The point is, what is Trevor Phillips going to do to halt the Christmas haters? There is an active conspiracy against Christianity which is not coming from other religions, especially Islam. Muslims are generally supportive of Christianity (in their Christian neighbours). No, it is coming from the secular left, and from militant atheism. These people have an ideological agenda, and it is profoundly illiberal and should be opposed on those grounds.

MBC, Edinburgh, UK

Jennifer Hynes: "we forgot that it is in fact, a religious festival"

Actually, I haven't missed the point at all and I very much doubt people have forgotton that the cultural event is also a religious festival for Christians. For me, Christmas has no point other than as a cultural thing because I'm an atheist. For you, it's obviously different.

I very much back the freedom of Christians to celebrate Christmas as a religious festival in private and in public. I also expect Christians to back my freedom to celebrate it as I see fit: as a winter festival of light and plenty, with good food, good wine, gifts, and good company. The two can quite happily co-exist.

If Christians try to own and regulate the meaning of 'Christmas' in a largely non-practising-Christian country then they're doomed to failure I'm afraid. The rest of us enjoy a good party too much.

David Jones, Loughborough, UK

So, in England to be "politically correct" first Christmas be abolished, what next ...the queen, because the monarchy "offends certain groups", then parliment because it doesn't represent the "offended groups interests", where does one draw the line" Trevor is right...THIS IS DAFT! This is England! Well, for that matter anywhere in the world actually! Those offended groups of the world living in other countries who don't like the customs, holidays and religions and etc. your living in...leave! . A country is defined by its traditions, customs, holidays and monuments and etc. The fact that thecountries who "try" to be sensitive (politically correct) to all its citizens/guests, regardless of race, creed, colour, culture or religious differences with an openess to hear their voice, speaks volumes! Learn, live, grow, and try to enjoy all the wonderful things the country has to offer! Maybe "offense" might just be another term for SELF CLOSED MINDED IGNORANCE?

Howard, Andover,

At last some sanity in the Christmas debate; thank you Trevor Phillips! What's the point in throwing away one of the mainstays of British tradition just in case people of other faiths might get offended. The birth of Christ, though not appearing to have been celebrated by the earliest Christians, is a tradition that has lasted 2,000 years and is still alive today and will continue to be celebrated despite a few daft abolitionists.
The Christian believe that we celebrate Christmas because Jesus WAS born and that God did intervene in this world at Christmas in order to give mankind a chance to enjoy peace with Himself.
That, to the Christian, is every reason to celebrate - so thank you Trevor Phillips for your sensible intervention.

David Matthews, Pitscottie, Scotland

As Jesus Christ is alive and well in the spiritual and most powerful realm. I know because I've met Him and so have all other born again believers, celebrating Christmas is not a dead festivity. To welcome Jesus at Christmas and, in fact every day of our lives, is inviting the only Person capable of changing this planet, because He made it in the first place, to do so.

We welcome you Jesus to take Your place this Christmas and every day for the sake of Your saving our nation and the world from the terrors that are ever rising because they slung you out.

Jesus is the best and trully lives and loves us. Let's love Him back with all the fervency we can muster ! It is never too late.

P Bygrave, Brighton, UK

Oddly enough, I produced a poster this year for my "festive" window; Remember who put the Christ in Christmas.

Seems in our rush to make money, grab what we can for free, and eat ourselves obese and drink ourselves senseless we forgot that it is in fact, a religious festival. David Jones seems to have missed the point entirely. But this is what happens when you identify Christendom with culture and national identity. You can't have it both ways.

Personally I'd be happier if religious festivals from all faiths had equal footing in public meaning, but ALL demarcated the line between faith and state, faith and consumerism. One wonders what the people of Zimbabwe, or Sudan, or Bangladesh, think of the way we celebrate such a holy day?

Jennifer Hynes, Plymouth, England

Excellent - finally someone is willing to stand up and support Christmas and the other cultural "icons" of this nation. What is the point in rejecting our own traditions because someone might be offended - I was not born in the UK but have adopted UK customs and culture and think they are great.

The result of rejecting one's customs and culture is a cultural void of nothingness. How boring.

David, Edinburgh,

I think we have to identify who or what is putting out these sort of directives or messages: it's public bodies, politicians, and service providers.

If a public body is spending taxes on festivals then I can see why they'd be reluctant to favour one over another, especially in very multicultural areas.

If the recipient of a Christmas card is, say, Muslim or atheist then what's the point sending an explicitly religious card whose message they wouldn't appreciate? An anodyne one would surely be better and more polite. I fail to see why 'Merry Christmas' would upset anyone though as it's a fact that it's Christmas time.

I'm a staunch atheist and I have Christmas decorations up, it's simply the meaning of them that's different for me. I'm happy to celebrate Eid, Dawali, and Hanukkah too if it's fun.

David Jones, Loughborough, UK

Jonathon, New Zealand- sort out the rights of Indigeous peoples rights in your own country before you start commenting on another.

