Far Leftist Madmen Abolish Christmas in Oxford

[Trevortt]

The far left madmen who run Oxford Town Council (Labour, 23 seats, Lib Dems 16, Greens 7) have abolished Christmas from this year’s city centre festive celebrations.

Council chiefs have confirmed there will be no traditional Christmas light switch-on in Oxford this year, but instead people will be greeted with a 25-metre high mobile of lanterns in the shape of the solar system.

A giant mobile of the solar system will hang from a crane in Broad Street on that night and will be lit up by a pyrotechnic display of fireworks by performance arts company ‘Walk the Plank’. (image alongside: ‘Art Company’ Walk the Plank in an earlier show).

A city council spokesman confirmed this year’s event would be called the “Winter Light Festival” to include all religious denominations.

There will also be no mention of the word Christmas in the reduced “festive lights” programme to be erected in the city.

The idea is the brainchild of the charity Oxford Inspires, which has been set up to promote culture in the county and increase participation in cultural events.

Last year the city council came under criticism for asking Lord Mayor John Tanner to switch on the Christmas lights and not stumping up cash for a celebrity.

This year it has decided to do away with the switch-on altogether and instead lights will be turned on automatically at the beginning of the Winter Light event as part of the unveiling of the new Bonn Square on Friday, November 28. Liz Gresham of Oxford Inspires added: “We changed the name to be more inclusive.”


Source



What was once a lovely city is now an absolute HOLE!
Thanks to the liberal IDIOTS, Oxford has been totally destroyed. So much so that I don’t bother to go there anymore.It now reminds me of a THIRD WORLD CITY! This is just the final nail in the coffin of Oxford.
Those great people in our history that lived and were schooled in Oxford must be turning in their graves!
What more can be said?

[Marxist Nutter]

The far left madmen who run Oxford Town Council (Labour, 23 seats, Lib Dems 16, Greens 7) have abolished Christmas from this year’s city centre festive celebrations.

Council chiefs have confirmed there will be no traditional Christmas light switch-on in Oxford this year, but instead people will be greeted with a 25-metre high mobile of lanterns in the shape of the solar system.

A giant mobile of the solar system will hang from a crane in Broad Street on that night and will be lit up by a pyrotechnic display of fireworks by performance arts company ‘Walk the Plank’. (image alongside: ‘Art Company’ Walk the Plank in an earlier show).

A city council spokesman confirmed this year’s event would be called the “Winter Light Festival” to include all religious denominations.

There will also be no mention of the word Christmas in the reduced “festive lights” programme to be erected in the city.

The idea is the brainchild of the charity Oxford Inspires, which has been set up to promote culture in the county and increase participation in cultural events.

Last year the city council came under criticism for asking Lord Mayor John Tanner to switch on the Christmas lights and not stumping up cash for a celebrity.

This year it has decided to do away with the switch-on altogether and instead lights will be turned on automatically at the beginning of the Winter Light event as part of the unveiling of the new Bonn Square on Friday, November 28. Liz Gresham of Oxford Inspires added: “We changed the name to be more inclusive.”


Source



What was once a lovely city is now an absolute HOLE!
Thanks to the liberal IDIOTS, Oxford has been totally destroyed. So much so that I don’t bother to go there anymore.It now reminds me of a THIRD WORLD CITY! This is just the final nail in the coffin of Oxford.
Those great people in our history that lived and were schooled in Oxford must be turning in their graves!
What more can be said?

Don't be so OTT. That actually sounds so much cooler than a shitty tree with lights on it. To be honest I am so bored with 'traditional xmas' whatever that means anyway. I applaud people who are being innovative. I really don't see your problem.

[Trevortt]

Don't be so OTT. That actually sounds so much cooler than a shitty tree with lights on it. To be honest I am so bored with 'traditional xmas' whatever that means anyway. I applaud people who are being innovative. I really don't see your problem.

My problem is that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus Chris, or have you forgotten?

This is a Christian Country and our values and way of life are been taken from us!

I find it frustrating how other religions can have their celebrations but the natives cannot!

[DougieG]

What's one religion over another? They're all the same at the end of the day: a load of ponced-up pretentious anti-elitists who think they have the answers to everything.

That does sound really cool, I agree with MN.

By the way, please make more of these posts Trevor. My favourite was the bit where you called Oxford a third-world city. In capital letters. Makes for hilarious reading.

