Nativity finds room at Thistles
our original decision. We have offered Mrs Paterson the opportunity to host a Nativity scene at the centre this Sunday in line with her original request and we are delighted that she has accepted.
“Thank you to all those who took the time to share their views with us. We wish all of our customers a peaceful and happy Christmas.”
Mrs Paterson applied to have a Nativity crib on the last Sunday before Christmas but the centre refused due to its policy of `religious and political neutrality’. They were against the display of any religious iconography in the `common areas’ of the centre.
Despite that, individual shops are allowed to have religious displays at their premises and the new Entertainer toy shop has a Nativity display in its window.
The Entertainer boss Gary Grant had expressed sympathy with the centre but also questioned whether the Thistles had thought through the policy.
He said: “Christmas is so important to us and we don’t want the next generation forgetting its true meaning.”
Mrs Paterson said Standard Life representatives told her they had looked at the rule and made the determination that a Nativity scene could be placed although it’s not clear whether the `neutrality’ policy has been shelved entirely.
“It seemed to me that they were making an exception to the rule, as the Nativity is the real reason for Christmas”, Mrs Paterson added.
“I would like to thank everyone for their support, they have been marvellous.”
Stirling MP Stephen Kerr praised the centre for the new move adding: “I am delighted to hear that some common sense has been applied and that the Thistle Centre have the ability to acknowledge when they got it wrong.
“Changes to their policy should be made so this does not happen again.
“It was important to raise this issue and bring some attention to it. Everyone who has raised this with me thought it was pretty daft to prevent a Nativity scene being displayed at Christmas and a case of `political correctness gone mad.’”
Stirling SNP Councillor Alison Laurie said: “At this time of year, it is important that we don’t lose sight of what Christmas is really about. There was a clear public outcry at the Thistle’s decision to ban the nativity, which isn’t offensive to anyone as far as I’m aware.
“I am pleased therefore that management have seen sense and have reintroduced the iconic scene of the greatest story ever told to the shopping centre.”
The Church of Scotland have also welcomed the move: “We are delighted that the Thistles Centre has been inspired with the spirit of Christmas. It’s really good news and we wish them every blessing.”
A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh also commented: “The management of the Thistles Centre, along with owners Standard Life Investments, are to be commended and congratulated for listening to the general public and responding with such generosity and inclusivity, recognising that contemporary Scotland should be a place that both respects and upholds religious liberty in the public square – we wish the management, staff, and shoppers at Thistles a very happy and very peaceful Christmas indeed.”