Inch by inch . . .

The Red Cross bans Christmas

by STEVE DOUGHTY, The London Daily Mail

Christmas has been banned by the Red Cross from its 430 fund-raising shops.

Staff have been ordered to take down decorations and to remove any other signs of the Christian festival because they could offend Moslems.

The charity's politically-correct move triggered an avalanche of criticism and mockery last night - from Christians and Moslems.

Christine Banks, a volunteer at a Red Cross shop in New Romney, Kent, said: "We put up a nativity scene in the window and were told to take it out. It seems we can't have anything that means Christmas. We're allowed to have some tinsel but that's it."

'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."

Mrs Banks added: "We have been instructed that we can't say anything about Christmas and we certainly can't have a Christmas tree."
. . .
The charity's umbrella body, the Swiss-based International Red Cross, has also had politically-correct doubts about its famous symbol. But efforts to find an alternative were abandoned in the face of protest and ridicule five years ago.

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