[Trevortt]

What's one religion over another? They're all the same at the end of the day: a load of ponced-up pretentious anti-elitists who think they have the answers to everything.

That does sound really cool, I agree with MN.

By the way, please make more of these posts Trevor. My favourite was the bit where you called Oxford a third-world city. In capital letters. Makes for hilarious reading.

If it should not be such an issue then please travel to a Muslim country and tell them to replace Eid with something like "equality festival".

Best of luck with that one.

[DougieG]

What? Just because that is what would happen, it doesn't mean I would agree with it. That's like saying because Saddam Hussein murdered thousands of people our government should do the same...

[My Winter Storm]

My problem is that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus Chris, or have you forgotten?

Problem is that Jesus wasn't even born on December 25th, which was originally a Pagan holiday until it was hijacked by Christians. Might want to look that piece of history up, Trevortt.

I actually take offence to Xmas decorations. I cannot stand seeing carollers in the mall or nativity sets. Do people assume that everyone is a Christian? Xmas is the one time of year where non believers, and followers of other faiths are bombarded with Christianity.

Imagine what would happen if a Pagan decided to decorate their store with Yule merchandise, or a Muslim (zip it, Trevortt) chose to decorate their store (which they may own) with Islamic decorations. Imagine the outcry from Christians. You can say it wouldn't happen but we all know it will happen.

Xmas is when all the fundies come out of the woodwork and preach.

I admit I have a problem with Xmas. I would not mind it so much if every religion were able to have their decorations up too, and people of non religion could walk down the street, or walk in a store without hearing Xmas carols or being confronted with nativity sets.

[Trevortt]

I actually take offence to Xmas decorations. I cannot stand seeing carollers in the mall or nativity sets. Do people assume that everyone is a Christian? Xmas is the one time of year where non believers, and followers of other faiths are bombarded with Christianity.

If your watching TV and suddenly an advert comes on which you hate do you sit and watch it and bitch about it, ignore the advertisement or turn over the channel. Its common sense really! What you are saying is fair but, why should the majority suffer because you get offended by the countries Faith??

[LornaDoone38]

My problem is that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus Chris, or have you forgotten?

This is a Christian Country and our values and way of life are been taken from us!

I find it frustrating how other religions can have their celebrations but the natives cannot!

Are you a Christian then? Do you repent/have you repented of your sins and accepted Jesus Christ as your saviour? Do you live as a disciple of Christ, do you strive to be 'Christ-like' with everyone, do you read your bible every day, love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength, and love your neighbour as yourself?

Unless your answer is 'yes' to ALL (without exception) of the above, I would seriously doubt your motives for leveling such a complaint within such a context.

[13th November 1002]

There can only be one other point to be raised on the subject and that would be that Oxford Town, (City, surely?), council should also ban every other religious festival being celebrated under any of it's auspices or land.

It should also apply this non-religious observance and recognition throughout it's educational responsibilities.

Anything less would quite correctly be clear evidence of the Council's religious intolerance of the Christian faith and Councillors could be interviewed by the Oxfordshire Constabulary for offences under the recent 'Religious and Racial Hatred Act' Part 29J. http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006..._20060001_en_1

[My Winter Storm]

If your watching TV and suddenly an advert comes on which you hate do you sit and watch it and bitch about it, ignore the advertisement or turn over the channel. Its common sense really! What you are saying is fair but, why should the majority suffer because you get offended by the countries Faith??

If there is a commercial I do not like, I can easily get away from it by changing the channel. But the thing is, Trevorrt, one cannot get away from Xmas as easily. I cannot change the channel. Xmas is everywhere, from the first of December til Boxing Day.

I don't think the majority should have to suffer, and I don't think Xmas decorations should be banned, as such, just toned down. Allowances must also be made so people of other faiths can set up their own nativity sets (if they have one) if they wish.

Is it really necessary to have Xmas carols played all day, everyday throughout December? Is it really necessary for religious artifacts to be placed everywhere, in full view of any passers by? Isn't a little over the top? IMO, we can celebrate Xmas without offending the minority, and we can also celebrate other religions at the same time.

[pauli007001]

Problem is that Jesus wasn't even born on December 25th, which was originally a Pagan holiday until it was hijacked by Christians. Might want to look that piece of history up, Trevortt.

