"Raina Johns" <[log in to unmask]> schrieb:
Raina,
as you mix some things, let me try to explain the matter once again.
As cultural institutions, it is our job to be accessible to all people.
No doubt. But what has this to do with this discussion? The discussion
is about wishes and greetings, maybe also about exhibitions around Xmas.
You can arrange exhibitions around Xmas even without wishes and
greetings at all. But if you wish and greet and your audience is mostly
Christian, so why retreat to a neutral exhibition and neutral wishes and
greetings? There is no need. People of other faiths also have to accept
the fact that there are other religions and that Christians have their
particular time of the year.
In this discussion, I said several times: This discussion would not take
place in so many countries ruled by other religious majorities, so why
have it again and again in Northern America? Because of complaints in
the past and of the try to sell more tickets? Let us concentrate on the
first item: For me, living far abroad from your problems, no visitor has
the right to complain about the way an exhibition is arranged as long it
is done scientifically. Take this example: No Muslim will be compelled
to visit a Xmas exbition - but he is invited. Our problem in Germany is
that most Muslims do not visit our museum exhibitions because they
- do not understand enough German
- are not interested in museums at all
- learn at home and at Muslim schools that our culture and civilization
is devil's work.
To some the topic of Christmas vs. Happy Holidays is silly, but to
others it is
the basis for hate.
I read some really silly mails and some good jokes, but I found no mail
based on hate. Christmas as well as the Christian faith is the contrary
of hate. I am a little bit shocked.
Despite the majority's belief or even our personal
ones, it is our responsibility to be respectful of all people and their
beliefs.
No doubt.
We take no sides.
This is exactly the wrong conclusion. In life, the one without a
standpost has already lost. Why? Because others with a standpoint (The
ones complaining!) have already won. I like to mention just two
examples: On the last biennale in Venice as well as the Museum of
Ethnography in Hamburg WORKS OF ART had to be removed from the
exhibition because of complaints of one or two Muslim representatives
(Their policy: "Avoid problems"). This discussion, by far, does not shot
a dead horse. If you are not willing to deal with religious conflicts
all over the world, you can only ask "My God, how could this happen?"
viewing again at the pictures of September 11th. Also in the US, there
is lot of cultural background "unmelted" into one culture.
Best regards
Christian
We only share history and the knowledge gained from that history. Unless
there is an exhibition specifically addressing Christian, Jewish, Pagan,
etc. holiday traditions, then the use of "Happy Holidays" acknowledges
all beliefs and practices, takes no sides, and wishes blessings to all.
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