“Religion has no place in crematorium, says council,” from the Timesonline, with thanks to Granny Weatherwax:
A COUNCIL-RUN crematorium has been criticised by clergymen and funeral directors for removing a wooden cross from its chapel for fear of offending non-Christians.
Torbay Council in Devon is accused of taking political correctness too far by removing the 5ft-tall gilt cross from the wall of the old chapel in the municipal crematorium.
It also anounced that the chapel would in future be known as the ceremony hall…
Alan Faulkner, Torbay Council’s executive member for Environmental Services, defended the decision to remove the cross. He said: “We live in a diverse, multi-faith society and many people have no specific beliefs at all. The facility at Torquay Crematorium is a ceremony hall, it is not a chapel.”…
But the Rev Anthony Macey, the vicar of nearby Cockington, said: “That cross has been in the chapel for nearly 50 years. I am very angry about this. Calling the chapel a ceremony hall is ridiculous. It has been the chapel since the crematorium was built.”…
Father Paul Connor, the Roman Catholic priest for Brixham, said: “It would have been wiser and more politic of the council to consult undertakers and the clergy before they did this.
“If the cross offends people they can cover it up. What about the Christians who are offended by its removal?”
Indeed. When the Saudis begin to remove public signage in the Kingdom that says “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his Prophet” for fear of offending Christians, then we’ll talk.