I actually take offence to Xmas decorations. I cannot stand seeing carollers in the mall or nativity sets. Do people assume that everyone is a Christian? Xmas is the one time of year where non believers, and followers of other faiths are bombarded with Christianity.

Imagine what would happen if a Pagan decided to decorate their store with Yule merchandise, or a Muslim (zip it, Trevortt) chose to decorate their store (which they may own) with Islamic decorations. Imagine the outcry from Christians. You can say it wouldn't happen but we all know it will happen.

Xmas is when all the fundies come out of the woodwork and preach.

I admit I have a problem with Xmas. I would not mind it so much if every religion were able to have their decorations up too, and people of non religion could walk down the street, or walk in a store without hearing Xmas carols or being confronted with nativity sets.

It is there,christmas,that is,people celebrate it it has nothing to do with bombarding people with christianity,the nativity set outdated christianity by 2000 years it is in fact originally a pagan cults celebration of life and family originating in ancient persia.
In the UK the celebration of christmas has come under attack by the government,the primary faith is held to ridicule by the samr government and their BBC propeganda machine as well as being ridiculed in school.Most people of faith in the UK do celebrate their faith un fettered by humiliating political attacks,in fact the only faith constantly under attack is the christian faith,islamics celebrate eid el adha and eid el fitur along with other holidays and are protected from ridicule by law.British Jews are also free to celebrate Rosh Hashsnah,Yom Kippur,Passover and channukah free from ridicule,why then not christians?
You again seem to be making assumptions about a situation you know nothing about!!Being as you are an australian who dosent live in the UK,you know probably a little more about real life in the UK than Gordon Brown does,which is nothing!

[My Winter Storm]

It is there,christmas,that is,people celebrate it it has nothing to do with bombarding people with christianity,the nativity set outdated christianity by 2000 years it is in fact originally a pagan cults celebration of life and family originating in ancient persia.
In the UK the celebration of christmas has come under attack by the government,the primary faith is held to ridicule by the samr government and their BBC propeganda machine as well as being ridiculed in school.Most people of faith in the UK do celebrate their faith un fettered by humiliating political attacks,in fact the only faith constantly under attack is the christian faith,islamics celebrate eid el adha and eid el fitur along with other holidays and are protected from ridicule by law.British Jews are also free to celebrate Rosh Hashsnah,Yom Kippur,Passover and channukah free from ridicule,why then not christians?
You again seem to be making assumptions about a situation you know nothing about!!Being as you are an australian who dosent live in the UK,you know probably a little more about real life in the UK than Gordon Brown does,which is nothing!

Paul, did you ever think the same things might happen here, too? Just because I am not British doesn't mean I don't have an understanding of what is going on. Please remember that.

You seem to acknowledge that Xmas was originally a Pagan holiday, which it was, until the Christians took over it. Xmas will always be a Pagan holiday for me, because that it what it was, years about Christianity even existed. You would surprised and horrified to learn some of the things the early Christians did to force Pagans to convert. It was not pretty.

At Xmas time, we are bombarded with all things Christianity. Do you know that stores start selling Xmas decorations in August? August, an entire four months beforehand. This isn't about one month of Christianity, this is about four months of it. A quarter of the year is dedicated to Xmas and Christianity, then there is Easter. Easter buns in stores in January, tinsel comes out in department stores in July, the rest the following month.

I do not know if it is the same for you guys in England, but here, it is beyond a joke.

[Citizen Smith]

A very silly thing to be done by the authorities, and I am sure that most people of other religions agree that it is crazy as well.

[daft fan]

More madness from the anti-British Lib-Lab-Con axis!

This is worse than when Newham council in London banned Christmas tree light and the Christmas tree in the town centre, and rebranded it 'Winterval'!

[DeeperUndercover]

More madness from the anti-British Lib-Lab-Con axis!

This is worse than when Newham council in London banned Christmas tree light and the Christmas tree in the town centre, and rebranded it 'Winterval'!

Well as others pointed out IN BRITAIN (take the time to learn about the country u supposedly support) it was a winter solstice festival long before it was called Christmas (thus winterval is more british in many ways) and as someone else mentioned Jesus was not (most likely) born in december. I also have my doubts about this being a christian country. Even if it was - how dull stagnant and boring. Give me multiculturalism any day, far more interesting . There is so much u can learn if you step outside of your own belief system just for second.

