Yet more twats falling over themselves to be politically correct..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Snowflake nation

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By *andyfloss2000Woman
over a year ago

ashford


"I think either include all religious festivals or none"

Agree x

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By *wisted999Man
over a year ago

North Bucks

So to appeal to everyone but not Christians

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

They should include all or nothing. It's not very inclusive leaving them out

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By *eachcplCouple
over a year ago

blackpool/preston/normandy france

Quite simple. Don't buy the calendar and when they realise they have lost money they might realise how stupid they have been. Some people need to get a life and stop trying to be totally PC

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod

over a year ago

East Sussex

On the other hand if people don't like that the calender excludes Christmas and Easter they could simply not buy it.

I can advise that in 2024 Christmas will fall on 25th December. How many of the outraged members actually celebrate the Christian festivals as they were originally intended I wonder.

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

Why would you ignore the two main religious festivals of the country your in I'm sure other countries wouldn't do it

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod

over a year ago

East Sussex

All national trust properties make a big deal out of Christmas (not in a Christian way, more in a commeryway) we always visit the local properties to see the decorations

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod

over a year ago

East Sussex


"Why would you ignore the two main religious festivals of the country your in I'm sure other countries wouldn't do it"

They don't though. They start Christmas at the end of November and run Easter events too. Not as I said in a Christian way really although they do have carol singing. Its usually Easter egg hunts and Christmas tree type things

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple
over a year ago

in Lancashire


"Snowflake nation "

Wouldn't moaning about a calendar be classed by some as the height of woke?

The actions of a snowflake perhaps?

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple
over a year ago

in Lancashire


"On the other hand if people don't like that the calender excludes Christmas and Easter they could simply not buy it.

I can advise that in 2024 Christmas will fall on 25th December. How many of the outraged members actually celebrate the Christian festivals as they were originally intended I wonder. "

Stop please with that common sense

Bet this 'outrage' is mentioned by the New Minister for common sense toot sweet..

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By *tephanjMan
over a year ago

Kettering

Let's just not have any religious holidays shown on a calendar,that is then neutral and shouldn't annoy anyone

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Why would you ignore the two main religious festivals of the country your in I'm sure other countries wouldn't do it

They don't though. They start Christmas at the end of November and run Easter events too. Not as I said in a Christian way really although they do have carol singing. Its usually Easter egg hunts and Christmas tree type things"

Aye, Christmas market and lights at Waddesdon Manor every year for example .. definitely worth a visit.

Does seem odd to leave it off the calendar though, I’d love to know the thought process or be a fly on the wall of the meeting that made that decision!

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By *avid 50Man
over a year ago

kendal

Totally not surprising, the National Trust is so out of touch with life in general.

In the world that is running short of food, the National Trust is supporting destocking, rewilding and planting trees. UK is the third, most efficient producer of food and due to their policies, we produce less food every year

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By *teveanddebsCouple
over a year ago

Norwich


"On the other hand if people don't like that the calender excludes Christmas and Easter they could simply not buy it.

I can advise that in 2024 Christmas will fall on 25th December. How many of the outraged members actually celebrate the Christian festivals as they were originally intended I wonder. "

You mean as Pagan Festivals?

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By *heVonMatterhornsCouple
over a year ago

Lincoln

Have the angry Christians considered buying one of the other calendars that the National Trust no doubt sells? Y'know, just in case they forget what date Christmas falls...

LvM

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By *affeine DuskMan
over a year ago

Caerphilly

My calendar has lots of pictures of dongs and ladydongs; I'm v. inclusive.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod

over a year ago

East Sussex


"Why would you ignore the two main religious festivals of the country your in I'm sure other countries wouldn't do it

They don't though. They start Christmas at the end of November and run Easter events too. Not as I said in a Christian way really although they do have carol singing. Its usually Easter egg hunts and Christmas tree type things

Aye, Christmas market and lights at Waddesdon Manor every year for example .. definitely worth a visit.

Does seem odd to leave it off the calendar though, I’d love to know the thought process or be a fly on the wall of the meeting that made that decision!"

It seems odd to me too. We're National Trust members, you get crimplene elastic waist trousers, velcro sandals and a canvas bucket hat free with every membership. There does seem to be changes afoot at the moment. We can't really complain because we never vote at the annual meetings we just enjoy the cake in the cafe and pretending we're cultured

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod

over a year ago

East Sussex


"On the other hand if people don't like that the calender excludes Christmas and Easter they could simply not buy it.

I can advise that in 2024 Christmas will fall on 25th December. How many of the outraged members actually celebrate the Christian festivals as they were originally intended I wonder.

