mint Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 So, do you have a crib (nativity scene) on public display in your village or town?I saw a news item about what laicité (sorry, can't be bothered to get the programme with all the accents today) means in France. Amongst the forbidden things specifically mentioned are creches with biblical scenes.Now in practically every village round us, creches are proudly displayed. In fact, in our village we had a new baby this year and someone has actually knitted it some clothes! In previous years, the old baby only had a nappy and I used to feel very sorry for it when the nappy got all wet from the rain.I learnt that since Charlie Hebdo, teachers have been issued with new teaching materials and received training for talking to their students about what republican values and citizenship mean in France.As we are talking about France, you will not be surprised that the mayors differ greatly in their interpretation of what the concept of secularism means with one mayor saying that if he were conducting a marriage ceremony, he would stop immediately if someone wants to say a prayer and another mayor that he provides 3 types of meals in his schools so that no one would be forced to eat foodstuffs that would be contrary to their religious beliefs.Perhaps those of you who have or have had children in schools could tell us their experience. I find this subject most topical and interesting in the present climate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 ALL Maires in France know what laicité means, they do, it is 'fundamental' to the Republic of France.The paradox being that most jour feriés are based around religion. But life is always full of paradoxes anyway and those exceptions do not defer from the division of State and religion.Problem is that we now have a the start of a religious war on our hands, and I believe that fundamental christians are now wanting to show their hand by displaying aspects of their religion and it's stories to the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 My little grandchildren are at schools in Leeds and I was really pleased to see their nativity plays included all the children of multi faiths who attend the schools. They celebrate all the festivals for the other faiths as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 A bit different in the UK, Cinders, as our church and state remain inextricably linked despite calls for disestablishment of the C of E from time to time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Nevertheless, with all the recent troubles it was good to see the children and staff accepting and including multi faiths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 My local town displays a bizarre nativity scene where the characters are represented by stuffed wildlife (eg Joseph is a fox in a robe and headdress, Mary is a stoat I think) All the animals are moth eaten and have seen better days.Since the whole scene in a barn with a manger and and the rest was dreamt up by St Fracis of Assisi some 1200 years after the event it all seems a bit irrelevant anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Well Pierre, you made me splutter my coffee...... 'dreamt up' indeed! ...... isn't most of it!!!!!!![:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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