This is where I believe many Brits stand.

‘It doesn’t educate, it divides’ Rinder blasts banning of Happy Christmas in fiery GMB row

Rob Rinders, a British criminal barrister and television personality, blasted the notion of banning the phrase "Happy Christmas" after being embroiled in a row with a human rights barrister during Wednesday's Good Morning Britain.

Good Morning Britain hosts Susanna Reid and Rob Rinder was joined by Adam Wagner, human rights barrister and Dr Rakib Ehsan, a researcher for the Henry Jackson Society. They joined the GMB hosts to debate whether the phrase “Happy Christmas” should be banned and replaced with "Happy Holidays" due to “insensitivities” and whether people need to be more aware of others’ holiday traditions.

Kicking off the debate, Adam Wagner explained: “I don’t have any issue at all if people think a bit more inclusively.

“But I certainly don’t know if we should be banning anything, I don’t think anybody wants to ban anything, actually.

“I think it’s really more about being a bit more thoughtful and also learning about other people’s traditions because not everybody does celebrate Christmas,” he said.

Rob interrupted Adam and argued: “Adam, who is against learning about other people’s traditions? Nobody."
“It feels divisive because it is, firstly, I should say happy fourth day of Hanukkah - there were people trying to ban this.

“And it’s called the European Commission, they actually issued guidelines. That doesn’t bring communities together, it divides them,” he exclaimed.

Meanwhile, Dr Ehsan then said: “There’s far too much American-style divisiveness being imported into the UK.

“Within our own country, we had cabinet-office officials essentially advising ministers not to use the word ‘Christmas’ in its public health messaging…

“…because it could potentially offend minority religions.

“There’s no evidence of that.

“No polling showing that non-Christians find the term Christmas offensive.”

Viewers of the debate took to Twitter to express their thoughts on the notion to ban “Happy Christmas”, with many furious.

One said: “#GMB is happy Christmas insensitive??? Oh dear god STOP!!! WHAT A SCROOGE!”

Additionally, another fumed: “#GMB just seen the ‘is Happy Christmas insensitive?’

“Oh dear.., what next? No one is forced to celebrate Christmas?

@imogenmorganxx wrote: “Cannot believe I am watching people on @GMB debate whether we should be saying Happy Christmas or not, actually grow up.”

@BademciDiane added: “@GMB Leave Christmas alone! So, Mr Wagner doesn't celebrate Christmas, so what...plenty of people do!”

@Zomba59 commented: “@GMB no, Happy Christmas should absolutely not be banned.

"We recognise all faiths in the UK and even wish them Happy Whatever their celebration is.”

“Oh, for goodness sake... say 'Season Greetings' if you're unsure. #GMB,” @charisma1330 argued.

“No member of the public cares about this, until it inevitably comes up every year, to make a certain demographic have a fit over nothing #gmb,” @L_A_D_J argued.

At the end of the discussion, Ranvir Singh explained that as a Sikh growing up her family didn’t have a Christmas tree.

But she and her family did “eat and drink and did everything else everyone else did”.

[express.co.uk]
[entertainmentdaily.co.uk]