By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
TWO Christian church leaders have joined a “groundswell of dissatisfaction” against Greater Dandenong Council’s Christmas decorations.
Catch the Fire Ministries, based in Hallam, recently removed a website post linking “Muslim mayor” Jim Memeti with the removal of the word ‘Christmas’ from street banners.
“It shocks me that in most cases in most parts of the world, people who claim to be offended at the word ‘Christmas’ seem to be Muslims living in the West,” the post stated.
“It does not surprise me that the Dandenong Council with a Muslim Mayor has decided to follow the same path in removing Christmas celebrations.”
Pastor Daniel Nalliah later told the Journal that the church was “just asking the question: is the Muslim mayor the cause behind the Christmas decorations in Dandenong”.
He said the council had described the Christmas omission as an oversight, so he removed the post out of “good will”.
Last week the church posted criticism of the council’s Christmas card designs – which mention “Seasons Greetings” and “happy festive season” but no message referring to Christmas.
“Please keep praying and speaking out for ‘Merry Christmas’ to be restored in Dandenong and across all of Australia despite of all political correctness, multiculturalism and interfaith,” the post stated.
David Owen, a pastor at Noble Park Christian Church, defended Cr Memeti who “has taken a great deal of interest in what Christian groups are doing and has put his support behind us”.
But he said there was a “groundswell of dissatisfaction” among Christian leaders in the Dandenong Ministers’ Fellowship and a Christian group Momentum.
He said council and government money should not be spent on promoting religion “usually under the guise of multiculturalism”.
“The $85,000 spent (by the council) on Christmas street decorations would be better used to help supplement our pensioners’ rates giving them a pleasant Christmas gift and something to celebrate.
“This is especially considering we have used the same decorations, bells, boxes, banners and Christmas trees – what is Christian about these? – for as long as I can remember and that they do not depict Christianity at all.
“After all, Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus Christ.
“The Christian community are not even consulted on celebrating Christmas.
“At the carols service, we could have a Christmas message of peace and goodwill, instead of Santa.”
Cr Memeti said there had been “no decision by anyone at (the) council to remove the word Christmas or cancel or alter the way Christmas is celebrated in our community”.
He said the council also provided roving Christmas performers in shopping districts, and sponsored Dandenong’s Carols by Candlelight.
“We’re trying to do as much in the city as we can. I’m happy to hear how we can do it better.”
He said he would attend the carols, hoping more people of different faiths would boost numbers at the celebration.
“I have many Christian friends. I give them Christmas cards, they invite me to lunch and dinner to celebrate with them.
“I also know Christians who celebrate with other communities’ religious festivals. We really respect each other and we’ll keep celebrating with each other.”
Interfaith Network of Greater Dandenong member Helen Heath said the most major holy days and festivals, including Christmas, should be celebrated “in the most meaningful way possible”.
“The council does its best to honour all the faiths in the community.”