[daft fan]

Well as others pointed out IN BRITAIN (take the time to learn about the country u supposedly support) it was a winter solstice festival long before it was called Christmas (thus winterval is more british in many ways) and as someone else mentioned Jesus was not (most likely) born in december. I also have my doubts about this being a christian country. Even if it was - how dull stagnant and boring. Give me multiculturalism any day, far more interesting . There is so much u can learn if you step outside of your own belief system just for second.

Council chiefs have confirmed there will be no traditional Christmas light switch-on in Oxford this year, but instead people will be greeted with a 25-metre high mobile of lanterns in the shape of the solar system.

This means that Oxford council are applying this to Christmas, not the period before that.

Also forgive me if I'm wrong but the Christmas advent has traditionally been from the 1st December -24th December, with Christmas being on the 25th, and the epiphany being the 11 days after.
However feel free to check a calender in case I'm wrong.

Why do people like yourself despise your own country, and support the destruction of Britain's identity, culture and heritage via mutliculturalism/uncontrolled mass immigration.

[DeeperUndercover]

Council chiefs have confirmed there will be no traditional Christmas light switch-on in Oxford this year, but instead people will be greeted with a 25-metre high mobile of lanterns in the shape of the solar system.

This means that Oxford council are applying this to Christmas, not the period before that.

Also forgive me if I'm wrong but the Christmas advent has traditionally been from the 1st December -24th December, with Christmas being on the 25th, and the epiphany being the 11 days after.
However feel free to check a calender in case I'm wrong.

Why do people like yourself despise your own country, and support the destruction of Britain's identity, culture and heritage via mutliculturalism/uncontrolled mass immigration.

I mean this is great. Pinpoints exactly where BNP logic breaks down (if there was any logic to begin with). When does British history begin for you? were we not british pre -christinaity - I mean before we had all that immigration from the Romans and Normans and Vikings that you must be against (no doubt u and all the BNP can trace their roots back to the ancient Britons and have no trace of European blood at all)? I mean Christ was not British. What has this got to do with being british anyway? British culture changes all the time and has throughout history. Why do you want it to remain stagnant and flat? Hey maybe the BNP motto should be - Stagnate and Die for Britain!!:p

What's all that advent stuff about. Did I say xmas was in July or something coz I don't get what u r meant to be saying???

[daft fan]

You claimed that Oxford council's 'Winter Light' event was before Christmas, and I corrected you by pointing out it was during Christmas. You've either simply ignored my post, or are clutching at straws by desperately pretending I said something else.

By supporting multiculturalism, i.e the self-segregation of immigrant communities caused by uncontrolled mass immigration, you are therefore supporting the destruction of your own culture.

If this was happening in a non-western country you and The Left would be in uproar.

You echoing extremist-left wing ideology that 'there is apparently no such thing as British culture' pretty much summarises your political stance.

Every single nationality has it's own identity, culture and heritage. If you have uncontrolled mass immigration (as we do now) without integration, then those immigrant communities become self-segregated. This creates social tensions between immigrant communities with conflicting cultures and beliefs.
Just look at the frequent black on Asian race riots in Lozells, Birmingham.

The fact Oxford council are having to scrap Christmas so as not to cause tensions with non-Christians, shows just how much anti-British Labour have lost the plot.
Imagine if a council scrapped Eid celebrations so as to appease to non-Muslims, bearing in mind the Mohammed cartoon in Denmark, and the 'Mohammed The Bear' saga in Sudan, caused near riots in Britain!

Labour and the Loony-Left simply renaming this crisis as 'multiculturalism' to try and make it seem like a good thing, is complete and utter madness. Ignoring the problem will only result in chaos.

Then again many people within the extremist-left support uncontrolled mass immigration/multiculturalism because they want a 'revolution'/civil war.

BNP were right!- Immigration costs Britain money and causes huge social tensions.

[DeeperUndercover]

You claimed that Oxford council's 'Winter Light' event was before Christmas, and I corrected you by pointing out it was during Christmas. You've either simply ignored my post, or are clutching at straws by desperately pretending I said something else.

By supporting multiculturalism, i.e the self-segregation of immigrant communities caused by uncontrolled mass immigration, you are therefore supporting the destruction of your own culture.

If this was happening in a non-western country you and The Left would be in uproar.

You echoing extremist-left wing ideology that 'there is apparently no such thing as British culture' pretty much summarises your political stance.

