Nativity Plays - Good or bad?

[woodie]

Ima thread killa. Fairlawns christmas performance was fun this year. The story made no sense. but it was fun anyway.

[ed_pete]

To poorly quote Bob Gelfdof on one of those "Grumpy Old.." programmes:

"All school plays are universally shite".

And in my uncharitable opinion, he's not far wrong.

[SeanMacGabhann]

* saunters over to the large mantlepiece, overhanging a roaring log fire *

* puffs a cigar and swigs some more brandy *

"Young Ms Trotter, I myself find that people use the word 'tad' before condescending are, by the same token, condescending. Mwah hahhahahahahhaah"

sorry, where was I. Oh yes... All I'm doing is, as people rage about "them" stopping "us" having nativity plays, with "fear" stalking the land, checking the momentum with some facts. If that is acting in a superior fashion than colour me guilty.

Granted this forum is a treasure trove for all of us and our pet-peeves, but before we have a wail about something, let's make it real. Your point about wanting a nativity was both fair AND a little sweet (wanting a little "weep") - and the church/school hasn't put one on and you're disappointed. I get all that

What I don't get is where people come barging in with all sorts of alarmist "Fire! Fire!" nonsense - blaming it on muslims, saying they would chop your head off and then Atila saying Christians have to "defend" themselves (against who exactly?) and they are afraid of upsetting others... . Phrases like "what has society come to?" - it hasn't come to anything. Instead of religions wandering around Europe and the Middle East butchering other, they now live side by side in the same countries... marvellous I say.

The only point you made Tillie which I disagree with , is where you suggest (and I could be reading it wrong) that mainstream opinion is that Christians in this country feel under siege from others and that people are upset about it and have genuine concerns BUT the media would have us believe differently and aren't portraying this view? If that is the point then I've been living in a different country because I can't pick up a newspaper or listen to a radio station without hearing much the same "we this and they that it's not right we are being forced down this road". And to me that's the road to a mob-mentality

I'm not saying a lot of people don't think that way - what I'm saying is if people are going to get upset let it be about something that's actually happening. Show me the schools and churches which are having something instead of nativity plays because they had threats from any group. Otherwise what is peoples real issue? If enough peolpe want nativity plays tell the people who organise them - they'll be back.

Now, you still buying me a large drink?? ;-)

* Fishes out Gallon-Glass from cupboard*

[mockney piers]

I starred (third donkey to the left) in a bunch of nativity plays growing up and it never did me any harm (not like that heavy metal music...from the devil I tell you).

It's tradition, it's fun and as has been mentioned, it's also usually a bit sh!t; who cares.

Let us do it without a guilt complex and enjoy our little ones fluffing their lines, save the truth vs myth debate til the little fellas are 11 or 12

... or 53 going on 11 or 12 ;).

[SeanMacGabhann]

You can tell SOMEONE is all chilled out and relaxed on holiday can't you..... ;-)

[TillieTrotter]

I think, Mr Speaker, that I didnt make my opinion clear enough. I was actually saying that I think on the whole the muslim community are more laid back than the tabs make them out to be. Re: the tad condescending, I heartily agree, but you will notice that at 2am I edited my post from Terribly to A Tad as I felt guilty for telling you off.::o

[TillieTrotter]

Thats just about it Mockers. Tradition is the key word.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Ah - so I did read it wrong. Hearty apologies. Oh no... here comes the guilt kicking in!

Hug?

[SimonM]

Well I. aged only 6, struck terror into the hearts of my classmates when I played King Herod, complete with robe fashioned from old black-out curtains and a false beard fashioned from I-dread-to-think. Needless to say, I think it no coincidence at all that neither Olivier nor Gielgud ever risked essaying this part after my clearly definitive version.

Did not stop me becoming a rabid atheist at age 14 though, nor have I (yet) massacred any first-born...:))