Raymond, Liverpool, UK

I am a Jew, my wife is Scottish Presbyterian, my daughter is nothing and my daughter in law is Roman Catholic. All three grand daughters are mixed nothing!
We always enjoy our Christmas,Turkey and Whisky and all; What the hell is the matter with all these politically correct idiots?
We once went on holiday to Israel, as a family, and friends asked: 'Won't there be many arguments?' To which I replied: 'Yes plenty, but not about religion!'

By the way, during the war I served in the Highland Light Infantry, I must have been the only 'yiddisher' Scotsman in the army!

Ken, Orpington, Kent

Let's get our terminology clear. "Political correctness" is an American expression, referring to polite behaviour which is in harmony with the principles of the American Constitution. And the American Constitution is strictly secular.

But because of the easy exchange of ideas over the net, secular PC is starting to become popular in the United Kingdom - quite illegally, because the UK happens to be a Christian Monarchy: HM The Queen is simultaneously Head of State and Supreme Governor of the Church of England. So "political correctness", on the UK side of the Atlantic, means something entirely different very different from what it means in the USA!

Edmund Burke, Kingston upon Thames, England

Can you imagine a Muslim state scrapping Islamic traditions or Israel scrapping its Jewish traditions -- however secular their citizens may be? Although Easter, not Chrismas, is the most important Christian festival, Christmas is the quintessentially English festival. I teach Jewish, Muslim, Hindu children as well as Christians. I haven't found any who object to Christmas. Don't let the p.c. Grinch kidnap Christmas!

Joseph, London,

Downplay Christmas?

Bah! Humbug!!

Allan, Cowling, N Yorks,

Great. Another opportunity for a small number of loud mouth christians to feign indignation. Schools should not be doing nativity plays year after year after year (that is called Sunday school). They should mix it up with different things like pantos, pagan festivals and more secular stories (A Christmas Carol etc.). After all schools should be about pluralism and there is more to this time of year (Yule) than the religious interpretation. Most christians are hypocrites when they try and shoehorn their religion into school when the vast majority of them don't go to church or send their kids to Sunday school.

Doug, Aberdeen,

If you're asked to take your decorations down you could always quote the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which the British government is a signatory to. Article 8 states that

1. Indigenous peoples and individuals have the right not to be subjected to forced assimilation or destruction of their culture.
2. States shall provide effective mechanisms for prevention of, and redress for:
(a) Any action which has the aim or effect of depriving them of their integrity as distinct peoples, or of their cultural values or ethnic identities

Jonathan, Auckland, New Zealand

What a state we have got ourselves in that we find such comfort and reassurances in the kind words of our respected Mr Phillips.
God help us.............................any God of course!

mike cassidy, oxford, england

I lived in Easton in inner city Bristol for many years. Large Muslim population there, large Sikh population. Our Muslim neighbours would always greet us with "Happy Christmas" on Christmas morning, and our Sikh neighbours two houses up invited me in for a drink one Christmas day - they were having a splendid party, and one said to me "We do so enjoy your pagan festivals", with a huge twinkle in his eyes!

The problem we now have has been created by this dreadful government with it's obsession with PC and not upsetting ANYONE.

I am not a Christian, but Christianity is part of the fabric of our country, and we should cherish that which is good about it. The instances I quote above serve to bring different races and religions together. New Labour's moronic self-serving legislation does just the opposite.

Jeremy Poynton, Fromeville, 51st State

In Australia, one Father Christmas has been sacked for saying HO HO HO - how PC can you get ?

Malcolm Sealy, Berry, NSW Australia

I live in multi cultural society - Malaysia - and we all celebrate each others holidays. My many Muslim friends have no problem wishing me a Happy Christmas. The PC critics in the UK are only parading their own ignorance and intolerance. Good for Sir Trevor - I hope his words are heeded.

Stewart West, Kajang , Malaysia

The irony is that those who think that people of other faiths and backgrounds would be offended are themselves guilty of racism. What they are effectively saying is that British people are tolerant of other cultural traditions but non British people aren't and will be offended by Christmas. Nonsense.

I'm not offended by Eid or Diwali, why should they be offended by Christmas?

And anyway for most people in this secular age Christmas is just a holiday at the end of the year when we exchange gifts, see family, tell children about a jolly bearded man dressed in red and drink too much. It doesn't even have to be exclusively Christian. For most people it is barely Christian as it is. It's just a holiday. It's harmless.

If anyone told me not to put up decorations I would do so anyway. If they then sacked or disciplined me it would make for an interesting industrial tribunal.

Paul Owen, Birmingham, UK

It is embarrassing (for someone who admires Britain) to read about this over the top political correctness! Loosen up everyone! Acknowledge other religious celebrations, and relax! Employers can offer people of non-Christian religions, time off, with paid days, so that they can celebrate their festivities. How can the wishes for peace and good will be offensive to anyone? Merry Christmas to all people in the UK! The sentiments meant by those two words, goes beyond the literal translation!

Michael Sullivan, Toronto, Canada

I remember an episode of South Park making the same point ...ten years ago? It hurts to have the truth spelt out by South Park.

Merry .. er.. "thing" everyone.

Tim, Auckland, New Zealand

Yet again Trevor Phillips speaks the sense that everyone else in the public eye are too terrified to speak themselves

jay, cardiff,