I can't imagine NR putting a bible quote up. A Torah / old testament quote is even more unthinkable with current events in Gaza. I am not sure hindu texts would be quoted either. There will be some whose negative reaction is anti Muslim but certainly for me it was the outrageous special treatment.
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Network Rail removes Islamic message on King's Cross display boards after fierce criticism
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I can't imagine NR putting a bible quote up. A Torah / old testament quote is even more unthinkable with current events in Gaza. I am not sure hindu texts would be quoted either. There will be some whose negative reaction is anti Muslim but certainly for me it was the outrageous special treatment.
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R
RailUK Forums
Nope, sorry religious text has no place at all, under any circumstances on an information display.
Indeed. However where do you draw the line between quoting scripture (which most definit2ly is proselytising, and something "generically religious"? Why even bring religion into that public realm?
Easier and better to simply not do it at all. Ramadan, Easter or any other religious festival or whatever is of no interest to me at all, certainly not when I'm trying to get to a train.
The king is head of the church of england and was crowned in a C of E church by the head of the church of England. He swore to be the defender of the faith, which is stamped on coins we all use. The C of E bishops sit in our legislature as Lords spiritual.
I am not saying if that is right and proper - thats for another thread. But its how the law stands today
Christmas is more a cultural than religious festival in the UK. Easter is a bit different but its still has a cultural aspect seperate to the religious. I don't know what Ramadan or Eid are about but appears to be a similar thing. Quoting scripture is by its nature religious and very different to wishing people a happy Ramadan.
Quite a large number of members of the Church of England support disestablishing it or don't care either way. It causes a lot of problems because it means people outside of the church have an entitlement to determine its policy e.g. on LGTBQ+ issues in a way that simply isn’t the case with other churches and especially other religions.
Really? Have you ever seen quotes from the bible on a train departure board.
It was clearly ridiculous and rightly removed.
Nottingham59
Established Member
AIUI it wasn't a departure board. It was a board used for general notices.
An electronic version of the white noticeboards that sometimes carry a poem for the day at TfL stations.
All on the Board - Changing London journeys with the power of words | London Transport Museum
Meet Ian and Jeremy, aka N1 & E1 of All on the Board, the formerly anonymous masked duo who brighten Londoner's journeys on the Underground with their inspirational messages written on station notice boards.
Falcon1200
Established Member
Which might be OK if a similar message was posted for each special day or period for every religion practised in the UK! Which is not going to happen, and anyway promoting religion of any kind is in no shape or form any part of Network Rail's remit.
If it means more days off, I'm all for it.
I think Christmas (period) is also a festival for the pre-Christian pagan religions as well.
That’s like saying if we can’t have a perfect timetable with every train departing on time then we shouldn’t have any trains at all. There is no reason why you couldn’t say ‘happy Christmas/happy Easter’ for the Christians, ‘Eid Mubarak’ for the Muslims, ‘Happy Diwali’ for the Hindus and Sikhs (or have a message for Guru Nanak’s birthday for the latter), and ‘Happy Jewish New Year’ at Rosh Hashanah. I’d have a message for Chinese New Year, too.
That would cover the great majority of believers in this country and shows a recognition of those communities. Only those with a vested interest in division could object. The railways are acknowledged to have a community function beyond simply transporting things.
Falcon1200
Established Member
However many messages were posted, some would feel left out, never mind the non-believers and the atheists! Railway information screens are no place for religious imprecations of any kind.
Enthusiast
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Yes I am that backwards. It was an error rather than a lack of understanding (and I've amended my post - thanks for pointing out my mistake).
But my point remains. The poster said that he was "caught out" by Ramadan and had to break his journey (presumably at sunset) to break his fast. This implied that either it was deemed mandatory to break one's fast at sunset (which I don't believe is so, though I'm willing to be corrected) or that he was so hungry and/or thirsty that he could not wait a moment longer.
But I think the bigger point is that it was suggested that the railways might assist in this process by broadcasting the appropriate times. Let's keep it simple and just say I disagree.
It doesn’t matter whether a small number feel left out or not, frankly. These religious groups exist, and they aren’t going away (regardless of what non-believers think), so recognising them and making them feel included and seen is entirely a good thing. Wishing them well on an occasion of importance to them is merely good manners, a thing which the British used to pride themselves was a fundamental part of their culture.
I see no difference whatsoever between ‘merry Christmas/Eid Mubarak’ and things like all the Pride messaging that the railways now indulge in. No-one is advocating sermons or proselytising. And using an otherwise vacant supplementary screen in no way impinges on the key messages regarding train times and platforming.
High Dyke
Established Member
No, far from it. The item was also widely reported through other channels. My gripe is that most news sources will wish to make headlines. GB News seems to be employ a lot of people that are intent on causing divide amongst the multicultural society we live in. For that, my opinion is that many media outlets aren't worth wasting breath over. Others are entitled to their opinion.
Nor do I, and none of it is appropriate IMO.
People of course are free to practise whatever religion they want to, express their sexuality etc but none of it has anything whatsoever to do with providing a train service.
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