Local upset after going to Cross and Crown Christmas Carols at Elanora State School
A Gold Coast resident who attended their local Christmas carols has unleashed on social media after discovering it was a religious event.
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A Gold Coast resident who attended their local Christmas carols has unleashed on social media after discovering it was a religious event.
Cross and Crown Church held their event at Elanora State High School on Sunday, advertising “an evening of family fun, community and the spirit of Christmas”.
“Relax on the lawn and enjoy your favourite carols with a live band. Carols start at 6. Bring a picnic rug or chairs,” the church’s post said.
On Monday, a Gold Coast resident posted anonymously to a community group expressing how “disappointed” they were with the event.
“What we all got was over 30 minutes of a bible reading with the words ‘Christmas is Merry because of Jesus Christ’ shouted at us over eight times,” the resident said.
“None of the children’s favourites were sung like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer or We Wish you a Merry Christmas or Jingle Bells or even Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
The resident said they thought the carols was put on by the school, despite the booking being through Cross and Crown Gold Coast.
“This was an extremely disappointing event to be honest,” they said.
“A lot of people left halfway due to bible reading … for half of it.
“I understand Christmas is about Jesus Christ but this seemed very forceful and almost uncomfortable to endure.”
The resident said they weren’t “against religion”, but “felt blindsided” by the event.
Cross and Crown Church associate paster Todd Parry-Jones said he was “sorry to hear some felt blindsided by the fact that the event was run by a church with traditional Christmas content”.
He said, despite the complaint, they had more than 1000 people enjoying the celebration.
“We appreciate the feedback and will take it into consideration for our marketing in the future,” Mr Parry-Jones said.
“For all who enjoyed, thanks for your support.”
Gold Coaster Rose Lord commented and said “imagine going to a Christmas event being held by a church and then complaining about it being about God”.
Another resident Lea Well replied to Ms Lord and said “I see nothing wrong with OP’s opinion. We are in Australia which is now majority non religious (or at least non practising). Christmas isn’t about religion for everyone.”
Ms Lord replied: “doesn’t matter. They went to a church for a Christmas event … are we forgetting it’s literally in the name? CHRISTmas?”
Gold Coaster Helen Loring said her family attended the carols and “had a lovely time”.
“I was actually thinking this morning how lovely to see a carols night focusing on baby Jesus and the Christmas story,” she said.
“I do agree though that mixing it with Santa and some of the kids’ favourites may have been a good mix.
“A shame that it is getting this way now with lots of Christmas or ‘holiday’ events, we can’t mix it up because of fear of offending someone.”
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