You mean as Pagan Festivals?"

National Trust doesn't seem to bring Christianity into it.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Have the angry Christians considered buying one of the other calendars that the National Trust no doubt sells? Y'know, just in case they forget what date Christmas falls...

LvM"

I hear ya, and others with similar views above, but someone (or some committee?) clearly made a *conscious* decision to only exclude the Christian festivals, so there’s a definitely a deliberate thought process behind this.

I wonder what they were thinking or trying to achieve? Just seems odd to me.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod

over a year ago

East Sussex


"Have the angry Christians considered buying one of the other calendars that the National Trust no doubt sells? Y'know, just in case they forget what date Christmas falls...

LvM

I hear ya, and others with similar views above, but someone (or some committee?) clearly made a *conscious* decision to only exclude the Christian festivals, so there’s a definitely a deliberate thought process behind this.

I wonder what they were thinking or trying to achieve? Just seems odd to me.

"

I agree it is very odd. Almost like someone trying too hard. Does it show what used to be the Whitsun bank holiday? Or have people forgotten about that Christian festival?

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By *heVonMatterhornsCouple
over a year ago

Lincoln


"Have the angry Christians considered buying one of the other calendars that the National Trust no doubt sells? Y'know, just in case they forget what date Christmas falls...

LvM

I hear ya, and others with similar views above, but someone (or some committee?) clearly made a *conscious* decision to only exclude the Christian festivals, so there’s a definitely a deliberate thought process behind this.

I wonder what they were thinking or trying to achieve? Just seems odd to me.

"

Oh no, I 100% agree that excluding major holidays in an "inclusion" calendar was a dumb decision. I'm just surprised that one calender is news worthy

LvM

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple
over a year ago

in Lancashire


"Have the angry Christians considered buying one of the other calendars that the National Trust no doubt sells? Y'know, just in case they forget what date Christmas falls...

LvM

I hear ya, and others with similar views above, but someone (or some committee?) clearly made a *conscious* decision to only exclude the Christian festivals, so there’s a definitely a deliberate thought process behind this.

I wonder what they were thinking or trying to achieve? Just seems odd to me.

"

It does seem odd but maybe they've looked at who their members are and who they're aiming this calendar at, I think a lot of people won't be that bothered as let's face it who doesn't know when Christmas is..

We are members and possibly a lot of people might think it's the older types who are but whenever we go it's all age groups we see..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Snowflake nation

Wouldn't moaning about a calendar be classed by some as the height of woke?

The actions of a snowflake perhaps?

"

Stop I’m melting

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By *naswingdressWoman
over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

Interesting way to provoke empathy - now Christian and cultural Christian people might understand how it feels to be excluded from something, even in a tiny way.

I think it'll take a bit longer for people to develop the maturity to accept the lesson rather than just acting out, though.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod

over a year ago

East Sussex


"Interesting way to provoke empathy - now Christian and cultural Christian people might understand how it feels to be excluded from something, even in a tiny way.

I think it'll take a bit longer for people to develop the maturity to accept the lesson rather than just acting out, though."

Do you think that's the NT intention?

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By *naswingdressWoman
over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)


"Interesting way to provoke empathy - now Christian and cultural Christian people might understand how it feels to be excluded from something, even in a tiny way.

I think it'll take a bit longer for people to develop the maturity to accept the lesson rather than just acting out, though.

Do you think that's the NT intention?"

I've got no idea. But it seems to be a useful lesson to take from it, given that the reaction seems to be a tantrum that not everything is designed for the majority.

I am part of said majority, and it's a lesson I learned as a toddler for Christ's sake (pun intended)

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod

over a year ago

East Sussex


"Interesting way to provoke empathy - now Christian and cultural Christian people might understand how it feels to be excluded from something, even in a tiny way.

I think it'll take a bit longer for people to develop the maturity to accept the lesson rather than just acting out, though.

Do you think that's the NT intention?

I've got no idea. But it seems to be a useful lesson to take from it, given that the reaction seems to be a tantrum that not everything is designed for the majority.

I am part of said majority, and it's a lesson I learned as a toddler for Christ's sake (pun intended)"

I don't think many people will see it as a lesson. I'm always a bit bemused when people get angry about Christmas and Easter being excluded from things like school plays etc when they clearly have no intention of celebrating them as christians. I mentioned Whitsun earlier, I saw no such protest when calendars started marking this as spring bank holiday

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By *ou only live onceMan
over a year ago

London

Ah, so it was internal guidance so staff would know when those festivals were and could plan events? This isn't a calendar on sale.