Every single nationality has it's own identity, culture and heritage. If you have uncontrolled mass immigration (as we do now) without integration, then those immigrant communities become self-segregated. This creates social tensions between immigrant communities with conflicting cultures and beliefs.
Just look at the frequent black on Asian race riots in Lozells, Birmingham.

The fact Oxford council are having to scrap Christmas so as not to cause tensions with non-Christians, shows just how much anti-British Labour have lost the plot.
Imagine if a council scrapped Eid celebrations so as to appease to non-Muslims, bearing in mind the Mohammed cartoon in Denmark, and the 'Mohammed The Bear' saga in Sudan, caused near riots in Britain!

Labour and the Loony-Left simply renaming this crisis as 'multiculturalism' to try and make it seem like a good thing, is complete and utter madness. Ignoring the problem will only result in chaos.

Then again many people within the extremist-left support uncontrolled mass immigration/multiculturalism because they want a 'revolution'/civil war.

BNP were right!- Immigration costs Britain money and causes huge social tensions.

If you wish to define British culture (I notice the BNP dont really do this except talking of genotypes which is a non-scientific word dressed up to sound scientific) in an essentialist way - u r on to a loser.

If there is such a thing as British culture it is being constantly re-articulated and re-invented (as it has been throughout history). This is why you cannot define it. It is certainly not a white culture (black MPs since the 1700s, for example). This is the beauty of culture it is not static.

You and the BNP do this country a huge disservice by trying to stagnate our culture and prevent it from changing and growing. But as I say you cant stop change so you are on to a loser anyway. We have had huge amounts of immigration for thousands of years and the country is still here. I really don't see your point unless u r saying British = white in which case u r just very old fashioned nazis just like everyone suspects anyway.

P.S by before xmas I meant historically!!! not the months or days leading up to xmas!!

[daft fan]

Would you care to 'define' Chinese culture, Pakistani culture, French culture etc.
You can't 'define' them but we know what they are, and we know that they differ.

By stating you support 'multiculturalism, you are acknowledging that different nationalities have different cultures. Hence 'multiculturalism'.

What you and the Left seem to fail to acknowledge in your own brainwashed little world, is that when these different immigrant communities with their own cultures become self-segregated in an increasing densely overpopulated country, this creates social tensions.

You and the BNP do this country a huge disservice by trying to stagnate our culture and prevent it from changing and growing. But as I say you cant stop change so you are on to a loser anyway. We have had huge amounts of immigration for thousands of years and the country is still here. I really don't see your point unless u r saying British = white in which case u r just very old fashioned nazis just like everyone suspects anyway.

You and the Left are not trying to change British culture but erase Britain's identity, culture and heritage, and replace it with that of many other countries.

As you love changing the cultures of indigenous populations, I take it then you support America's Westernisation of the Middle East via the invasion of Iraq etc...

[DeeperUndercover]

Would you care to 'define' Chinese culture, Pakistani culture, French culture etc.
You can't 'define' them but we know what they are, and we know that they differ.

By stating you support 'multiculturalism, you are acknowledging that different nationalities have different cultures. Hence 'multiculturalism'.

What you and the Left seem to fail to acknowledge in your own brainwashed little world, is that when these different immigrant communities with their own cultures become self-segregated in an increasing densely overpopulated country, this creates social tensions.



You and the Left are not trying to change British culture but erase Britain's identity, culture and heritage, and replace it with that of many other countries.

As you love changing the cultures of indigenous populations, I take it then you support America's Westernisation of the Middle East via the invasion of Iraq etc...

#

Utter rubbish I am not trying to change anything. I also did not say culture does not exist. Just that it is contingent and constantly changing this is simply the way it is. We (the left) are not doing anything and could not stop it changing if we wanted to anymore (thank goodness) than u can.

Nobody is trying to erase history. You are the one with a very selective view of history. I have mentioned history time and again in this thread. Again idenity is contingent as well. Identity requires an other to define itself. thus Britishness (whatever this is) needs other cultures in order to make sense of itself anyway. In other words Britain needs an 'other' to remain a viable discourse.Our identity is thus dependent on others or immigrants they make our identy and culture stronger (for better or for worse).

