Thumbsdownfor nativitydisplayat ThistlesCentre
She made a similar application to the Thistles last year and was also told the centre could not accommodate them.
Mrs Paterson says she hopes that the campaign will grow and centre managers will change their mind. “This is not the first time Christ has been refused entry”, she added.
Stirling MP Stephen Kerr, who wrote to the Thistles on Mrs Paterson’s behalf after her request was turned down, called the decision disappointing.
He added: “I can understand why guidelines are needed to ensure appropriate use is made of the space in the centre. However I do feel that every application needs to be looked at sensibly and any policy needs to have enough flexibility built in to allow judgement to be used.
“The nature and purpose of what is proposed is surely the important factor, whether that be from any faith group or any other organisation. In this case a Nativity on the run up to Christmas would hardly seem controversial.”
A spokesperson for Thistles Shopping Centre said: “While we are sympathetic with Legion of St Mary’s request to have a nativity scene in Thistles Shopping Centre, we are unfortunately unable to accommodate it.”
“As is common amongst shopping centres, our policy is to support our local community in celebrating the festive season without affiliating with any specific religions or beliefs.”
It is understood that the neutrality policy only applies to the ‘common area’ of the Thistles Centre.
Individual stores in the centre are therefore free to display religious and political iconography.
The Entertainer boss Gary Grant said: “As a Christian accused of profiteering and capitalising on Christmas, I’m trying my best to find a balance between commercial and Christian.
“I do wonder if the centre has thought through the policy. Christmas is important to us and we don’t want the next generation forgetting its true meaning.”
However, Mr Grant did express sympathy with the Thistles Centre and its policy.
“We don’t want any unique praise for our nativity,” he added “Even people of no faith understand the true meaning of Christmas and the Christian Faith”.
Meanwhile the Church of Scotland criticised the Thistles’ policy.
“It is disappointing that the true meaning of Christmas has been completely lost here,” a spokesperson added.
“When a shopping centre can focus purely on commercialism to the exclusion of the reason for the celebration of Christmas it is a sad day for all of us.”
A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh said: “At this time of year Christmas cribs grace many public squares all across the British Isles, bringing joy to nearly all who encounter them, regardless of their religion, and so it seems just a wee bit, well, Grinch-like for the Thistles Shopping Centre to ban the Christmas crib and, in the true spirit of Christmas, we would certainly ask them to reconsider their decision.”
In the midst of the backlash, Humanist Society Scotland has backed the shopping centre.
Fraser Sutherland, its campaigns manager, said: “It should be up to Thistles Shopping Centre how they lay out or decorate their commercial space. Attempts by some to “bully” or “demand” local businesses to display religious iconography in what is an otherwise secular space is somewhat odd especially given these are the same individuals who often complain about the ‘commercialisation of Christmas’.”
“No doubt local churches and other places of worship will be displaying fantastic nativity scenes across the festive period that people can engage in if they so wish.”