Equality Chief in Nativity Call

December 10, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7136166.stm

All primary schools should hold a nativity play regardless of the religion of their pupils, according to the equality chief Trevor Phillips.

Last week, a Sunday Telegraph poll indicated that only one in five primary schools was planning a nativity play.

Mr Phillips, chairman of the Commission for Equalities and Human Rights, told BBC Radio 4's Today that schools should not shy away from the Christmas story.

He said it was a "very important fundamental, national celebration".

A growing number of people are unaware of the Christmas story, according to the public theology think tank Theo.

It carried out a poll which suggested that 27% of people are unable to identify Bethlehem as Christ's birthplace and that number rises to 36% of people aged between 18 and 24.