Susie O’Brien: Celebrating other faiths is no bad thing, but not at the expense of Christmas

The Diversity Council Australia says we should encourage the celebration of non-Christian faiths at this time of year, but maintaining Christmas spirit is important, writes Susie O’Brien.

Being inclusive doesn’t need to come at the expense of Christmas cheer.

These days, Christmas isn’t seen by most Australians as a Christian celebration.

Although we respect its religious origin, for most it’s a special day to see family, exchange presents, spoil the kids, and eat, drink and be merry.

As Tim Minchin sings, it’s a day for “drinking white wine in the sun”.

God doesn’t come into it for most people.

Christmas and Harry Potter are going together this year. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Whether or not religious groups want to admit it, for more than half of all Australians, Christmas is more about JB HiFi than JC.

That’s why suggestions that elevate other religious days such as Hanukkah, Chinese New Year and Diwali alongside Christmas don’t feel right.

The suggestion comes from the Diversity Council Australia, which advises 500 major Australian organisations employing more than one million Australian workers.

The council’s new guidelines want employers to hold events that celebrate, not just Christmas, but the Buddhist Bodhi Day, the Hindu Diwali, Jewish Hanukkah and Islamic Ramadan.

It states that organisations should make “sure your end of year holiday party is inclusive of both Christian traditions and others”.

Celebrating diversity shouldn’t come at the expense of Christmas, according to Susie O’Brien. Picture: Tim Carrafa

It also suggests workplaces should send “holiday greetings” and introduce “inclusive floating cultural holidays”.

I respect where the Diversity Council Australia is coming from in wanting to ensure workplaces celebrate other religious days and events.

But it shouldn’t come at the expense of Christmas.

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Census data shows 52 per cent of Australians are Christians and 61 per cent of Australians overall are religious.

The ten per cent who ascribe to other faiths – although important and worthy of recognition – should not push out well-established, much-loved celebrations such as Christmas.

I don’t object to the council’s notions of “inclusive floating cultural holidays” because people should celebrate their important own cultural and religious days. They shouldn’t be made to take Christmas off if they don’t want to.

But the idea of saying “Holiday Greetings” rather than “Merry Christmas” and holding “end of year holiday season events” rather than Christmas parties leaves me cold.

Christmas is a joyous, fun time of year – a reward for 12 months of hard work – and it shouldn’t be watered down into an all-in cultural event.

Let other faiths celebrate in their way – on their days – but don’t let it affect Christmas.

@susieob