Of course there are social tensions (caused by this self/other relationship) this has been true throughout history (now u r the one again trying to erase or at least rewrite british history). This is nothing new and is transient. There were tensions between blacks and whites in the 1960s when there was loads of immigration from the West Indies now WI blacks are a well integrated part of our culture. Look how much reggae music is part of british culture now. There are problems yes but we have gained so much from learning about other cultures.

The real question is why u feel the need to defend a contingent culture that never really existed anyway, rather than just embrace your own idenity and allow it and your culture to carry on changing and developing as it has for thousands of years???

[Monkeylalala]

I actually take offence to Xmas decorations. I cannot stand seeing carollers in the mall or nativity sets. Do people assume that everyone is a Christian? Xmas is the one time of year where non believers, and followers of other faiths are bombarded with Christianity.

Imagine what would happen if a Pagan decided to decorate their store with Yule merchandise, or a Muslim (zip it, Trevortt) chose to decorate their store (which they may own) with Islamic decorations. Imagine the outcry from Christians. You can say it wouldn't happen but we all know it will happen.

I'm not being funny like but they already do and it's not a problem. I can't imagine being offended by someone showing adherence to their religion publicly (no matter what their religion might be). I'm really interested in why it offends you so much to see Christian symbols once a year. Really, I want to know. It's inverted racism to say that really. If someone started complaining about seeing for instance sikh symbols turbans etc then you would rightly say they were racist so how come it's okay to be offended by seeing Christain symbols?

[Tete123]

I'm not being funny like but they already do and it's not a problem. I can't imagine being offended by someone showing adherence to their religion publicly (no matter what their religion might be). I'm really interested in why it offends you so much to see Christian symbols once a year. Really, I want to know. It's inverted racism to say that really. If someone started complaining about seeing for instance sikh symbols turbans etc then you would rightly say they were racist so how come it's okay to be offended by seeing Christain symbols?

Describe how it is racist to be offended by religious symbols? IMO race and religion cannot (or should not) be interchangeable terms used to attribute labels of racist to those who oppose religion or religious symbolism.

[Monkeylalala]

Describe how it is racist to be offended by religious symbols? IMO race and religion cannot (or should not) be interchangeable terms used to attribute labels of racist to those who oppose religion or religious symbolism.

Yes I suppose really you are right, I should have used the word predjudice instead. But it is a kind of bigotry to be offended by religious symbols.

[Opinionated]

This bloody story surfaces every year and its a classic example of how the press (normally the Mail and/or Express) take a story purposely misrepresent it so as to sensationalise it. For the record the full title of Oxford Inspires' brochure was "WinterLight Seasonal Events: Christmas 2008". Sometimes "pc gone mad" stories are stupid, because it's lazy journalism that certain people want to believe.
Are we resurecting threads from three months ago to try and raise our activity percentages?

[Tete123]

Yes I suppose really you are right, I should have used the word predjudice instead. But it is a kind of bigotry to be offended by religious symbols.

In a sense I agree, I mean as an Atheist I can't say I am overly offended by a person displaying religious symbols - If a Christian wishes to wear a cross then so be it, particularly as we seem to be sensitive to certain religions being allowed to express their faith through dress or artifacts (bracletts etc).

Again it comes back to an overprotective 'nanny state' constructing various PC concepts that are divisive rather than inclusive and create the perfect environment for bigotry to exist.

[Midas]

I'm not being funny like but they already do and it's not a problem. I can't imagine being offended by someone showing adherence to their religion publicly (no matter what their religion might be). I'm really interested in why it offends you so much to see Christian symbols once a year. Really, I want to know. It's inverted racism to say that really. If someone started complaining about seeing for instance sikh symbols turbans etc then you would rightly say they were racist so how come it's okay to be offended by seeing Christain symbols?

As far as I can see the major problems start to arise when any one group, and in most countries that means a minority religion, starts to insist that either its traditions must receive an equal exposure or they insist that the traditions of the country they're in 'offend' them and must be stopped.

Just as Christian immigrants into say Dubai wouldn't dream of expecting that Eid or Ramadan be dropped in favour of Christmas or Easter (without drawing any parallels), I don't see why Muslim or Hindu or Sikh or Jewish immigrants into Britain believe they have the right to insist that their religion(s) take precedence.

As long as everyone is given the freedom to practice whatever they believe in within the law of the country they're in and without upsetting other ethnic or religious groups, they should be allowed to. Some of them can be quite fun, for instance Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, can be quite spectacular to see.