Posted on 11/02/2018 4:39:01 PM PDT by massmike
Organisers of the Christmas Market in the Belgian city of Brugge changed its name to Winter Market. The decision was made to not offend other beliefs, Belgian newspaper HLN reports.
The newspaper says that the Christmas lights on the market will be replaced by neutral winter lights. People and politicians are not amused about the changes.
Pol Van Den Driessche, a member of local opposition party N-VA, calls the decision incomprehensible and unbelievable.
So we are not allowed to speak about a Christmas Market, but only of a Winter Market. This is not only a completely insane decision, it also goes against what we are.
Brugge has a wonderful and historic Christmas tradition and if youre religious or not, this is part of our culture. I dont want to appease to this sickening form of tolerance, the politician said.
Some people replying to the article relate the decision to Islam. Do we still live in Belgium? Our norms and values are eroding, our culture is disappearing and our feasts need other names. And we must respect their Ramadan and Sugar Feast, a man says.
The organiser of Brugges Winter Market, Pieter Vanderyse says he said the decision was made to make the market more neutral for everybody.
If we use the word Christmas it will be associated with a religion, but we want to be more neutral. We have no idea where they commotion comes from, this is the second year the name has changed, Vanderyse says.
Other Belgian cities also changed its Christmas Markets into Winter Markets, Winter Lands or Winter Fun. Examples are Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Hasselt.
if other beliefs have an issue with Christians having their beliefs and holidays, then the other beliefs are intolerant instead of assimilative and so have no place in Western society
Why don’t they just change the name of the country to “NowhereLand” so they don’t offend anyone.
And Brugge has a Catholic Church that has a VIAL OF CHRIST’S BLOOD.....iirc!
LennonMcCartney were 53 years ahead of the curve.
Yeah. Maybe they could make that the national anthem.
it sounds stupid saying WINTER MARKET at church during WINTER MARKET Midnight mass...
Hmm - A happy Winterfest to all. May Gaia protect Mother Earth.
So they choose to offend the southern hemisphere.
It’s illegal in the EU to criticize Mohammed, and everything to do with Christ has to be renamed.
European culture is dead.
Why would it offend other beliefs?
Somehow I doubt their Muslim overlords will be so accommodating with their celebrations.
If Belgians are anything like I am, they won’t buy Christmas presents from any vendor that is afraid to use the word Christmas.
I recall a passage about the Lord sending people a strong delusion ... if Europeans mostly haven’t wanted the Savior in freedom then the Lord may be giving them over to the religion of the biggest slavers history has known.
Angela Merkel to all Germans: My Work Here Is Done! Enjoy the Carnage.
*SPIT*
Don’t forget Festivus!
I’m sure most of Europe is looking forward to the, ‘airing of grievances’ this season!
What a friggin’ MESS!
Europe is dead. It was never worth one drop of American blood from either world wars.
Those damned Buddhists they get pissed off at the slightest provocation...
Geez Louise. If a country in Europe is doing this the rest of them won’t be far behind.
I’ll have NO desire to visit Europe for a “Winterfest”.
Islam means submission.
Belgium has submitted.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.