Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Minister Nick Kotsiras has told Australians not to feel guilty celebrating Christmas, moving away from the more politically correct stance.
Mr Kotsiras, who raised the issue in Parliament yesterday, said he had been swamped with support from fellow MPs and others who had heard about his comments. “People should not be afraid to celebrate Christmas because it might offend someone,” he said. “People should be proud of celebrating Christmas, just like people celebrate other religious faiths as well.”
The comments come as over the years, schools have been opting to play down Christmas, and wishing students and families “Happy Holidays” instead of Merry Christmas. Mr Kotsiras has even urged schools and kindergartens to host nativity scenes without the fear of offending anyone. “All I’m saying is, be proud and celebrate it and don’t fear that someone is going to be upset about it,” he said.
Mr Kotsiras said Christmas was part of multicultural Victoria, but people celebrated it in different ways. “Multiculturalism is about sharing and celebrating our cultural and religious diversity,” he said in his Christmas message. He believed it was about the birth of Christ and he would celebrate it with his family including attending his local Orthodox church.
The minister sent out his Christmas message this week and said: “Christmas is a special time of year when many celebrate the birth of Christ, and I encourage all Victorians to join in and celebrate the Christmas season. “Here in Victoria we are proud to be part of a culturally and religiously diverse society which accepts and celebrates more than 130 different faith traditions.
It is important that we don’t lose sight of the fact that religious freedom and mutual understanding is an important part of belonging to a multicultural and multi-faith society. “Importantly, Christmas is a time to come together, to think and care about others in a spirit of peace and goodwill. Let’s celebrate Victoria’s religious traditions. After all, celebrating Christmas and all other religious events means celebrating and embracing multiculturalism.”