I guess they assume most of their staff know when Christmas and Easter are from the public holidays, but may not know when Diwali is (I wouldn't). But I agree not including them feels like a bit of an own goal.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod

over a year ago

East Sussex

Its like the newspaper headlines that said Christmas was cancelled when lockdowns were suddenly announced. People were outraged as if it was actually possible to cancel a significant date

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By *naswingdressWoman
over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)


"Interesting way to provoke empathy - now Christian and cultural Christian people might understand how it feels to be excluded from something, even in a tiny way.

I think it'll take a bit longer for people to develop the maturity to accept the lesson rather than just acting out, though.

Do you think that's the NT intention?

I've got no idea. But it seems to be a useful lesson to take from it, given that the reaction seems to be a tantrum that not everything is designed for the majority.

I am part of said majority, and it's a lesson I learned as a toddler for Christ's sake (pun intended)

I don't think many people will see it as a lesson. I'm always a bit bemused when people get angry about Christmas and Easter being excluded from things like school plays etc when they clearly have no intention of celebrating them as christians. I mentioned Whitsun earlier, I saw no such protest when calendars started marking this as spring bank holiday "

No I agree that they won't. But perhaps it's worth reflecting on - what if the things that are important to me are not always included, how would that make me feel? Surely at a time like this it's more important to think about the experiences of religious minorities than ever. (I have no idea what's happening in modern schools - and I agree it should be all or none, with equal weight.)

But the outrage economy continues apace, and so toddler tantrums that it's not all about me will continue and be encouraged.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod

over a year ago

East Sussex


"Ah, so it was internal guidance so staff would know when those festivals were and could plan events? This isn't a calendar on sale.

I guess they assume most of their staff know when Christmas and Easter are from the public holidays, but may not know when Diwali is (I wouldn't). But I agree not including them feels like a bit of an own goal."

Yes on reading further it's for staff only. What a storm in a teacup

Down with this sort of thing I say!

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod

over a year ago

East Sussex


"Interesting way to provoke empathy - now Christian and cultural Christian people might understand how it feels to be excluded from something, even in a tiny way.

I think it'll take a bit longer for people to develop the maturity to accept the lesson rather than just acting out, though.

Do you think that's the NT intention?

I've got no idea. But it seems to be a useful lesson to take from it, given that the reaction seems to be a tantrum that not everything is designed for the majority.

I am part of said majority, and it's a lesson I learned as a toddler for Christ's sake (pun intended)

I don't think many people will see it as a lesson. I'm always a bit bemused when people get angry about Christmas and Easter being excluded from things like school plays etc when they clearly have no intention of celebrating them as christians. I mentioned Whitsun earlier, I saw no such protest when calendars started marking this as spring bank holiday

No I agree that they won't. But perhaps it's worth reflecting on - what if the things that are important to me are not always included, how would that make me feel? Surely at a time like this it's more important to think about the experiences of religious minorities than ever. (I have no idea what's happening in modern schools - and I agree it should be all or none, with equal weight.)

But the outrage economy continues apace, and so toddler tantrums that it's not all about me will continue and be encouraged.

"

Especially since it seems it's not going to be on sale .

Still it's got the blood pumping for a few and it's good to see that everyone has a voice at National Trust meetings

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By *naswingdressWoman
over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)


"Interesting way to provoke empathy - now Christian and cultural Christian people might understand how it feels to be excluded from something, even in a tiny way.

I think it'll take a bit longer for people to develop the maturity to accept the lesson rather than just acting out, though.

Do you think that's the NT intention?

I've got no idea. But it seems to be a useful lesson to take from it, given that the reaction seems to be a tantrum that not everything is designed for the majority.

I am part of said majority, and it's a lesson I learned as a toddler for Christ's sake (pun intended)

I don't think many people will see it as a lesson. I'm always a bit bemused when people get angry about Christmas and Easter being excluded from things like school plays etc when they clearly have no intention of celebrating them as christians. I mentioned Whitsun earlier, I saw no such protest when calendars started marking this as spring bank holiday

No I agree that they won't. But perhaps it's worth reflecting on - what if the things that are important to me are not always included, how would that make me feel? Surely at a time like this it's more important to think about the experiences of religious minorities than ever. (I have no idea what's happening in modern schools - and I agree it should be all or none, with equal weight.)

But the outrage economy continues apace, and so toddler tantrums that it's not all about me will continue and be encouraged.

Especially since it seems it's not going to be on sale .

Still it's got the blood pumping for a few and it's good to see that everyone has a voice at National Trust meetings"

Indeed! Half truths, outrage, tantrums - seems to be the way of our news cycle.

I try to take a step back as I've done here. If something were on sale, oh, that's not for me. OK, that's fine, I'm not three.

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By *rickie-dickieMan
over a year ago

South Durham

Unless you're a devote Christian, it shouldn't be a problem. If you are a devote Christian and it is a problem then lucky you, if your life's so good that a calendar can cause you issues. We don't include other religious holidays in calendars so why Christian ones? Maybe we should include the Pagan festivals too. Maybe the Old Gods are getting pissed off that they don't even get a mention any more. It's a calendar, if you're disappointed it doesn't have Christmas on it, get a Pritt Stick and some glitter.

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By *easidersCouple
over a year ago

Wirral

All this rage from a story in the Telegraph/Express/Mail/GBNews - lying hate machines making ad money from online click bait and distracting us from the real threats surrounding us for the benefit of their billionaire proprietors and their peers.

The inclusion calendar was produced for NT staff, to let them know the dates of non-Christian religious events which they might consider celebrating or acknowledging at their particular property. There is no attempt to “abolish Christmas”. Just grow up.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I don't buy a/any calandars

There does seem to be a move by many companies brands away from its core demographics

The old saying no such thing as bad publicity, there are brands that have suffered because of it.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Ah, so it was internal guidance so staff would know when those festivals were and could plan events? This isn't a calendar on sale.

I guess they assume most of their staff know when Christmas and Easter are from the public holidays, but may not know when Diwali is (I wouldn't). But I agree not including them feels like a bit of an own goal."

The calendar would appear to be for NT volunteers, which is broader than just internal staff.

And I guess the implication is that only Christians (who should automatically know when Easter, for example, is each year) work or volunteer for the NT then?

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod

over a year ago

East Sussex


"Unless you're a devote Christian, it shouldn't be a problem. If you are a devote Christian and it is a problem then lucky you, if your life's so good that a calendar can cause you issues. We don't include other religious holidays in calendars so why Christian ones? Maybe we should include the Pagan festivals too. Maybe the Old Gods are getting pissed off that they don't even get a mention any more. It's a calendar, if you're disappointed it doesn't have Christmas on it, get a Pritt Stick and some glitter. "

I think it's because we're a Christian country so in the same way that Muslim countries probably have their major religious feast days on calendars we might realistically expect that Christian feasts are included on the ones in this country. I have noticed though that most calendars only include Christmas and Easter and none of the other Christian feast days. Its almost as if people only celebrate if there's a day off work to be had or chocolate is involved

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By *emorefridaCouple
over a year ago

La la land

Part of me thinks who actually cares? I don't think we're particularly a religious country. I mean pancake day is supposed to use all the "nice" food before lent, which your supposed to observe before being a glutton and eating Easter eggs. But it seems we take the nice bits and forget about the actual religious bits.

Although I agree with some others above either all religious festivals should be listed or none at all.

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By *ou only live onceMan
over a year ago

London


"Ah, so it was internal guidance so staff would know when those festivals were and could plan events? This isn't a calendar on sale.

I guess they assume most of their staff know when Christmas and Easter are from the public holidays, but may not know when Diwali is (I wouldn't). But I agree not including them feels like a bit of an own goal.

The calendar would appear to be for NT volunteers, which is broader than just internal staff.

And I guess the implication is that only Christians (who should automatically know when Easter, for example, is each year) work or volunteer for the NT then?

"

No, I think less religion and that anyone living in the UK would know when Christmas and Easter are as we have bank holidays (I'm not religious at all and I know). It would be much easier to miss other festivals. As I said, clumsy for them not to include them, but not an issue to get me frothing at the mouth (and not saying you are either, though no doubt some are...)

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By *olly_chromaticTV/TS
over a year ago

Stockport

I expect that every person who is frothing at the very concept that Christian holy days might be omitted from a calendar that is not for general circulation is a regular attendee at Christian church services? Are at least attendees on every major Christian holy day? Has been to an Ascension Day service during the last ten year? Can tell me when Ascension Day is, without looking it up? Holy Thursday? Pentecost? Corpus Christi? Holy Cross Day (hint: that one is not at Easter)? St Francis of Assisi day - come on, everybody likes a donkey? All Saints Day (that one is easy)? How about All Souls Day then? Watch Night?

If you're distressed that a non-public calendar exists that doesn't include Christmas and Easter, then I assume you are all devastated by the realisation that most of the above are not on any of the standard calendars that you will be buying ready for next year. Not devastated? Then why are you in the slightest concerned about the other? As you clearly have no interest whatsoever in Christianity...

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